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

Wednesday, 04 November 2015

BBC News

• Scots road tolls 'should be considered'Road tolls should be considered to help fund a backlog of local road repairs, a report by the Institute of Civil Engineers says
• Electric carmaker sees rise in salesTesla, the maker of electric cars, saw a rise in orders during the third quarter off the back of sales of the company's new Model X SUV.

Department for Transport

• Smart ticketing rollout brings better journeys to north eastTransport Minister visits Newcastle to unveil smart card scheme bringing cheaper, easier journeys on Tyne and Wear Metro and local buses.
• Transport Secretary sees Crossrail progress in south east LondonPatrick McLoughlin visits Canary Wharf, Woolwich and Abbey Wood to see how construction is encouraging investment and regeneration.

Financial Times

• VW cheating probe spreads to CO2 testsCarmaker says 800,000 vehicles have ‘unexplained inconsistencies’ in carbon dioxide emissions levels
• Chief sets new course at Malaysia AirlinesTurnround specialist focuses on public image and strategy for carrier beset by two disasters
• Heathrow v Gatwick: flawed calculationsLittle weight should be attached to the model relied on by the Airports Commission for its decision
• Bus franchising ‘not value for money’Review of north-east plan has implications for devolution
• Northern Labour MPs back Heathrow runwayJeremy Corbyn opposes airport expansion on environmental grounds

The Guardian

• Uber says five-minute delay for minicabs 'huge mistake' for LondonUS-based firm claims TfL idea of short wait before start of journey will leave each driver almost £1,000 out of pocket a yearUber has claimed the proposed introduction of a five-minute delay to the start of minicab journeys in London would be “a huge mistake” for the capital’s economy.The US-based company claimed the Transport for London (TfL) idea, part of a public consultation, would leave each Uber driver in London almost £1,000 out of pocket a year. Continue reading...
• VW admission suggests cheats went much further than emissionsAnnouncement about CO2 figures raises prospect that carmaker not only manipulated diesel pollution results but carbon dioxide and fuel economy tooThe crisis at Volkswagen has deepened after the carmaker found “irregularities” in the carbon dioxide levels emitted by 800,000 of its cars.An internal investigation into the diesel emissions scandal has discovered that CO2 and fuel consumption were also “set too low during the CO2 certification process”, the company admitted on Tuesday night. Continue reading...

The Herald

• New problem over CO2 for 800,000 Volkswagen vehiclesDISGRACED car giant Volkswagen has admitted its own investigators have found
• Broadcaster Muriel Gray shames 'rude' Heathrow security staffBroadcaster and writer Muriel Gray has come to the defence of an elderly woman who she claims was treated badly by staff at Heathrow airport.�

The Scotsman

• Self-driving car ‘like being chauffeured by granny’If you’ve ever dreamt of zooming into the future in a zippy car, like something out of The Jetsons, think again.

The Telegraph

• TfL's Uber crackdown in London will cost drivers �19m a yearTransport for London's new proposals on the ride-hailing app could leave each driver �1,000 worse off each year
• Insurers pledge to end �200 'auto-renewal' rip-off - but only if you're 'vulnerable'Automatically renewing car and home insurance can cost �230 and there are fears that the elderly and mentally ill are especially likely to overpay

Reuters News

• MPs to hear about Heathrow expansion's effect on environmentEurope's busiest airport, will try to convince a Parliamentary committee on Wednesday that it can still meet environmental standards if it expands. The airport has been campaigning for years to be allowed to add a third runway because it is operating at full capacity. But it faces opposition from some politicians, local residents and environmental groups.

Office of Rail and Road (ORR)

• Why the rail industry should see passenger complaints as a good thingAt the Office of Road and Rail (ORR), we've been reviewing how train and station operators handle passenger complaints. Passengers should be at the heart of the railway, and central to this, they now play an increasingly important role in the operation of the railway; both by contributing to a growing share of its running costs but also providing valuable feedback to ensure services better meet their needs.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• New cycle superhighway route reaches Bradford city centre WORK to create a �30 million Cycle Superhighway between Bradford and Leeds has reached Bradford city centre and that section is nearing completion.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Business case for third Menai Strait bridge being prepared by Welsh Government Transport Minister Edwina Hart has written to Rhun ap Iorwerth AM about a solution to congestion on the Britannia Bridge
• Plan for three lanes on Britannia Bridge thrown out by transport minister Edwina Hart's rejection of the proposal has lent weight to plans for a third bridge across the Menai Strait

Liverpool Echo

• Liverpool John Lennon Airport sees 9th consecutive month of passenger growth New routes and airline operators helping to bolster traffic at city airport

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• What you need to know about the proposed bus 'Quality Contract Scheme'What next for transport plans in Tyne and Wear after plans to take buses under local authority control rejected
• Back the North East by backing new Heathrow runway, region's Labour MPs urgeNorth East MPs are supporting a third runway at Heathrow because they say it will help airports in our region

Wales Online

• At last vital infrastructure investment is being seen beyond short-term political cycles, but there is still work to doWith UK growth on a firmer footing and business investment on the rise, the UK government has begun to recognise the impact long-term infrastructure planning has to the health of our economy. And we’ve hit some key milestones in turning ambition into action with the start of projects like HS2.
• Improved transport links between North East Wales and Manchester and Liverpool are vital says First MinisterNorth East Wales can benefit from the Northern Powerhouse strategy First Minister tells business audience in Wrexham

Blackpool Gazette

• Northern Powerhouse ‘needs’ LancashireSir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council, offered encouragement to Lancashire that it can play a full role in the Northern Powerhouse agenda, when he addressed an audience of county leaders.
• BAE in �20m rocket engine company dealFylde plane maker BAE Systems has taken a 20 per cent stake in a company to jointly develop a jet and rocket engine that is capable of launching aircraft into space.

Other Regional Press

• Stagecoach slams bus franchising modelThe chief executive of public transport giant Stagecoach has hit out at new bus franchising proposals, saying they are a “one-way ticket” to poorer service, higher fares and local tax rises.
• Free Coventry city centre car parking in the run-up to Christmas Shoppers will be able to park for free while late-night shopping on Wednesdays

C.N.N.

• Hypersonic engine could 'revolutionize' air travel

Bus and Coach.com

• Quality Contract Scheme board rules against Tyne and Wear scheme

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Vehicle routing enhancements unveiled by ParagonParagon has announced the launch of new software functionality designed to help route planners comply with time-sensitive route restrictions such as the London Lorry Control Scheme (LLCS).� Dubbed Paragon Route Control, the software makes it possible to reduce the time spent on planning such routes manually.� It therefore has the potential to minimise the impact of LLCS and major public events on scheduling, which in turn will lower the risk of incurring penalty fines.� Support director for Paragon Phil Ingham said that previously, fleet monitoring systems were able to flag a journey as an exc...
• Google plans drone delivery service for 2017Search giant Google has announced a date for the launch of its drone delivery service. Called Project Wing, the initiative aims to be delivering goods to consumers using the robot aircraft sometime in 2017. The announcement came from David Vos, the project leader for the delivery service. Online retailers such as Amazon, Alibaba and others are also experimenting with drone delivery.
• Ship-to-shore cranes arrive in mersey for Liverpool2 container developmentA giant vessel bearing five ‘megamax’ quayside cranes sailed up the River Mersey today (Monday 2nd November), destined for the new Liverpool2 container terminal, completing the final stage of its voyage from China.  The new cranes mark the start of a new era for the Port of Liverpool as the most visible element of Peel Port’s £300m investment to create the UK’s most centrally located deep water container terminal. Setting off from Shanghai in August the cranes travelled past south-east Asia, India, the Arabian Peninsula and Africa via the Cape of Good Hope ...
• Aramex posts 7% profit growthLogistics and transportation solutions provider Aramex has posted its latest financial results covering the third quarter of 2015, which revealed the firm made a net profit growth of seven per cent in the period.� Net profit stood at AED74.6 million (�13.2 million) - a significant increase on the AED69.5 million profit that was posted for the same period last year.� Aramex's revenues for the period increased to AED937 million - a two per cent increase on the corresponding figure of AED921 million recorded for the third quarter of 2014. The firm benefited from broad-based revenue growth across ...
• UK-Europe rail freight trade strengthened with RFC extensionTrade links between the UK and mainland Europe are set to be bolstered with an extension to the Rail Freight Corridor (RFC) North Sea - Mediterranean.� Network Rail is joining the RFC North Sea - Med management board as the busy freight corridor will be linked to London with a target completion date of November 2016. The rail freight industry contributes an estimated �1.6 billion to the UK economy and this is forecast to rise to �23 billion by 2023.� This growth will be facilitated by the planned extension to the RFC North Sea - Med, as operators will be better able to understand and secure av...
• BA owner IAG reports strong profitsInternational Airlines Group (IAG) has raised its full-year profits forecast after seeing strong growth in the last three months. IAG posted a pre-tax profit for July to September of €1.1bn ($1.2bn; £792m), up 48% from last year. The company owns British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, and bought Aer Lingus earlier this year. IAG announced on Thursday that it would be paying its first dividend, which will be 10 euro cents per share. It has not paid a dividend since the company was created in 2011 by the merger of BA and Iberia. It has slightly raised its forecast for operating profit...
• Southampton Airport celebrate prestigious business award for 'outstanding' work in HampshireSouthampton Airport is celebrating after it was recognised for the economic boost it gives the county. Staff scooped a special award at the Solent Business Awards for their 'outstanding contribution to Hampshire' over the past 25 years. The awards ceremony was attended by more than 200 business leaders.        On presenting the award, Malcolm Hyde, CBI South East, said the airport added more than £100m to the local economy. Dave Lees, managing director of Southampton Airport, said:

Aviation Industry

• Your guide to Malaysia Airlines' new business classMalaysia Airlines will roll out new, more luxurious business class seats on the A330 aircraft it flies to and from Australia next year as the ailing carrier looks to regain its competitiveness in premium cabins against rivals like Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Emirates. The new business class seat unveiled at the World Travel Market in London this week will be in a 1-2-1 and 1-2-2 seating configuration, meaning 90 per cent of the seats will have direct aisle access.
• Lufthansa strike looms as union talks stallHead of cabin crew union says passengers should assume strikes will go ahead from Friday
• US extends Global Entry to ‘low-risk’ UK travellersSystem allows for quicker entry at US passport control

Other News Sources

• Board throws out north east bus franchise planA crucial part of devolution deals is under threat after an independent board rejected the North East Combined Authority’s (NECA) attempt to introduce bus franchising.
• Bexleyheath and Crayford MP urges Network Rail to rethink Christmas closuresBexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett has urged Network Rail to reconsider its Christmas closures.
• Heathrow unveils £180m plan to double air cargo volumes over the next 15 yearsThe UK’s most important air cargo gateway, Heathrow, is set to see a significant expansion of its freight handling capacity via an £180m investment announced today.
• Dr. Pierre Coutu, President of Aviation Strategies International, takes part in trade mission to China led by Mayor of Montr�al Denis CoderreDr. Pierre Coutu, President of Aviation Strategies International (ASI) and Dr. David Ze, Vice President Asia-Pacific, are both members of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal trade...