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

Friday, 04 November 2016

BBC News

• New West Coast rail franchise to run HS2 servicesA new rail franchise combining the current InterCity West Coast main line with HS2 high-speed services has been announced by the government.
• Southern rail strikes: Fresh disruption as latest walkout beginsHundreds of commuters are facing fresh travel disruption in the latest strike by Southern rail workers.
• Southern rail strikes set for Christmas and New Year's EveSouthern Railway workers are to stage strikes for three days from 22 December and three more days from New Year's Eve.
• Air France-KLM to launch lower-cost airlineAir France-KLM is creating a more

Department for Transport

• Rail franchising: InterCity West Coast and HS2New Intercity West Coast Partnership franchise to help shape development of HS2.
• Government announces new rail franchise for Inter City West Coast with the introduction of High Speed 2 servicesNew era for the West Coast Mainline as government confirms future operator will also run HS2 services.The government today (4 November 2016) announced a new rail franchise which will combine the current InterCity West Coast services with the development and introduction of High Speed 2 services.

Financial Times

• Aircraft makers plot course to exploit demand in ChinaCompetition from fledgling local industry far off, say executives at Zhuhai air show
• Rail system ‘like a heart that pumps heat around Europe’Operator ÖBB’s grand claim reflects network’s central role, influence but high cost
• Air France plans new low-cost flying businessAirline seeks to turnround struggling operations with moves that risk union ire
• Air France plans new low-cost flying businessAirline seeks to turnround struggling operations with moves that risk union ire

The Guardian

• Southern rail workers to strike over Christmas and new yearTwo three-day strikes to start on 22 December and New Year’s Eve as long-running dispute continuesSouthern rail commuters are to be hit by yet more delays and cancellations over Christmas and the new year as the RMT union has given notice of additional strikes in the heart of the festive period.Southern accused the union of “hitting a new low”, warning that the strikes would affect families travelling home for Christmas as well as shops and businesses at their busiest time. A three-day strike by conductors starting on 22 December until the last trains on Christmas Eve will be followed by anoth...

The Herald

• Zac Goldsmith: Relationship between Heathrow and Government borders on corruptFormer Tory MP Zac Goldsmith has accused the Government and Heathrow Airport of having a relationship that
• Nicola Sturgeon: Ending ScotRail contract 'an option kept on the table'Stripping ScotRail of its contract to run the railways is on the table if performance fails to improve, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The Telegraph

• Southern Railway strike dates threaten Christmas and New Year train chaos

City AM

• A new rail franchise will combine HS2 with InterCity West Coast servicesThe government has confirmed a new rail franchise will combine the current InterCity West Coast services with the development and introduction of High Speed 2 (HS2) services.

Daily Record

• Nicola Sturgeon warns ScotRail they could lose contract if they don't improveTHE warning came days after ScotRail were fined £483,000 for failing to meet required standards for trains and stations.

Mail Online

• Deutsche Bahn CEO says calling off Arriva, Schenker flotation FRANKFURT, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Germany's state-owned railway Deutsche Bahn has put plans for a partial privatisation of Arriva and Schenker on ice due to Britain's decision to exit the European Union, its chief executive said, confirming media reports.
• New West Coast Partnership to run HS2 high-speed rail services HS2 high-speed rail services will be run by the same operator as the West Coast Main Line, the Government has announced.
• Southern Rail workers announce plans for three-day strikes from 22 December and 31 January Southern Railway workers plan to strike for three days from December 22 and three days from New Year's Eve in a bitter row over changes to the role of conductors.

This is Money

• EasyJet and British Airways shares take off after High Court ruling over Brexit Many of the stocks which were quick to spiral the day of the referendum result, rallied on the news that Theresa May might not be able to take the UK out of the EU without a vote in Parliament.

Sky News

• New West Coast rail franchise to operate HS2A passenger group voices fears of high prices as it is announced the operator of the west coast line will also run HS2 services.

Birmingham Post

• Why building HS2 is going to make you late for work A challenger to become the first mayor of the West Midlands has warned about a 'catastrophic' impact on the region's roads

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Passengers warned of bus stand changes at Bradford Interchange BUS passengers using Bradford Interchange have been warned of essential carriageway repair works being carried out next week.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Airbus’ giant Beluga XL assembly set to start as first section arrives The extra large aircraft will carry wings from Broughton to other Airbus sites

London Evening Standard

• Interactive Tube map instantly tells Londoners the time and cost of any journeyA new Tube map instantly tells Londoners the time and cost of any journey across the capital with one click of a button.
• Sadiq Khan warns train passengers 'face five per cent price hikes in New Year'Many long-suffering rail passengers face "unacceptable" ticket price hikes of more than five per cent in January, Sadiq Khan warned today.
• Government's own study reveals Heathrow third runway would be less beneficial to UK residents than GatwickA bombshell Government study found Heathrow's third runway would not benefit British residents as much as a second runway at Gatwick, the Evening Standard can reveal.
• Southern rail strikes: Staff announce walkout over Christmas and New YearHundreds of thousands of rail passengers are set to face chaos over Christmas after Southern Rail workers announced fresh plans for strike action.
• Heathrow third runway: Zac Goldsmith refuses to rule out returning to Conservatives after resigninationZac Goldsmith has refused to rule out returning to the Conservative Party in the future after he resigned as an MP following the Heathrow airport decision.

Wales Online

• Cardiff Bus announces extra services Some routes will have more frequent services

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Rail fares capped amid competition concerns.Fares on a rail route from Leeds look set to be capped amid competition concerns.

Other Regional Press

• New West Coast Partnership to run HS2 high-speed rail servicesHS2 high-speed rail services will be run by the same operator as the West Coast Main Line, the Government has announced.
• Nicola Sturgeon: Ending ScotRail contract 'an option kept on the table'Stripping ScotRail of its contract to run the railways is on the table if performance fails to improve, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
• SPOTTED: Drivers use phones at wheel as calls grow for campaign following A34 tragedy MOTORISTS have called for a sustained campaign against using mobile phones behind the wheel to prevent more tragedy on the roads.
• 102 cyclists caught without lights in three hours by Oxford police MORE than 100 people were stopped by police for not having lights on their bikes as part of a crackdown in Oxford.

Buying Business Travel

• Travellers call for better ‘work-leisure’ integrationTravellers call for better ‘work-leisure’ integration
• Flybe expands Birmingham routesRegional carrier to feature 375 flights a week across 23 routes from Midlands hub

Rail Technology Magazine

• Arriva to cap fares on three Northern routes due to 'lessened competition'The Competition and Market Authority (CMA) has found that the award of the Northern Rail franchise to Arriva will not lead to competition concerns except on three services, ending an investigation that began in January of this year. The CMA examined over 1,235 passenger flows and decided that...
• Higgins: HS2 to have 'transformational' effect on Darlington and the Tees ValleyA new report published by the chairman of HS2 has sought to show how high-speed rail will have a ‘transformational’ effect on Darlington and the Tees Valley area. Changing Britain: HS2 taking root, produced in collaboration with Darlington Borough Council and eight other local and...
• Edinburgh's �41m tram-train interchange to open next month Rail passengers travelling to Edinburgh will be able to transfer directly to the tram for onward travel to the airport at a new interchange from next month. The £41m Edinburgh Gateway interchange, situated between South Gyle and Dalmeny stations, will open on 11 December. It will allow...
• RMT accused of 'cancelling Christmas' with new December strikes on SouthernA new set of strikes by the RMT are due to hit Southern passengers over Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, it was announced today. The two 48-hr strikes will take place from midnight on 22 December to 23.59 on 24 December, and from the same time between 31 December and 2 January. They mark...
• Exclusive: Fare-dodging on Metrolink costs �8m in three yearsFare-dodging on Manchester’s trams has cost £8m over the past three years, a Freedom of Information request by RTM has revealed. The amount of revenue Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has lost through passengers travelling on the Metrolink network without tickets has grown...

Railnews

• New HS2 franchise will take over West Coast in 2019THE Government is creating a new ‘partnership franchise’ to run trains on HS2 as well as classic intercity services on the broadly parallel West Coast Main Line.

Railway Gazette

• Latvian electrification plans revisedLATVIA: National railway LDz has updated its plans for the roll-out of 25 kV 50 Hz...

Aviation Industry

• IAG signs up for next-gen Wi-FiInternational Airlines Group (IAG) is to introduce high-speed Wi-Fi across its constituent carriers’ short-haul fleets, as it becomes the launch customer for Inmarsat’s next-generation connectivity system. read more
• Rolls-Royce increases ceramic composites research UK engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is to increase its presence in California with a $30 million investment in a new 62,000 sq. ft. facility for research and development of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials and processes for future engine components. read more
• CAE extends pilot training with Norwegian, Air EuropaMontreal-based flight-simulator manufacturer CAE has extended pilot training agreements with Norwegian Airlines and Spanish carrier Air Europa, the company announced Nov. 1. read more
• Air France-KLM Group reports $611 million 3Q net profitAir France-KLM Group posted €544million ($610.5 million) in net income for the 2016 third quarter, up 13.1% from €481 million in the year-ago period. read more

Green Miscellany

• Cycling without AgeLike so many of the best cycling ideas, Cycling Without Age was started in Copenhagen. Ole Kassow wanted to help older folk�enjoy the freedoms of cycling so he started using rickshaws to offer free rides to local nursing home residents. The municipality of Copenhagen recognised the strength of the idea and helped buy 5 rickshaws, which helped the project spread… The post Cycling without Age appeared first on ETA.

Other News Sources

• CMA To Cap Fares On Three Rail Routes After Arriva InvestigationLONDON (Alliance News) - There is a "substantial lessening of competition" on three rail routes following the award of a rail franchise, a watchdog has said.
• ARRIVA TO CAP FARES ON THREE NORTHERN ROUTES due to 'lessened competition'Transport giant Arriva will be forced to cap fares on three rail routes in the North to satisfy concerns raised by the competition regulator.
• New �475,000 Woking bike hub will make cycling "part of everyday life" for commutersNew facilities at Woking railway station will feature CCTV, maintenance equipment and a fully enclosed shelter
• Matthew Pickering named FTA Driver of the Year 2016Matthew Pickering of Samworth Brothers Supply Chain was named the overall winner of the inaugural FTA Driver of the Year 2016 competition in ...