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

Saturday, 31 October 2009

BBC News

• National Express 'lacks strategy'National Express is criticised by its largest shareholder for not properly assessing a proposed merger with rival Stagecoach.

Financial Times

• Cosmens criticise National Express strategySpanish family that is the biggest shareholder in the bus and rail operator says it had concerns over the group's strategy after it ends talks with rival Stagecoach
• National Express under attackThe Cosmen family, which owns 19 per cent of the embattled bus and train operator, said it was concerned the group's board lacked a 'well-defined strategy' and had too quickly dismissed a merger with rival Stagecoach

Times Online

• Cosmens blast National Express on merger snubNational Express's largest shareholder, the Cosmen family, has launched an astonishing attack against the bus and rail group's board after it walked away from a merger with rival, Stagecoach.
• BA faces injunction over cabin crew job changesUnite, the union, has applied for an injunction from the High Court to prevent British Airways (BA) imposing changes to working practice on its 14,000 cabin crew.
• Battle between BA and cabin crew escalatesThe confrontation between British Airways and its 14,000 cabin crew escalated yesterday as Unite, the union, said that it would seek an injunction to prevent the airline imposing contract changes.
• National Express urged to reconsider Stagecoach bidThe board of National Express was under growing pressure last night to go back into takeover talks with Stagecoach after the beleaguered transport group™s largest investor publicly berated it for walking away.

Daily Express

• Cosmens lash out at NatEx over strategyTHE biggest shareholder in National Express launched a scathing attack on the indebted long-distance coach operator yesterday after it walked away from a potential tie-up with rival Stagecoach.

The Mirror

• Departure tax rise hits air pricesThe cost of air tickets will rise from Sunday when the first of two increases in Air Passenger Duty (APD) airport departure tax takes effect.
• BA hit by crew cut court fightUnion leaders are taking British Airways to court next week to try to stop them imposing job and pay cuts on 14,000 cabin crew.

ATOC

• RESPONSE TO LGA REPORT ˜WEATHERING THE STORM™ œSome people might uncharitably think councils are trying to steer attention away from their own failings last February.The reason that many trains did not run that day was because drivers and other railway staff could not get into work, as the roads had not been gritted by the local authorities
• Reform of rail franchises needed to do more for passengers and taxpayersA new report by ATOC calls for reform of the franchising system to benefit passengers and taxpayers
• THE CASE FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL IS STRONG SAYS ATOCThe case for high speed rail is not based on any one single issue , but rather on what is best for both Britain™s economy and the environment, while delivering investment and jobs across the country. Our major cities will be brought closer together, while providing a cleaner, greener alternative to car and air travel which will encourage more people to take the train.

Journal Live

• Calls to reverse air passenger duty as tickets prices soarAIR tickets will soar in price from today as the Government introduces the first phase of its aviation tax hikes.

Metro

• Union in legal move over BA plansUnite is to launch a legal challenge against British Airways' plans to impose new pay and conditions on 14,000 cabin crew, the union said.
• BA to resist union's legal actionUnion legal action against British Airways' plans to impose new pay and conditions on 14,000 cabin crew will be resisted, the company said.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Transport body backs car-sharing lane plansNorth-east transport chiefs gave their backing yesterday to controversial plans for a car-sharing lane to be introduced on one of the busiest roads into Aberdeen.

Blackpool Gazette

• £100m refit will see trams off until AprilBLACKPOOL trams will be taken off line for five months as the track is closed for a £100m overhaul.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Death of man found in burnt-out car not suspiciousPolice say the discovery of a man's body in a burnt-out car at a Suffolk beauty spot is not being treated as suspicious.
• Bid to boost car sharingNorfolk County Council has launched a scheme that aims to encourage car sharing in the build-up to Christmas.

International Herald Tribune

• At Air India, Losses, Rats and a Brawl in the SkyThe airline, which is expected to lose more than $1 billion this business year, has chased rats from a plane and had a midair fistfight among crew members.
• French Ideal of Bicycle-Sharing Meets RealityParis’s bike-rental system has inspired a new urban ethos, along with some old urban curses: vandalism and theft.

New Scientist

• Clever 'chopped' cars promise cheap electric commutingFit existing cars with electric motors and software that understands commuters' driving patterns, and you could replace gas guzzlers for most journeys

Railnews

• News: ATOC calls for longer franchises and less DFT 'micro-management' of railways The Government should back away from fettering the railways with micro-management, according to the Association of Train Operating Companies, which has branded the present level of Department for Transport involvement with detail as 'inappropriate'.

Transport for London

• Cycle parking boost for Liverpool Street stationInstallation of new two-tier racks doubles cycle parking spaces at the station.

Other News Sources

• Scrappage extension boosts LookersManchester-based car dealership network Lookers said that the government's recently-extended scrappage scheme has helped to boost its like-for-like sales of new cars by 11 per cent in the three months to September 30, despite the fact that the overall market for new cars dropped by 15 per cent.
• EU leaders fail to hammer out climate funding detailsEU leaders have agreed on the need to provide �100 billion a year to fund climate efforts in developing countries, but failed to commit the EU to any specific sums, delaying their decision until after December's UN conference in Copenhagen.
• Mystery ship returns to MaltaA Maltese-flagged freighter that mysteriously disappeared in the...
• Couple's ransom demand imminentA ransom demand for a British couple being...
• Air traffic systems up and running after breakdownAir traffic control systems are back up and running after a breakdown grounded many transatlantic flights leaving the UK.

Other Subscription Services

• Brussels scrap list will distort chartering marketINTERNATIONAL Chamber of Shipping warns European Commission over plans to create a pre-waste ships list.
• Up to 2,000 ships set to be scrapped in 2010SINGLE-hull tankers to drive demolition as owners dispose them ahead of IMO phase-out deadline.