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

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Cogitamus

• ApologiesThe Cogitamus team would like to sincerely apologise for absence of service yesterday. Unfortunately, we were, once again, the victims of a cyber attack. New security has been put in place, but the work took a little longer than we anticipated. Normal service has been resumed in the morning, and, we would like to thank you all for your continued interest in our site.

BBC News

• Report questions HS2 rail benefitsDemand for the HS2 high-speed rail project has "likely been overestimated", a think tank has said.
• Will the Boeing and Airbus duopoly crack?Will Russian and Chinese planemakers ever break the Airbus/Boeing duopoly?
• EU car sales hit 20-year low for MayNew car sales across Europe fell to their lowest level in two decades in May as the deepening recession hurt demand.
• Chrysler agrees to recall 2.7m JeepsChrysler agrees to recall 2.7 million Jeeps that could be at risk of fuel tank fires, after initially refusing a US government request to do so.

Financial Times

• Airbus confident of climbing above BoeingFabrice Brégier, chief executive, insists European group could replace US rival as leader in the lucrative long-haul, twin-engine aircraft market
• Rule change to open US high-speed railNew US rules setting out standards for how well trains should stand up to a crash will allow trains built on European principles to operate in the US
• Russian rail freight proves a worthy investmentRussia’s rail freight sector has opened up over the past 10 years
• Global shipping: all at seaThree large shipping companies have pooled some vessels to manage overcapacity and strengthen the case for higher freight rates. But is this fair?
• Container shipping groups plan allianceAP Møller-Maersk, the Mediterranean Shipping Company and CMA CGM seek to establish a network on three of the busiest trade routes
• EasyJet agrees to buy 135 Airbus aircraftAirline braves founder’s wrath over what Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has dubbed a ‘vanity purchase’ and insists aircraft will reduce costs
• Reality of the container market sinks inIndustry has turned to operational alliances in attempt to build scale after high-profile acquisitions failed to deliver expected benefits

The Guardian

• Heathrow may seek public funding for expansion planAirport argues that scheme would still be cheaper for taxpayer than alternatives at Stansted or Thames estuary
• Earls Court: Transport for London stresses commitment to controversial scheme Fresh reports that Chelsea FC might relocate to a site within the proposed Earls Court redevelopment area have been downplayed but highlight questions about the price Transport for London might be able to extract for public land

The Herald

• Investigation launched after stray cow causes rail chaosSCOTLAND'S busiest rail service was badly disrupted after a cow strayed on to the line.

Mail Online

• Oasis of calm: Photographs of an entire railway circuit around Paris abandoned in the 1930s gives a new insight into the busy cityA photography blog has taken a tour of the tracks of the Petite Ceinture (which translates to 'Little Belt'), which was closed in 1934. Many of the tracks are still accessible to the public.
• £10billion pothole backlog: Road network could be 'brought to its knees' by bad weather, bosses sayThey said swathes of local roads could become unusable if there was more flooding or another severe winter. The Local Government Association warned of a £10.5billion repairs backlog and a 'spiral of decline'.

The Mirror

• UK weather: Many roads would become unusable if we face another harsh winter Some local roads might have to close unless more Government money is made available for resurfacing

Network Rail

• Bike safety week at Derby stationCyclists in Derby are being offered advice on how to keep their bikes safe as part of National Bike Week. Teams from British Transport Police and Network Rail will be working with their partners East Midland Trains, Derbyshire Constabulary and Derby Cycle Group at Derby station on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th June from 5-7pm. As well as tips on protecting their bikes, cyclists will be offered information about using level crossings safely.

Belfast Telegraph

• Dickonson sings praised of aviation firm dealA fledgling aerospace firm headed by heavy metal legend Bruce Dickinson has announced a key £5m investment.Related StoriesDream streaming deal for NetflixCold spell warms Costa's coffersPay cuts 'damage the civil service'Expansion's on the menu for McKennaCommission suggests splitting RBS as part of bank reforms    
• Airports open way for global tradeKaty Best, commercial and marketing director at George Best Belfast City AirportRelated StoriesDream streaming deal for NetflixCold spell warms Costa's coffersPay cuts 'damage the civil service'Expansion's on the menu for McKennaCommission suggests splitting RBS as part of bank reforms    
• easyJet deal for 135 new planesBudget airline easyJet is to upgrade and expand its fleet under a deal to buy 135 Airbus planes over the next nine years. The no-frills carrier said the new 180-seater A320 planes will allow it to boost passengers carried from 60m a year to 90m. The move will mean easyJet can replace around 85 of its current 211-strong fleet of 156-seaters.Related StoriesDream streaming deal for NetflixCold spell warms Costa's coffersPay cuts 'damage the civil service'Expansion's on the menu for McKennaCommission suggests splitting RBS as part of bank reforms    

Derby Telegraph

• Derby Telegraph commented Bike security tips to be given to cyclists at railway stationArticle

Liverpool Post

• £33bn for HS2 project should be spent elsewhere, says think tankA think-tank report claimed the £33bn cost of the controversial HS2 high-speed rail line would be better spent on other transport projects, including schemes on Merseyside.

London Evening Standard

• Mayor’s rail takeover stopped in its tracksThe Mayor has lost his battle to take control of a key commuter rail service after political opposition to the move.
• Evening Standard comment: Fund the transport projects we really need The hard choices the Government is making on public services cuts are even harder for departments which are not ring-fenced, such as transport.
• 'Boris Island airport will put 63,000 jobs in danger near Heathrow'Heathrow stepped up its campaign for a third runway today by warning 63,000 local jobs would face the axe if a new superhub airport was built in Britain.
• HS2 project is £33 billion gamble, says think tankDemand for the HS2 rail project has been overestimated and it does not offer value for money, a think  tank claimed today.
• Boris Johnson accuses Heathrow of treating public ˜like idiotsBoris Johnson today accused bosses at Heathrow of treating the public like 'absolute idiots' as the row over a third runway mounted.
• Many roads 'could become unusable'Much of the local road network could become unusable should there be more flooding or another severe winter, highways bosses are warning.

Manchester Evening News

• You’ll get to like our ’get me there’ cards . . . Passengers and social-media users have criticised the name of the new travel card as ’absolutely appalling’ and ’terrible'

Sheffield Star

• Police called after free bus pass row in SheffieldPolice were called after a bus driver came under a hail of abuse from pupils for confiscating an 11-year-old Sheffield girl’s free pass.

The York Press

• HS2 rail link ‘poor value for taxpayer’ THE proposed high-speed HS2 rail line – which is set to run through the outskirts of a North Yorkshire village – has come under fire from a think tank.
• York is on brink of gridlock nightmare GRIDLOCK could cost York more than £80 million a year by 2031 if building thousands of homes is not matched by sweeping transport improvements, experts have warned.
• Minister gives further boost to hopes of saving the NRM Updated: CULTURE Minister Ed Vaizey has given a further massive boost to hopes of saving the National Railway Museum from possible closure.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Historic train restored and ready to hit the railsA spectacular steam engine has been spruced up, ready to take passengers on a nostalgic trip around Yorkshire’s railways.

Blackpool Gazette

• Cycling fun in the parkHundreds of people descended on Stanley Park’s Sports Arena to celebrate cycling in Blackpool.

Other Regional Press

• Bus service shake-up beckonsCARDIFF Bus has announced the biggest changes to its services in a decade - with Barry also affected.
• New chaplain for Luton airportRev Canon Liz Hughes is to take over from Rev Michael Banfield as senior chaplain at Luton airport.
• Preston bus station report was alteredA draft report by consultants which recommended keeping Preston bus station was altered to remove its conclusions before it was seen by councillors, the Evening Post can reveal.
• Aberdeen drivers caught overtaking buses at traffic islandsSIX drivers were charged in a police crackdown on rogue motorists in Aberdeen.

Global Rail News

• Saira Electronics picked to supply Energy Metering System for IEP trainsHitachi has selected Saira Electronics to supply the Energy Metering System for Britain’s new fleet of Super Express Trains. The technology is used to monitor how much energy each train[...]
• DB signs deal for first locomotives of €1.5bn orderBombardier Transportation and Deutsche Bahn AG (DB) have signed a frame contract for the delivery of electric locomotives. The total potential contract value is up to 1.5 billion euro ($2[...]
• Virgin salutes Depot Teams2013 looks like being a busy and successful year for Virgin Trains, which is backing this year’s Depot Team of the Year at the RailStaff Awards. Says Tom O’Connor of the Rail Media Group, ’We are delighted to welcome Virgin Trains back to the RailStaff Awards. Virgin is running more trains than ever and is [...]
• US to draw up high-speed train safety standardsNew safety guidelines are to be drawn up by the US Department of Transportation which will shape the design of the country’s first high-speed trains. The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA)[...]
• If signalling is good enough for controlling trains why not use it to protect track workers?The last resort Last month I suggested that the time was ripe for us to phase out the use of flags, whistles and horns as a way of protecting track staff from trains. Writes Colin Wheeler Nostalgia for the exciting days when the Victorians built our railways can hardly be used to justify such an [...]
• Budget confirms backing for major Sydney rail projectThe New South Wales (NSW) Government will spend $4.1 billion building Sydney’s North West Rail Link over the next four years, ministers have revealed. Setting out planned infrastructure spending costs,[...]
• Major station upgrade programme completed in ParisSNCF is celebrating the opening of 16 refurbished stations along the RER B metro line out of Paris. Since 2008, around 600 million euro has been spent modernising the commuter[...]
• Westgate station footbridge lowered into placeA new footbridge was hoisted into place over the East Coast Main Line at the weekend as part of the redevelopment of Westgate station in Wakefield. Graeme Bickerdike reports Engineers[...]
• Funding in place for Rio de Janeiro tram projectPoliticians in Rio have signed off R$1.2 billion to start construction of the city’s new catenary-free tram network. The 28-mile long system will connect Rio’s Port Region with the city’s[...]
• Award double for ‘Dumb Ways to Die’Our favourite decapitated cartoon rail safety mascots has notched up two major wins at this year’s Cannes Lions awards – an event which recognises the most creative and effective marketing[...]

London TravelWatch

• Passenger watchdog calls for safeguards for all rail users in devolution decisionPassenger watchdog calls for safeguards for all rail users in devolution decision

Railnews

• Virgin condemns 'defeatist' Network Rail The Office of Rail Regulation must decide whether Virgin Trains should be allowed to run its trains to Shrewsbury and Blackpool North, after Network Rail refused Virgin's request. Virgin said it was disappointed by the ruling, and described it as 'defeatist'.

Aviation Industry

• U.S. lawmakers urge careful review of American-US Airways dealTwo U.S. lawmakers with antitrust oversight have urged the Obama administration to carefully review a planned merger of American Airlines and US Airways Group to ensure that it will not lead to higher prices for air travelers.
• Boeing 787-10 launches with 102 orders Three major airlines and two leasing companies have made firm commitments for a total of 102 Boeing 787-10s, launching the third and largest member of the Dreamliner family. read more
• Korean Air agrees to buy five Boeing 747-8Is, six 777-300ERs Korean Air has agreed to purchase five 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft and six 777-300ERs, in an order valued at approximately $3.6 billion at current list prices. read more
• Easyjet orders 135 new Airbus aircraftMajor order is likely to upset carrier’s founder and largest shareholder

Other News Sources

• New research shows replacing Heathrow with a new hub airport would leave passengers, taxpayers, and business worse off Heathrow is better located for passengers, business and jobs than a new hub airport at Stansted or in the Thames Estuary according to new analysis published today.
• Bus company launches engineering apprenticeships for Winchester youngsters STAGECOACH South is giving Winchester youngsters the chance to win an apprenticeship with the company.
• Branson and Zeitz launch 'Plan B' to promote sustainable approach to business Virgin's Sir Richard Branson and Puma Chairman Jochen Zeitz have launched 'Plan B' today, a global non-profit organisation which aims to promote a new way of doing business that "prioritises people and planet alongside profit".
• Network Rail urged to speed up progress on £7bn enhancement projectsNetwork Rail has been told to make quicker progress on delivering almost £7bn of enhancement projects, but was warned this week to focus on supply chain engagement to avoid spending peaks and risking the best rail staff leaving the UK.
• Three appointed to £500m Manchester Airports frameworkBam Construction, Carillion and Galliford Try have been appointed to Manchester Airports Group’s new capital delivery programme framework.
• easyJet plc announces fleet plans 18 June 2013Following a highly competitive fleet selection process, easyJet plc (
• Paris-Charles de Gaulle Terminal 1 Boarding now open at the new Satellite 5 Today sees the opening of Satellite 5 in Terminal 1, after 18 months of work. The boarding area has been rejuvenated to provide our customers with better comfort, greater space, and more...
• Deutsche Bahn trains cleared for Channel TunnelGerman rail company wins vital approval to start services from UK