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

Friday, 30 July 2010

BBC News

• British Airways reports £164m loss British Airways has revealed a steep loss for the April-to-June quarter after being hit by cabin crew strikes and disruption caused by the volcanic ash cloud.
• New cycle way for Bristol International Balloon Fiesta A new cycle route from the city centre to Ashton Court will open for 2010's Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
• Transport hub opens in time for Hartlepool Tall Ships Thousands of visitors to the Tall Ships Races in Hartlepool will be among the first to use a £4m transport interchange.
• Bristol smart card scheme for buses is expanded A system of paying for bus fares in advance is expanding across Bristol after a successful trial.
• Reading MPs bid to save £15m rail station roads scheme Reading's MPs are to lobby ministers over a £15m roads project as part of the £400m Reading train station revamp.
• Leicester City Council cuts may axe 1,000 jobs About 1,000 jobs could go at Leicester City Council in an effort to save tens of millions of pounds. The initial impact will be on transport projects but schools will be protected.
• Bike hire scheme starts in LondonMore than 12,450 keys are handed out to Londoners for the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme which starts later.

Department for Transport

• The Department for Transport has today published the following Transport Statistics: - National Travel Survey - Regional Tables on Roads and Traffic and on Personal Travel 2 (Travel to work / Accessibility)

Financial Times

• Fast rail link risks derailing Franco-German relations The so-called Franco-German special relationship has long been regarded as an essential pillar of European integration. But like all relationships it has had its regular ups and downs.
• Avis Budget offers $1.3bn for Dollar ThriftyThe battle for the Oklahoma car-rental operator intensifies with the New Jersey-based group making a cash-and-shares bid valued at $46.50 a share “ a 17% premium to Hertz's proposal
• National Express back in the blackThe coach, bus and rail operator reports a rise in profits at its north American operations, thanks to a cost-cutting regime put in place by Dean Finch, its new chief executive

The Guardian

• British Airways to reveal losses from ash cloud and strikes BA's figures expected to be 'very bad', loading pressure on chief executive Willie Walsh
• London 2012: Olympic 'Games Lanes' scythe through commuter routes Congested capital might not welcome special Games Lanes set aside for athletes, officials and 'marketing partners'
• London cycle hire launch – live updates Boris Johnson's answer to Paris's Vélib bike-hire scheme launched in London today. Follow live updates and post your views and experiences of Barclays cycle hire

The Herald

• Council transport rules to be tightened after misuse Repeated allegations of misuse of civic cars and a reduction in the number of chauffeurs will see Glasgow tightening its rules over the use of council transport.

The Independent

• A mixed week for consumers as airlines edge closer together The airline world has had a busy week, with the Oneworld alliance gaining a new member in Air Berlin and two major members of the Star Alliance - United and Continental - given the green light to merge by EU authorities
• 'Games lanes' for OlympicsNew traffic lanes will be introduced on key roads to speed athletes and officials to the 2012 London Olympics under plans announced yesterday.

The Scotsman

• National Express en route to recovery from East Coast loss BUS and coach operator National Express flagged the return of its dividend yesterday in a further sign it has turned the corner after a turbulent couple of years.

The Telegraph

• National Express no longer vulnerable after debt restructuring National Express signalled a return to the dividend list as it posted a market-beating 36pc leap in first-half profits to £75.7m before tax and exceptionals and declared it was no longer vulnerable to takeover.
• London launches new cycle hire scheme A new cycle scheme is launched in London in a bid to cut congestion on the capital's overcrowded public transport network.

The Mirror

• BA posts £164m losses after crises British Airways said cabin crew strikes and Iceland's volcanic ash cloud have sent the beleaguered airline £164 million into the red for the three months to June 30.

Edinburgh Evening News

• The shape of things to come is moulded by massive cutsFuture transport was supposed to be flying cars, bullet trains and travelators in the sky.
• 'Mature divorce' on cards in Capital trams disputeCITY leaders say they expect a "mature divorce" over the Edinburgh tram project after an improvement in relations with contractors Bilfinger Berger.

Journal Live

• Nissan welcome electric car subsidy decision NISSAN has welcomed news that a Government subsidy of up to £5,000 for electric vehicles will go ahead.

Liverpool Post

• Electric buses on the way to Liverpool city centre A FLEET of nine electric buses is to be introduced on a circular route around Liverpool city centre.

London Evening Standard

• National Express plans to resume dividend payout National Express took another step towards its recovery today, telling shareholders it would bring back the long-suspended dividend this year - as long as trading doesn't collapse.
• BA to reveal first-quarter detailsBritish Airways will reveal the full impact of a nightmare first quarter on Friday when it publishes financial results for the three months to June during which it was hit by Iceland's volcanic eruption and cabin crew strikes.

Manchester Evening News

• Optare rival bus maker to take 26 per cent stake Lancashire bus maker Optare said larger Indian rival Ashok Leyland would take a 26 per cent stake in the company to strengthen its financial base. Optare, which makes zero-emission vehicles, will issue 99.4m shares to the Indian truck and bus maker for about £5m.
• Manchester Airport Group posts big drop in profits Manchester Airport Group today posted another big drop in annual profits but said they would have been even lower without a tight rein on costs and an investment programme which helped to shore up revenues.

Metro

• British Airways £164m in the red after strikes and ash cloudsBritish Airways said today that cabin crew strikes and Iceland's volcanic ash cloud had sent the beleaguered airline £164 million into the red for the three months to June 30.

The News (Portsmouth)

• Council boss wants end to fight against bus link planA council leader is calling on campaigners opposing a bus link to give up the fight.
• Consultation has started over free bus travel in HampshirePeople who benefit from concessionary bus travel have until the end of August to let Hampshire County Council know their thoughts on how the service should be run.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• North-east’s air and rail links with London ’sidelined’ A north-east transport chief has written to the UK Transport Minister Philip Hammond amid fears that the region’s air and rail links to London are being sidelined.

The York Press

• ˜Taxibus™ idea to beat congestion SHARING taxis with other passengers for a flat £1 fare is the latest idea to be considered by councillors looking to ease traffic congestion in York.

Wales Online

• National Express turns the corner BUS and coach firm National Express flagged the return of its dividend yesterday, in a further sign it has turned the corner after a turbulent couple of years.

Yorkshire Post

• National Express returns to profit BUS and train operator National Express Group returned to the black and said it plans to restart dividend payments at the end of the year.

Other Regional Press

• Two days to go until £1 bus travel for under-19s!£1 bus travel for under-19s throughout West Yorkshire in August with Metro Active.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Car use down and bus use up - did Labour succeed after all?29 July: Findings from 2009's National Travel Survey were announced today. They show that the distance travelled by car has continued to fall but that bus use across the UK is starting to pick up. read more

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• London Underground to show glimpse of tube network's futureThe future of the tube network will be unveiled as part of an exhibition organised by London Underground.Scheduled to take place at the historic Aldwych station, the showpiece is intended to outline how investment in the capital's subterranean infrastructure can produce long-term economic advantages for the city.From the launch of air-conditioned trains to the redesign of the Victoria line, the exhibition will highlight a number of rail improvement strategies which are targeted for completion by 2018.Mayor of London Boris Johnson stated:

Railway Gazette

• Deutsche Bahn to run ICE3 to Britain this yearEUROPE: 'This autumn we will send an ICE3 test train through the tunnel beneath the English Channel as part of our preparations for possible train service to London', Deutsche Bahn Chairman & CEO Dr Rüdiger Grube said during his presentation of the German national rail company's half-year results on July 28. Grube said DB is also in talks with SNCF to launch a passenger service from Frankfurt to Lyon and Marseille from 2012, and will organise a Swiss-German rail summit in the second half of this year to build on the July 9 memorandum of understanding to expand cross-border traffic in part...

Aviation Industry

• Boyd Says Continental's Gate Scanners Are More Efficient: VideoJuly 28 -- Michael Boyd, president of aviation consulting firm Boyd Group International Inc., discusses Continental Airlines Inc.'s tests of subway-style gates at its hometown hub in Houston that let travelers board planes without using an agent.
• Luxury seating available in some aircraftSome airline passengers may be feeling more comfortable in their seats, with dozens of airlines opting to install wider seats with more leg room.
• Lufthansa reports Q2 profit of $252 millionAirline group Deutsche Lufthansa AG more than doubled its net earnings to euro194 million in the second quarter as ticket sales and its cargo business recovered, the company said Thursday.
• IATA reports "continued strong growth"Air travel is showing "continued strong growth" with demand in June up 11.9% compared with the same month last year.read more

Other News Sources

• New bus stops put up as services are scrapped When six new bus stops went up on a Dudley estate it seemed like a cause for celebration.
• Residents in battle to save Pype Hayes bus route ANGRY passengers are demanding a U-turn by bus chiefs who are planning to axe an “essential” route. National Express West Midlands plans to cut the number 68 service linking Pype Hayes with the Fort shopping park, Erdington, Sutton Coldfield and Good Hope Hospital.
• Chiltern line boost agreed A new rail line and junction at Northolt is to go ahead, allowing Chiltern Railways to increase train speeds on services from London Marylebone to the Midlands.
• Indian giant takes 26% stake in Optare INDIAN commercial vehicle giant Ashok Leyland has taken a 26% stake in bus manufacturer Optare as it seeks to take advantage of the firm's low carbon technologies.
• Anger over Thetford bus station plansPlans to relocate Thetford's bus station have been branded questionable and inadequate by a town heritage official.
• French rail expertise on track at Innotrans 2010UBIFRANCE, the French agency for international development, will organise the French Pavilion at Innotrans, the biennial trade show for the rail sector, which will take place in Berlin from 21 to 24 September 2010. The French Pavilion will bring together the largest number of French companies from the rail sector ever to participate in an international trade show.
• Virgin Atlantic flies high with new brand livery and identityVirgin Atlantic Airways has created a new livery and brand identity for the airline that includes a larger Union Jack.
• News from Dee Doocey: Dee Doocey reveals shocking problems facing disabled people travelling to the "most accessible Games ever" and calls for Olympic road lanes to be open to disabled people 29 July, 2010 Promises made to the world that the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the most accessible ever for disabled people will be broken predicts Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Olympics spokesperson, unless disabled people are at least given access to a network of Olympic road lanes during the 2012 Games. 360-house-thumb.jpg Yes
• Mayor™s flagship cycling scheme - Barclays Cycle Hire - opens for business 30 July, 2010 London™s newest public transport system goes live with 315 docking stations and 5000 bikes available More than 12,000 pioneer members sign up to use the scheme, with over 6000 keys activated New icons set to transform London's landscape  The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today heralded a "new dawn" in London™s bid to become the greatest big cycling city in the world as he launched the jewel in the crown of his cycling revolution.  Docking one of thousands of new bicycles at a Barclays ...
• Government support for Leaf is welcomed CAR maker Nissan, which is to produce the Leaf electric car at its Sunderland plant, last night welcomed the Government’s decision to retain a financial incentive to buy the vehicles.
• RailGo pledges no fee rise for clientsRailGo has pledged not to raise its fees to clients despite a cut in agent commission fees.read more

News from Europe

• Keeping trains on trackProf. Lev V. Eppelbaum of Tel Aviv University's Department of Geophysics & Planetary Sciences and his colleagues are collecting high-tech sensing data from satellites, airplanes, magnetic and soil sensors, and unmanned aircraft to devise a solution that will provide a reliable early-warning system for train operators. It's all part of the European Project FP7 research, "Integrated System for Transport Infrastructures Surveillance and Monitoring by Electromagnetic Sensing," which includes participants from Israel, Italy, France, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland and Romania.
• Floating TrainA new East-West 350 mph floating bullet train connecting Russia to Berlin in just three hours has been unveiled by scientists.
• Croatians often heading the wrong way on roads The alarming number of vehicles driving in the wrong direction on Croatian highways has become the hot topic of conversation this summer in local media.
• Booming freight, logistics businesses powers Deutsche Bahn profit Berlin - German rail giant Deutsche Bahn reported Wednesday a jump in first-half earnings as its key freight operations bounced back from the recession to post a 40-per-cent surge in business.