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

Thursday, 16 August 2012

Cogitamus

• West Coast franchise: your money or your votes?By Garvan Walshe, Director, Cogitamus Limited Gone are the Tory plans to use longer franchises to encourage more investment in rail infrastructure; gone are the incentives to treat passengers better. Today’s decision to award the west coast mainline to First Group makes one thing clear: it’s all about the money. First Group simply outbid Virgin. The franchise was in effect auctioned. What’s wrong with that, you might ask? Because they paid more, less taxpayers’ money needs to go to subsidise unprofitable lines, while First can increase fares ensuring that only those who...

BBC News

• West Coast mainline franchise 'big test' for FirstGroup - [Today Programme Audio]Virgin Trains has been running the West Coast mainline rail services since 1997, but it has just lost the franchise.
• Video - Maria Eagle: 'I am concerned passengers will suffer' Virgin Trains has lost its bid to continue running the West Coast mainline to the UK's largest rail operator, FirstGroup.
• FirstGroup: From small acorn into transport giant Over the past 23 years, FirstGroup has grown from a relatively small acorn into a mighty transport giant. The UK's largest rail operator is set to take over one of the most profitable routes in Britain, the West Coast Mainline between London and Scotland.
• Kirkstall Road bus lanes 'ease congestion' in Leeds New bus lanes have been opened on one of Leeds's busiest commuter routes.
• Air passengers heard Mayday callAn airline pilot's Mayday call is heard by passengers on a Birmingham flight moments before the aircraft rapidly drops altitude.
• New flight plan with £1m terminalScheduled passenger flights could return to Chester Hawarden airport in Flintshire next year when work is completed on a £1m terminal.
• Airliner scrapyard gets go aheadPlans to turn a former airfield in Snowdonia into a yard to dismantle airliners will be given permission.
• Rail firm's better service pledgeFirstGroup says it is
• Lib Dems say 'no to new runways'Liberal Democrats stress they will not support new runways at London airports, as the party pushes for a new aviation strategy.
• Virgin 'derailed' on West Coast bidVirgin is beaten by FirstGroup's franchise bid after 15 years operating trains on the West Coast mainline.
• Games 'a factor' in airports fallLondon 2012 was among likely factors that led to a fall in passenger numbers at Scottish regional airports, it is suggested.
• Branson 'sad' at franchise lossSir Richard Branson says it is "extremely disappointing" that Virgin Rail has lost the West Coast Mainline franchise to rival FirstGroup.

Department for Transport

• New operator for West Coast rail passengersRail passengers will benefit from improvements including more trains and more seats.

Financial Times

• Railroaded into higher riskThings may get messy for FirstGroup if it can™t get more white-collar wanderers to ride its trains, paying higher prices for the privilege
• Plans for toll roads seen as ˜fatally flawed™Think-tank Campaign for Better Transport says that none of the proposals put forward can simultaneously benefit motorists, taxpayers and investors
• Virgin rail threat should ring alarmsThe likelihood that Virgin could now pull out of the market has some experts questioning how the government will maintain enough competition
• Airbus faces loss of $3.8bn orderHong Kong Airlines considers cancelling 10 A380 aircraft after withdrawing lossmaking all-business class service to London
• Virgin threatens to give up on UK railFirstGroup™s West Coast franchise win ˜insanity™, but Branson adds that bidding more would have involved big quality cuts and higher fares

The Herald

• Here's hoping winner's growth forecast is on trackTHE announcement that the franchise to run the West Coast passenger services between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow for the next 13 years and four months has been awarded to FirstGroup on the basis of a bid of £5.5 billion will arouse misgivings among those who recall the recent history of the East Coast Mainline, where two successful winners of franchise competitions (Great North Eastern Railways and National Express) won on the basis of ambitious bids and then withdrew early in the life of the franchise on finding they were making heavy losses.
• FirstGroup deal and rail passengers: Q&Al What will change?
• Branson slams bid process as First wins rail franchiseA BITTER war of words has erupted over the future of Scotland's busiest cross-border rail route after Virgin Trains lost out to Aberdeen-based rival FirstGroup in its bid to extend its 15-year tenure.

The Independent

• Sir Richard Branson condemns rail bid process as Virgin Rail loses West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup Virgin Rail lost its West Coast main line franchise to rival transport company FirstGroup today following a Government bidding process dubbed
• Branson furious at 'insane' choice for West Coast line The new age of the train is due to begin on Platform 3 of Wolverhampton station at 8.05am on Sunday 9 December. At that moment, a First West Coast service will set off for London Euston for the first time on Britain's flagship rail route. At the same time a second train will depart from Manchester Piccadilly. The journeys will mark the end of the 15-year rail revolution launched by Sir Richard Branson.Related StoriesPrince Philip's health scaresNine hurt as coach carrying American punk rock band Baroness falls from viaduct in A36 crashPrince Philip taken to hospital with bladder infectionRoya...

The Telegraph

• Virgin trains lose West Coast rail line contract: passengers will benefit from FirstGroup deal, says ministerRail minister Theresa Villiers defends the Government's decision to award the prestigious West Coast rail line contract to FirstGroup claiming it will benefit passengers.
• Virgin Trains 'considering every option' after losing West Coast rail lineVirgin Trains chief executive Tony Collins say the company are looking at every option to challenge the Government after losing control of the West Coast rail line that it has run for 15 years.
• FirstGroup chief: we aren't cutting West Coast rail jobsTim O'Toole, the chief executive of FirstGroup, dismisses reports that the company would make job cuts on the West Coast rail line as

Press Association

• Lib Dems to oppose airport plans Liberal Democrats have underlined their opposition to any airport creation or expansion in the South East after Conservative calls for increased capacity.

Daily Express

• FirstGroup bid win sends stock slidingSHARES in FirstGroup hit the buffers yesterday as investors questioned whether the bus and rail group had overbid to oust Virgin from the West Coast rail franchise.

Daily Record

• Train rage! Transport tycoons to challenge West Coast line deal THE decision to award the rail franchise to FirstGroup has been greeted with disbelief and anger from politicians and unions.

Mail Online

• Branson's question is a good one: When will the Department for Transport learn?STEVE DOUGHTY: The impenetrable system by which the Government owns the tracks and rents out the right to run trains doesn’t work. It is time for privatisation.
• Squeezing rail commuters like this could be electoral suicide. If Mr Osborne has any sense, he¿ll think againSTEPHEN GLOVER: Britain now has the most expensive rail network in Europe, with the burden falling most heavily on commuters, who cannot take advantage of cheaper off-peak fares.
• Richard Branson: Virgin Trains loses battle to keep running West Coast rail lineSir Richard warned that FirstGroup's bid of £7billion was too much money and it risked repeating the failure of National Express when the East Coast Line had to be renationalised.

Birmingham Mail

• Rail boss denies 800 job losses claim on West Coast LineTHE rail boss in charge of new West Coast line operators FirstGroup today guaranteed jobs for hundreds of Midland staff – and rubbished claims that 800 workers faced the axe.

Bolton News

• 50% train fares rise predicted by 2016 TRAIN ticket prices in Bolton could soar by 50 per cent by 2016, according to transport bosses.
• Trains to run direct from Bolton to London by 2016 Trains will run direct from Bolton to London in four years time say FirstGroup which today won the West Coast main line franchise.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Train fares set to soar in region Bradford™s commuters face more misery as train fares are set to rise “ with some season tickets costing hundreds of pounds more by 2016.

Derby Telegraph

• Derby Telegraph commented Shuttle buses will run to ease disruption of Five Lamps workA SHUTTLE bus is being provided to try to minimise public transport disruption during major roadworks at one of Derby's busiest...
• Derby Telegraph commented 'Massive blow' for rail passengers as they brace for 6.2%...RAIL passengers in Derby have spoken of their anger after finding out fares could rise by an average of 6.2% in January.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Tram bridges finally fall into placeTRAM bosses have said another milestone has been reached in the £776 million project after the main construction work was completed on all 12 bridges along the route.

Journal Live

• North East rail workers protest over 6.2% fares riseRAIL workers led protests outside train stations in the North East yesterday as proposals for a 6.2% rise in fares were confirmed.
• Arriva North East bus service cuts leave travellers in limboA STRING of bus services across the North East are to be withdrawn as cuts bite at a private operator.

Liverpool Post

• Virgin lose West Coast rail franchise to run Liverpool to London trainsSIR Richard Branson's Virgin Trains has lost the franchise to run West Coast mainline trains, including services from Liverpool to London.

London Evening Standard

• Angry Richard Branson plans legal action after Virgin Rail loses West Coast Main Line franchiseSir Richard Branson plans to take legal action to overturn a decision which saw his Virgin Rail company lose the West Coast Main Line franchise to a rival rail giant.
• Stansted Express passengers walk tracks after cable fall More than 100 passengers were forced to walk along railway tracks after being evacuated from a broken down train this morning.
• Virgin loses West Coast franchiseSir Richard Branson has lost the battle to continue running the West Coast Main Line that his Virgin Rail company has been operating since 1997.

The York Press

• Accidents ˜may be more likely™ on 20mph zones CONTROVERSIAL 20mph zones could be increasing rather than reducing the risk of accidents, a new report has warned.
• New bus service to York tourist attractions New bus service in link to attractions A YORK bus operator has launched a new summer route in the city to help visitors get to and from two local tourist attractions.

Wales Online

• Virgin Rail loses West Coast main line franchise to FirstGroupSir Richard Branson threatened to walk away from the rail industry today after Virgin Rail today lost its West Coast main line franchise to rival transport company FirstGroup.

Crewe Chronicle

• UK & World News: Branson condemns rail bid processVirgin Rail has lost its West Coast main line franchise to rival transport company FirstGroup following a Government bidding process dubbed

Peterborough Telegraph

• Rail fare increases spells commuter miseryRail users reacted to news they will be paying more for their train tickets with resigned dismay at Peterborough Rail Station on Tuesday (14 August).

Other Regional Press

• Western Morning News published Rural buses at risk in sell-offArticle
• Virgin lose franchise to run West Coast Main LineSir Richard Branson has lost the battle to continue running the West Coast Main Line that his Virgin Rail company has been operating since 1997.
• Virgin loses West Coast MainlineVirgin Rail has lost the franchise to run the a major trainline which runs through Preston Station.
• All Our Yesterdays: Trolleybus specialOUR popular series looking back at an important part of Huddersfield's history - trolleybuses - continues today.
• Aberdeen rail passengers to be hit by fare hikesA RETURN journey from Aberdeen to Edinburgh or Glasgow could break the £80 threshold for the first time.
• Wind turbines to help power Aberdeen™s new green busesABERDEEN™S hydrogen buses are to be fuelled using energy from onshore wind turbines.

Global Rail News

• Campaigners call for reform of franchise systemA passenger campaign group has called for a review of the Government’s franchise awarding system, claiming that the current process puts too much emphasis on the highest bid not the best service. Today the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that FirstGroup was to take over operation of the West Coast Mainline from Virgin after submitting [...]
• Branson blasts government ˜insanity™ over West Coast decisionœThe Government decision to award the West Coast Main Line Franchise to FirstGroup is extremely disappointing for Virgin, and for our staff that have worked so hard to transform this railway over the last 15 years.  We submitted a strong and deliverable bid based on improving customers™ experience, increased investment and sustained innovation. To have [...]
• FirstGroup awarded West Coast franchiseFirstGroup has ousted Virgin to become the new operator of the West Coast Mainline. First West Coast Limited will take over the service in December and will operate on the route until 2026. Rail unions have raised concerns that the new operator will need to raise fares and cut staff to meet the return target [...]
• CCD appointed to HS2 projectDesign and ergonomics consultancy CCD has been appointed by Parsons Brinkerhoff to provide human factors expertise to HS2. The consultancy has been tasked with describing the ‘door to door’ passenger experience that HS2 should deliver. CCD will look at the design elements of Phase 1 of the HS2 high-speed rail network as the enabling legislation [...]
• Trains must not become œa rich man™s toyCampaign for Better Transport staged a stunt at Waterloo Station yesterday (August 14) as part of its Fair Fares Now campaign calling trains not to become “a rich man’s toy”. The protest followed the announcement that rail fares are to increase by 6.2 per cent next year. Stephen Joseph, Campaign for Better Transport™s chief executive, [...]
• More railways pleasePeople want more railways, according to a study by  Network Rail. According to those questioned the rail industry should be confident and ambitious. From chefs to nurses, plumbers to teachers, over 300 people were involved in 10 detailed workshops earlier this year. Says Rick Haythornthwaite, Network Rail™s outgoing chairman, ˜The railway is a vital piece [...]
• That sinking feelingStanlow Abbey was not a lucky place. Built on the Mersey™s south bank, the last decade of the thirteenth century brought flooding, storm damage and fire. No surprise then that its resident monks craved calmer waters, finding them 40 miles away in north Lancashire. There, alongside the River Calder, they established new domestic ranges, outbuildings [...]
• Special Oscar handover for RailCorpUGL presented one of the last Oscar Stage 3 passenger trains to RailCorp at a special handover ceremony last month. UGL, which is currently building and delivering an additional 25 cars under Stage 3A – an extension to Stage 3 of the Oscar project, is expecting to deliver the last car of Stage 3A before [...]

London TravelWatch

• London TravelWatch press for improvements for passengers in new West Coast franchiseFollowing the Department for Transport™s decision today to award the West Coast franchise to First Group, London TravelWatch will argue for benefits to passengers in and around London, including improved compensation arrangements, a simplified fares structure and improved service patterns.

Railnews

• Disappointed Virgin to surrender West Coast FirstGroup has won the next Intercity West Coast franchise with a £5.5 billion bid, ending fifteen years of operation on the route by Virgin. The announcement could trigger a new controversy, because Virgin may challenge the decision.
• Virgin's Branson hits out at franchise 'insanity' Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson has expressed irritation that his company has lost the bid for the West Coast franchise. It's the fourth time that his company has been defeated in a rail franchise competition, and he says it is 'extremely unlikely' that it will bid for rail contracts again.
• FirstGroup revealed as biggest West Coast bidder It has been confirmed that winning West Coast franchise bidder FirstGroup offered the DfT £700 million more than the runner up Virgin Rail Group, 49 per cent of which is owned by Stagecoach. The Department for Transport has been accused of 'insanity' by Virgin founder Richard Branson, while Stagecoach has warned that the new West Coast contract places more risk on the franchise holder.

Other News Sources

• Liberal Democrats say no to new runways at London airports - Lib Dem Press ReleaseThe Liberal Democrats are pushing for a new strategy for aviation which balances the benefits the industry brings as a driver of jobs and growth with the harm it causes to the environment.
• Lib Dems dig in against Heathrow third runway Liberal Democrats are poised to register their opposition to new runways at London's airports next month, underlining coalition divisions on the issue.
• Green light for Scottish hydrogen hubFM confirms up to £3.3 million funding for EU-backed green transport in Aberdeen.
• RMT prepares ballot for action and political fight as First Group wins West Coast franchise with massive cuts planRAIL UNION RMT said today that it will mount a massive campaign to defend jobs and services on the prestige West Coast route - including a ballot for industrial action - as it was confirmed this morning that First Group have won the InterCity franchise from Virgin on the basis of 20% cuts across the board and with a bid that RMT says contains a billion pound black hole.
• RMT demands assurances on West Coast jobs from First as Government rail shambles ignites campaign for renationalisationRAIL UNION RMT said today that it is demanding cast-iron guarantees from First Group that there will be no attack on jobs and working conditions in light of their winning bid for the West Coast franchise. RMT has already made it clear that any threat to members livelihoods off the back of the transfer from Virgin will be met with an immediate ballot for industrial action.
• Virgin loses West Coast franchiseTrain operator Virgin Rail has lost its franchise for the West Coast Main Line to rival First Group, the government announced today.
• Virgin loses West Coast rail service to First GroupBranson criticises decision to choose competitor on key UK rail route