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

Friday, 24 May 2013

BBC News

• Flybe ends Belfast-London flightsThe airline Flybe is dropping its direct flights from Belfast City Airport to London Gatwick from the end of March 2014.
• Tram line opens three months earlyAn extension to the Greater Manchester's Metrolink system that links the city centre with East Didsbury opens to passengers three months early.
• Concerns over Flybe Gatwick sell-offBusiness leaders and politicians are raising concerns over the future of Inverness Airport's links with London Gatwick.
• Halfords reports big drop in profitsProfits at the car parts and bicycle retailer Halfords have fallen by almost 25%, after what the company described as a

Financial Times

• China clears Dreamliner for flightsRegulators clear 787 for domestic commercial flight for the first time, as Boeing’s problem-hit jet returns to the skies
• EU accepts Star Alliance concessionsLufthansa, United Airlines and Air Canada have offered to cede airport slots in New York and Frankfurt to address potential competition issues
• EasyJet to buy Gatwick slots from FlybeLow-cost carrier poised to strengthen its grip at UK’s second largest airport with £20m deal as Flybe attempts to return to profit

The Herald

• Transport links are the key to continued prosperity ANYONE who followed the long fight over the proposed bypass in Aberdeen might have been forgiven for pinching themselves at the news the other day.
• Skoda really is Superb, say satisfied car ownersThe aptly named Skoda Superb is the car that most satisfies owners, according to a survey.
• Taking the plungeA hybrid passenger ferry powered by diesel and electricity has been launched on the Clyde.

The Scotsman

• Edinburgh trams ’will run by end of the year’ PASSENGERS will be riding the trams in Edinburgh by the end of the year, a former consultant to the £776 million project has predicted.

The Telegraph

• Travels with the QueenAs the Queen is seen today stepping of a bus, we look at the Queen's travels on public transport.    
• British car makers surge in customer satisfaction surveyLand Rover has led a resurgence of the British car industry in the latest customer satisfaction survey.    

Mail Online

• The Queen hops on a single decker as she tours Cambridge 'Nobel Peace Factory' (and true to form, it turned up 15 minutes late)The visit marked the official opening by the Queen of the institute's new £212 million building which provides better facilities and equipment for the 600 scientists and support staff.

This is Money

• Barclaycard said I'd need two wallets to stop randomly paying for buses with my contactless cardSIMON LAMBERT: Recently my credit card started to randomly paying for buses and it turns out there's no way to stop this contactless curse. Barclaycard's answer? Buy an extra wallet.

Birmingham Mail

• Bore: "We'll make Brum's transport system among best in Europe" Council leader unveils ten-year vision to free up Birmingham's congested streets

London Evening Standard

• Lower fuel prices push up petrol sales Lower prices at the pumps have pushed up petrol sales, according to latest figures.
• This is my stop: Queen catches the bus in CambridgeThe Queen joined the ranks of the hoi polloi today and got on a bus to travel through Cambridge. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at the university city by scheduled train service from London, then travelled the short distance from the station by single decker bus, part of the guided busway service.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Nottingham Post commented John Flynn: Nottingham needs its own 'Oyster Card'FOR the princely sum of £100 million we are promised six miles of new track, 143 new signals, three new signal boxes and one new platform at Nottingham station.On the debit side, for a period of about five weeks, trains will be replaced by buses, running from Nottingham to such far-flung places as East Midlands Parkway, Derby, Grantham, Newark and Mansfield.While I appreciate that it is necessary to undertake engineering works for improvement or maintenance, is it really necessary to close...

Sheffield Star

• Second walkout could affect train servicesRail staff on services from Sheffield are to vote on plans for a second strike in a further row over working practices.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Campaigners told ‘no plan B’ for link roadA BACK-UP plan for the Elgin western link road – in case the current proposals are rejected – was ruled out yesterday.

Other Regional Press

• Nissan to recall hundreds of thousands of cars – including Micras made in SunderlandMotor company Nissan is recalling thousands of cars in the UK due to a potential steering wheel problem.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• DVLA APPOINTS NEW INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has appointed Malcolm Dawson as its new interim chief executive.
• FTA EVERYWOMAN IN TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS AWARDS The winners of the FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards 2013 have been announced.
• ETIHAD TAKES OVER 3 AIRPORT FIRMS IN ABU DHABI Etihad Airways - one of the fastest growing cargo airlines on the planet - has boosted its operations by taking over three airport services companies in Abu Dhabi.
• TRAIN DRIVERS SAY NO TO SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE Train drivers have unanimously vetoed the Scottish National Party's attempts to break the country away from the rest of the UK.

Global Rail News

• Ministers back North West Rail LinkPlanning documents that will allow construction work to begin on Sydney’s North West Rail Link have been approved. The project’s second Environmental Impact Statement has been given the green light[...]
• Panama receives first metro trainsThe first three of 19 new metro trains has arrived in Panama City. French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom is delivering the new trains as part of a package of works[...]
• New Manchester tram stop opens at East DidsburyEast Didsbury – the newest stop on the South Manchester tram line – has opened to passengers. Five new stops have been constructed along the line at Withington, Burton Road,[...]

Rail Technology Magazine

• Bombardier supplies Interflo 150 train system to Sweden's Kiruna mine Canadian rail technology provider Bombardier Transportation has provided its Interflo 150 train control technology for the newly-expanded Kiruna iron ore mine in northern Sweden, owned by Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara (LKAB).

Aviation Industry

• Oneworld targets event and meeting organisersAlliance offering discounts on airfares plus management tools for events

Other News Sources

• Air New Zealand “Cuddle Class” hits the streets of LondonAir New Zealand is inviting curious Londoners to put its Economy Skycouch to the test as the airline takes its revolutionary Economy seat on the road for the #CuddleClassTour.nbsp;Set up in the ...
• GBTA conference to focus on distributionAssociation lines up big hitters for panel at European conference