Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Friday, 23 January 2009

BBC News

• Easyjet issues buoyant forecastBudget carrier Easyjet says its revenues in half year to end-March
• Fiat reports big fall in revenuesItalian carmaker Fiat reports a 19% drop in revenues for the last three months of 2008 after a sharp fall in sales.
• Audi to stop work for five daysGerman carmarker Audi is to halt production at its main German plant in the face of falling sales.
• Ryanair bid for Aer Lingus failsThe Irish government rejects Ryanair's bid for Aer Lingus, saying the offer undervalues the Irish flag carrier.
• UK car production drops sharplyThe number of new cars produced in the UK in December 2008 falls dramatically, as carmakers cut back.

Financial Times

• Financial crisis puts cloud over EdinburghPassengers arriving at Edinburgh Airport notice few signs of recession - apart from a long line of taxis, whose drivers complain that business travellers are much more...
• Fuel hedges drain Southwest profitSouthwest Airlines reported its second quarterly loss in a row as jet fuel hedges, which insulated the carrier from surging commodity costs in the first half of 2008,...
• Ports businesses launch rates caseA handful of companies in Liverpool and Tilbury have gone into administration after receiving demands from local authorities dating back to 2005
• EasyJet raises revenue forecastAndy Harrison, chief executive, said the low-cost carrier had seen business travellers and long-haul leisure travellers switching to EasyJet in search of better value
• BA shelves OpenSkies expansionThe UK carrier has postponed its venture to operate direct services between continental Europe and North America, bypassing Heathrow, and will seek to sell the aircraft earmarked for its subsidiary
• Aer Lingus and United plan joint service Aer Lingus, the Irish carrier, and United Airlines, the third biggest US airline, plan to launch a daily service between Madrid and Washington

The Guardian

• Are budget airlines the new choice for business travellers?Flying to Frankfurt in British Airways' business class, I am called late to the aircraft from the lounge. I am led to my well-appointed and spacious seat, an attendant takes my jacket and offers me a choice of water, orange juice and champagne as well as complimentary newspapers while the economy passengers cram on board. Ah yes, economy. Best illustrated by the all economy layout of the budget carriers, say, easyJet, where you have to run to the plane so you don't get lumped with the middle seat, you pay through the nose for food and drink, the seats don't recline and there's one toilet share...

The Herald

• More park-and-ride schemes urgedThe UK's biggest motoring organisation has urged the government to extend park-and-ride schemes after research showed the concept is underdeveloped in the UK, despite the fact that more than 80% of British drivers are keen to use it.

The Independent

• Rail company accused of intimidating workers Union leaders accused a leading rail firm today of trying to silence staff fighting plans to axe jobs and ticket office opening hours.
• Railway cuts 'put public in danger'Railway engineering cutbacks could lead to more accidents such as those at Hatfield and Potters Bar, a union has warned.

The Telegraph

• M1 roadworks lifted after three years for widenend motorwayAfter nearly three years of pain crawling along a 10mile stretch of the M1 motorists can finally enjoy the gain of a newlywidened motorway.
• Car production plummets to 30 year low Car producers have suffered their worst month for nearly 30 years intensifying pressure on the Government for an emergency rescue package.
• Pilots flying tired according to European safety experts Pilots are flying tired and jet lagged according to a confidential report by European safety experts.

Daily Record

• Exclusive: Bosses have 90 days to save crisis-hit Prestwick AirportBOSSES have 90 days to come up with an action plan to save crisis-hit Prestwick Airport.

ATOC

• National Rail and Railcards hope for a 'Winslet' scoopNational Rail and Railcard Marketing team within the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) have been shortlisted for three awards at the HSBC Rail Business Awards on 19th February it was announced this week.

Belfast Telegraph

• Woes deepen as Montupet axes 40 staff at Dunmurry There was more proof the economic slump is hurting Northern Ireland yesterday as car parts maker Montupet announced plans to axe 40 jobs at its Dunmurry plant.
• Port of Belfast plans £4.5m expansion for newspaper business The Port of Belfast today announced plans to spend £4.5 million expanding its paper and newsprint handling facilities at Pollock Dock.

Journal Live

• Still hope for A1 as money runs shortTRANSPORT bosses have earmarked £40m to dual a section of the A1 amid warnings that almost no other road projects will win new funding as council costs spiral out of control.

Liverpool Echo

• ’Save motor jobs the French way’ - Tony WoodleyUNION leader Tony Woodley has called on the government to follow France’s lead and pledge support to save car jobs.

London Evening Standard

• Cameron forces Commons vote on HeathrowDavid Cameron has stepped up the battle against a third runway at Heathrow by staging a Commons showdown over the expansion plans

The News (Portsmouth)

• Freight returns to city's rail lines after 30-year gapThe first freight train since 1977 left from Fratton station this week, as a long-awaited freight depot began operating.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Drivers who over-rev their engines may have cars takenDrivers who over-rev their engines could have their cars taken off them under a new scheme by Grampian Police.
• Top-level boost for campaign to improve A82Campaigners fighting for improvements to the tortuous A82 have won backing from the head of a major transport group, who says improvements offered by Holyrood are not enough.
• MPs urged to improve school buses UK Transport Minister Geoff Hoon and Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy have been urged to listen to a north-east grandfather who has warned that more children will die unless school bus safety is improved.

The York Press

• Give us shelter, cry York bus passengers PENSIONERS are being forced to wait for their bus in the wind and rain after their stop was moved to a new location without a shelter.

Wales Online

• Woman rescued from car in floodA WOMAN was plucked from her car today after it became trapped in flood water.
• Airport begs for help to keep up with rivalCARDIFF AIRPORT last night begged the Assembly Government for financial help to close the gap on Bristol – after its leading rival announced major enlargement plans.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Rail company accused of intimidating workersUnion leaders have accused a leading rail firm of trying to silence staff fighting plans to axe jobs and ticket office opening hours affecting stations including Luton and St

Aviation Industry

• NASA Aims to Quiet Sonic BoomsA sonic boom is created by shock waves that form on an aircraft flying faster than the speed of sound.
• United and Aer Lingus airlines to launch first joint trans-Atlantic serviceUnited Airlines and Ireland's Aer Lingus unveiled an agreement Thursday to operate a new joint trans-Atlantic service between Washington, DC and Spain as part of their recent code-sharing deal.
• Walsh to press for early start to new runway Meeting with BAA chief planned read more
• easyJet revenue up 32% LCC makes £550m in first quarter as share price rises read more

Other News Sources

• Train firms 'facing financial difficulties'Some of Britain's rail firms are facing financial difficulties because of the economic downturn, a senior civil servant has warned
• Battle MP Greg Barker slams fare increasesBattle MP Greg Barker slammed fare increases on the Hastings to Charing Cross line at Westminster this week in the House of Commons.
• Pole vaults into Javelin - Train test goes ahead despite lorry crashTHE isle’s first sighting of the new Javelin high-speed train was almost derailed on Thursday when an articulated lorry smashed into a railway bridge.
• MEPs discuss pros and cons of "intelligent transport systems"The Transport Committee discussed on Thursday proposals to set up Intelligent Transport Systems - which will link travellers, vehicles and road infrastructure via new communication technology - throughout Europe. MEPs and experts considered the benefits - less congestion and fewer accidents - as well as possible problems relating to data protection.

Other Subscription Services

• Port firms urge MPs to 'bypass' ministerDESPERATE port companies facing final demands for huge rates bills are begging their MPs to “bypass” local government minister John Healey and go straight to Gordon Brown to resolve the crisis.