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

Thursday, 04 May 2017

BBC News

• Runway in bits as plane takes off near WolverhamptonVampire jet in rubble cloud during air show at Halfpenny Green Airport near Wolverhampton.
• Mayor writes to tram crash investigators over driver claimsAt least three trams have been recorded speeding since the fatal tram crash in Croydon in November.
• Tube staff balloted over dismissal of London Bridge workerThe RMT had warned it would spread the dispute across the network if the worker was not reinstated.

Financial Times

• New study suggests Uber overcharges passengersAnalysis of NY trips shows car-hailing company has advantage with upfront pricing

The Herald

• Setback for Kezia Dugdale after her spokesman quits post for ScotrailKEZIA Dugdale has suffered a blow as Scottish Labour leader after her official spokesman resigned ahead of the council and general elections.

The Scotsman

• Leader comment: Diesel rethink must be fair to ownersIf you own a diesel car, and currently find yourself confused and not a little alarmed by news reports suggesting your vehicle could be scrapped because it pollutes the environment, then you are quite entitled to be wondering how on earth this situation has developed.

Times Online

• Electric car website lets you plug in on someone else’s drive [subscription]Electric car owners will be able to power up their vehicles on driveways across Britain after the launch of an Airbnb-style rental system for charge points.
• Signal shield to stop motorists reaching for their mobiles [Subscription]Motorists will be urged to put their mobile phone in a car compartment that blocks signals under plans to prevent dangerous distractions at the wheel.
• London travelcard is most expensive in world (and forget driving) [subscription]Strikes, overcrowding and delays don’t come cheap, according to research that ranks London’s public transport system as by far the most expensive in the world.
• Learners face being tested on using driverless technology [Subscription]Learner drivers face being penalised for not being able to use driverless technology properly amid concerns that motorists are becoming overly reliant on gadgets.
• Petition tells airport to ditch drop-off fee [Subscription]Glasgow airport is facing demands to scrap a drop-off charge after frustrated passengers were forced to wait in queueing traffic after the fee was introduced.

Daily Record

• Labour call for Glasgow airport bosses to scrap controversial drop-off system The new system, which includes the introduction of a £2 drop-off charge, had already sparked anger due to tailbacks.

Mail Online

• Would you ride in a self-driving bus? Firm reveals plans to bring them to US cities in 2019 While many firms aim to be the first to release a fleet of self-driving taxis, one Colorado electric bus maker is taking the road less traveled.

Belfast Telegraph

• 'Significant risks' in current rail franchising systemBritain's rail franchising system is increasingly vulnerable to an economic slowdown, a report has warned.

London Evening Standard

• Mayor urges probe into claims Croydon tram drivers fell asleep at wheelThe chief inspector of rail accidents was today asked by Sadiq Khan to investigate "alarming" claims that tram drivers on the Croydon line where seven people were killed last year fell asleep at the controls.
• Staggering 47,000 hours of delays on Piccadilly line in the last 10 monthsPassengers on the Piccadilly line suffered a staggering 47,800 hours of delays during the last 10 months, official statistics reveal today.
• Tube strike: All London Underground staff to be balloted after ticket worker sacked, RMT union announcesAll Tube staff are to be balloted for strike action in an escalating row over the sacking of a ticket barrier worker following a fracas with an alleged fare dodger.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Trains to London could take nine minutes longer from next year Nottingham's ambition for a 90-minute train journey to London is heading for the buffers - and from next year, journey times could actually take nine minutes longer.

Wales Online

• This is what Cardiff Airport needs to do to make a success of its new Qatar Airways serviceThe Welsh Government-owned airport has a real opportunity for passenger and freight growth following the landmark deal
• Llanelli train station opens for longer under new trialPurchasing tickets at Llanelli train station is about to get slightly easier for travelling customers. Arriva Trains Wales will be trialling new ticket office opening hours for the remainder of the month.
• A new bridge will be built in Cardiff this weekend The £290,000 traffic-free bridge will give people in Ely and Caerau new access to the Ely Trail

Carlisle News & Star

• Bus company link-up gives passengers added easeBus passengers using services in Cumbria and the north east will now have easier travel thanks to an agreement between two companies.

Other Regional Press

• TFL WILL PUBLISH ‘BUSINESS CASE’ IN JUNE FOR REOPENING CAMBERWELL STATION"One of the key things we need to assess is future public transport needs and demand to determine if the project should be taken forward," TfL's head of transport planning said
• Plan for Newport M4 tunnel would cost nearly £10bn A PROPOSED alternative to the M4 relief road includes building an underground tunnel costing nearly £10bn.
• 'Safe' walking route forces children to walk by A34 after free bus is axed CHILDREN will be forced to walk alongside the A34 to get to school after the route was deemed 'safe' and free bus travel scrapped.

Buying Business Travel

• Former Star Alliance CEO takes Car Trawler advisor roleFormer chief executive of Star Alliance has joined transport technology firm Cartrawler.
• American Airlines to cut legroom in economy classAirline will trim 2 inches of its seat pitch in its new B737 Max aircraft

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• First Bus appoints new engineering directorFirst Bus has announced the appointment of Ian Warr as the company’s new Engineering Director.  Ian, who began his new role on May 1st, joined First Bus earlier this year supporting the mobilisation of operations following the First Bus contract win with its joint venture partners to provide bus services during the construction of the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset.   Commenting Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First Bus, said: “Ian brings tremendous experience to the role and a fantastic track record.   He will make a significant contri...

Rail Magazine

• Hitachi sponsors National Rail Conference 2017

Rail Technology Magazine

• Construction, Repair and Maintenance of Railway Tracks The companies of the Goldschmidt Thermit Group and their partners offer a unique range of products and services for the construction, repair, maintenance and renovation of railway tracks.
• Will rail freight survive the end of the carbon era? Worldwide, rail freight registered negative growth in 2015 and the downward trend is expected to continue from 2016 to 2017, largely due to decreasing volumes of heavy goods, such as coal and petrol. How will the sector change as more and more people…
• Momentum builds for Metrolink extension works at Trafford Work to construct a new six-stop Metrolink line to Trafford Park industrial estate and into the Trafford Centre will move up a gear this month, resulting in some disruption for commuters. TfGM has stated that there may be road closures whilst engineers get to work on the £350m upgrade to...
• Franchising structure a barrier to sustained rail investment, report warnsThe franchising system in its current state is becoming increasingly vulnerable to economic slowdown, a report released today has argued. Produced by Credo Business Consulting for a new transport think tank established by the Campaign for Better Transport called Tracks, the findings stated that...
• Virgin unveil new ticketing structure to save customers £7.1m a yearVirgin Trains has announced changes to its advanced ticketing prices that could lead to customers saving around £7.1m per year. Services on the East Coast will now allow customers to take advantage of cheaper advance fares on the day of travel, meaning that at the current rate of passenger...

Aviation Industry

• Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines go live with paid Wi-FiGX Aviation broadband launch customers Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines have completed their four-month Ka-Band internet trial on short- and medium-haul flights and have transitioned over to a paid service. read more
• Paris Air Show to tighten security this yearOrganizers of this year’s Paris Air Show are beefing up security measures following a series of terror attacks in France during the last 24 months. read more