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

Friday, 01 November 2013

BBC News

• Wheelchair users' fight for bus spaceBus companies may have made it easier for disabled people to get on to their vehicles - but are wheelchair users failing to get on board because parents with pushchairs are commandeering their spaces?
• Plan for Scotland to gain from HS2A study looking at how to increase the benefits to Scotland of the HS2 rail project is announced by the UK government.
• VIDEO: The secret world of London's transportLondon Transport Museum is opening up its museum depot in west London, where it houses the majority of itis collection, giving the public a chance to peek into the past.
• Dangerous level crossings to closeAround 500 level crossings face closure with safety improved at hundreds more, after rail regulators announced increased funding.
• MPs approve funding for HS2 lineMPs will vote later on whether to let the government start spending money on preparations for the HS2 high-speed link between London and the North of England.
• Cyclists using new superhighwayCyclists have begun using the new extension of one of London's cycle superhighways in east London.

Financial Times

• HS2 gains momentum as MPs back fundingA small Tory revolt in the Commons was overshadowed by overwhelming support, with Labour urging the government to get the project ‘back on track’

The Herald

• HS2 north of Border is not a priority for UK ministerA UK transport minister has described taking HS2 to Scotland as
• New rail targets set to ensure reduction in delaysRAILWAY operators have been set tough new train punctuality targets in an attempt to ensure passengers suffer fewer delays or cancellations.

The Telegraph

• Preserved in time: 19th century railway up for saleA 19th century railway station, which has remained unchanged since its closure in 1965 is up for sale    
• David Cameron: HS2 'essential' for BritainPrime Minister David Cameron says the High Speed 2 rail project is
• Sketch: HS2 - the debate trundles onMPs clash as the debate over High Speed 2 enters its 600th year (approx)    
• Patrick McLoughlin: HS2 will come to 'nothing' without Tory and Labour backingHS2 will come to
• HS2: George Osborne should halt the train journey no one wants to takeIt might have seemed a good idea at first, but the HS2 project could derail the Chancellor, argues Fraser Nelson    

Mail Online

• US lifts ban on air travellers using iPads and mobiles: Passengers will be able to use devices during take-off and landing - as long as they are in 'airplane mode'On transatlantic flights British passengers will be able to use their gadgets as they land on American soil, although not when they take off from the UK.
• Big boost for HS2 as Commons backs Bill: Legislation passes with majority of 316 - despite efforts of 17 Tory rebelsThe High Speed Rail Preparation Bill was passed by 350 to 34 votes, giving a clear Government majority of 316 – despite the efforts of 17 rebel Tory MPs.
• Why did the self-styled lady of the manor strip off at airport security?Lady Kelly Hadfield-Hyde, 50, appeared in court charged with causing a disturbance at Manchester Airport, but said she was only following the orders of the guard.

The Mirror

• MPs keep HS2 high speed rail line on track and Scotland could be next to benefit Bill allowing the Government to plan a detailed route and buy property was passed by a Commons majority of 350 to 34

Belfast Telegraph

• Publication of Northern Ireland Road and Rail Transport Statistics April to June 2013The latest edition of the Northern Ireland Road and Rail Transport Statistics, containing statistics for April to June 2013, is now available.
• Fury at Translink refusal to release Waterside railway station report 0CommentsThere has been outrage at Translink’s decision not to publish the results of a public consultation about the future of the Waterside railway station in Londonderry.
• Study to help HS2 benefit ScotlandA study to try to increase the benefits Scotland gets from the £50 billion HS2 high-speed rail project has been announced by the Government.

Bolton News

• Government agrees legislation to pave the way for HS2 rail link to north of England Seventeen Conservative MPs tonight rebelled in a House of Commons vote against the government's plans to build a controversial high speed railway line linking London to the north of England.

London Evening Standard

• 17 Tories rebel but HS2 Bill backedSeventeen Conservative MPs tonight rebelled in a House of Commons vote against the Government's plans to build a controversial high speed railway line linking London to the north of England.
• Study to help HS2 benefit Scotland A study to try to increase the benefits Scotland gets from the £50 billion HS2 high-speed rail project has been announced by the Government.

Yorkshire Post

• M62 changes ‘relieving rush-hour pressures’EARLY indications suggest that allowing cars to use the M62 hard shoulder has had a positive effect on traffic flows, according to a Government agency.
• Labour pledges go-ahead for HS2THE next Labour Government will build HS2, the Shadow Transport Secretary has said as the first high-speed rail Bill passed through the Commons with a huge majority.

Bucks Free Press

• Residents slam transport chief over bus link plan RESIDENTS have slammed a transport chief’s decision to select a narrow residential road as the preferred route for a bus lane to the ‘Handy Cross Hub’.

Other Regional Press

• Durham Tees Valley Airport survey: What do you think will be on the site in 2038?Tell us how you think Durham Tees Valley Airport will fare over the next 25 years
• New cyclepath along riverside links village with townA new cyclepath was unveiled this week which links Great Denham with Bedford.

Global Rail News

• Officials tour Brazil’s first monorailBrazil’s first monorail system, São Paulo’s Silver Line, has been publicly unveiled to city and state officials. The 27-kilometre automated line, which will be completed in several phases, will boast[...]
• ORR publishes final rail spending planThe Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has set out the final draft of its proposals for rail funding and performance over the next five years. The industry regulator has scaled[...]
• PESA unveils new long-distance trainPESA has unveiled DART – the manufacturers new long-distance train design. The EMU concept has been produced as part of a bid compiled by PESA for the supply of 20[...]
• New Eurostar under testThe first new Eurostar trains, being manufactured by Siemens in Germany, are already largely complete and testing is well underway. It was in October 2010 that Eurostar announced that it had selected Siemens to build 10 new trains which would be designated Eurostar e320. The announcement was a bit of a surprise to those who [...]
• Electrification tender approved for Valladolid-León high-speed linkAdif has received government approval to launch a tender for electrification works to extend the Madrid-Valladolid high-speed line to León. The contract, which is worth almost €46 million, will cover[...]
• Operator handed 10-year extension to run Seoul Metro Line 9A Transdev and RATP Dev joint venture has been given a new 10-year contract to operate and maintain Line 9 of the Seoul Metro. Worth around €525 million, the contract[...]

Aviation Industry

• Bombardier sees drop in 3Q profit, revenue Montreal-based Bombardier reported net profit of $147 million for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, down 14.5% from $172 million in the year-ago quarter. read more
• Boeing to build 47 737s per month in 2017Boeing will boost 737 production to 47 aircraft per month in 2017, the latest build-rate increase the manufacturer has announced on its narrowbody line. read more
• JAL 1H results reflect slow recovery in Japanese economy Japan Airlines (JAL) has reported a first-half net income of ¥81.9 billion ($834 million) for the period ended Sept. 30, down 17.8% from a year ago. read more
• Lufthansa Group 9-month net profit down 64.6% Lufthansa Group reported a net profit of €247 million ($340 million) for the first nine months ended Sept. 30, down 64.6% from the year-ago period. read more
• Air France-KLM still in the red, but operating profit up 29% Air France-KLM reported a third-quarter net profit of €144 million ($195.7 million), down 51% on last year’s third-quarter figure of €296 million. read more
• FAA to allow use of portable electronic devices throughout flight FAA has decided to allow airline passengers to use portable electronic devices (PEDs)—including being online via Wi-Fi during all phases of flight, the agency said Thursday. read more
• Lufthansa Group still feeling the pinch over restructuringAirlines in the black on operating profit but forecast is downbeat
• Air travel demand still rising, says IATAMiddle East and India showing strongest growth rates

Other News Sources

• All-clear by US to use mobile devices during take-off and landingNo threat to safety says FAA
• Sixt brings S Class into fleetLimo addition to Heathrow hire