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

Tuesday, 24 January 2017

BBC News

• Arriva Trains Wales profits 'too high', says ministerProfits made by Arriva Trains Wales are too high and it has been "galling" for the Welsh Government to spend millions of pounds on additional services, Economy Minister Ken Skates has said.
• Public consultation to be held on free bus pass systemThe age at which Scots qualify for a free bus pass could rise with a public consultation to be held on changes to the national travel scheme.
• Aer Lingus staff arrested over 'immigrant smuggling'Two Aer Lingus staff are arrested as part of an investigation into illegal immigration at Dublin Airport.
• �556m Northern Powerhouse cash allocation welcomedBusiness leaders and politicians welcome a newly-allocated cash injection of �556m for the government's Northern Powerhouse project.
• HS2 will devastate wildlife, say campaignersCampaigners say government plans to build a bridge in Hillingdon for HS2 will destroy local wildlife.
• Quentin Willson encouraging the use of electric carsMotoring journalist Quentin Willson calls for cheaper and simpler prices to encourage the use of electric cars.
• New boss announced for ScotRailThe new managing director of the ScotRail Alliance will be Alex Hynes following the departure of Phil Verster from the role.

Financial Times

• Aslef warns rail groups over driver-only plansDispute could spread to other regions as union stands by its position

The Herald

• Bus pass eligibility age could rise amid cash crisisTHE qualifying age for a bus pass may rise, as the Government battles a �10 million funding gap.
• Head of major English trains operator is new ScotRail bossTHE head of the north of England's biggest trains operator is to be appointed the new chief of Scotrail, The Herald understands.
• Forth Road Bridge reopening picks up civil engineering awardThe

The Scotsman

• Free bus pass age could rise due to people living longerThe age at which future generations of Scots receive a free bus pass could rise after transport minister Humza Yousaf announced a wide-ranging public consultation.

The Telegraph

• Theresa May to unveil industrial strategy with biggest investment in transport, broadband and energy for a generation�
• UK weather: 100 flights cancelled at Heathrow as freezing fog returns and causes more travel misery

Daily Express

• ScotRail boss told to 'ACT QUICKLY' to turn troubled operator aroundSCOTRAIL'S new boss was today urged "to act quickly" in turning the troubled operator around.

Daily Record

• Petrol and diesel cars could be banned in Scottish cities within eight years Drivers could be forced to give up their vehicles and switch to electric cars in some urban areas.
• New ScotRail boss Alex Hynes promises to improve services as he replaces Phil Verster Hynes replaces Verster as managing director of ScotRail at a time when services have come under a lot of criticism.

Mail Online

• Rail bosses refuse to shut down Eurostar loophole Eurostar passengers are still able to board Britain-bound trains without showing their passport despite the Daily Mail exposing a shocking loophole that can be exploited by terrorists.

This is Money

• Rolls-Royce reveals seven unique cars it made in 2016 No two cars leaving Rolls-Royce's British factory at Goodwood are exactly alike. But these seven cars are extraordinarily tailored to the requests of buyers.
• Rolls-Royce reveals seven unique cars it made in 2016 No two cars leaving Rolls-Royce's British factory at Goodwood are exactly alike. But these seven cars are extraordinarily tailored to the requests of buyers.

Birmingham Post

• West Midlands WILL be heard on Brexit - industry ministerBirmingham mayor will be able to put the case for local business and residents says business secretary Greg Clark

Bristol Live

• 'This is luxury' - Passengers tell of regular overcrowding on Bristol to Gloucester train service This is the scene on board a commuter train heading out of Bristol on a weekday evening.

London Evening Standard

• Londoners baffled as TfL journey planner renames Victoria to 'Elephant Park'Londoners were left puzzled after Transport for London's journey planner appeared to rename Victoria station to Elephant Park.
• London's super-rich workers want to walk to workHedge funds and financial advisers should look at nearby luxury flats when choosing offices, according to a report on Monday which showed the super-rich prefer to walk to work.
• Evening Standard comment: It's time for a ban on rail strikes by lawThe finding that a majority of Londoners — 55 per cent in an Ipsos Mori poll for this paper — back a strike ban on train drivers is published on what is another strike day for Southern rail. It would be unsurprising if Southern commuters were not even more supportive of a ban than any other group of Londoners. Southern promises that tomorrow there will be no stoppages on its services; right now this feels like an unusual state of affairs.
• Diesel price reaches two year highDiesel has risen to its most expensive price in more than two years.
• Tram services to be suspended between Wimbledon and Mitcham for ten daysTram services between Wimbledon and Mitcham will be suspended next month while tracks are replaced, Transport for London has announced.
• Letters to the editor: Road pricing makes travel betterThe London Assembly transport committee is right to call for road-pricing ["Congestion on roads now so bad that C-charge is 'no longer fit for purpose' ", January 19].
• Southern Rail planning to run 'full service' despite strikes by driversSouthern Rail is planning to run a "full service" on Tuesday despite a strike by a dozen of its drivers.

Manchester Evening News

• 100 day countdown to mayoral elections starts today...and candidates are being urged to boost the economy of all Greater Manchester towns Manchester-based think tank, IPPR North is urging mayoral hopefuls to improve transport connections, with a focus on areas that have not yet fully benefited from the regeneration success stories seen in the big cities.
• Live updates: Long delays on Metrolink services due to 'severe weather conditions' The most common response appears to be 'what severe weather?'

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Fears village could be left isolated as it is omitted from Ashington to Newcastle rail link plansThe South East Northumberland Rail User Group has set up a petition calling for a new railway station to be built in Seghill

Northern Echo

• Police get tough on drivers using phones behind the wheel FOR hundreds of North-East drivers, resisting the urge to answer a phone call or scroll through a text message behind the wheel can be too much.

Wales Online

• Arriva Trains Wales' profits 'are too high', according to a leading politicianKen Skates said it was 'galling' to see the Welsh Government spending on the rail network as the company racked up huge profits

Bucks Free Press

• Plans for controversial �14.5m roadwork scheme to be showcased this week Plans for the final stage of a controversial �14.53m town centre transformation scheme will be showcased to the public this week.

Other Regional Press

• Trains arriving at three Cambridgeshire stations will be longer and carry more passengersPlatform extension work to start next month and be ready by the end of August
• Jet2 announces New York flights from Birmingham for �399 They will follow the launch of flights and holidays from Birmingham Airport, which are due to start in March

Buying Business Travel

• BA, Easyjet and Virgin prepare for Gatwick terminal changesEasyjet to operate entirely from North Terminal

Rail Magazine

• Third runway access costs dismissednment does not accept Transport for London’s potential costs for surface access provision for a third runway at Heathrow Airport
• Northern MD Hynes to replace Verster at ScotRail AllianceHynes moves north to Scotland as Verster moves to East West

Rail Technology Magazine

• BNSF Railway to invest $3.4bn to maintain network US-based freight railroad network BNSF Railway has announced plans to invest $3.4bn this year to replace and maintain its core network and related assets.
• Alex Hynes appointed managing director of ScotRail Alliance Alex Hynes, the current managing director of Arrival Rail North, is set to be appointed as managing director for ScotRail Alliance and will join the operator later this year. Hynes will be replacing Phil Verster, who last week announced he would be leaving ScotRail
• Green light given to Merseyrail's new Maghull North station?The development of Merseyrail’s new station in Maghull North has moved a step closer after Sefton Council granted planning permission for the scheme. The council’s planning committee approved plans for the new Maghull North station, which will be located between the existing Maghull...
• Midland Metro tram shipped to Spain for battery fit-out ahead of OLE-free operationThe first of the Midland Metro light rail fleet has been shipped back to the Zaragoza factory in Spain, where it was made, to be fitted with batteries as part of trailblazing plans to introduce battery-powered tram in the UK – thus ruling out the need for overhead power cables. Tram 18...

Railnews

• Strike laws proposed as Southern conductors walk out again A ban on strikes which have not been approved by a judge is to be considered by MPs tomorrow. The proposed law, introduced under the Ten Minute rule by Croydon South MP Chris Philp, would make rail strikes more difficult to stage and also reduce their effects, because a skeleton service would have to be maintained. An ASLEF source has reportedly described the proposed law as 'outrageous'. Meanwhile a strike on Southern by RMT conductors is going ahead today, after an appeal from Southern to suspend the action was disregarded.
• Alex Hynes named as new head of ScotRail Alliance The replacement for Phil Verster as managing director of the ScotRail Alliance has been named as Alex Hynes, the present managing director of Arriva Rail North. Phil Verster is leaving ScotRail to become managing director of the East West rail project, although the sudden nature of his resignation last week surprised some industry observers. It had been reported that the cause of his departure had been poor performance on the Scottish network but Mr Verster has denied this, saying the suggestion was 'totally wrong'.

Railway Gazette

• Hitachi shows how Trenitalia’s Rock will rollITALY: A mock-up of one of the driving cars from the double-deck regional electric multiple-units...

Aviation Industry

• Ryanair in no hurry to set up UK AOCIrish low-cost carrier Ryanair is in no rush to set up a UK air operator’s certificate (AOC) following the UK’s decision to exit the European Union (EU), or Brexit. read more
• Delta-Aeromexico execs appointed to lead JV Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico have announced leadership changes as the two carriers move to establish a transborder joint venture (JV) between Mexico and the US. read more
• Japan Air Commuter takes delivery of first ATR 42-600Japan Air Commuter—member of the JAL Group—has taken delivery of its first 50-seat ATR 42-600. read more
• United reports minimal impact Monday from Sunday’s glitchUnited Airlines largely operated on schedule Jan. 23 after a technology problem disrupted the Chicago-based carrier’s domestic network for more than two hours Jan. 22. read more

Other News Sources

• ScotRail becomes first UK train operator to carry Living Wage Employer logo on its trainsTo mark Living Wage Week 2016, ScotRail has reinforced its position as a Living Wage Employer by committing to adding the logo to every train in the fleet.
• Southern Rail officially worst train firm in Britain according to new customer satisfaction ratings Southern came out on top with the lowest customer satisfaction score after hiking prices this month, despite a year or chaos and cancellations
• FTA calls on Government to deliver on industrial policy plansAccording to the Freight Transport Association, today’s announcement by Prime Minister Theresa May that the Government will be “stepping up to a ...
• Southern planning normal service despite strike by train drivers Southern Railway is planning to run a normal service on Tuesday despite a strike by a small number of drivers.