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

Saturday, 02 April 2011

BBC News

• Tube's mobile plans hit buffersPlans to get mobile coverage on the Tube in time for the London Olympics have failed to get off the ground.
• Bombardier order lifts profitsThe aerospace division of Bombardier has turned the corner with business jet orders picking up substantially in the fourth quarter.
• Go-slow fuel protest hits trafficCompanies in Greater Manchester angered by rising fuel costs stage a go-slow protest in Salford.
• Bus passengers face price risesBus passengers in Greater Manchester face a rise in fares from two of its biggest operators.
• Tube drivers 'refused to pick up'Union leaders say delays were caused to Tube passengers after some train drivers refused to pick them up over safety fears about doors.
• Japan's new vehicle sales plungeSales of new vehicles in Japan have plunged in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that hit the country's north-east coast.

Department for Transport

• Huge increase in commuter trains possible with HS2 - HammondMany towns and cities could benefit from a huge rise in direct trains to London once a new high speed rail network is built, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond told business and civic leaders from across London and the South East today.

Financial Times

• EasyJet to spread its wings for the long haulThe ambitious expansion plan of the low-cost carrier to 'turn Europe orange' by buying aircraft and opening new routes could make them unprofitable as oil prices continue to rise
• Speed camera support set to spreadResidents of Oxfordshire village petitoned the council to restore the road safety device they say cuts accidents, even offering to raise the funds for its maintenance

The Guardian

• Cyclists welcome return of Oxfordshire speed cameras Cyclist groups are pleased that cars will be less likely to speed with the cameras switched back on
• Speed cameras in Oxfordshire to be turned back on Thames Valley Police said cameras that were switched off in August 2010 for cost-cutting reasons will be turned back on
• Government appeals to commuters over high-speed rail line Hammond says High Speed Two could provide 160 extra services a day as roadshow attempts to win over opponents

The Independent

• There'll be another bus in a month or so... The Latchmere Curve makes its presence known in two ways. Firstly, it is one of those clunky railway bends trains must take slowly. Secondly, its existence necessitates one of the most ridiculous train schedules in Britain “ highlighting how rail travellers are entangled in regulations which are relics from the Victorian era.

The Telegraph

• Commuter services could benefit from high speed railSome towns could see the number of commuter services to London nearly double as a result of the proposed high speed rail line to the West Midlands, the Government has said.

The Sun

• Rail fare rise is four times pay increase TRAIN fares are set to soar almost FOUR times faster than wages next year, latest statistics show.

Network Rail

• FASTER TRAINS AND MORE SERVICES FOR YORK STATION “ WITH MINIMAL TRAVEL DISRUPTION

Belfast Telegraph

• Fewer people travelling by car as austerity drive takes its tollFewer people are travelling by car in Northern Ireland.Related StoriesState-owned banks in profitHigh Street horrors go on as firms fear for futureProvince's house prices fall 11% in the past yearJust two banks left standing after clear-upKelly in London media house roleby staff reporter

Birmingham Mail

• Train frequencies could double if high-speed rail project goes ahead Train frequencies could almost double at some towns if the Government's HS2 high-speed rail (HSR) London to Birmingham project goes ahead, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has said.
• Birmingham Airport to build new £10m control tower A NEW state of the art control tower is to be built at Birmingham Airport at a cost of £10 million.
• New entrance opens at Snow Hill railway station A NEW entrance at Birmingham’s Snow Hill rail station will be a boost to city centre development, a transport chief claimed.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Another year of traffic chaos on A55 thanks to more roadworks NORTH Wales’ busiest road is to be choked with yet more roadworks for another year, transport chiefs have revealed.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Fears of 'conflicts of interest' over running of tramsA REVIEW is to be launched into how Edinburgh's embattled tram project is run amid fears councillors who are meant to be keeping check of it have a "conflict of intere

Manchester Evening News

• Black cab fares to rise by 7 per cent in ManchesterThe inflation-busting rise will come into force for all journeys from tomorrow. It means a 10-mile journey after 10pm will cost an average of £26.20 - up from £24.40. Taxi drivers say the fare increases will off-set the high price of petrol and insurance. They claim without the hike, many drivers would go out of business.
• Fares to go up 20p on First buses after subsidy cut Manchester biggest bus company is putting up its fares “ and blaming the region™s transport chiefs. First says it needs to find extra cash because of changes to the taxpayer-funded subsidy scheme for children and pensioners.
• All change: Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive becomes Transport for Greater Manchester – with a new logo of course Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive has been renamed Transport For Greater Manchester and has taken on new responsibilities over the region™s main roads.
• Bus firms blaming council transport bosses for fares hike Greater Manchester™s three biggest bus firms are all blaming transport bosses for a hike in fares. They claim they need to find extra cash because of changes to the tax-payer funded subsidy scheme for children and pensioners.
• Jobhunters to hit the jackpot as Virgin Vegas flights from Manchester Airport spark boom Direct flights to Las Vegas are taking off again “ bringing 100 new jobs to Manchester. Virgin Atlantic will launch the service from Manchester to the gambling mecca tomorrow.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Transport improvements set for approvalDISABLED, older and young people, especially those in remote areas, could benefit from a series of proposed transport improvements. Notts County Council's Cabinet is expected to agree the measures at its meeting on Wednesday. The proposed improvements include: Replacing underused bus routes with a pilot minibus scheme that would take people to school, day centres and other services on demand. Using taxis or voluntary transport schemes to get people to bus routes. Training people with learning disabilities to use public transport. Supporting a voluntary transport scheme for social activ...

The York Press

• Former Jarvis workers™ rally marks a bleak anniversary FORMER Jarvis workers marked the first anniversary of the railway company™s collapse yesterday by leafleting passengers at York Station and later staging a meeting-cum-rally.

Wales Online

• Rail electrification to Swansea still being considered, says Prime Minister ELECTRIFICATION to Swansea is still being considered by the Government, Prime Minister David Cameron said today.

Other Regional Press

• £1.7 million Bangor station works launchedA SCHEME to transform Bangor railway station into a multi million pound transport hub is underway.
• MP™s debate could pave the way for car road racesA Lancashire MP today said he has secured an agreement which could pave the way for motorsport competitions to be held on British roads.
• £17m for highways maintenance in Kirklees over for three years FUNDING of at least £17 million will be spent in Kirklees on road maintenance over the next three years.
• Police checking passengers for weapons at Huddersfield train station TRANSPORT police have been checking passengers for weapons at Huddersfield Railway Station today.

Global Rail News

• Engineering works on London Overground and Bakerloo line over EasterLondon Overground (LO) services north of Euston and London Underground’s (LU’s) Bakerloo line services north of Paddington will be subject to essential engineering works, by Network ...
• Tottenham Court Road station upgrade moves into new phaseWork to transform Tottenham Court Road station into a new gateway to the West End will step up a gear this weekend. As the £500m station ...
• Passengers get chance to have their say on rail servicesTrain operating company First TransPennine Express (FTPE) is to hold a ‘Meet the Manager’ session at Hull Railway Station. The event, which was be held today, ...
• Hammond: Huge increase in commuter trains with HS2Many towns and cities could benefit from a huge rise in direct trains to London once a new high speed rail network is built, Transport Secretary ...
• Network Rail™s executive incentive scheme approvedNetwork Rail’s new executive incentive scheme was approved today following an extensive and through examination by Members (Network Rail’s equivalent to shareholders) at a general meeting ...
• Faster trains & more services for York stationRail passengers in York will have faster and easier journeys after a new track layout is installed at the south end of the station, meaning they ...
• Passenger group: Train fares set to rise 4x faster than wagesTrain fares are set to rise almost four times faster than wages next year Campaign for Better Transport has reported. According to the latest wage and ...
• Rail link for Loch Ryan port unlikelyStena Line is currently reviewing its connection plans to and from its new £80m Loch Ryan port near Cairnryan, due to open in the Autumn. Paul ...

Other News Sources

• Philip Hammond's promises of cheaper rail fares won’t fool anyone - Gwynne Andrew Gwynne MP, Labour's Shadow Rail Minister, responding to the Tory-led government’s promise of additional capacity and cheaper fares on the West Coast Main Line as a result of the proposed new high speed rail line, said:
• Tottenham Court Road station closed until November Tube passengers are being reminded that Tottenham Court Road station will be closed for Northern line services from tomorrow (April 2nd) until “late November” as part of ongoing upgrade wore which includes connecting the station to a new Crossrail ticket hall at Dean Street.