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

Wednesday, 09 November 2016

BBC News

• Southern train 'moved with doors open'A Southern commuter train travelled a short distance with its doors open, rail accident investigators have said.
• Could robots and smart bags improve airport efficiency?Over the next two decades, global demand for air travel is set to double to more than seven billion passengers a year - putting pressure on airports and airlines to become more efficient.
• Tram 'overturns' in 'serious incident' in CroydonA tram has reportedly overturned in south London in what police say is a "serious incident".
• Enterprise zone for whole south Wales valleys urgedA new enterprise zone across the whole of south Wales valleys is recommended as part of a report into poverty by two think-tanks.
• 'Massive flashes' as electrical fault at Dorchester delays South West TrainsAn electrical fault causes sparks to fly, blocks rail lines and causes disruption to South West Trains.
• Hyperloop may become reality in DubaiA firm behind super-fast transport system, Hyperloop, has signed a deal in the United Arab Emirates.
• Union stages protests over ScotRail franchiseThe RMT union is staging a day of protests in support of
• Luton Thameslink and East Midland trains delayed by cable damageDamaged overhead lines at Luton are causing major disruption on busy rush hour rail services.
• Great Western rail modernisation costs rocket, says NAOThe government has been blamed for huge extra costs and lengthy delays to the modernisation of the Great Western railway network in England and Wales.

Financial Times

• Karhoo taxi app closes after six monthsService said it raised $250m, but finances had become ‘pretty dire’
• Hyperloop plans prototype in Dubai by 2020Network of portals and pods aims to cut journey time to Abu Dhabi to just 12 minutes
• Rail electrification scheme suffers more delaysDfT postpones parts of Great Western project to 2019-24 funding period

The Guardian

• Great Western line electrification 'deferred' amid cost overrunsRail minister admits there have been ‘difficulties’ with modernising branch lines on routes to Oxford and BristolWork to electrify key branch lines on rail routes to Oxford and Bristol has been suspended, the government has announced. The troubled programme has been beset by delays and cost overruns, with its budget trebling to £2.8bn. Although a review of the work by Network Rail in 2015 led to the project being replanned on a “more efficient footing”, on Tuesday the rail minister, Paul Maynard, announced that four parts of the programme would be indefinitely “deferred”. These are electrifica...
• The Guardian view on air pollution: the next generation carries the burden of our inaction | EditorialAdults who grew up in less polluted days can cope with pollution. But when a child’s lungs are damaged, they are damaged for lifeOn Sunday, the capital city of one of the world’s fastest growing economies was effectively shut down in an emergency act. The reason was not terrorism, but air pollution. The threat to citizens from smog in Delhi was judged so great that traffic was ratioined, coal-fired power stations closed and diesel generators suspended. This was a brave and sane decision in the world’s largest democracy.Right now Delhi is the world’s most polluted city. But air quality...

The Herald

• Union calls for timetable to move ScotRail into public ownershipThe RMT union has called on the Scottish Government to set out an immediate timetable for Abellio to be stripped of its ScotRail franchise.
• Drivers caught using mobile phones illegally 'will get six points and �200 fine'Drivers caught using a mobile phone illegally for the first time will no longer be able to avoid getting points on their licence by taking a remedial course, under plans announced by the Department for Transport (DfT).
• Abelio in franchise stripping row with union: We are committed to delivery for ScotlandABELLIO has dismissed a transport union's call for it to be stripped of the Scotrail franchise to run rail services saying they are committed to

The Huffington Post

• Croydon Tram Crash Sees 40 People Injured And Five TrappedFive people are trapped and 40 people have been injured after a tram overturned in a tunnel in Croydon, south London, London Fire Brigade said. The incident happened at the Sandilands stop on Addiscombe Road Emergency services are at the scene and have advised people to avoid the area. SANDILANDS Emergency Services are dealing with a serious incident at #Sandilands tram stop. Please avoid the area #Croydoncops pic.twitter.com/xp4RPNxXI5— Croydon MPS (@MPSCroydon) November 9, 2016 (Evening Standard):#Croydon tram derailment: '#People trapped' after tram overturns at.....

The Independent

• Government accused of abandoning flagship rail pledges as spending spirals out of controlThe electrification of key routes to Bristol, Oxford and Berkshire has been 'deferred' – prompting speculation they will never happen – and others are in doubt

The Telegraph

• Croydon tram derailment: Five trapped and 40 people injured

Mail Online

• No second chance for drivers caught using a mobile phone at the wheel as ministers unveil plans to scrap training courses for first-time offenders The Department for Transport believes that offering workshops to educate motorists about the dangers of making a call while driving is not a tough enough measure to deter people.

Network Rail

• Network Rail graduate aims to inspire young engineers during Tomorrow’s Engineers WeekShyam Patel, a project manager at Network Rail, is calling on young people to consider a career in the railway as Network Rail marks Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2016 (7-11 November 2016), a national week designed to shine a spotlight on engineers and engineering careers.
• Birmingham New Street station launches carbon-savings calculator to showcase savings generated through district energy schemeA new carbon-savings calculator has been unveiled at Birmingham New Street station, to demonstrate the emission reductions resulting from its connection to the Birmingham District Energy Scheme.

London Evening Standard

• London Victoria: Moment man armed with sledgehammer 'runs riot at train depot causing �30k in damage'Police are hunting for a man armed with a sledgehammer who allegedly smashed into a London train depot before going on a rampage and wrecking windows, toilets and computers.
• Deliveroo riders seek workers' rights and union recognition after landmark Uber rulingDeliveroo riders in north London are taking legal steps to gain worker's rights following a victory by Uber drivers.
• St Pancras delays: Cancelled north-bound services spark rush hour chaos for commutersCommuters faced rush hour chaos as cancelled north-bound trains from St Pancras sent the station into "meltdown".
• Croydon tram derailment: 'People trapped' after tram overturns at SandilandsPassengers were reportedly left trapped as a tram overturned in a major incident in Croydon.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• National Express steps up a gear with first ever Christmas Day services from Newcastle to LondonCoach operator is also adding Sunderland and Middlesbrough to its festive schedule in response to warnings over disruption to rail network

Wales Online

• 'Cardiff could miss out on top sports events unless Central Station gets major upgrade' – MP's warning Craig Williams, the Conservative MP for Cardiff North, led a debate calling for the enhancement of Cardiff Central – adding that it was fit for the 20th century rather than the 21st.
• Cardiff rail services are back to normal as bridge repair work is completed overnight Trains were delayed or cancelled on Tuesday as the line over the bridge was closed

Yorkshire Post

• YP Comment: Rail upgrade’s fate on the lineLESSONS clearly need to be learned when it comes to rail electrification – it beggars belief that the cost of modernising the Great Western railway has increased by £2.1bn since 2013; will be long-overdue if and when completed and a planned order for new fleet of trains will have to be ordered so this rolling stock can operate under both diesel and electric power.

Other Regional Press

• Be prepared warning by East Midlands Airport as new security measures are introduced Passengers heading off on their travels with East Midlands Airport need to be fully prepared when arriving at the terminal building for the latest security requirements.
• Rail electrification into Oxford 'delayed until further notice' THE planned electrification of the railway between Oxford and Didcot is to be delayed, the Government has announced.
• Long Buckby Station’s new car park receives security awardA new car park at Long Buckby railway station is to be awarded the Park Mark award for security.
• UPDATE WITH VIDEO: Passengers escape after electrical explosion under train carriage RAIL passengers have told of the dramatic moment massive electrical flashes struck under train

Bus and Coach.com

• Iveco introduces new Busmaster accreditation for coachbuilders
• World premiere for Volvo B5LHC Electric Hybrid double-deck
• LowCVP launches green bus guide
• Shearings confirms new order for 43 Mercedes-Benz Tourismos
• Electric double-deck prototype launched by Optare at Euro Bus Expo
• Successful show debut for new Scania Interlink Finesse
• StreetAir EVs for Edinburgh as part of new 316-vehicle deal with Lothian

Buying Business Travel

• Accorhotels acquires 30% stake in 25hours HotelsFirm currently operates seven hotels in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Berlin, Vienna and Zurich

Global Rail News

• Aerospace supplier Cormer Group sues Bombardier over Learjet suspensionCanadian aerospace supplier Cormer Group Industries Inc. is suing Bombardier Inc. for $25-million in damages, saying it was blindsided by the plane maker’s sudden decision to suspend its Learjet 85 luxury-jet development program.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Beijing YHD Railway Equipment-Rail Maintenance Equipment and Measuring Instruments Beijing YHD Railway Equipment specialises in railway maintenance machines, including solutions for grinding, rail cutting, drilling and tamping.
• Maynard refuses to confirm 2023 deadline for Midland Main Line electrificationRail minister Paul Maynard MP has refused to confirm that the entire Midland Main Line electrification up to Sheffield will be finished by 2023, dodging repeated questions from local MPs at a Commons debate yesterday. Maynard was grilled by former shadow transport secretary and Nottingham South...
• ORR appoints new director of railway performance and planningThe Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has announced the appointment of a new director of railway performance and planning. Graham Richards will take over the role permanently, having previously been deputy director. He then acted as interim director since the departure of the previous incumbent...
• Wilkinson: DfT 'would not embark upon' a franchise similar to TSGN againThe DfT has admitted it would not design a single franchise the size of Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) again in the future, the managing director of passenger services admitted to MPs yesterday. Peter Wilkinson was asked about the performance of the franchise, which has been...
• DfT promises to publish franchise performance data every four weeksRail minister Paul Maynard has promised that the DfT will publish information about each rail franchise’s performance against its contractual benchmarks every four weeks. Maynard made the commitment in a letter to Louise Ellman MP, head of the Transport Select Committee, before appearing...
• Putting gender diversity to the testRTM's Luana Salles reports from this year's Big Rail Diversity Challenge, which gathered 30 gender-balanced teams from different rail companies to participate in a series of challenges that proved men and women can, and should, work effectively together.
• Further delays to GWML electrification as schemes deferred indefinitely Great Western Main Line (GWML) electrification is due to be further delayed after rail minister Paul Maynard announced that four key projects are being deferred indefinitely. Maynard told the House of Commons today that, following the Hendy Review’s criticism of the programme and revisions...

Railnews

• Great Western electrification projects go on hold Electrification of several stretches of the Great Western Main Line has been further delayed, saving some �150 million. The Government said 'costly and disruptive electrification works' are not necessary to achieve 'the benefits expected by passengers'. However, rail minister Paul Maynard has emphasised that the government remains committed to electrifying the GWML. In a statement to Parliament, he said that the sections affected are Oxford and Didcot Parkway, Bristol Parkway to Bristol Temple Meads via Filton, west of Thingley Junction via Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads and two Thames Vall...
• Franchise contracts could block greater transparency over late trains The Department for Transport is set to lift the veil on rail performance by publishing the actual figures against the contractual benchmarks for each franchise every four weeks. But rail minister Paul Maynard has warned that 'commercial and market sensitivities' could pose a stumbling block.
• Audit Office calls for GW electrification rethink The costs of Great Western electrification have risen by more than �2 billion since 2013 to reach a total of �5.58 billion, according to the National Audit Office, which says the project now needs to be 'reconsidered'. In a damning report, the NAO accuses the Department for Transport of failing to 'plan and manage all the projects which now make up the Great Western Route Modernisation industry programme in a sufficiently joined up way'. The NAO, which is the official independent auditor of state spending, is now calling for the extent of electrification to be 'reconsidered', just 24 hours af...

Green Miscellany

• Motochimp: The electric monkey bike built for the citySingapore based company Vanda Electric recently unveiled their latest creation, which puts a serious twist on a light-hearted classic and aims to redefine urban transportation. The Motochimp is an emission-free monkey bike with a lithium-ion battery that boasts a range of up to 40km from a single 60-minute charge. It uses a standard three pin plug, which is neatly stowed… The post Motochimp: The electric monkey bike built for the city appeared first on ETA.

Other News Sources

• Head of Commercial – Reading Buses  Head of Commercial c.£55k depending on skills & experience Reading Buses is one of Reading’s largest employers and is growing year on year with 550 employees and 181 buses delivering in excess of 55,000 passenger journeys each day. Reading has risen to be the third highest bus using population in the UK outside of London with bus modal share of 27%. It has a strong and mature economy with hi-tech industries and the creative sector contributing significantly to its success. With Reading’s brand new railway station, electrification, CrossRail, new Park & Rides and our ongoing inve...
• Battle of Waterloo: Rival rail firm announces plans to run trains to London - with cheaper fares IT has been dubbed 'the Battle of Waterloo' after a new rail firm announced plans to run a service through Hampshire to London.
• County councillor's Camberley A30 bus lane plea to ease congestion Councillor Denis Fuller said the ongoing roadworks along the A331 meant it was vital people made use of the A30 bus lane to help traffic flow
• Cambridge soon to benefit from improved Park & Ride servicesTransport chiefs at Cambridgeshire County Council and Stagecoach are launching improvements to the Cambridge Park & Ride service, which will come into effect from 20 November 2016.
• Uber: 'We are not breaking the law' UBER has insisted drivers picking up passengers in Brighton and Hove who are licensed in other cities are not breaking the law.