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

Thursday, 29 June 2017

BBC News

• Metro mayor announces new Bristol railway stationA new railway station for one of Bristol's main park-and-ride sites has been announced by the region's new metro mayor.
• Can Cardiff's transport links cope with 80,000 more people?Cardiff's population is set to swell over the next 20 years - can the transport network cope?
• Future Energy: LA crystals turn cars into energy sourceHow California is turning its car problem into a way to make LA greener.
• This man had the chip from his travel card implanted under his skinMeow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow asked a professional piercer to put his Opal card chip into his left hand.
• Edinburgh Airport power delays flightsThe airport says operations are returning to normal, but warned passengers there could be delays.
• Stagecoach stumbles as markets coolThe train and bus operator is the FTSE 250's biggest faller after reporting a plunge in annual profits.
• Stagecoach hit by Virgin East Coast rail line woesRail and bus operator Stagecoach Group has reported a 15.3% drop in full-year pre-tax profit.

ITV News

• Welsh business opportunity with Heathrow airportSmall and medium-sized Welsh businesses are being offered an opportunity to join supply chains at Heathrow airport.
• Funding boost for West of England transport projectsA number of transport projects across the region have received the go-ahead following a meeting of the West of England Joint Committee.
• Passengers call for overhaul of 'tired and overcrowded' train servicesPassengers are calling for an overhaul of "tired and overcrowded" train services when a new rail franchise is awarded in Wales next year.

Financial Times

• Air India receives go-ahead for sale by ministersCountry’s cabinet agree ‘in principle’ to sell part or all of troubled carrier
• Profit drop pushes Stagecoach shares to 7-year low
• Stagecoach profits hit hard by losses at East Coast franchiseUK rail and bus group’s results spark share sell-off as it books impairment charges
• UK government signals commitment to Heathrow third runwayTransport secretary says approval will be sought during this parliament
• US demands tougher airline security but avoids laptop banMove is victory for European carriers who have avoided outright ban on electronic devices

The Guardian

• Uber drivers deserve to be treated far betterA letter from Labour’s Frank Field urges ministers to step in to improve the lot of Uber drivers and others working in the gig economy
• Stagecoach says it has overpaid for East Coast rail contract as profitability plungesThe London-to-Edinburgh rail line is facing its third crisis of private ownership in 11 years after Stagecoach clashed with the government over the terms of its East Coast franchise. Stagecoach has also admitted that in hindsight it overpaid for the £3.3bn contract, blaming factors including Brexit and terrorism for underperformance that punched an £84m hole in its finances.
• Trains, planes and automobiles: the transport systems embracing smart techIt’s already difficult to remember what journeys were like before smartphones - the transport industry continues to march towards digitisation
• New Trump travel ban rules: grandparents and fiancées not counted as 'close family'Criteria for travellers from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen – and all refugees – to take effect on ThursdayThe Trump administration has set new criteria for visa applicants from six Muslim-majority nations and all refugees, requiring a “close” family or business tie to the United States.
• Disabled passenger forced by Japanese airline to crawl up stairs to board planeVanilla Air apologises after staff prevent friends from assisting member of a disability non-profit organisation An airline in Japan has apologised to a disabled passenger who was forced to crawl up a flight of stairs to board his plane.

The Herald

• Edinburgh Airport passengers face delays after major power cut plunges terminal into darknessEdinburgh Airport has ground to a halt this morning as a major power failure takes hold a huge section of the building, including security.

The Independent

• Heathrow third runway: Airport expansion confirmed by transport ministerThird runway was omitted from Queen's Speech but will still go ahead, says Lord Callanan

The Telegraph

• America unveils plans for enhanced airport security but stops short of full laptop ban in carry-on luggage

The Mirror

• Japanese airline apologises after forcing man in wheelchair to drag himself up 17 steps to board plane Hideto Kijima, 44, said he was "surprised" at the attitude of staff at Vanilla Air
• 10 exotic locations you can visit for LESS than a one-way train ticket to WalesWith train travel getting worse - and more expensive - by the day, we decided to do some digging to find out exactly where you can visit for the exact same price

Belfast Telegraph

• Rail passengers set out priorities for next operatorArriva Trains Wales passengers told Transport Focus their top priorities for the next operator included more seats, space to deal with overcrowding, a more punctual and reliable service and new trains.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Call for Bradford to London train line to be returned to public ownership Rail union RMT has demanded that the Government return the East Coast rail routes to public ownership after it emerged this morning that Stagecoach are in talks with the Government over financial difficulties on the franchise.

London Evening Standard

• London economy handed boost as major station opens for Night Tube servicesLondon's economy is handed a boost this week as one of the capital's busiest stations opens for Night Tube services.
• House prices in Bucks commuter towns up 56% ahead of Crossrail launchLangley takes first prize for Bucks as commuter home buyers eagerly anticipate the Elizabeth line opening next year.

Manchester Evening News

• Brave rail workers describe how they ran towards danger on the night of the Manchester Arena attack Train drivers, conductors and station managers worked through the night helping emergency services

Sheffield Star

• Are facilities and transport links costing Sheffield chance to host major events?Sheffield could be missing out on major events because it lacks a large city centre conference venue, a business leader has warned.

Wales Online

• Timelapse footage shows construction of Cardiff bridge The footage shows a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists being put in place over the River Ely
• Passengers call for overhaul of 'tired and overcrowded' trains when new rail franchise awardedArriva Trains Wales passengers described the trains as 'grubby and old' and said they have to put up with 'constant delays'

East Anglian Daily Times

• Buses returned to the Cornhill in Ipswich town centre as part of a new transport initiativeOrganisers saw a very successful turnout to the event which allows passengers to express their opinions on public transport services in the area.

North Wales Live

• This is why your bus might not have been turning up for the last few daysThe bus company has now apologised

Other Regional Press

• National Express launches more coaches between Bath, Heathrow Airport and LondonNational Express has launched two more daily coaches from Bath to London and Heathrow Airport.
• Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead leaders claim Heathrow plan will be difficult to get through Parliament following general electionHEATHROW's third runway bid could now collapse or be shelved due to the difficulties of getting it through parliament, lead members of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead claimed this week.
• Rural transport services facing crisis over minibus rule changesThousands of Northern Ireland’s most vulnerable and isolated residents are facing massive disruption after rural community transport charities were forced to withdraw buses.
• Gwent AMs Jayne Bryant and Rhianon Passmore are pushing for Ebbw Vale to Newport rail linkTWO Gwent AMs have met Network Rail and Arriva Trains Wales representatives to discuss plans for upcoming work on the Ebbw Vale rail link.

Bus and Coach.com

• Latest Live Edition 23 June 2017

Buying Business Travel

• Gatwick rail services set for more disruptionOvertime ban by train drivers will affect Gatwick Express and Southern services
• Edinburgh airport hit by power cutFlight delays as airport terminal is plunged into darkness
• Government is ‘pro-aviation’ insists transport ministerLord Callanan stresses the importance of building Heathrow’s third runway

Rail Magazine

• Stagecoach renegotiates contract over projected VTEC lossesStagecoach negotiating terms of East Coast franchise with DfT due to uncertainty over planned infrastructure upgrades on ECML

Rail Technology Magazine

• Henrich Releases Latest State-of-the-Art Wireless Access Points Henrich Electronics is excited to announce our new line of wireless access points for industrial use. These access points meet IEEE 802.11 ac requirements including wave 1 and wave 2 options for maximum data throughput.
• Views sought on future of Scottish Borders ahead of year-end reportThose who travel through the Scottish Borders are being encouraged to take part in a wide-ranging transport survey that will help shape key decisions taken by Transport Scotland. The online survey, which covers rail as well as road, bus and cycling, is one element of the Borders Transport...
• WMR reveals key appointments to drive forward new franchiseWest Midlands Rail (WMR) has revealed two key appointments to help prepare the organisation to oversee the new local franchise, which it will run jointly with DfT from this autumn. Tom Painter is to become WMR’s franchise delivery manager, where he will lead the management of the regional...
• Stagecoach 80% profit dip linked to 'onerous' VTEC contract lossesStagecoach Group has admitted to “disappointing” losses across its Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC) operation, which forced the parent company to take out a £84m ‘exceptional pre-tax charge’ to reflect the “onerous” nature of the franchise...

Railway Gazette

• Ticket manufacturer acquires ITSO-certified smart card supplierUK: Magnetic, thermal, barcode and smart ticket manufacturer BemroseBooth Paragon has acquired...
• Virgin Trains East Coast making a loss, Stagecoach confirmsUK: New commercial terms for the InterCity East Coast franchise are being discussed with the...

Aviation Industry

• IAG A320neos to be placed with IberiaA previous IAG order for 20 Airbus A320neos will be placed with Spanish flag carrier Iberia, the airline said June 28. read more
• Irish regulator to head up EurocontrolEuropean air traffic management organization Eurocontrol has appointed the CEO of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Eamonn Brennan, as its new director-general. read more
• FedEx subsidiary TNT Express hit by global computer virusFedEx subsidiary TNT Express’ worldwide operations were “significantly affected” by an information system virus, the Memphis-based express cargo company said June 28. read more
• Emirates president works to get more direct bookingsEmirates Airline is working to get more passengers book direct with the carrier rather than through online travel agents and global distribution system (GDS) operators . read more

Other News Sources

• Green buildings focus helps Heathrow hit 2020 carbon reduction targetThe installation of more than 100,000 LEDs and a rooftop solar system helped Heathrow Airport achieve a 14% year-on-year reduction in carbon emissions from its buildings, enabling the business to hit a target that was set for 2020.
• Transport minister insists UK will get 'open air' deal with EUNew transport minister Lord Callanan pledged yesterday that the current UK government would remain 'pro-travel'.
• New transport minister vows to be 'pro-aviation and pro-travel'The UK’s new transport minister has vowed the government will be “pro-aviation and pro-travel”, as he insisted the Conservatives remained committed to Heathrow expansion.
• New transport minister vows to be 'pro-aviation and pro-travel'The UK’s new transport minister has vowed the government will be “pro-aviation and pro-travel”, as he insisted the Conservatives remained committed to Heathrow expansion.
• Changes to payment system for post-16 transport chargesExtra payment options for post-16 transport are being introduced as the new council administration aims to make the charge easier for households to manage.
• Heathrow Airport: 'Appalling' and 'shameful' airline statistics reveal emission and noise pollution violations Nearly 50% of carriers violated at least one target aimed to improve air quality and reduce disruption for households across just three months
• New transport group formed to boost servicesLEADERS from across the South East have launched an ambitious new partnership to transform the transport network.