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

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

BBC News

• Government to 'speed up infrastructure spending' Investment in 40 major infrastructure projects, such as Crossrail and new broadband networks, is to be speeded up by the government, Nick Clegg is expected to announce later.
• Government to 'speed up infrastructure spending' Investment in 40 major infrastructure projects, such as Crossrail and new broadband networks, is to be speeded up by the government, Nick Clegg is expected to announce later.
• Plane 'bounces' on Leeds runway in strong winds [video clip]Footage has emerged of the moment a Thomas Cook plane touched down on one wheel at Leeds-Bradford airport, before strong strong winds forced the pilot to return to the skies.
• Replacing third rail 'too costly' [video]Snow and ice brought the South East rail network to a standstill last winter when the severe weather conditions paralysed the third rail that powers the trains.
• Ryanair pulls last Aberdeen routeRyanair is to pull its only route from Aberdeen Airport, following a breakdown in talks with airport operator BAA.
• EC approves island fuel price cutThe European Commission approves a UK government scheme which will give drivers in remote Scottish islands a fuel duty discount.
• Minister: Trains a rich man's toyBritish railways are a "rich man's toy", Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has told MPs. He was responding to a question about regulating fare prices on the planned high speed rail link so that it would be a "railway for everybody".
• Olympic pay deal for Tube driversTube train drivers will receive a one-off payment of at least £500 for working during the 2012 Games in London.
• National Express in $200m US dealTransport group National Express buys Petermann Partners - the fifth largest provider of student bus services in the US.

Financial Times

• Trains 'a rich man's toy', says HammondTransport secretary concedes point but argues high-speed rail will still boost economy overall
• National Express buys US bus group for $200mPurchase of Petermann Partners will increase transport group's fleet by 20% in North America

The Herald

• Aberdeen route axed by RyanairRYANAIR flights between Aberdeen and Dublin will cease next month after the airline announced it was to end its operations at the north-east airport due to a spat over landing charges.
• Regulator raps rail operator over train servicesBRITAIN™S rail regulator has expressed serious concern about declining levels of train punctuality, with performance in Scotland falling faster than elsewhere in the UK.

The Independent

• Tube drivers get £500 in Olympics strike dealThe threat of Tube strikes during the Olympics has lessened significantly after drivers said they would accept a payment of at least £500 for working during the event next year.

The Telegraph

• UK train punctuality worsens Train punctuality has worsened over the past year, according to the Office of Rail Regulation, with nearly one train in five on the country's worst hit service running late.
• Trains are becoming a rich man’s toyTrains are becoming a rich man’s toy, Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary has admitted.

Mail Online

• Trains are 'rich man's toy' as fares reach 'eye-watering' levelsPhilip Hammond, pictured, acknowledged that inflation-busting ticket increases meant that customers who travel by rail have ‘significantly higher incomes’ than the general population.
• London 2012 Olympics: Underground drivers given £1,200 'bribe' to turn upTransport bosses have offered the hefty bonuses amid fears the militant RMT union lead by Bob Crow could wreck the Games with strikes.

Network Rail

• NETWORK RAIL RELEASES FIRST QUARTER STATION RETAIL FIGURES

Belfast Telegraph

• Car makers step up a gear with new compact modelsGermany's car makers are introducing important new models in the ferociously competitive small car market at this year's Frankfurt auto show.Related StoriesPower firm's behaviour 'will not be tolerated'ConveyorTek bed push to raise cash for charityReview in warning over 50p tax rateAviation tax producing an unlevel runway as Northern Ireland business bids to competeLoss of US flight would hit Northern Ireland economy
• Aviation tax producing an unlevel runway as Northern Ireland business bids to compete Northern Ireland’s economic competitiveness could be threatened by a punitive aviation tax, industry experts have warned. Related StoriesIsraeli tycoon Yuli Ofer dies at home aged 87Power firm's behaviour 'will not be tolerated'ConveyorTek bed push to raise cash for charityReview in warning over 50p tax rateLoss of US flight would hit Northern Ireland economy

Birmingham Mail

• Watch: Jaguar Land Rover unveil new concept cars at Frankfurt Motor Show Luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled three new cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

London Evening Standard

• Rail system a 'rich man's toy'Railways have become a

Manchester Evening News

• Ryanair passenger 'threatened with arrest' after she refused to leave overbooked holiday flight to Manchester Janine Handley, 27, was sitting in her seat waiting for takeoff on the Ryanair flight from Faro in Portugal to Manchester when a message came over the PA system asking her to make herself known to staff and she was ordered to get off because there weren't enough seats.

Yorkshire Post

• Railways ˜well short™ of targets on latenessNetwork Rail has been warned it faces action by the industry’s regulator after being accused of being “adrift” of its punctuality targets, leaving performance in some areas “well short” of what passengers expected.

Bucks Free Press

• Crime fears as ticket offices set to close CAMPAIGNERS fear crime could increase at a dozen railway stations in Buckinghamshire which are set to have their ticket offices closed as part of cost-cutting measures.
• Councils hit back in HS2 row AN MP who reported Buckinghamshire councils to a watchdog for setting aside an anti-HS2 fighting fund has been branded ˜ill informed™ by an authority leader.

East Anglian Daily Times

• New trains proposed for regionPROPOSALS to revolutionise rail services between London and East Anglia have been shunted on to the slow line after the government signalled a delay to its new franchise.

Reading Evening Post

• Bus users concern over new routes Bus users in Caversham say services are about to get “a whole lot worse” when timetable changes are introduced later this month.

Other Regional Press

• New trains proposed for region [EADT]PROPOSALS to revolutionise rail services between London and East Anglia have been shunted on to the slow line after the government signalled a delay to its new franchise.
• Councillors say closing 300ft gap in road will help to ease traffic in NorthamptonA CAMPAIGN to join up the two ends of an incomplete road in the centre of Northampton has won unanimous backing from councillors.
• Airport pipes up with business boostGlasgow Airport chiefs were celebrating today after the World Pipe Band Championship helped boost passenger numbers.
• Airline adds new £6 fee for bookingRyanair customers will be hit with yet another added cost later this year unless they sign up to a new prepaid card being offered by the airline.
• Ryanair to scrap Dublin flights from AberdeenBUDGET airline Ryanair is to scrap its Aberdeen to Dublin route.

Campaign for Better Transport

• "Eye wateringly expensive fares" - then don't make them even higher13 September: Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has just admitted that many rail fares are "eye wateringly expensive". So why is he increasing them?read more

Global Rail News

• Centro ˜rejects London Midland station staffing proposals™Centro is standing firm in its opposition to controversial proposals by London Midland to remove staff and reduce ticket office opening hours from stations across the region. ...
• Centro™s student tickets offer discount travel & treatmentsStudents in Wolverhampton have been handed a boost with the news they can get their travel tickets and make savings at a top city hair salon, ...
• Detectives appeal following cable theft attempt leads to severe rail disruptionBritish Transport Police (BTP) is appealing for information after thieves attempted to steal cable from the rail line near to Guildford station. BTP officers attended the ...
• Virgin Trains launches ImpulsePay for WiFiCustomers of UK rail operator Virgin Trains are now able to purchase onboard WiFi access using their mobile phones. Nomad Digital, a leading provider of high-speed, ...
• Piccadilly line disruption due to ˜urgent escalator works™Piccadilly line customers have been advised by Transport for London that trains will not be stopping at Earl’s Court from Wednesday morning until the start of ...
• New measures to improve rail industry response to disruption on Wessex routeSouth West Trains and Network Rail have announced a package of measures to improve their joint response to disruption on the rail network. It follows a ...
• 20% rise in Tube delays revealed by London Assembly reportThe London Assembly has released a report today claiming delays on the London Underground have risen by 20% between 2009/10 and 2010/11. The study estimates that ...
• LU reaches Olympic pay agreement with drivers™ unionsLondon Underground (LU) has reached agreement with train drivers’ unions over temporary changes to working arrangements and payments during the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Games. ...
• BTP seeks panel members to discuss policing on the railwaysHave you ever wanted to voice your opinions on the policing of your local railway and station, or provide feedback on a police operation that you ...
• Warwickshire County Council approves town transport schemeFunding from Warwickshire County Council to deliver the multi-million pound Stratford Parkway Station and additional package of transport improvements for the town has been approved by councillors. The county ...
• Network Rail releases first quarter retail figuresNetwork Rail has released its latest set of station retail sales results for April to June 2011 showing a 3.7% growth in like for like sales, ...
• TfL claim the Tube™s ˜long-term trend of improvement is continuing™Figures published today by Transport for London claim that the Tube’s ‘long-term trend of improvement is continuing’. The transport operator published the figures on the same ...
• FirstGroup™s graduates begin their trainingA record-breaking 16 new recruits began the graduate scheme last week at FirstGroup, the leading transport operator in the UK and North America. Aberdeen based First ...

Railnews

• Now DfT is facing legal challenge over Thameslink The Department for Transport is facing a new challenge over its controversial decision to award the £1.4 billion Thameslink rolling stock order to Siemens rather than Bombardier, which would have built the fleet of 300 trains in Derby. Now the union UNITE has won the backing of Derby City Council in its bid to gain a judicial review.

Aviation Industry

• Airlines plan to reduce flying next yearAirlines are putting next year's growth plans on hold, with high fuel prices and a sluggish economy forcing them to reconsider which flights make money and cut the ones that won't. Delta Air Lines Inc.
• BA to improve Moscow offeringBritish flag carrier will start an upgraded service from next April

Other News Sources

• Blackburn ˜stars™ into storage for rail faceliftARTWORK depicting the many faces of Blackburn has been removed during the £1.7million overhaul of the town™s railway station.
• News from John Biggs: Local bus link rejected 12 September, 2011 Local London Assembly member John Biggs vows to keep up pressure as Transport for London (TfL) reject case for bus link to Gallions Reach shopping centre. John Biggs lobbied TfL on behalf of local residents for a single bus route between North Woolwich and Gallions Reach. But, while they promised to review the decision in the future, Boris Johnson's transport officials say "no cost effective scheme can be found". 360-house-thumb.jpg ...
• MP urges action on 'crippling' fuel pricesBrian Donohoe MP says higher fuel prices are