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

Tuesday, 02 August 2016

BBC News

• Stranded Wrexham bus passengers hope after GHA collapsePassengers left stranded in parts of Wrexham following the collapse of a bus firm are told they could have a service by the end of August.
• Uber plots global roadmap scan to help driversUber embarks on a global mapping project that it hopes will offer its drivers more useful data on pick-up locations and traffic patterns.
• Ryanair cuts flights from City of Derry Airport to LondonIrish airline Ryanair is to reduce the number of flights it operates from City of Derry Airport.
• ScotRail makes fresh offer to union ahead of planned strikesScotRail makes a new offer aimed at averting fresh strikes in a dispute over the increased use of trains with driver-operated doors.
• Months of work on M74, M73 and M8 to cause major delaysDrivers are being warned to expect months of
• Uber China - why is it selling up to its biggest rival?Taxi-booking app Uber has agreed to sell its business in China to rival Didi Chuxing.
• Uber sells Chinese business to Didi ChuxingTaxi-booking app company Uber agrees to sell its operation in China to rival Didi Chuxing.
• Tesla agrees $2.6bn deal to buy SolarCityUS electric carmaker Tesla says it has reached a deal to buy solar panel company SolarCity for $2.6bn.

Financial Times

• Qatar uses Brexit dip to raise IAG stakeGulf carrier acts on ‘attractive opportunity’ to bring ownership to 20%

The Guardian

• Britain's abandoned stations, tracks and trains: readers' picturesDevolution has given councils the power to reopen lines that haven’t been used since the 1960s. We asked you to show us the country’s railways that should be brought back to life Continue reading...
• Uber reverses out of China with $7bn sale to Didi ChuxingUber China will merge with local rival to create $35bn ride-sharing giantUber’s seemingly unceasing expansion across the world has finally had the brakes applied as the ride-sharing company plans a deal to sell its Chinese operation to local rival Didi Chuxing, according to Bloomberg News.The new company will valued at around $35bn (£19bn) – given Didi’s previous $28bn valuation, that values Uber China at $7bn – and puts an end to a year-long standoff that has led to both Uber China and Didi losing money in an effort to secure a lasting victory. Uber alone has lost more than $2bn in the fight....
• Southern’s rail service is disastrous. For disabled passengers, it’s even worse A recent round trip from Hastings to Brighton with my wheelchair was a catalogue of difficulties and delays – with little sign of equalityI have fond memories of travelling from Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire, near where I grew up, to London’s Marylebone station with my brother when I was young. As a wheelchair user, such events were rare but I’ve never lost the excitement of a train trip.Excitement isn’t the word I’d use for my recent journey with Southern rail. I’m yet another victim of the atrocious service that they offer. Continue reading...

The Herald

• ScotRail makes new offer in bid to avert strikes over driver-only trainsScotRail has made a new offer aimed at averting fresh strikes in a long running dispute over driver-only trains, said the RMT union.
• First bus boss in Scotland resigns after less than six months to pursue career 'outside of bus industry'THE award-winning boss of one of Scotland's biggest bus companies is stepping down after less than six months to pursue a career outside the industry.

Times Online

• Rail dispute and roadworks to bring commuter chaos [Subscription]Commuters were warned last night to expect weeks of travel chaos across the central belt because of a combination of rail strikes and major motorway repairs.

Mail Online

• Spectacular images of the abandoned Highgate station in London Highgate station opened in 1867�as part of the Great Northern Railway's line between Finsbury Park and Edgware, in the north of the capital.
• Qataris own fifth of British Airways as state takes advantage of falling share prices Qatar Airways spotted an ‘attractive opportunity’ to snap up more shares in British Airways owner, International Airlines Group (IAG), after the value of Sterling fell following the EU referendum.
• Channel ferry on-board security exercises sees the introduction of French sea marshals Brittany Ferries carried out the exercise on the Mont St Michel ferry, travelling from Portsmouth to Caen, as part of a potential ramping up of security in light of recent terror attacks in France and Europe.
• Foreign drivers evade �7.2m in speeding fines Thousands of foreigners caught speeding have escaped fines and the figures mean dangerous drivers who could have faced court for flouting traffic laws have been free to travel on British roads.

Birmingham Mail

• Supermarkets cut petrol and diesel prices across UK from TONIGHTPrice war at the pumps comes just in time for family trips over school holidays

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Company hit by congestion welcomes road widening plans PLANS to widen a local bottleneck have been welcomed by bosses at an Aire Valley manufacturer which says traffic congestion is causing serious disruption to its operations.

Wales Online

• Train passengers in South Wales face some of the worst overcrowding in the UKRail passengers in South Wales are faced with some of the worst overcrowding in England and Wales.
• Electrification works will begin at Cardiff Central station this autumn Permission has been given for work at the listed building to commence

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Will Leeds clean air tax be a ‘back door congestion charge’?A new ‘clean air tax’ for motorists could be enforced in Leeds by the end of 2019 - raising fears that thousands of people who drive for a living could potentially be banned from the city centre.
• ‘Let’s talk about transport’The Leader of Leeds City Council has invited everyone in the city to “join in the conversation” on the future of transport in Leeds.
• Heritage Leeds railway is building for future after supporters buy 285 memorial bricksHundreds of locomotive lovers have bought bricks to help boost the world’s oldest continuously working railway.

Blackpool Gazette

• Airline puts on extra summer flights in resortBlackpool airport’s commercial airline Citywing has said business is back to levels before the temporary closure in October 2014.

Rail Technology Magazine

• RAIB issues driver stress warning after train went twice over speed limitThe Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has recommended train companies and Network Rail review key safety procedures after a train passed through Peterborough at over twice the speed limit. The Virgin Trains East Coast service from Newcastle to London King’s Cross passed through...
• London Midland signs new agreement with Transport for West MidlandsLondon Midland has signed an agreement with Transport for West Midlands to expand and improve its services in the region. Under the agreement, London Midland and Transport for West Midlands promise to develop initiatives for London Midland to deliver the delay minute performance targets and the...
• Upgrades on track at PaddingtonWork to upgrade Paddington station to prepare for Crossrail and the electrification of the Great Western Main Line is on track, Network Rail and Transport for London have said. Bakerloo Line services to Paddington will start again after work to renew thousands of moving components in the station...
• Cambridge North 'beginning to take shape'The new Cambridge North station is on track to open next year as building work progresses. The £50m station is being built as part of Network Rail’s Rail Upgrade Plan in order to relieve pressures on Cambridge station and encourage business and employment in the north east of the...

Railnews

• 100 tonnes of weights will test new Crossrail trains The first Class 345 trains for the Elizabeth line are now under test at Bombardier in Derby, and will enter London service in May. Transport for London confirmed the launch date as trains for the new route were unveiled. The air-conditioned 160m trains, which have been designed and built at Derby, will start running between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield. Over the next few months challenging tests will be carried out on the first trains, including running them at Old Dalby test track with more than 100 tonnes of weights on board to represent a full load of passengers.
• Bakerloo trains return to Paddington ahead of time WORK to renew escalators serving the Bakerloo line at London Paddington has been completed nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, and Bakerloo trains are calling at the station again today.
• London Midland and Transport for West Midlands sign deal A partnership contract has been signed by the London Midland franchise and the recently formed TfWM -- Transport for West Midlands -- which replaced Centro in June as the transport body for the region. The new partnership focuses on a 45-point plan, which London Midland said would 'build on past successes and deliver further local improvements'.

Railway Gazette

• Rail freight news in briefCSX has launched the Queen City Express service between the Port of Wilmington and CSX’s intermodal...
• 'Brexit': no rush for change Since the EU railway reform legislation was introduced in the early 1990s, the European Union has...

Aviation Industry

• Jazeera yields drop in 1H, but outlook remains unchangedKuwaiti hybrid carrier Jazeera Airways reported a half-year net profit of KD6 million ($19.9 million), down 3.6% year-over-year (YOY) because of overcapacity in the local marketplace. read more
• Alaska Airlines to build new maintenance hangar at Anchorage AirportSeattle-based Alaska Airlines will build a new 105,000 sq. ft. maintenance hangar at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), the airline announced July 29. read more
• Virgin America expands service to NewarkSan Francisco-based Virgin America will add 4X-daily service from Newark International Airport (EWR) to Los Angeles and San Francisco Nov. 18. read more
• Qatar Airways raises stake in IAG to 20%Gulf carrier says deal represents an ‘attractive opportunity’
• Scottish plans to abolish APD met with environmental concernsGovernment publishes responses to three-month consultation

Other News Sources

• Uber to merge with China rival Didi Chuxing after losing billions$35 billion deal will see Uber China get a 20% stake in Didi