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

Saturday, 31 December 2016

Cogitamus

• 🎉🎈 TransportInfo is taking a short break 🎉🎈 🎈🎉TransportInfo is taking a short break and will not be updated on the 1 or 2 of January 2017. The team at Cogitamus would like to wish all our readers a very happy and prosperous new year 🎉🎈

BBC News

• Southern rail strike disrupts new year travelRail travellers are facing yet more disruption as Southern conductors begin a further three-day strike at midnight.
• Learner drivers: Plan to include lessons on motorwaysNew government proposals will allow learner drivers to practise on motorways for the first time.

The Guardian

• The train companies pocket millions in compensation for delaysere’s a shocking fact for those of you who (like me) shivered on freezing platforms when their train was cancelled or delayed over the so-called festive period. The train operating companies can actually make a nice little profit out of your distress, so they have almost no incentive to improve the service.

The Herald

• Flights chaos as thousands of travellers are grounded by thick fog at airportTHOUSANDS of passengers were left stranded as thick fog crippled Heathrow Airport in London and forced 50 cancellations.
• Bus company offers free NightBus services in Edinburgh on HogmanayA bus company is once again teaming up with the organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay to provide free NightBus Services for revellers to get home after this year's December 31 celebrations.

Times Online

• Pared-back planes offer true budget flying [subscription]It has been a feature of short-haul flights around Europe for a generation. Millions of travellers each year ditch the free in-flight meals, glasses of wine and weighty check-in luggage in favour of roughing it on low-cost airlines.

London Evening Standard

• Crossrail train subjected to icy blasts and sweltering heats in extreme weather studyA new Crossrail train carriage has been subjected to icy blasts and sweltering heat to see if it can withstand extreme weather.
• Southern rail passengers warned they face fresh misery at start of New YearSouthern rail passengers have been warned that services will be "severely disrupted" over the next few days because of a fresh strike by guards and an ongoing overtime ban by drivers.

Northern Echo

• Virgin cash is rolling in for Mr BransonSIR RICHARD Branson is cock-a-hoop with his east coast train service which has carried more than a million people this year – a record for the privatised franchise.

Blackpool Gazette

• Work set to start on cycle safety schemeWork on a £1.5m project to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians on the A585 near Fleetwood is set to begin.

Other Regional Press

• Rail fare rises 'ripping off public’ RAIL campaigners have condemned the train industry’s increase in fares for 2017 which will be introduced on Monday.
• Learner drivers could be allowed to practise on M27Learner drivers will be allowed to practise on motorways, including the M27 and M275, if a government plan to improve road safety is given the go-ahead.
• £15m for roads, rail, buses and transport projectsAN EXTRA £15 million is to be invested into the busiest roads, rail lines, bus routes and other transport options across Wales, it has been announced.
• Port Talbot's new £13m rail station 'still not clean' FURTHER complaints have been made about cleanliness of Port Talbot's train station following claims that nothing has been done since it was brought to the attention of rail bosses.

Rail Magazine

• Mail Rail trains start running through tunnelsLondon’s new underground railway attraction is one step closer to the finish line, after the Mail Rail trains made their first journeys through the tunnels.

Other News Sources

• Southern Rail strike: Passengers to face disruption over New Year as RMT members prepare to stage fresh walkout The three-day walkout starts on New Year's Eve, with contingency plans in place to provide limited service on New Year's Day and January 2
• Train strikes to 'cripple' numbers celebrating New Year in Brighton and Hove TRAIN strikes could cripple the number of revellers set to pour in to Brighton and Hove to celebrate New Year, a tourism boss fears.