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

Monday, 29 October 2012

BBC News

• New £2.5m eco-bus fleet goes into service in Bath A fleet of eight new buses have come into service to serve Bath's two park-and-ride sites.
• Essex MPs unite to urge action on 'neglected' transport It's probably fair to say that more than anywhere else in the region, travel plays the largest part in the lives of the people of Essex.
• First buses in Devon and Cornwall return after strike Bus services in Devon and Cornwall are returning to normal after a 24-hour strike by staff over pay.
• Scotland requests more drink-drive powers from UK government More powers over drink-driving should be devolved to Scotland, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has said.
• Rail operator runs 'full service'Rail operator London Midland says it expects to run almost a full service over the next two days, following weeks of disruption.

Financial Times

• Heathrow-Stansted ’dual hub’ proposedPlans are being drawn up to solve the UK’s aviation capacity crunch by linking Heathrow and Stansted airports in a “dual hub”.
• Slowdown in growth of airline ˜extras™Research suggests that the industry needs to find extra revenue streams to cope with slowing growth of extra fees, particularly in the US market
• TPG enters race for StanstedUS private equity group created out of the buyout of Continental Airlines 20 years ago has submitted a first-round offer for the London airport
• Ministers look at two-tier road tax systemThe proposed overhaul of vehicle excise duty, which raises £6bn a year, would see those paying less confined to driving only on local and smaller A-roads

The Guardian

• West coast rail fiasco: transport secretary faces grilling from MPs Patrick McLoughlin may be quizzed over own role in failure of rail franchise that has cost taxpayers £40m in compensation

The Herald

• Safety report undermines case for dualling the A9THE case for dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness has been dealt a major blow after a leading road safety organisation said it was not justified in terms of reducing accidents and that other routes would benefit more from the £3 billion investment.
• Branson reveals plan to bid for East Coast train serviceJust weeks after ministers asked him to continue running the West Coast main line, Sir Richard Branson has unveiled plans that could see his firm operate the East Coast service as well.

The Independent

• Letters: Bus pass fee could be on the cards Bus passes certainly benefit more than just their users. So perhaps some people like me who benefit could perhaps contribute.
• Government's 3p-a-litre rise in fuel duty could cost 35,000 jobs campaigners sayThe Government™s 3p-a-litre rise on fuel duty could lead to 35,000 job losses in the New Year and stall economic growth, campaigners warned today.  Related StoriesSoldiers' deaths still 'unclear'Sultan's tax discount on London house shows law favours richAlmost one million school children think Professor Green is a scientist, says studyNearly one in five cruise holiday customers cannot swimClubber hurt on Halloween noose
• Airport bosses claim politicians' dithering is damaging economy The bosses of three airports outside South-east England have added their weight to the debate over aviation capacity.Related StoriesMiliband given £1m by taxpayer to fill in 'blank sheet' with policy ideasClegg to hand 20 cities more economic powersExtra cash for designing Trident's replacementTory chiefs try to head off backbench rebellion over child benefitEurozone crisis could provoke violence and push people towards extremism, says Tory cabinet minister

The Scotsman

• Virgin targets East Coast rail franchise SIR Richard Branson has revealed that Virgin Trains is planning a bid for the East Coast main line franchise when it comes up for tender next year.

The Telegraph

• The Sunday Interview: Sir Richard Branson As the Virgin boss unveils his airline’s new India route, he explains why the Coalition is right on austerity but wrong on rail.
• FastJet being sued by two suppliers over unpaid bills FastJet, the African low cost airline backed by easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, is fighting seven-figure legal proceedings that could result in a winding up order being issued against the business.
• Virgin Trains lining up bid for East Coast rail line Virgin Trains is planning a bid to run the East Coast main line when the franchise is put up for tender in the new year, Sir Richard Branson has revealed.
• Motorists to pay higher rate of road tax for right to drive on motorways, under plans examined by Government Motorists would have to pay a higher rate of road tax for the right to drive on motorways, under plans examined by the Government.

Mail Online

• DAILY MAIL COMMENT: The hidden danger of milking the motoristWith fuel duty ever rising, sky-high taxes on company cars, congestion charges, and proposals for more road tolls, drivers understandably feel they are being used as a cash cow, to be milked at will.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Metro in talks over a better West Yorkshire bus network Bus operators and Metro are back in talks over the public transport network.

Journal Live

• Newcastle Airport debt slashed as partner revealedONE of the world’s biggest investment companies has wiped more than £100m of debt from Newcastle International Airport as it became the operation’s new partner.

London Evening Standard

• Two-tier road tax under spotlightMotorists could face a two-tier road tax under proposals reportedly being considered by the Government.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Letter: Improving bus system would cut journey times Kieran Preston is very clear that he wants an integrated transport system that improves life for the people of West Yorkshire, as he says in the first paragraph of his letter (YEP, October 20).

Yorkshire Post

• Lights go out in move to cut costs and emissionsLighting on thousands of miles of motorways, trunk roads and city streets has been turned off or dimmed at night in order to save money and cut carbon emissions, an investigation has revealed.
• Virgin might bid for East Coast lineRICHARD Branson’s Virgin company may bid to run the East Coast mainline rail service when the route is returned to private operation, it has emerged.

Other Regional Press

• Concern over axing of ’vital’ bus service East Garioch councillor Martin Ford has written to bus operator Stagecoach Bluebird in a bid to maintain a link used by Newmachar residents for shopping and to visit the doctor.
• Proposed route of Ringmer-Lewes cycle path a ’danger for young riders’A petition from residents of Mill Road, Lewes, and surrounding streets has been formally passed to the Chairman of East Sussex County Council, Cllr Chris Dowling.
• Cycle path proposals for Mid Devon CAMPAIGNERS turned out in force to hear county councillors’ plans for a cycle path from Exeter to Crediton and Tiverton.
• North Norfolk Railway chief speaks out over Norfolk Orbital Railway confusion The managing director of a heritage railway has urged supporters to continue backing their restoration projects and not confuse them with a separate organisation working in the same area.
• £1bn transport fund ’key to Leeds area’s future’ A £1 billion regional trans-port fund will allow Leeds to control its own destiny and will be key for the area’s future, according to a former Metro chairman.
• Passengers warned of bus service changes around HuddersfieldBUS chiefs have defended cuts and changes to services around Huddersfield.