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

Monday, 25 March 2013

BBC News

• Lack of transport traps elderly in Wales, says WRVS Many older people in Wales are unable to get out and about because of a lack of suitable transport, a report by a charity suggests.
• Rail line power failure investigatedThere is major disruption on trains out of Birmingham after trees weighed down with snow touch overhead power cables.
• Elderly 'isolated by poor transport'A charity claims thousands of elderly people in Scotland feel trapped in their homes because of a lack of suitable public transport.
• Tube map creator gets blue plaqueTube map designer Harry Beck is to have his iconic creation officially commemorated later, on the 80th anniversary of its first public appearance.

Financial Times

• West Coast rail contract extendedTransport secretary is set to unveil revised timetable for rail franchising in a move to draw a line under the contracts debacle
• Sky Train IPO: fare groundsIs the Bangkok rail operator BTS Group taking advantage at the peak of the market or is this a genuine opportunity for investors?
• Pre-election motorway sell-off ruled outPrivatisation plan originally put forward by David Cameron a year ago

The Guardian

• East Coast route set for privatisation as railways 'reopen for business'Decision to accelerate return of route to private sector expected to spark contest between Virgin Trains and FirstGroup. The east coast rail route is to be put back into private ownership after a prolonged spell in state hands, the government will confirm this week, as ministers set out plans to restore a franchise system paralysed by the west coast fiasco.

The Herald

• Petrol in Dumfries most costly DUMFRIES has been named as the most expensive town in the UK to refuel a typical family car with petrol after a survey found it would cost drivers there more than £102 to fill up a 70-litre car.
• Elderly 'feel isolated due to transport cuts' Thousands of older people in Scotland feel socially excluded due to poor transport service, a report says.

The Independent

• Think-tank slams lack of competition on railways'Railopolies' come under fire as ambitions for privatisation are seen as abandoned

The Scotsman

• Stagecoach sees organic growth as route ahead TRANSPORT group Stagecoach is likely to favour organic growth over major acquisitions for the foreseeable future, its chief executive-designate has revealed.
• Bluebell Railway to be in national rail networkVOLUNTEERS behind the running of a rural heritage steam railway had their dream of seeing it extended to the national rail network realised yesterday.

The Telegraph

• How Beeching is being reversedFifty years ago, Dr Beeching wielded his axe, believing the railways faced an inexorable decline. Now the industry is on the cusp of the biggest expansion since the Victorian era.

Daily Express

• Motorists on the road to misery with prices of fuel about to rocketHARD-pressed motorists face more misery at the pumps, with the price of fuel set to soar in the next few weeks, experts warned last night.

Mail Online

• Thousands of over-75 are 'trapped' in their homes because of a lack of suitable transport for their needsThe WRVS, a national charity which provides support to older people, said as many as a third of a million over-75s are being unnecessarily socially excluded.

Bolton News

• First Bus aims to win back passengers with Wifi, cheaper fares and £10m investment First Bus aims to win back passengers with Wifi, cheaper fares and £10m investment

Derby Telegraph

• Derby Telegraph commented Shake-up of Derby city centre's bus stops plannedA SHAKE-UP of city centre bus stops in a bid to cut delays at Derby's bus station will take place this summer.

London Evening Standard

• Next stop, Bowser's Castle: London Tube map gets Super Mario makeoverThe daily commute on the underground can often feel like the final boss on a video game, but one internet user has taken things even further and given the iconic Tube map a Super Mario makeover.

Wales Online

• Elderly feel trapped in their own homes, report findsThousands of older people in Wales are being unnecessarily socially excluded due to the lack of suitable transport, a study out today claims.

Reading Evening Post

• Heseltine ’seal of approval’ for Reading station development Lord Heseltine visited Reading Station on the day the Government announced it was accepting a majority of the recommendations he made in a report about economic growth.

Other Regional Press

• Parking charges will be set for railway station CHARGES will soon be introduced at the new county council-owned car park at Morpeth Railway Station.
• Drivers say Wixams bus lane is ‘pointless’ALMOST 300 motorists have been slapped with fines in the past two weeks for driving down what could be the country’s shortest bus lane.

Other News Sources

• Later Heathrow flight will disrupt business: O’Dea BUSINESS is facing disruption, it was claimed this week, after Aer Lingus confirmed a change to its Shannon-Heathrow service for the summer season.
• Government “underestimating” impact of airport hub capacity, says Heathrow The government is “underestimating” the damaging impact a lack of hub capacity at UK airports will have on the country, according to Heathrow.
• RMT secures 'industry-leading' 3.85% pay deal on London OvergroundRail Union RMT confirmed today that after constructive talks with London Overground Rail Operations Ltd (LOROL) the union and the company have agreed an industry-leading 3.85% pay deal for LOROL staff in 2013 as part of a 4 year pay award. Years 2,3 and 4 are inflation (RPI) plus 0.5% - protecting and enhancing staff living standards into the future at a time when there is an unprecedented national attack on wages and conditions.