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

Wednesday, 14 August 2013

BBC News

• Papers angry about rail fare risesPapers reflect passengers' anger over rail fare rises
• Could these five projects improve life in the UK?Plans for the HS2 rail link between London and the North continue, but there are critics who believe money could be better spent elsewhere.
• Borders rail route plans revisedNetwork Rail submits new plans for the route of the Borders to Edinburgh railway and a section of the A7 which will cross over it.
• Peak rail fares to rise in ScotlandRail passengers in Scotland face peak time fare increases of 3.1% from January 2014, train operator ScotRail confirms.
• VIDEO: Rail fare rise 'could be as high as 9%The independent passenger watchdog warns that for some rail commuters ticket price rises 'could be as high as 9%'.
• VIDEO: Cathay Pacific faces low-cost rivalsCathay Pacific will soon have to compete with low-cost carriers, adding to the challenges already facing the airline.
• US moves to block airlines mergerThe US government files an anti-trust case against the merger of American Airlines and US Airways, which would create the world's largest carrier.
• Rail fares 'to increase by 4.1%'Commuters in England face an average 4.1% rise in the cost of regulated rail fares, including season tickets, as inflation figures are announced.
• Ryanair to sue Channel 4 over claimsNo-frills airline Ryanair plans to sue Channel 4 over a programme that quoted pilots saying they were concerned over the airline's fuel policy.

Financial Times

• Hyundai union approves strike actionUnions at South Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia decide in favour of industrial action, raising the prospect of renewed costly production disruption
• DoJ sues to block US Airways-AMR dealThe administration’s move looks likely to force the unpicking of the complex deal, which would have created the world’s largest airline by sales

The Guardian

• Canada train crash company shut downMontreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway loses licence after oil tanker disaster that killed 47 in Lac-Mégantic, QuebecCanada's transportation agency is suspending the operating licence of the US-based rail company whose runaway oil train derailed and exploded in a Quebec town, killing 47 people.The agency said on Tuesday it was taking away the certificate of fitness for the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway and its Canadian subsidiary, effective from 20 August.The agency said it was not satisfied that the troubled company, which has filed for bankruptcy since the 6 July disaster, had demonstra...
• Rail fares to rise by average of 4.1% in January 2014Above-inflation increases, which could result in 9% rises for some passengers, are met with protests across country Campaigners launched a wave of protests at railway stations on Tuesday, as it was confirmed that fares in England would go up by an average of 4.1% in January – and that some could rise by more than 9%.The rise will add around £200 to the cost of many commuters' season tickets. Consumer groups and unions warned that 11 years of above-inflation fare increases were pricing people out of train travel.Under government policy to make passengers shoulder substantially more of the cost ...

The Herald

• Motorists targeted in three-day campaignMotorists who take to the road without valid insurance or a driving licence are to be targeted in a three-day police crackdown.
• Rail passengers to be hit by peak-time journey fare riseRAIL passengers in Scotland will face more expensive peak-time journeys after it was confirmed that fares are to rise by 3.1% from the start of next year.

The Telegraph

• Anti-social drivers face £100 fines and three point penaltyMotorists who hog the middle lane, cut up other drivers or tailgate face £100 fines from tomorrow.    
• Rail fare rises must be worth the painTelegraph View: What looked like a dying industry 20 or 30 years ago now has more travellers than at any time since the 1920s    
• Rail pasengers should expect raw deal from GovernmentTransport Editor David Millward says the Government has no reason to raise rail fares above inflation.    
• London Underground: Safety row over plans to axe station supervisorsRow over safety on London Underground flares after union claims there are plans to axe role of permanent station supervisor at most Tube stations as part of cost-cutting.    
• Labour: Government 'out of touch' over rail faresShadow transport secretary Maria Eagle says train operators increase fares
• Rail bosses deserve millions in bonuses, transport secretary saysIntervention from Patrick McLoughlin comes as commuters calculate the above-inflation increases to tickets they will have to pay next January.    
• Rail fares to rise by up to 9.1 per centThe cost of the average season ticket will rise by 4.1 per cent, one per cent above July's Retail Price Index of 3.1 per cent under a formula set by the Government.    

Daily Express

• Rail tickets up but some fares frozenSCOTRAIL passengers will pay an extra 3.1 per cent for their tickets from the start of next year.

Mail Online

• Rail users face price hike of £200 a year in move branded 'bad for the economy'In a bitter blow for passengers, it was announced yesterday that fares will rise by an average of 4.1 per cent in January, far higher than the pay rise that the majority of workers can expect.
• Millions of motorists face being fined under a range of sweeping new police powers to tackle careless driversAbout 12 million drivers are at risk of falling foul of the new legislation, admitting they regularly hog the middle lane. Many are young motorists, who incorrectly believe it to be the 'cruising lane'.
• All aboard the 760mph SuperTube! Billionaire Paypal founder unveils plans for the 'Hyperloop' that will 'shoot' passengers from LA to San Francisco in 30 MINUTESPaypal billionaire Elon Musk has revealed plans for a radical new ‘hyperloop’ transport system that could ‘shoot’ passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 30 minutes.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Rail passengers to face 4.1 per cent fare increase Sharp ticket rises for rail commuters will force people back into their cars and off public transport, one passenger group has warned.

Derby Telegraph

• Rail fares on the rise again but do passengers get good value? From next year, rail fares in England will go up by an inflation-busting 4.1%. Business editor Robin Johnson looks at whether Derby's rail users are getting value for money.

London Evening Standard

• Airlines back third runway at HeathrowHeathrow chiefs pushing for a third runway were given a boost today when three airline alliances publicly backed staying at the airport.
• Rail passengers face fare hikes of up to nine per cent - with one commuter's ticket set to cost more than his mortgagePassenger fury erupted today at rail fare hikes of up to nine per cent.
• Rail minister: 'Things are tough now, but investment for the future will be worth it'Sorting out the problems of our railways isn’t easy. I won’t lie to passengers by pretending it is.
• Tube stations face losing supervisors in bid to save cashStation supervisors face the axe at the majority of Tube stations in a move to save cash that has sparked a major row over safety, the Evening Standard has learned.

Newcastle Journal

• Romag signs preferred contractor agreement with Hitachi Rail Specialist glass manufacturer Romag, based in County Durham, has signed a preferred contractor agreement, to supply glass for Hitachi

Northern Echo

• Romag, in Consett, County Durham, will supply glass for Hitachi Rail Europe A 70-YEAR-OLD specialist glass maker looks set to build on its strong resurgence after winning a major five-year contract to supply parts for a flagship train building scheme.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Historic seaplane race to be rememberedThe early days of flight will be remembered with an unusual event at Oban airport later this month, the 100th anniversary of the Circuit of Britain aeroplane race.
• Quay role for canal buildingsSome of the most interesting buildings along the Caledonian and Crinan canals are to be recognised.
• Scots travellers get off lightly Peak-time rail fares in Scotland will rise only by the rate of inflation, ScotRail has confirmed.
• Transport body accused of snubA group campaigning against plans for average-speed cameras on the A9 has accused Transport Scotland of snubbing them over their pleas for proof that speed causes crashes on the route.

The York Press

• York bus operator announces major service changes YORK’S biggest bus operator has announced a series of major service changes, following a public consultation.
• Hope for direct Eurostar link from York to Paris TRAINS could run directly from York to France under new plans being explored by city bosses.

Wales Online

• Wales' train fare rises should be frozen or limited say unions and transport experts Welsh Government should follow Scottish example of freezing off-peak prices, as RPI inflation figures threaten another 4.1% increase from January

Yorkshire Post

• Rail fare rise ˜kick in the teeth"Rail users face another “massive” increase of around 4.1% in fares in the new year after new inflation figures signalled more “misery” for passengers.

Other Regional Press

• Metro chairman responds to rail fare riseWest Yorkshire’s Metro chairman has been responding to today’s news that rail passengers - including those in Calderdale - will be facing a 4.1 per cent fare rise in January.
• London Midland cuts carriages to train new drivers Busy commuter trains passing through Watford, Bushey and Kings Langley stations will have fewer carriages this month.
• Driver Brian Walden faces trial on death by dangerous driving charge, but admits careless driving which killed Brian WaldenA man has admitted causing a popular cyclist's death by careless driving on the A299... but he faces trial on a more serious charge.
• £2m payouts over Weymouth Relief Road woes MORE than 800 people have lodged compensation claims over the impact of the Weymouth relief road on their property value.
• East West Rail scheme from Bedford to Reading to receive £5m funding boostMORE than £5 million has been pledged in support of the East West Rail scheme.
• Bedfordshire commuters face 4.1% rail fare increaseRAIL fares are set to increase by a further 4.1 per cent on average by next year.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Déjà vu? Government announce huge rail fare increases - Again!The Government has announced that regulated train fares will increase by a huge 4.1% in the next round of fares increases from January 2014.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• DO BRITONS UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT? The government hopes a new report into the social impacts of public transport will open people's eyes about just how beneficial bus services can be.
• RAIL FARES TO RISE BY 4.1% Rail fares are expected to rise by 4.1 per cent in 2014 - news that has not been well received by the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
• NETWORK RAIL PLANS MANCHESTER ELECTRIFICATION WORK Network Rail will need to rebuild several bridges in the Greater Manchester area in order for existing lines to be electrified.

Global Rail News

• East Side Access tunnel fit out contracts awardedThe Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that it has awarded the first of three contracts to fabricate and construct the permanent structural concrete lining, interior structures, and fit-out for[...]
• Hyperloop design could link LA and San Francisco in 30 minutes – MuskDesigns for the long-awaited ’Hyperloop’ concept by billionaire Elon Musk have finally been released – sparking the imagination of science and transportation buffs around the world. Having dropped hints about[...]
• Study shows attitudes towards ticketingA study of users’ attitudes towards ticketing on rail, metro, light rail and bus services has been published by passenger watchdog London TravelWatch. The study found that passengers want stations[...]
• Last segment of Stockholm rail tunnel submergedThe final 100 metre portion of the Söderström tunnel has been lowered into place in the Mälaren river. By submerging the third 20,000 tonne section on August 6, contractors completed[...]
• New Kiev Metro trains unveiledKiev Metro has shown off two new trains currently being prepared to enter service this month on the city’s network. The two five-car sets have been built by Russian rolling[...]
• New South Wales Government look at Newcastle light rail optionsThe New South Wales (NSW) Government has launched two tenders aimed at exploring light rail options for the city of Newcastle. As well as looking at the feasibility of building[...]
• MTR – Long VisionWhat does the name MTR mean to rail passengers in the UK? even London Overground customers could be forgiven for not instantly recognising the name – despite the fact that[...]

The Business Desk

• First major station cycle hire programme launched A NEW bike hire scheme, backed by the Department for Transport and three rail companies, has hit the road.

Aviation Industry

• American Airlines, US Airways to challenge DOJ over merger American Airlines and US Airways have vowed to “fight” the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) effort to derail their planned mega-merger over antitrust concerns, saying the proposed combination of the two carriers is “pro-competitive” and good for consumers. read more
• Cathay boosts New York flightsNewark route to be added
• American Airlines/US Airways merger scuppered?Competition authority files lawsuit

Other News Sources

• Network Rail challenged over impact of Park Street rail freight depot A GOVERNMENT minister has kept his word and challenged Network Rail on the impact of the proposed rail freight depot in Park Street on commuter train services.
• Renovation of Ellesmere Port's Grade II listed railway station gets underway Plans include a cafe and community office space for Victorian station
• Merseyside and South Yorkshire move closer to combined authoritiesSix councils in Merseyside released their proposal for a new authority to boost economic development, and take over the transport functions of the existing Merseytravel agency, yesterday.
• Boss of fatal A3 coach crash company in court for breach of road traffic actMerseypride Travel chief executive to appear in court for traffic offence after fatal coach crash on the A3 in Surrey last year
• South Downs National Park gets £5m to improve cycling in area The quality of cycling in the county is set to move up a gear after news of an investment drive worth millions of pounds.