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

Saturday, 18 August 2012

BBC News

• Bus driver admits crash killingA bus driver admits running over and killing a woman in the east end of Glasgow in December 2010.
• First bus staff could be ballotedStaff at bus operator First Aberdeen could be balloted on industrial action in a row over pay.
• More trains on rush hour servicesTrain operator ScotRail announces an increase in rush hour services for passengers travelling between Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Glasgow.
• SPT approves rise in Subway faresScotland's largest transport authority approves an across-the-board 9% rise in fares on Glasgow's Subway.

Financial Times

• Qatar lands BAA stake in £900m dealFerrovial and partners sell 20% of Heathrow airport owner in deal that shows its equity value almost the same as at Spanish group™s 2006 purchase

The Guardian

• Tourism bosses say visa red tape - and cost - are putting off Chinese visitorsThe Chinese may be coming, but it's a moot point as to whether they'll be coming to Britain. Hence the culture secretary's Jeremy Hunt's efforts this week to reassure Britain's frustrated tourism and aviation leaders who have long urged the government to simplify the costly visa regime that deters these potential visitors.

The Herald

• 2014 mountain bike trail is on track to open year earlySCOTLAND'S reputation as a destination for some of the world's best mountain biking will be boosted by the opening of the 2014 Commonwealth Games track “ one year before the athletes assemble in Glasgow.

The Scotsman

• Minister says Westminster ˜stifling™ plans for railwaysTransport minister Keith Brown has hit out at the UK government, claiming it has “stifled” plans to improve the railways north of the Border.

The Telegraph

• First Group's credit rating could be cut to 'junk' if West Coast deal increases debtThe rating agency outlined concerns over a "significant increase" in FirstGroup's adjusted debt levels because of the operating lease commitments tied to its successful bid for the prestigious West Coast rail line.
• Head to Scotland and Wales to pass your driving testFigures show that learners are more than twice as likely to pass their test if they take it in remote parts of Scotland.

Daily Record

• Passenger relives horror moment train he was on struck dad and brother GARY KOLARCZYK'S train lurched to a halt with no warning as he travelled to Rannoch station on the West Highland Line to meet his 87-year-old father Gerhard and brother Paul.

Mail Online

• BA steward jailed for hoax bomb threat he left in plane's toilet so he could 'save the day' and be promotedMathew Davis, 22, (pictured) from Crawley, West Sussex, told the captain but luckily the pilot realised it was a hoax almost immediately.

The Mirror

• Virgin on the ridiculous: West Coast train decision is a grubby money dealHow much will First have left over to spend on properly-serviced, fit-for-purpose stock after it™s paid the Government and its shareholders?

Bristol Live

• The Post commented Row as council refuses to foot car repair billBRISTOL City Council is refusing to pay for repairs after a stone flew up from a council mower and damaged a passing car.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Trucker miraculously unhurt after A55 crash carnageA TRUCKER miraculously walked away from this carnage after his lorry jack-knifed across the A55 – blocking the road in both directions for seven hours.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Pair on their bikes for trip of a lifetimeA Deeside woman and her boyfriend have set off on a trip of a lifetime, taking in the Europe and Africa.

Yorkshire Post

• Motorcyclist speeding at 132mph among road users caught on mobile cameraTWO men have been clocked at almost double the speed limit on North Yorkshire’s roads.

Blackpool Gazette

• Saddle up for Ride the LightsPEDAL power is set to take over the Promenade with thousands of cyclists expected to join the annual Ride the Lights.
• Train fare increases have priced us off the railsI feel compelled to inform people of a prime example of the scandalous price hikes in rail travel.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Photo: Car and caravan get stuck on A12 level crossing at DarshamMOTORISTS faced tailbacks of up to two miles after a car and caravan got stuck on a level crossing.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Transport: Sharp fall in Peterborough™s road congestionThe Department for Transport (DfT) has published the results of its latest study of congestion levels on England’s A roads, revealing a sharp fall in Peterborough.

Sunderland Echo

• Sunderland™s port booms as business almost doublesBUSINESS at the Port of Sunderland almost doubled in the last financial year, say bosses.
• Sunderland™s adopted warship gets special blockbuster screening in honour of Olympic security roleSAILORS on board Sunderland’s adopted warship enjoyed an exclusive movie screening in honour of their security role during London 2012.

Other Regional Press

• A cross Europe cycle for MNDKeen cyclist Mark Anness is set to ride from Paris to Geneva next month in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
• Aberdeen man smashed car into tree while high on painkillersAN ABERDEEN drug user who had not driven for 15 years got behind the wheel of a car while high on super strength painkillers “ and smashed it into a tree.

Global Rail News

• Hidden Haddon: its rise and fallIf the procrastination over High Speed 2 ever gives way to construction, the line will navigate the Chiltern Hills via a series of tunnels – some bored, some ‘green’. The latter comprise open-ended concrete boxes, sunk into the landscape, above which the ground is restored to something resembling its original state. It’s a modern term [...]
• Vital Rail backs RailStaff Awards 2012Vital Rail is sponsoring Recruiter/HR Person of the Year at the 2012 RailStaff Awards. The company, which supplies skilled railway operatives across the whole spectrum of railway infrastructure, is a leader in tackling the skills shortage in the rail industry and developing HR strategies that retain and advance railway staff. Tom O™Connor, managing director of [...]
• New look for Network RailThe number of public members of the Network Rail board has been reduced from 80  to 40. Quarterly scrutiny panels underline a new commitment to transparency. The new moves came into effect at the Annual General Meeting held in July. At the AGM David Higgins, Network Rail’s chief executive, reported good punctuality at 91.6 per [...]

Railway Gazette

• National Express targets German rail sectorGERMANY: UK bus and rail operator National Express announced on August 17 that it was seeking to enter the regional rail market in Germany, with the formation of a local subsidiary. Based in Düsseldorf, National Express Rail GmbH has reportedly already prequalified for contracts to operate four regional lines. ˜We are very excited about the opportunities in the German rail market™, said Andrew Chivers, head of the rail sector at National Express Group. ˜National Express has been able to draw extensive experience as a high-quality and customer-oriented passenger operator, and we hope to be act...

Other News Sources

• European unionists stand by striking Portuguese dockersThe European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), the ITF’s European arm, has expressed its support for a 24-hour strike called by Portuguese dockers.
• Auto Trader Pilots New Instant Offer Service to Help Dealers Source StockAs sourcing quality car stock remains a challenge for UK dealers, Auto Trader is piloting a unique new service called Instant Offer, aimed at providing dealers with exclusive access to private stock.
• Stoneridge to show global reach at IAAStoneridge is showcasing a range of innovative products at this year™s IAA Show in Hanover, Germany, which help to make drivers™ lives easier and fleets more efficient. With worldwide manufacturing, sales & distribution centres, Stoneridge is coming to the IAA with its new One Minute Rule digital tachograph, the SE5000 Exakt Duo. The Duo technology comes as standard in the new model and at no extra cost, giving drivers real-time updates, including drive and rest times countdowns, as well as useful warnings when nearing the driving limits, helping them to keep legal. Stoneridge has also rec...
• Brazil to spend £42bn on roads and railwaysBrazil president Dilma Rousseff yesterday unveiled a BRL133bn (£42bn) investment programme to target the nation™s highways and railways systems.

Other Subscription Services

• Shipyards report lowest volumes ordered since 1999Poor forward prospects contrast sharply with this year™s record deliveries