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

Wednesday, 18 October 2017

BBC News

• Tube strike: London Underground drivers to be balloted over walkoutLondon Underground drivers are considering industrial action in a dispute over career progression.

ITV News

• Bombardier to build new West Midlands franchise trainsBombardier Trains has been selected as one of the companies to build new trains for the next West Midlands franchise.

Financial Times

• Ryanair taps ex-flight operations chief for COO to solve pilots crisis
• Ryanair lures back chief of Malaysia AirlinesBellew rejoins group to help tackle pilot problems that led to flight cancellations
• Bombardier’s deal with Airbus is bad for businessThe response to Boeing’s appeal for action deepens protectionism
• Japan’s new maglev train line runs headlong into criticsThe Tokyo to Osaka line may have too high a cost and too few benefits

The Guardian

• More teething problems on GWR's brand new Intercity Express trainRock fall causes delays and cancellations on train's second day after first outing became a PR disasterFrustrated Great Western Railway passengers say they do not want much. We simply want trains that we know are going to run on time. But we don't get that. I reckon Im delayed 50% of the time. It's a painful experience, soul-destroying, said commuter Adrian Beeby, who travels three times a week between Wiltshire and London.Their hope was that things would change this week with the launch of the GWR Intercity Express.
• Shell to open electric vehicle charging points at UK petrol stationsOil firm's first step into UK electric car sector allows drivers to rapid charge battery at handful of forecourts from this weekShell is opening a first wave of electric vehicle charging points at its UK petrol stations, in a sign of the far-reaching changes under way in the transport and oil sectors.Drivers will be able to recharge 80% of their battery in half an hour at forecourts in London, Surrey and Derby from this week, with a total of 10 service stations to be equipped with rapid chargers by the end of the year.

Birmingham Post

• Over 100 new West Midlands trains - with wi-fi and speeds up to 110mph New franchise operator announces which firms will build 107 new trains to be used across Birmingham and the West Midlands

London Evening Standard

• 'Londoners could end up paying £90m per year on black taxis if Uber appeal fails,' warn ToriesLondoners could end up paying an extra £90 million a year in black cab fares if Uber's appeal is unsuccessful, it was claimed today.
• Commuters hail innovative new technology trial showing how busy London Overground trains will beCommuters today hailed an innovative new scheme designed to show London Overground passengers how busy their trains will be.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Stansted Airport lowers growth target following public consultation on expansion plansStansted Airport has scaled-back its expansion plans with a pledge to achieve is growth ambitions without seeking any increase in the number of flights it is allowed to handle.

Other Regional Press

• £56,000 bill for fight against Heathrow expansion defended by Royal BoroughThe Royal Borough has hit back vigorously at claims that it has wasted tens of thousands of pounds fighting the planned Heathrow Airport extension.
• £1.8m is raised for Severn Valley Railway offer A late surge in applications has seen Bridgnorth's Severn Valley Railway share offer reach the £1.8million mark.

Rail Magazine

• “Technical challenges” hamper GWR’s IEP launchMechanical faults hinder first public passenger run of IEP
• Hitachi apologises for IEP problems
• Talgo meets UK companies to discuss train plansSpanish manufacturer Talgo looking for UK sites
• Vivarail offers D-Train EMUs for WalesVivarail developing proposals to include its modular D-Trains within the next Wales & Borders franchise.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Collaboration is the secret to successCollaboration is the best way to deliver better infrastructure asset development and management, says Paul Tweedale, managing director of TenBroeke Company Ltd. Major infrastructure projects seem to become more complex every year. New technologies, equipment and regulations, numerous...
• West Midlands JV awards £680m deal for over 100 new trainsBombardier Trains and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) have been handed a major £680m contract to build 107 diesel and electric trains as part of the new West Midlands franchise. The new trains will be made up of 413 carriages and provide space for an extra 85,000...
• No reason why schemes can't be funded with more private cash, says SiemensSiemens has signalled its willingness to work on future electrification and resignalling programmes following the government’s announcement of £48bn available for CP6. The hints build on Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne’s pledge to increase private railway investment...
• TfL seeks views on two new Old Oak stations The Old Oak and Park Royal site in London is being considered by TfL as the site of two new stations that would link to the Elizabeth Line and HS2 as part of a five-week consultation. The consultation asks for views on two potential London Overground stations that would exploit one of...

Railnews

• Hitachi apologises for IET launch problems The first Intercity Expresses have gone into service with Great Western Railway, and two Class 800 bi mode trains ran between London, Bristol and Swansea during 16 October. However, problems on the first scheduled train carrying passengers, the 06.00 from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington, have been followed by an apology from the train™s builders Hitachi, who said last night that they ˜must do better™. An investigation of the causes is underway.
• Bombardier, CAF to build trains for West Midlands New train orders valued at £680 million have been announced for the next West Midlands franchise. The new rolling stock, totalling 107 trains, will come from Bombardier and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles. Bombardier will be supplying more batches of its successful Aventra series, which is already currently on order for Greater Anglia, London Overground, South Western Railway and Transport for London™s Elizabeth Line. CAF will provide 26 DMUs for services in the Birmingham area.

Aviation Industry

• Wizz Air sets up UK companyCentral and Eastern European LCC Wizz Air has established a UK company and is reviewing the process to acquire a local air operator’s certificate (AOC), as the UK prepares to leave the European Union (EU) (Brexit). read more
• Third US travel ban largely blocked by federal judgeA federal judge in Hawaii on Oct. 17 reportedly blocked a large portion of the Trump administration’s third attempt at a foreign travel ban to the US, a day before the ban was set to take effect. read more

Other News Sources

• Fears rail replacement bus service will clog up Preston’s busy roadsYet soon even more commuters will be heading onto Preston’s clogged up roads when the busy rail line from Blackpool shuts down.