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

Monday, 17 October 2011

BBC News

• Passengers stranded on aircraftPassengers are stranded on a plane at Gatwick Airport for more than eight hours after fog caused their flight to be diverted.

Financial Times

• Transport minister denies bias claim The transport department has rebuffed suggestions from one of the airline industry’s most senior figures that Justine Greening, the new transport secretary, would have a “conflict of interest” because her constituency is underneath the Heathrow airport flight path.
• BAA bides time on third runwayHeathrow expansion should be considered because the 'Heathwick' idea is unworkable, says Colin Matthews, head of the airports operator
• Etihad in talks to buy Aer Lingus stakeMiddle Eastern airline aims to buy the equity from the Irish government, though analysts says the most likely buyer is International Airlines Group

The Guardian

• Police called to Gatwick to calm passengers stranded on plane Air India passengers kept on board flight from Mumbai for nine hours after plane was diverted from Heathrow because of fog

The Herald

• Poorer Scots losing out on bus servicesPEOPLE living in some of Scotland™s poorest communities are bearing the brunt of cuts to bus services, according to new research.

The Independent

• Leading article: Rail makes its case for more support When Dr Beeching took his notorious axe to Britain's railway network in the early 1960s, he did so in the assumption that the age of the railway was over and the management of decline was the order of the day
• New age of the train: fare rises fail to deter BritonsEver-increasing ticket prices are doing little to put people off using Britain's railways, with 2011 set to become another record-breaking year for the UK rail network.

The Scotsman

• Terry Murden: Our transport ministers are always on the move PHILIP Hammond’s promotion to Defence Secretary means another change at the transport department. While Hammond may relish his higher profile in the Cabinet, it once again highlights the low priority that successive governments attach to the transport portfolio.
• Rising cost of running a car brings busiest year for rail since 1920s THE number of people choosing to let the train take the strain has increased significantly in the last year, according to latest figures, making 2011 the busiest year on the railways since the 1920s.
• First tram set for depot delivery The first tram is expected to be delivered at the newly-completed depot on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
• Forgotten journeys: A look at Britain’s lost railway network THEY are ghostly streaks across the landscape, with only the occasional forlorn remains of bridges and platforms to show for their past use.
• Ban cars in city THE news that a new bridge may be built over the River Dee in Aberdeen, while welcome, is to my mind only a short-term solution to traffic problems within the city.

Press Association

• More travellers take to the rails Rail passenger numbers increased this summer, with the rise possibly fuelled by the high cost of motoring. There were 314.3 million passenger journeys made on the railways in the period June 26 to September 17 this year - a 5.3% rise on the same period last year.

Manchester Evening News

• Just the ticket: Scheme gives free bus passes to Wythenshawe's unemployedMore than 900 residents in Wythenshawe have been handed pre-paid tickets to help them look for work in the last year. At least a third of those who have taken part have found a job. They have also been issued with a pass to help them until they receive their first pay packet.

Metro

• Boris Johnson's transport staff claimed £6.6million in taxi faresLondon mayor Boris Johnson™s transport staff claimed £6.6million in taxi fares in two years.

Northern Echo

• Youngsters fight to save bus services for rural residents TEENAGERS fighting proposed bus cuts which may leave villagers stranded aim to take their fight to Arriva’s bosses.