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

Wednesday, 29 May 2013

BBC News

• VIDEO: I cycle 22,000 miles a yearCourier Steve Hamilton cycles between 80-100 miles every weekday, risking some of London's most dangerous streets.
• Heathrow 'needs to close' for hubIf the government decides to expand Stansted or build a new estuary airport to form the UK's major air hub Heathrow Airport will need to close, a transport think tank says.
• Eye tracker to catch sleepy truckersTrucking giant Caterpillar backs eye and face-tracking technology to reduce risk of accidents caused by driver fatigue.

Financial Times

• Last-minute changes to air travelIf a late alteration to plans appears likely it is possible to plan for them by buying flexible tickets or a cheap one that can be discarded

The Guardian

• Public transport fare rises hitting the young the hardest, says studyReport says those aged 16 – 24 punished most as they rely more on buses and need to travel furthest to seek workYoung people are being systematically disadvantaged by government transport spending policies while concessions are ringfenced for older passengers, a report by claims.Researchers found that as the 16-24 age group relies on bus travel more than any other, reductions in government grants have meant cuts in service provision and fewer discounted fares have significantly had an impact on the young.Fares increased by an average of 6.5% in the year to last June, more than double the rate ...

The Herald

• No payout from BA after jet fire delaysSCOTS passengers whose flights were delayed after a British Airways jet engine caught fire, causing chaos at Heathrow, will not be compensated.

The Independent

• Airport expansion on ’vital’ nature reserve to be challenged in court RSPB and locals will fight to protect marsh used by migratory birds at Dungeness
• Airport expansion on ‘vital’ nature reserve to be challenged in court Controversial plans for a major extension to an airport which sits next to one of Britain's most important nature reserves - as well as a nuclear power station - are to be challenged in court, it was announced today.Related StoriesHome Office pledge to review 'excessive' time spent on bail ignored by governmentContain yourselves: New housing scheme to go live in BrightonZoo keeper, Sarah McClay, was killed by tiger after door was left ‘wide open’Coroner: ‘It seems nothing has been learned from Leveson...’: Inquiry into sex change teacher’s suicide critical of ‘Daily Mail’ and Richard Littlejo...

The Scotsman

• First Glasgow slammed over bus timetable confusion FIRST Glasgow was criticised today for confusing passengers after failing to update timetables at bus stops in the biggest shake-up of the city’s bus network for more than a decade.

ATOC

• Tips on how to get first class rail travel for less The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) recently revealed that first class rail travel has hit a 10 year high....

Belfast Telegraph

• London calling for rail deal companiesNORTHERN Ireland businesses have been encouraged to take advantage of billions of pounds worth of tender work for Crossrail, Europe's largest infrastructure project.    
• Ryanair shareholders to vote on fleet dealRYANAIR will ask shareholders to approve its purchase of 175 new aircraft from Boeing on June 18.Related StoriesEU 'should act to save generation of jobless'Retailer shelves radioactive beltsLondon calling for rail deal companiesWinning contracts helped ailing firm get back on trackComfort for young home birds as others take flight    

Edinburgh Evening News

• Edinburgh mulls electric bike hire schemeA city-wide hire scheme for electric bicycles – similar to the “Boris Bikes” phenomenon in London – is being considered at City Chambers as part of an ambitious vision by a young Scots entrepreneur.

Journal Live

• Electric vehicles a 'viable transport option' in the North EastTHE existing infrastructure of charging points across the North East is enough to make electric vehicles a “viable transport option” and tackle pollution, research claims.

Liverpool Post

• Chancellor announces £35m boost for the Liverpool2 port projectCHANCELLOR George Osborne today announced a £35m grant towards the dredging the Mersey Estuary for the £300m Liverpool2 scheme.

London Evening Standard

• UK demand for private jets flies in face of slumpMore private jets have been delivered to Britain than to any other European country despite the economic downturn, new figures show.
• Train derails in Baltimore suburbA freight train crashed into a rubbish lorry, derailed and caught fire in a Baltimore suburb, setting off an explosion that rattled homes at least a half a mile away and sent a plume of smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Nottingham Post commented Bill Blackamore: Free bus pass is greatest presentTHE freedom to travel far and wide in Britain came in April 2008 with the launch of the free travel pass for people over 60 years of age.What a fantastic gift to receive on your 60th birthday. You can go anywhere in Britain using local bus services gratis.It is a great scheme that benefits thousands of people and opens up numerous opportunities to those who have served our country well during their lives.Some people just use the pass for single journeys to and from the city on the bus or tram;...

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Air link lobbying gets new backingCouncillors in the Western Isles yesterday backed the campaign to save the Inverness to Gatwick services.

Yorkshire Post

• Fast rail debate looking to publicBusinesses and industry professionals are set to take part in a debate on the £32bn HS2 rail link in Leeds, and have urged residents to join them.

Other Regional Press

• White Waltham Airfield not part of Heathrow Airport plans Proposals to build a new airport at White Waltham Airfield to supplement or replace Heathrow Airport have been dismissed.

Global Rail News

• ZSSK builds on EMU orderA Slovakian rail operator has extended its order for 10 double-deck EMUs from manufacturer Å koda. ZSSK has ordered another three-car 671 series vehicle, with an option for eight more. The[...]
• RZD signs deal to rebuild Serbia’s railwayRussian Railways has forged a partnership with Serbia to help reconstruct the country’s railway network. The Russian government is helping fund the construction and modernisation of rail infrastructure in Serbia[...]
• SNCF sets out promise to improve TGV Nord trainsSNCF has announced plans for a major overhaul of its TGV Nord trains between Paris and Lille in response to criticisms over the cost of the high-speed service. All TGV[...]
• Alstom launches new metro and signalling systems in GenevaA quick-build metro design and a new urban signalling system have been unveiled by Alstom at UITP’s annual transport conference. Henri Poupart-Lafarge, president of Alstom Transport, said “innovation is at[...]
• Metrolinx seeks protected funding for major projectsToronto’s transport authority is to recommend a $16 billion infrastructure investment strategy to the Government of Ontario. In it, Metrolinx calls on officials to ensure major projects go ahead by[...]
• Nottingham tram bridge slide captured in new time-lapse videoBoth segments of the new tram bridge over Nottingham station have been slid into place. The concrete deck can now be placed across the structure, which forms part of Phase[...]

Aviation Industry

• Easyjet cancels Milan flights ahead of strikeAirline changes schedule on Wednesday to both airports serving Italian city

Other News Sources

• HS2 delivery 'in doubt', says government reportThe High Speed Two (HS2) rail line is among 23 key government projects whose completion is described as 'in doubt' in a Whitehall report.
• Treasury secretary: privatise infrastructure and end 'stop-start' deliveryMore public sector infrastructure should be privatised or placed “firmly” in the regulated sectors to avoid the stop-start nature of delivery, a senior Treasury minister has said.