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

Thursday, 26 February 2009

BBC News

• Rail services hit 'all-time low'Campaigners have set up an action group to address what they say is an "all time low" on Southern rail services.
• Cost of train travel could fallThe cost of train travel could fall next year after ministers confirmed they have rejected a request from operators to ensure fares keep rising.
• Sack claim over bus punctualityBus drivers in Glasgow could be sacked for failing to meet strict punctuality guidelines, a union has claimed.
• Design changes blamed in tram rowThe contractor at the centre of the dispute over Edinburgh's tram scheme has blamed late design changes for escalating costs.
• MSPs to pass disabled parking lawLegislation which would see people fined for wrongly parking in disabled bays is expected to be passed by MSPs.
• Japan carmakers' output sinksLeading Japanese carmakers report a significant drop in their global output in January amid the downturn.
• Passenger fall hits BAA profitsAirport operator BAA says its 2008 profits fell 18.4% as the economic downturn dented passenger numbers.

Financial Times

• BAA hit by debt and fewer passengersBAA, the UK airports operator, reported a rapid deterioration in its financial performance last year under pressure from heavy debt financing costs and weakening passenger traffic.
• Network Rail on track for funds challengeThe abrupt economic downturn is set to affect the finances of Network Rail, owner of the UK’s rail network, changing many of the calculations its regulator made for funding over the coming five years.
• Stansted airport expansion timing in doubtAirlines and local campaigners have begun a three-day hearing in the high court to seek to overturn the UK government's recent backing for raising the limit on flights
• Train operators face fare cutsOfficial figures have showed reductions in UK rail passenger numbers on some routes and a government minister has said some ticket prices could fall

The Guardian

• Boris Johnson could introduce London electric car hire schemeBoris Johnson is considering the introduction of an electric car hire scheme in London as part of his attempts to make it the "electric capital of Europe".

The Herald

• Inflation fall may lead to season ticket train fare cut Scots rail commuters are likely to see a 2% reduction in annual season ticket prices next year due to falling inflation.

The Independent

• Warning to rail operatorsMinisters have warned they would temporarily renationalise some of Britain's rail network rather than allow cash-strapped operators to slash services, The Independent has learnt.

The Scotsman

• Train fares set to fall by 2% – but travellers could still lose outRAIL passengers could see some fares cut by 2 per cent next year if inflation falls below zero this summer, ministers have confirmed.

Times Online

• Virgin Trains in race to realise Barack Obama's high-speed rail systemVirgin Trains, which operates the West Coast Main Line in Britain, is bidding for a slice of President Obama's multibillion-dollar upgrade of the American rail network, The Times has learnt.

Press Association

• Rail firm hints at more job cutsA transport company whose rail empire includes one of the UK's busiest routes has warned of possible further job losses this year.
• National Express set to cut costsNational Express chief executive Richard Bowker said on Thursday: "Constructive discussions are ongoing with Government on a wide range of issues relating to the outlook for UK rail."

Reuters News

• National Express to slash dividendBus and train operator National Express (NEX.L) cut its full year dividend on Thursday in a bid to reduce its debt pile, sending its battered shares up more than 12 percent.

Mail Online

• Cheaper train fares as rail bosses are ordered to cut prices Rail passengers are set to benefit from cheaper rail tickets because of falling prices in the rest of the economy, it has emerged.
• £600,000 gravy train: Big bonuses for rail bosses (as misery goes on for passengers) £600,000 gravy train: Big bonuses for rail bosses (as misery goes on for passengers)

Belfast Telegraph

• Fall in passengers hits profits of BAA Airports operator BAA today said profits had been dented by falling passenger numbers as soaring fuel prices and the economic downturn rocked the aviation sector.

Birmingham Post

• Praise in fight to beat congestionThe West Midlands is gradually shedding its image as a region famous for gridlocked roads, the Government has insisted.
• Government pledges more snow ploughs for the MidlandsThe Highways Agency is to buy 182 new snow ploughs this year, junior minister Paul Clark said today, after some of the worst winter weather for two decades.
• Task force draws up plans to get Birmingham movingA Birmingham congestion task force has drawn up a shopping list of measures to get the city moving.

Derby Telegraph

• Derby rail consultancy wins £1.5m contractA DERBY rail consultancy has landed a contract worth more than £1.5m to develop software that will help the industry predict future demand for rail services.
• It's time to stop this nonsense [letter]IT is indefensible that the Government should use our money to subsidise the stupidity of bank officials in allowing high multiples of salary to justify mortgage borrowings and giving sums of up to 125% of property valuation as well.
• Cost of missing out is £15bnWHEN Bombardier is doing well, the country does twice as well – that is the underlying conclusion of a report which looked into the company's impact on the UK economy.
• Bombardier blow could cost £15bnTHE cost of Derby missing out on a huge train-building contract is double the figure first feared.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Trams boss: 'We won't be held to ransom' over extra £80mEDINBURGH'S tram boss today broke his silence over a multi-million-pound dispute with contractors, vowing that he would not be "held to ransom".
• Hybrid fuel car driven by cityA HYBRID powered car that uses half the fuel of a regular vehicle in city traffic has been created using technology that originated at Edinburgh University.
• Golden age of trains rekindled as £3m steam locomotive rolls in to cityTHE golden age of rail travel is set to return to Edinburgh at the weekend as the first steam locomotive to be built in Britain for almost 50 years rolls into Waverley Station.
• Bus giant First to slash servicesBUS giant First is slashing services across Edinburgh and the Lothians, blaming poor passenger numbers, the economic downturn and the tram works for the move.

Liverpool Echo

• Rail fares could fall by 2%Transport Minister Lord Adonis is expected to tell MPs that the Government will stick to the present inflation-linked formula for deciding the annual train fare price rise.

London Evening Standard

• Fall in season ticket sales as commuters fear losing their jobsCOMMUTERS in London and the South-East are bearing the brunt of the credit crunch.
• First picture of £105m cycling park that was a rubbish dumpTHESE are the first images of the £105million Olympic cycling scheme that will remain for Londoners after the 2012 Games.
• Network Rail bosses in line for massive bonusesBosses at Network Rail have been given the go-ahead to be paid huge bonuses, the Standard reveals
• Tube chief quits £450,000 jobThe man in charge of running the Tube has quit after six years, despite Mayor Boris Johnson's pleas for him to stay

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• New hybrid car runs on wave technologyA NEW hybrid car using technology designed to harness wave energy will drastically cut fuel consumption and help fight climate change, researchers revealed today.
• Concern over big freeze on rail routeFIRST ScotRail bosses have been accused of giving Highland commuters the cold shoulder “ with one traveller taking her hot water bottle on journeys because they are so chilly.
• MSPs refuse to drop petition on fuel prices An influential Holyrood committee has refused to drop a petition calling for lower fuel prices in the Western Isles and other remote areas.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Rail fares on their way...DOWNThe Government announced today that it would allow regulated rail fares, which include annual season tickets, to fall in line with inflation.

Northants Evening Telegraph

• Cycle paths are being consideredPlans for "green infrastructure" around Wellingborough could see the town become a new hub for outdoor activities.

International Herald Tribune

• Letter from America: Ignoring trains puts U.S. on the wrong trackWhen it comes to rail transport, the United States hasn't made much palpable improvement, at least not compared to countries in Europe and Asia, Richard Bernstein writes.

Railnews

• News: Obama plans £9 billion for US high-speed rail PRESIDENT Obama’s new economic recovery package for the United States includes and immediate $8 billion — over £5.5 billion — for high-speed passenger train services.

Aviation Industry

• Results for the year to 31 December 2008Colin Matthews, Chief Executive of BAA, said:

Other News Sources

• Travellers complain of abysmal serviceouthern rail services has been dubbed the UK’s “misery line” by a new action group. According to campaigners Sussex Rail Action only 70% of Southern trains ran on time on the Sussex Coast route in January.
• Rail chief scoops top accoladeThe head of the company that provides Bradford’s rail services has been voted the best in her field.
• Charge bus passengers more 'if they're paying by cash' [ROI]COMMUTERS should be charged higher fares when paying by cash instead of using a pre-paid ticket on Dublin bus services, transport experts recommended yesterday.
• Tram and WPL decision 'soon'A DECISION on Nottingham's tram extension and workplace parking levy will be made "as soon as possible," the Government has said. At a debate in the House of Commons on Monday, Nottingham East MP John Heppell called for a speedy decision to ensure the schemes remain viable.
• Deflation 'would trigger rail fare cuts'Rail commuters could see a 2% reduction in annual season ticket prices next year due to falling inflation, it was disclosed today
• Crossrail to bring '£1.2bn transport and productivity' benefits per yearCrossrail will bring London businesses six times the benefit of the supplement to fund it - up to £1.24bn of benefit per year when it opens in 2017 according to new research published today.
• Make any bicycle electric with GreenWheelScientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are testing a new electric wheel hub that can be attached to almost any bicycle. The GreenWheel is a self-contained electric wheel that turns a standard bike into a fully functional electric bicycle, complete with motor and battery. All motor parts other than the throttle are encased in the wheel. According [...]
• NYPD deploys hybrid patrol carsNew York City Police Department (NYPD) plans to deploy 40 hybrid patrol cars within the next week. Vehicle of choice, the Nissan Altima hybrid, runs at 35 miles per gallon - twice as efficient as the NYPD’s current fleet of Crown Victorias and Chevy Impalas. NYPD has spent $1.1 million on the new cars. Eighteen will [...]
• EU names first 'green capitals'Stockholm and Hamburg become first ˜green capitals™ on the back of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and increase recycling.
• Rail fares cut but at what cost?The government intervenes to cut rail fares but the train companies warn services and jobs may have to go as a result. Jenny Wivell reports.
• BA "to settle for 55%" in Iberia merger   Agreement said to be close on merger read more

Other Subscription Services

• Record number of applicants for Stagecoach graduate programmeStagecoach Group has seen a huge increase in the number of applicants for its UK Bus graduate development programme.