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

Sunday, 20 September 2009

The Independent

• Motorway rescue for tortoise in the fast lane A tortoise with a taste for life in the fast lane was rescued from a busy motorway after dodging up to six lanes of traffic against the odds.
• Around the world in 175 days “ and he pedalled every mile A British man has become the fastest person ever to cycle around the world, pedalling past the finish line in London's Hyde Park less than six months after he set off.

The Observer

• The fast track to a great weekendFast new trains are making city breaks across Europe simple. Andrew Eames makes quick hop to ZurichUsually I try to blot out other people's mobile phone conversations when I'm on a train, but there was something intriguing about this one. I was on an early Eurostar heading for Zurich via Paris, sitting across the aisle from a typical British banker, when he took a call from his wife. Even across the carriage I could hear her agitation at the other end of the line, and his attempts to hush the call only made it all the more interesting. He signed off by promising to call someone “ which he then...
• Lost City jobs threaten tube budgetBoris Johnson considers steep fare rises to solve multibillion-pound shortfall in upgrade schemeThe loss of thousands of City jobs has gouged a hole in London's transport budget, forcing the mayor, Boris Johnson, to consider inflation-busting fare rises as he grapples with a multibillion-pound funding gap in a tube upgrade programme.The London Underground network, which accounts for more than half (58%) of the mayor's fare income, suffered a 6.4% decline in passenger journeys in August as fewer commuters crammed into one of the world's busiest metro systems. Peter Hendy, London's transport com...

Times Online

• Official: more business trips = more profit Airlines are promoting the idea that meeting in person is better. New research shows they may be right
• Airlines target cards to boost revenues Airlines and other travel companies have realised that credit card payments are an easy way to get more money from passengers
• Balfour Beatty to buy Parsons Brinckerhoff Balfour Beatty, the engineering and construction services group, won market applause last night on news that it is buying Parsons Brinckerhoff, the American professional services company, for $626 million (£380 million).
• Cycle Guy: Men perspiring badly When you’re 21, you have time. You don’t think you have, but you do. You might not have money or style or anything interesting to say without coming across as petulant but you do have plenty of time. Whole days can pass in a blissful blur of toast, fizzy pop and learning to juggle with fire. Don’t whinge about exams and work placements and how tough it is today, because I know you’re really just lying on the sofa growing your hair long.
• Cycle Doc Q. How is it possible to make a mountain bike more suitable for commuting?
• British Airways set for Euro verdict on American Airlines tie-upBrussels is to set to deliver its long-awaited verdict on British Airways™ planned tie-up with American Airlines, helping to decide the fate of the on-again, off-again deal.

Daily Express

• Luggage firm packing a punchA BAG-HANDLING firm that can whisk luggage directly to holiday destinations is taking on airlines such as Ryanair and British Airways as they ramp up charges for hold bags.
• Subsidy row grows as UK stalls on A350A NEW front has opened up in the row over European subsidies for industry, with Britain arguing over the terms of funding for Airbus's new aircraft.

Mail Online

• 'Plot to bomb New York transport system' halted by U.S. terror officials

The Mirror

• Saddle do very nicelyCycle king James Bowthorpe arrived home yesterday, having broken the world record for pedalling around the globe.

The Sun

• Mexico gunman kills two on tube VIDEO shows moment gunman killed two people and wounded five at tube stop

Liverpool Echo

• Merseyrail wins national passenger safet awardMERSEYRAIL has picked up a national award for passenger safety, on the same day every one of its trains ran on time.

Manchester Evening News

• Bus 'coward' beat man, 63A THUG launched a sickening attack on a bus passenger who asked him to take his feet of the seats. Anthony Riley, 20, repeatedly punched 63-year-old John McAllister, injuring his face and body.

The York Press

• More fast trains for the North pledged PLANS have been unveiled for a massive boost to the railways across York, North and East Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Jail for learner driver in high speed chaseA LEARNER driver who crashed into a police car after a high speed chase through Leeds has been jailed.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Probe after woman dies on rail lineAn investigation has been launched after a woman died in an accident on a railway line in Essex.

Other News Sources

• Taiwan government to take over loss-making high-speed railTaipei - The Taiwan government plans to take over the loss-making high-speed railway in an effort to restructure the operating company, press reports said Sunday. According to the Economic Daily News,...
• Germany tightens security after Al Qaeda video threatBerlin, Sep 19 (DPA) German airports and rail stations were under close guard Saturday after an Al Qaeda video threatened the country with a 'rude awakening' just a week before a general election.