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

Friday, 25 June 2010

BBC News

• Second open skies deal signed EU transport ministers have signed a second "open skies" agreement with the US at a meeting in Luxembourg.
• 'Special' tram meeting voted outEdinburgh City Council votes to reject demands for the tram crisis to be debated at an emergency meeting.
• Glastonbury train changes angerA decision to cancel some Cardiff to London trains to transport fans to Glastonbury is criticised by a senior AM.
• Council to review bus 'cuts' moveWrexham councillors have called for a controversial revised school transport policy to be reconsidered.
• Bikers challenging £1 parking feeMotorcyclists are challenging the legality of a £1-a-day parking fee introduced in central London at the High Court.
• Dispute over Tube strike's impactUnion leaders disagree with London Underground over the impact of a 48-hour strike by maintenance workers.
• BAA profit update shakes off ashBAA revises down its 2010 earnings forecast by £10m, despite the disruption caused by volcanic ash and the BA strikes.
• Lufthansa settles union disputeLufthansa, Europe's biggest airline, settles its dispute with pilots union Vereinigung Cockpit.
• Minister criticises rail bonusesNetwork Rail is criticised for paying senior managers £2.4m in bonuses last year, despite earlier warnings.

Financial Times

• Anger over £2.2m paid in bonuses to rail bosses Network Rail drew the scorn of the government, the rail industry watchdog and trade unions yesterday after the company defied political pressure by paying bosses six-figure bonuses that are among the most lavish in the public sector.
• Tube staff strike on three linesStaff responsible for maintenance work on three of London's busiest underground lines were last night set to start 48 hours of strike action, despite a court challenge...
• BA advertises for cheaper cabin crewBritish Airways is to hire more than 1,000 cabin crew for its Heathrow base on drastically reduced pay and conditions in a move set to sour relations further with its...

The Guardian

• Major bus operators under fire over high profits Transport minister Norman Baker publishes critical report into 'big five' bus operators while Competition Commission inquiry is under way
• From the archive, 24 June 1907: Hampstead tube opened by Lloyd George On Saturday the Charing Cross, Euston, and Hampstead Railway, which has been described as "the last link" in the system of tubes promoted by the Underground Electric Railways Company of London, was opened by Mr. Lloyd-George, M.P., President of the Board of Trade.
• Network Rail in row over bonusesUnapologetic state-backed firm told it needs to justify payouts which include £641,000 for outgoing chief executiveAn unapologetic Network Rail is at the centre of a political row for handing out £2.4m bonuses to senior management in the week the government announced savage public sector cuts.The biggest winner was the outgoing chief executive Iain Coucher, whose £641,000 bonus bumped his total earnings to £1.45m, a 53% increase on last year, according to the annual report published today.The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), which sets Network Rail's level of funding, said the bonuses would ha...

The Herald

• Outrage at £2.25m rail chiefs bonus potNetwork Rail™s six senior executives will escape a public-sector pay squeeze by taking home bonuses worth more than £2.25 million, provoking howls of protest yesterday from trade unions and politicians.
• Ryanair passengers left without food or water for six hoursFurious Scots passengers were left without food and water after a Ryan­air plane packed full of holiday­makers was stranded on the tarmac for six hours.
• Stagecoach boss warns against cutting OAP free travelStagecoach founder Brian Souter has urged the coalition Government not to cut concessionary travel schemes and warned that many of its beneficiaries are Conservative voters.

The Independent

• Road deaths fall 12 per cent in year to a new lowThe number of deaths on Britain's roads fell by 12 per cent last year to a record low, according to government figures. A total of 2,222 people were killed in 2009, while child deaths dropped sharply from 124 to 81. Total casualties, including slight injuries, reached just over 222,000 “ 4 per cent down on the 2008 total.

The Telegraph

• Hammond condemns Network Rail bonuses Transport Secretary says he is disappointed by Network Rail's decision to pay six top directors £2.25 million.
• High speed rail route could be redrawn The route for the 250 mph planned high speed rail line could be redrawn, with the Coalition Government looking to incorporate Heathrow into the network.

Mail Online

• Storm over £2m bonuses for Network Rail chiefsChief executive Iain Coucher walked away with a total package for the year of more than £1.25million, of which more than half was in bonuses.

The Mirror

• Network pay off the rails So, goodbye Iain Coucher, quitting as boss of Network Rail, where he’s the highest paid “public servant” in the land.
• BA pays damages to seat move man A male passenger who claimed British Airways discriminated against him has received an apology and compensation from the airline.

Network Rail

• NETWORK RAIL PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2009/10

Birmingham Post

• Virgin Trains fails to run 90 per cent of trains on time Virgin Trains service from Birmingham to London failed to meet punctuality targets of 90 per cent, figures have shown.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Future of trams splits cityTHE latest crisis over Edinburgh's troubled trams project has left the city divided over whether to scrap the scheme or carry on, an exclusive Evening News poll reveals to

Journal Live

• Budget reveals major cuts in County Durham ROAD safety campaigns, help for would-be entrepreneurs, bus services, street repairs and deprived communities will all be hit as part of major cuts in County Durham.

Liverpool Post

• Liverpool Daily Post motoring writer Mike Torpey test drives the new electric Vauxhall Ampera at Ellesmere Port BRITAIN’S motorists will be in for a treat when Vauxhall’s car of the future, the Ampera E-REV, arrives here in early 2012.

Yorkshire Post

• Forge rail station approved but link may have long wait for cash PLANS for a new railway station at Kirkstall Forge in Leeds have been approved by planners – but the wait for Government funding could be a long one.
• Storm of protest at bonuses for rail directors Network Rail announced six-figure bonuses for its top directors yesterday – sparking a storm of protest led by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond.

Bucks Free Press

• HS2 compensation scheme 'against human rights' HUMAN rights laws are being 'unlawfully interfered' with because a compensation scheme for a high speed rail link is 'inadequate', campaigners said this week.

Burnley Express

• Promise of new ˜Todmorden Curve™ study welcomedRAIL campaigners have welcomed the promise of a new study into improving Burnley and Pendle™s train links to Manchester.

Other Regional Press

• Audio: Controversial airport plans shot down - for nowLydd Airport's expansion plans hang in the balance again after being dealt a blow by the government today.
• Huddersfield road safety charity Brake warns of traffic deaths after spending cuts announced SPENDING cuts will lead to more traffic deaths, a Huddersfield charity has warned.
• £100m plan for homes, railway station, shops and hotelNorth Glasgow is in line for a £100million-plus building project.
• Aberdeen Airport gets in gear with new cycle sheltersABERDEEN Airport was due to open new bike shelters today.

Railway Gazette

• Fuel cell tram trial SPAIN: Metre-gauge operator FEVE is planning to start trials with fuel cell traction between Ribadesella and Llovio on its non-electrified Santander - Oviedo route by the end of this year. A hydrogen fuel cell is to be installed in a 1970s tramcar to power four traction motors, capable of operating at up to 25 km/h and making 15 return trips of 10 km every day. The fuel cell is being developed by Cidaut, a research foundation specialising in transport and energy that draws on the academic expertise of the University of Valladolid. It weighs 80 kg, including a 10 kg fuel tank. 'The best thin...
• Lowering the bar to LondonEUROPE: On June 17 the European Commission cleared the transformation of Eurostar from a co-operative arrangement between SNCF, SNCB and London & Continental Railways into a stand-alone joint venture controlled by SNCF and LCR with SNCB holding a non-controlling stake. Approval was subject to conditions which are intended to lower the bar to the launch of competing services. These include granting competitors access to stations, information systems and light maintenance services. A number of train paths will be released to competitors unable to obtain them through normal allocation procedu...

Transport for London

• Rotherhithe Tunnel to be made southbound only during forthcoming Blackwall Tunnel weekend closuresChange to tunnel operation will ease pressure at Blackwall by providing additional capacity for drivers travelling south.
• Police crackdown on rogue drivers and cyclistsAs Bike Week is celebrated up and down the country, road users are being encouraged to respect each other and keep London's roads safe.

Aviation Industry

• Virgin America posts $35.5 million first-quarter loss Virgin America reported a first-quarter net loss of $35.5 million, narrowed from a year-ago deficit of $40.3 million, but said it remains on track for a full-year operating profit. "With a revenue increase of nearly 50% year-over-year and a unique service that is continuing to hit the mark with consumers, we're pleased with our results," President and CEO David Cush said. The carrier generated $146.8 million in revenue during the quarter, up 45.7% year-over-year.
• FAA awards $125 million in 'CLEEN' aircraft technology contracts US FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt announced yesterday at ATW's Eco-Aviation Conference that the agency has awarded $125 million to five companies to "develop and demonstrate technologies that will reduce commercial jet fuel consumption, emissions and noise."

Green Miscellany

• Cycle safety mirrors to be mounted to London™s traffic lights Large mirrors are to be fitted to traffic lights in London in a bid to reduce the number of cyclists killed and seriously injured by left-turning lorries.read more

Other News Sources

• Transport scheme's recruitment drive A COMMUNITY transport scheme in the Whitby area which has more than 600 users is appealing for new drivers to help keep them on the road.
• Labour accuse Barnet Council of failing to encourage public transport use to reduce the number of casualties AN INCREASE in accidents on Barnet's roads could be down to “antagonism” from the council towards public transport, according to one Labour councillor.
• Preston Bus decision expected next week A decision on whether the sale of Preston Bus will continue is expected to be revealed next week. The Competition Appeals Tribunal asked for submissions from both the Competition Commission and Stagecoach on what should happen next after the tribunal ruled on an appeal from Stagecoach earlier this year.
• Possibility of Crime in Dubai Metro Virtually One in a MillionFor every one million Dubai Metro passengers, only 1.6 have faced crime of any nature, making the public transport network among the safest when compared to even developed countries and cities.
• Newcastle Airport gets recycling binsNew recycling bins have been put in at the Newcastle Airport as a means of helping passengers dispose of plastic and paper waste in a more eco-friendly manner.
• TSB backs converter development for hybrid carsThe Technology Strategy Board is backing a three-year project to develop a single DC-to-DC converter for future hybrid vehicles.
• East Midlands Trains to trial Nottingham satellite systemPrototype satellite system promises to give rail operators real-time train information
• Three weeks of closures to hit Hammersmith & City and Circle lines Tube passengers who rely on the Hammersmith and City and Circle lines are facing three weeks of continuous closures as the construction of Crossrail gets under way.
• Fury at Network Rail directors’ bonuses COMMUTERS and MPs from across the region have reacted with fury to news that Network Rail’s top directors are to receive bonuses totalling £2.25million despite the company’s “mixed performance”.
• Increase in passenger satisfaction for county rail service THE train company which runs services in Lincolnshire is reporting an increase in overall passenger satisfaction.
• Lincoln to London rail service could be saved by another train operator DIRECT train services between Lincoln and London could be saved – if a new train operator throws its hat into the ring. As reported in the Echo, East Coast will save £9 million a year by running just one daily return service to and from King's Cross from May next year, instead of the seven originally planned.
• Commuter delight at improved rail serviceLondon Midland trains made greater improvements in passenger satisfaction than any rail company in the country over the last year, according to a new survey.
• Roadway Magazine gets a new editorThe Road Haulage Association Ltd appointed Caroline Bullock as editor of the organisation’s flagship publication, Roadway. She will be overseeing the monthly magazine which is a definitive read for the haulage industry and official journal for the Road Haulage Association Ltd. Caroline joins the RHA team as a result of the expansion of RHA Publications [...]
• EU moves closer to new rights for bus travellersCommission wants people travelling by bus and coach to have similar rights to air passengers.
• Seven shortlisted for £300m Warwickshire roads contractSeven contractors have made the shortlist for Warwickshire County Council™s next highway maintenance contract, which has been valued at up to £300 million.
• Costain/Skanska hit by A14 suspensionJV was on £1.1bn A14 road upgrade scheme suspended by Treasury last week after review

News from Europe

• Port of Amsterdam connected to the Betuweroute As of this week the Port of Amsterdam will be connected to the Betuweroute, a dedicated cargo rail track towards Germany and into Europe. This means the port has managed to efficiently expand its railway connections to the hinterland.
• EU Commission Welcomes New French Rules On Working Conditions For Rail WorkersThe European Commission has welcomed new French rules on working conditions in the international rail sector that mean that France now complies with its obligations under EU law in this area.
• Cyprus supports a single EU approach on passengers rights Cyprus Communications and Works Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis expressed Cyprus’ support to a single EU approach as regards the protection of passengers’ rights and the support of the airliners which suffered a serious setback due to the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud.
• U.S., EU Officials Sign Second Stage Of Open Skies Pact JUNE 24, 2010 -- Officials from the United States and European Union today signed the second-stage Open Skies agreement, affirming and expanding 2007's landmark transatlantic bilateral as per terms the two sides agreed to in March this year.