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

Friday, 30 May 2014

BBC News

• Uber app taxi row referred to London's High CourtLondon's transport authority has announced it does not believe Uber's car service is breaking the law by using an app to determine charges.
• Northumberland axes over-16s free school transportStudents in Northumberland over the age of 16 are no longer to be entitled to free school transport.
• Train refusal 'misunderstanding'A train company claims a 'misunderstanding' led to a disabled man not being allowed to board a crowded carriage.
• Going off the rails: The Edinburgh trams sagaThe story of the costly return of Edinburgh's trams after 50 years
• Heathrow Express hit by third strikeRail workers on the Heathrow Express service are to stage a third strike in a row over cuts.
• Ford recalls 1.4m cars due to faultUS car giant Ford recalls a total of 1.4 million cars, the majority of which are sport utility vehicles sold in North America, due to a possible loss of power steering.
• Fake car crashes cause 'record fraud'Fake car crashes helped to push the level of insurance fraud to a record £1.3bn in 2013, according to the Association of British Insurers.
• Jeans close a platform at Coventry railway stationTrains in and out of Coventry railway station have been stopped by a pair of jeans hanging on overhead lines.

The Herald

• Agenda: Transport boss who electrified trams later believed they belonged in the pastWhen "tramway mania" gripped this country at the beginning of the 20th century, leading to a flurry of track-laying across the land, Edinburgh (at least to outsiders) seemed to be resistant to the phenomenon.
• Bus-lane camera is suspendedA BUS lane camera which has been catching out ­visitors to a city cancer unit has been taken out of operation.

The Scotsman

• Edinburgh trams: Tramspotters arrive for launchTRAM fans will flock to Edinburgh tomorrow from at least as far as Berlin to sample the capital’s first fare-paying services for nearly 60 years.

The Telegraph

• Essex Thameside franchise delay prompts fears over East CoastDecision over Essex Thameside franchise is delayed by eight weeks, amid fears East Coast decision could also be pushed back
• Three in four drivers 'would fail test'Three quarters of drivers would fail their test if forced to re-take it with no training, study finds

Reuters News

• Heathrow Hub vies with established players in Britain's airport debateA former Concorde pilot is at the centre of Britain's long-running debate over airport expansion, with an idea he first had in 1988 that he believes offers a way out of a political quagmire

Network Rail

• Britain's rail revolution quickens pace as first contracts for new "traffic management" technology are awardedNetwork Rails plans for a more affordable, higher performance railway have taken a step forward with the award of contracts for the first phase of a new nationwide traffic management system for Britain's railways.

Birmingham Post

• Jaguar Land Rover chief hails 'solid year' as turnover closes in on £20 billion mark Ralf Speth says company expects to invest in 50 new 'product actions' over next five years

London Evening Standard

• Small businesses hit out at £1.50 congestion charge rise The increase from £10 to £11.50 to drive into central London is the first price change since 2011 and will come into effect from 7am on Monday 16 June.

Other Regional Press

• Talks under way to replace vital bus link between Skipton, Settle and IngletonA NEW operator could be about to take over the vital Ingleton to Skipton route previously operated by defunct Pennine buses. Since May 16, the previously hourly service, stopping at Settle, Long Preston and Gargrave, has been operated on a reduced scale by North Yorkshire County Council with just a 16-seater minibus.
• Give tax breaks to those affected by airport expansion, says CAAFinancial compensation, better noise insulation and more incentives for airlines to use quieter planes are among the regulator's recommendations to ease the impact of aircraft noise
• New Monarch MD hails decision to expand Luton AirportThe new managing director of Monarch Airlines has welcomed the agreement to expand the airport, calling it “great news for Luton”.
• New Bridport to Bradpole cycleway link now officially open YOUNGSTER Max Cantrell was given the honour of cutting the ribbon on a new cycleway.

Global Rail News

• Network Rail names winner of first traffic management contractNetwork Rail has awarded a landmark contract for the installation of traffic management technology at two of the UK’s new Regional Operating Centres (ROCs) to Thales. The £28.8 million contract[...]
• Miami station designs revealedAll Aboard Florida, the organisation looking to build a new 235-mile railway connecting south and central Florida, has unveiled designs for its new station in Miami. Designed by Skidmore, Owings &[...]
• Wuhan’s Hankou North metro extension opensWuhan Metro’s Hankou North extension has opened to passengers. The 5.7-kilometre line extends Metro Line 1 from its current terminus at Dijao to Hankou North. Two additional stations have been[...]

Aviation Industry

• Singapore Airlines and Jetblue in codeshare agreementAirlines file application to US department of transportation

Other News Sources

• Avis launches mobile wifiPortable device gives travellers access to 1GB of Internet access a day