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

Wednesday, 03 June 2015

BBC News

• £300 school bus charge plan deferredSwansea council defers a decision on proposals which could see all sixth formers in the city paying at least £300 a year to get to school or college.
• Highway reopens after Holborn fireA major highway which has been closed since an underground fire in central London in April reopens to traffic

Financial Times

• Maersk orders 11 ships in $1.8bn dealCompany aims to retain leading role while container industry fights overcapacity
• S Korea shipbuilders ride oil tanker waveDemand for tankers and vast container ships offers lifeline amid industry’s worst slump in decades

The Guardian

• HS2 is not a useless railway, merely the stupidestThe election was in no way a massive vote of confidence for Cameron’s vanity high-speed project. It’s time for the Tories to admit their mistake

The Scotsman

• Malaysia Airlines: Boys win damages over father’s deathTWO Malaysian boys whose father was a passenger on the airliner that vanished in March last year secured an out-of-court settlement in the tragedy’s first legal case against Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and the government.

The Telegraph

• Commuter rail chaos as gale-force winds bring down trees on tracks across south eastLondon passengers stranded for hours in commuter nightmare as trains halted by fallen trees amid high winds across Britain

The Mirror

• Car smoking ban passed in Wales - with £50 fines for parents who light up next to children It comes after health campaigners warned half a million children are breathing in their parents' second-hand smoke every week

This is Money

• Proof airlines will do anything to avoid paying out for your flight delay  Legal documents seen by Money Mail reveal how budget airline Jet2.com is accusing passengers of a breach of contract if they don’t lodge claims about delays within two years.

Birmingham Post

• Transport Minister: We want to get HS2 moving quickerThe Government wants to see construction work on high-speed rail begin within two years

Bolton News

• Bus company up and running again following arson attack A BUS company which supplies vehicles to take disabled children to school is back up and running three weeks after being targeted by arsonists.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Network Rail urged to 'up its game' over staggering piles of rubbish strewn alongside city centre track PILES of rubbish amassing near the tracks at a city centre railway station create a dreadful first impression for visitors, a councillor has warned.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Ban on smoking in cars with children in Wales passed by AssemblyThe new law will see adults slapped with a £50 fine if they smoke in a car with anyone under the age of 18

London Evening Standard

• Letters to the editor: TfL can run suburban trains better We welcome Boris Johnson’s call for Southeastern trains to be handed over to the successfully state-managed Transport for London.
• Holborn fire: First pictures of underground damage caused by massive blaze beneath street These are the first pictures of underground damage caused by a dramatic fire that raged for two days beneath the streets of central London.
• TfL apology after girl, 12, thrown off bus and hit with fine on school journey after losing Oyster card Transport bosses have been forced to apologise after a 12-year-old girl who had lost her Oyster card was fined £80 and kicked off a bus.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Government 'will progress with plans' for high speed rail stretching to Newcastle, says transport secretaryPatrick McLoughlin has renewed his Government’s promise for HS3 during a speech to northern leaders in Leeds

Nottingham Evening Post

• RebeccaSD published Chambers join forces to press Chancellor on HS2The East Midlands Chamber, representing thousands of businesses in Nottinghamshire, has signed a joint letter urging the Chancellor to confirm the routes of the Eastern Leg of HS2. The letter, which has also been signed by the presidents and chief executives of the chambers of commerce for Yorkshire and the North East, says it's imperative that the Government accelerates its delivery plans of the high speed rail. It refers to research undertaken by professional services firm KPMG in 2013, which...

Bucks Free Press

• Campaigners for crossing on 'nightmare' road say community have rallied in support Campaigners calling for a zebra crossing outside a busy Marlow school say the community has rallied behind their cause as they prepare to submit a bumper petition.

Burnley Express

• Major overhaul of rail links plannedThe East Lancashire Line – the rail link between the area and Preston and Manchester – is set for a major overhaul.

Carlisle News & Star

• Cycle path to connect new Carlisle estate with city centre A cycle path is set to connect one of Carlisle’s newest housing developments to the city.

Crewe Chronicle

• HS2 will go ahead and sooner than planned, Transport Secretary saysPatrick McLoughlin MP:

East Anglian Daily Times

• Abellio, FirstGroup and National Express shortlisted for new East Anglia rail franchiseThree train operators are in the running for the new East Anglia rail franchise.
• Abellio faces competition from former operators for rail franchiseCurrent Greater Anglia rail company Abellio faces a challenge from two former operators for the region’s new franchise which is due to start next year.

Other Regional Press

• Dualling of A43 outside Northampton set to be agreedA plan to divert the A43 north of Northampton, as well as make a 1.5 mile stretch of it a dual carriageway, has raised no objections ahead of a planning meeting next week.
• More speeding drivers caught on camera according to new figures from Kent and Medway Safety Camera PartnershipThe number of drivers snapped by speed cameras has risen by more than 20% over three years, and the increase is down to just one camera.
• Rail company gets on board as sponsor for Dorset Seafood Festival ORGANISERS of this year’s Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival have proved they are on the right track after announcing the event’s latest sponsor.
• Heathrow Villages ready to submit proposal for Neighbourhood Plan to counter threat from HeathrowThe Heathrow villages of Sipson, Harmondsworth and Harlington have made great strides in the formation of a Neighbourhood Plan in a community-led effort to shape the future – should expansion of the airport be rejected later this month.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Transport for the North drives forward its Northern Transport StrategyTransport for the North, the body set up to transform connectivity across the North of England and drive economic growth, has taken a major step in the delivery of its vision with the announcement of plans to develop a Northern Freight and Logistics Strategy. Following on from the publication of The Northern Powerhouse report in March 2015, which set out the ambitions of Transport for the North (TfN), a tender has been issued inviting businesses to assist in the development of a multi-modal freight and logistics strategy. This plan will inform future development of transport investment plans a...
• ˜Cow Bus' and new Routemaster to be star attractions at open dayThere will be two special star attractions to make Reading Buses next Open Day – often known as the Family Fun Day – very different from the previous six. On display for the first time at the Reading Buses Great Knollys Street depot on Sunday June 14 will be the company’s world’s fastest bus ’Bus Hound’ as well as a brand new Routemaster bus from London – the first one to be seen in Reading. The day, which this year is in aid of Alzheimer’s Society, also offers the chance for visitors to go behind the scenes with tours of the workshop and contro...
• £6 million investment to strengthen container operations fleet at DP World SouthamptonDP World Southampton has strengthened its straddle carrier fleet by taking delivery of 10 brand new Kalmar machines worth £6 million. The straddle carriers arrived fully assembled onboard the Eemsgracht direct from the assembly plant in Gdynia, Poland. The new straddle carriers are part of a replacement and investment programme that DP World Southampton is undertaking to improve its operational fleet and landside capabilities. Last year, the company bought six new three high diesel electric machines with twin lift capability and are in the process of ordering a further 9 machines brin...
• Apprentices glimpse new commuter trains for ScotlandScotRail’s apprentices were introduced to the new fleet of Hitachi AT200 commuter trains, due to go into passenger service in Scotland from 2017. The event was held in Glasgow last week (Wed. 20). Jon Veitch, General Manager; Scotland, Hitachi Rail Europe, delivered a presentation and gave over 30 apprentices the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session so that they could learn about what the future ScotRail fleet will look like.  Engineers attending the event as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week got a preview of the 70 new modular electric trains they will b...
• Hitachi Rail Europe is pleased to announce the opening of its new offices in Milton KeynesThe Hitachi Rail Europe new offices, accommodating 25 employees in the first instance and up to 50 at full capacity, were officially opened on May 5, 2015. The new offices are at 500 Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK9 2BE.  Welcoming the opening, Keith Jordan, Managing Director, Hitachi Rail Europe, said: “Hitachi Rail Europe is continuing to invest in the UK, and the opening of our new office in Milton Keynes is yet another example of our determination to be a major player in the UK rail sector.” Based in the new office in Milton Keynes will be:  ...
• Stay Safe on the Road: a major new road safety initiative is launchedA major new road safety initiative for school children was launched by national road safety organisation, Road Safety GB (RSGB), at the CLOCS seminar held at Tip-ex 2015.  Presented by RSGB Chair, Honor Byford, and entitled; Stay Safe On The Road, the initiative has been developed by RSGB in conjunction with Scania (Great Britain) Limited and seeks to teach 10-11 year olds about commercial vehicle blind spots and rear-wheel 'cut in' when turning corners.   Addressing the seminar, which was attended by approximately 100 delegates, Honor Byford said:
• Geodis Barbour joins the Fortec Distribution NetworkGeodis Barbour, an established transport company with a heritage spanning more than 90 years, is extending its offering by joining the Fortec Distribution Network as it enters into an exciting new era in its history. Perhaps best known as a whisky distribution specialist, Geodis Barbour is part of the wider Geodis group and will now be responsible for Fife, Perth, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Stirling and parts of Glasgow on behalf of Fortec. It is a partnership which will bring a number of synergies and huge benefits to customers.  Indeed the company already provides an integrated and efficient ...
• Government asserts HS2 and Northern Powerhouse remain a priorityThe government still intends to endeavour to end the decades old economic gap between the north and the south through billions of pounds of investment in rail development.  This is according to transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, who reasserted the government's continued commitment to both HS2 and the Northern Powerhouse projects during a speech to northern and midland leaders in Leeds yesterday (June 1st).  An estimated £13 billion of funding will be invested to transform transport infrastructure in the north over the next five years.  It is hoped this will serve to e...
• East Anglia franchise shortlist announcedThe government has announced a shortlist of firms in the running to improve rail services in East Anglia.  Abellio East Anglia - a joint venture between Abellio and Stagecoach - First East Anglia and National Express East Anglia are the three firms in contention for the contract.  All these companies have successfully passed the prequalification stage, and will now work on developing their proposals with the government before receiving invitation to tender in August.  Questions asked of the bidders will include considerations such as how they intend to improve the region's railw...
• Transformed West Anglia rail routes hailed by MayorWest Anglia's suburban rail routes from Liverpool Street to north-east London have been transformed since becoming part of the Transport for London (TfL) network.  Mayor of London Boris Johnson has hailed these changes, noting that they bring with them a wide range of benefits for passengers, including lower fares.  These comments came as part of a call for better integrated services throughout the capital, which was made by the Mayor yesterday (June 1st). He emphasised the fact that more action is needed to ensure the rail network can continue to support the economy of the...
• Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill published A major change in decision making across the country has started - with the publication of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill - moving powers out of Whitehall so towns, cities and counties can set their own course. The move will devolve new powers to local authorities and it will also give areas more freedom for local authorities to support local businesses, creating jobs and ensuring that every part of the country benefits from a stronger economy. Communities Secretary Greg Clark said:
• Rotala to expand Heathrow fleet with £1.5m dealRotala, a Birmingham-based transport operator, has acquired Wings and its complete vehicle fleet for a cash consideration of £1.5m. The London-based luxury coach company’s 17-strong vehicle fleet was valued at £1.1m and Rotala will not assume any other assets or liabilities of any materiality. Wings, which has around 20 staff, will transfer to Rotala’s existing depot at Heathrow Airport. Following the recent end of the Company’s long-standing contract with British Airways, there is ample capacity at this depot to absorb the Wings fleet and personnel. On this b...

Railnews

• Three bidders named for Greater Anglia shortlist Three bidders have been shortlisted for the next Greater Anglia franchise, the Department for Transport said. They will be asked to show how they will improve the region™s railways, including providing shorter journeys to London, more reliable services and better connections. They will also be expected to show how they could achieve the recommendations of the Great Eastern Main Line Taskforce, which includes reducing London to Norwich journey times by about a quarter to 90 minutes.

Railway Gazette

• Class 321 EMUs to be born againUK: Leasing company Eversholt Rail has awarded Wabtec a £60m contract to refurbish its fleet of...
• East Anglia franchise shortlist announcedUK: Three current or former incumbents have been shortlisted to bid for the next East Anglia...

Aviation Industry

• Frontier builds on Airbus narrow-body jet orderAirbus said Tuesday that Frontier Airlines has ordered 12 more single-aisle aircraft, bringing its order backlog with Airbus to 101 commercial jetliners. Denver-based Frontier's newest firm order is for two A321s and 10 A320s.
• Iberia to hire 120 new pilotsIberia has announced that in coming weeks it will begin hiring to fill 120 pilot positions, after 11 years without accepting applications. read more
• Manchester airport unveils £1bn transformation planInvestment includes expansion of T2, US pre-clearance and self-service check-in
• Etihad urges US government to end Open Skies rowGulf carrier refutes claims of unfair competition by US carriers
• US plans pre-clearance at Heathrow and ManchesterUS Homeland Security plans to expand pre-clearance at 10 airports globally
• Lufthansa adds €16 GDS booking chargeTravellers can avoid fee if tickets are purchased through airlines’ direct channels

Other News Sources

• Completing the GNGEThe 08:55, departing from Platform 1 at Peterborough on 9 March, was a special service. On board were Network Rail route director Phil Verster, project director Neil Lindley and a selection of local politicians and trade press. At its first stop, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Claire Perry MP joined the train.
• Schoolchildren given keys to new disabled minibus A WINCHESTER school for children with learning difficulties is celebrating after it was given a new wheelchair-accessible minibus.
• Roving bus allows passengers to have their say on service changes Some routes are set to have an increased service while other residents are
• FTA reinforces importance of UK global hub airport to Prime MinisterThe Freight Transport Association has told David Cameron that the importance of air freight should not be overlooked when considering the options ...
• Wizz Air Launches Mobile WebsiteWizz Air, the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, announced today the launch of a new website optimized for mobile device web browsers to complement the companyrsquo;s...
• IAA Signs Contract to Test Remote Tower SystemThe Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) announced today that it has signed a contract with Saab to deliver a Remote Tower Centre to Dublin Airport through corresponding remote tower installations at...
• Thomas Cook Group Airlines fly paperlessThe four airlines of the Thomas Cook Group in Great Britain, Scandinavia, Belgium and Germany are fitting their cockpits with state of the art electronic flight bags (EFB), through which their...
• Addison Lee launches loyalty schemeTaxi firm offers discounted journeys, quicker collection times and vehicle upgrades