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

Tuesday, 02 November 2010

BBC News

• FirstGroup 'to stay in Aberdeen'The new boss of FirstGroup, Tim O'Toole, says the multi-national transport firm will keep its roots in Aberdeen.
• Air freight ban after bombs findHome Secretary Theresa May announces an extended ban on freight from Somalia as well as Yemen after the cargo plane bomb discoveries.
• Empty Eurostar site costs £4mThe multi-million pound cost of mothballing Waterloo Station's international platforms is revealed.
• Tube strike to disrupt servicesA third strike by workers over planned job cuts is expected to hit London's Tube network on Tuesday.
• Emirates says profits quadrupleMiddle Eastern airline Emirates says its profits more than quadrupled in the last six months, as revenues rose by over a third.
• Air passenger tax increases againAirline passengers flying from the UK face more expensive flights after another controversial rise in Air Passenger Duty.
• Ryanair's half-year profits soarRyanair's latest half-year profits rise 15% as the airline enjoys a big increase in passenger numbers.

Financial Times

• Ryanair lifts full-year earnings estimate Continued growth in passenger numbers and an increase in fares has buoyed revenues at Ryanair, prompting the low-cost airline to raise its full-year earnings estimate to above the top end of its previous range
• UK in emergency air cargo restrictionsBritain has introduced emergency restrictions on air freight as other countries consider their response to the discovery of two bombs on board cargo jets bound for the US
• Rongsheng HK float to raise up to $2.6bnShipbuilder China Rongsheng Heavy Industries is planning a public offering of 1.75bn shares with a price range of HK$7.3 to HK$10.1, in a listing that underlines Hong Kong's IPO market strength
• Emirates profits quadruple to $925mThe Dubai government-owned airline reported a $925m net profit for the first half of its financial year, a fourfold rise on the equivalent period last year, as passenger load hit a record 81.2%

The Herald

• Bus company to hit fare dodgers with a £60 fineThousands of bus passengers face fines of up to £60 if caught with the wrong ticket under plans by Scotland™s biggest operator to œget tough with fare dodgers.

The Telegraph

• Theresa May spreads calm about East Midlands Airport, but Jo Johnson had a worrying weekend in Gaza Theresa May conveyed a pleasing sense of calm as she gave her statement about the explosive device found aboard a cargo aircraft at East Midlands Airport. If such devices could be defused by words alone, the Home Secretary would have managed it.

The Mirror

• Ryanair passengers warned of soaring prices BUDGET airline Ryanair is raising fares and baggage fees despite profits soaring 15%.

Belfast Telegraph

• Fare hikes drive Ryanair profitsRyanair has revealed a 12% hike in average fares and soaring ancillary revenues as it posted a double-digit rise in half-year profits at the low-cost airline.Related StoriesBrought to book: a guide to keep employers on right side of lawInvest NI launches European trade tripIKEA defies downturn by posting sales risePub owners want urgent help to save 35,000 jobsFirst Trust sale bid put ‘on hold’ by AIB
• Wrightbus looks to cut costs but ‘jobs are safe’ Major Co Antrim bus builder Wrightbus has allayed fears of a new round of jobs cuts, but has admitted that staff have been consulted as part of a review of cost-saving measures. Related StoriesBrought to book: a guide to keep employers on right side of lawInvest NI launches European trade tripIKEA defies downturn by posting sales risePub owners want urgent help to save 35,000 jobsFirst Trust sale bid put ‘on hold’ by AIB

Liverpool Post

• Chief executive of the Bibby Line Group supports Liverpool Daily Post’s Get On Board campaign. LIVERPOOL’S leading shipping magnate and head of the world-famous Bibby Line Group stated his “absolute” support for the Daily Post’s Get On Board campaign.

Metro

• Tube strike could shut down 60% of Underground networkMillions of London passengers face more rail misery from Tuesday night, as another Tube strike begins.

Wales Online

• 20 reasons for electrifying Wales’ rail linesAs the UK Government considers whether to electrify the railway from Swansea and Bristol to London, transport writer Rhodri Clark argues that electrification of the main line and Valley Lines is justified not by two or three benefits – but 20

Bucks Free Press

• New call for street light switch-off review THE death of a teacher on a flooded road has led to renewed calls for a controversial street light switch-off to be reviewed.
• Speed cameras under council review TRANSPORT bosses will monitor motorists' speeds at speed camera sites before deciding whether they should be switched off permanently.

Other Regional Press

• Cotswold Line redoubling newsletter online NETWORK Rail has issued a newsletter outlining progress on the £67m project to reinstate double track on much of the Cotswold Line between Oxford and Worcester.
• Inquiry on new Oxford-London rail link opens THE inquiry into Chiltern Railways™ proposed new Oxford to Bicester line will start today at 10am at Conference Centre Oxford in Park End Street.
• MPs accept free first class travel from Grand Central LOCAL MPs have accepted free first-class rail travel from a train company – rather than taking taxpayer-funded standard class tickets.
• Cheap fares boost for job seekersUnemployed people looking for work will be able to get cut-price bus travel in a trial scheme in Glasgow.
• BA jobs boost for Glasgow AirportAn aircraft engineering firm is to bring a jobs boost to Glasgow.
• Aberdeen bus boss backs congestion charging THE new boss of First Bus today threw his weight behind plans for a congestion charge in Aberdeen city centre.

Railnews

• News: HS1 buyer set to be named this week The identity of the new owner of High Speed 1 may be revealed this week, as bidding has now closed. The government is selling the line, which was known for many years as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, to help reduce the national debt.

Aviation Industry

• Air travel facing 'ludicrous' security, claims CEOAn airline chief claimed Monday that passengers could be subjected to
• TAM launches in-flight connectivityTAM Brazilian Airlines has launched in-flight mobile services on one of its Airbus A321s, with more aircraft to be equipped next year
• Industry bosses slam APD riseThe lates hike in taxes on air travel in the UK has been met with scorn by many in the aviation industry

Other News Sources

• Eurotunnel wins IFW Award for Leadership in Sustainable Development Eurotunnel has been awarded the prize for Leadership in Sustainable Development by Europe’s leading transport and logistics periodical, International Freighting Weekly (IFW).
• Scheme of the Month - Bristol™s Biggest Bike Ride Bristol™s Biggest Bike Ride is one of the UK™s biggest free non-competitive cycling events. People from Bristol and surrounding regions come together for a celebration of cycling. It™s the one day of the year cyclists have the opportunity to ride under Bristol™s iconic Suspension Bridge on a major road closed to traffic especially [...]
• New contracts for £385m Metro modernisationNEXUS has awarded framework agreements with five major construction companies to deliver its £385m all change programme for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
• New look for St Albans trains A MAJOR refurbishment of trains between St Albans and London has been completed, offering passengers more space and spruced up seating areas.
• Train firm is celebrating track record NEW performance figures released by Network Rail shows East Midlands Trains remains Britain's most punctual long-distance operator.
• Rail officials bid to secure old station targetted by squattersThe 170-year-old former Twerton railway station has been empty for several years and was made a listed building along with the viaduct of which it is a part two years ago because it was designed by Victorian engineer Brunel.
• Transport chiefs promise to keep London moving despite strikes London Underground bosses have vowed to “keep London moving” despite strike action by members of the RMT and TSSA unions set to start at 7pm on Tuesday.
• Rail 654: Rocky times ahead for Network RailThere are, apparently, three people on the short list to replace Iain Coucher as chief executive of Network Rail. They may, however, all be disappointed or, at best, find themselves in a completely different job from the one carried out by the overly-acquistive Mr Coucher as it has become clear that Network Rail as currently structured is not long for this world.
• Tottenham Court Road Crossrail Designs The new designs for Tottenham Court Road Crossrail station have been unveiled.
• Court rejects Alstom's attempt to block Eurostar train dealA British court has turned down French engineering firm Alstom's request to block Eurostar from finalising a 600 million euro high-speed train order with Germany's Siemens.
• Technology comes full circleThe advanced gearbox of today has reverted to what it was back in 1928 “ three-speed and non-synchromesh – at least, that is the way it is for Volvo Trucks. The development span between that first gearbox and the very latest “ the I-Shift “ encompasses a huge amount of work and many landmark accomplishments. [...]
• How will London™s police, fire and transport cope with spending cuts? 1 November 2010 What impact will the recent Comprehensive Spending Review have on the organisations for delivering key services in the capital? What will it mean for transport, police and fire services in London? From 10am tomorrow: the London Assembly™s Budget and Performance Committee will question finance chiefs from Transport for London, the Metropolitan Police Service, the Metropolitan Police Authority and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority about their spending priorities and how the cuts announced by the Government wi...
• News from Caroline Pidgeon: Time to end the scandal of the empty platforms at Waterloo International Terminal 1 November 2010 Just days before the third anniversary of the closure of Waterloo International Terminal the total cost of keeping them closed so far has been revealed as exceeding more than £4 million of taxpayer™s money. Research by Caroline Pidgeon, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has also revealed that the numerous filming and other events at the empty platforms, such as the recent Railway Children production, have generated just a mere £61,852 over the same period. Commenting on the situation Caroline Pidg...
• A380 needs to carry more cargo: CathayThe Airbus A380 may need to be able to carry more cargo if it is to become a viable option for a future Cathay Pacific Airways large-sized aircraft order.The...
• Bombardier details Gulf Air CSeries pitchBombardier is emphasising the runway performance, range and geared powerplant of its 110-seat CSeries CS100 airliner as it strives to triumph in Gulf Air's three-way regional jet order contest.
• BIFA warns against knee-jerk reaction to air cargo security The British International Freight Association (BIFA) says that whilst the UK government is likely to review all aspects of air cargo security following the incidents at East Midlands airport and Dubai on Friday, there should not be a knee-jerk reaction. read more

News from Europe

• EU's new transport strategy to put price on pollution [fr] [de] The European Commission wants to make transport users pay for emissions, noise and other harm they cause as part of proposals laid down in a draft White Paper on Transport, seen by EurActiv.
• Midi-Pyrénées regional rail investment FRANCE: The European Investment Bank has signed a financing agreement for the Midi-Pyrénées region’s 2008-13 Rail Plan, which will see TER regional express routes modernised to provide an ’upgraded and permanent’ 500 km network.