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

Saturday, 24 February 2018

BBC News

• Is nationalisation the answer for Britain's railways?Labour wants to renationalise Britain's railways but 75% of the industry is already under public control.
• British Rail could be revived under LabourThe shadow chancellor says a Labour government would bring together tracks and trains again.
• 'Disbelief and discontent' over rail timetable delaysNew train timetables could be published just four weeks before journeys are due to happen
• Abellio ends rail bid after Carillion collapseIt means only two firms are now bidding for the Wales and Borders franchise.

ITV News

• Abellio withdraws rail bid after Carillion collapseOne of the three remaining bidders for the next Wales and Borders rail franchise has pulled out.

The Independent

• UK rail timetable delays to jeopardise journeys from May onwardsRail passengers who like to plan and book train journeys well ahead face unwelcome surprises for the remainder of the year: they may pay more than they need, or discover that their scheduled service is cancelled.

Times Online

• China to build motorway that charges electric cars as they drive [Subscription]A Chinese province is to build a high-tech motorway for driverless cars that will allow electric vehicles to be recharged while in motion and tolls to be paid without stopping.
• Airport scanners will let you keep shoes on [Subscription]Air passengers will be able to go through security scanners without removing their shoes under plans unveiled yesterday.
• Rail timetable delays put advance fares on the line [Subscription]More than a million rail passengers face missing out on cheap advance tickets after a series of blunders by Network Rail led to delays in the publication of timetables.
• Ryanair’s Family Plus is a minus [Subscription]I thought readers may want to know that when reserving seats with Ryanair using Family Plus you must choose those between rows 18 to 30.

City AM

• British Airways owner IAG launches a €500m buyback as profit risesBritish Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG) posted a rise in profits over 2017, reflecting a better macro-economic environment, but shares in the firm have fallen.
• British Airways owner IAG launches a €500m buyback as profit risesBritish Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG) posted a rise in profits over 2017, reflecting a better macro-economic environment, but shares in the firm have fallen.

Office of Rail and Road (ORR)

• Statement on train timetabling issuesStatement by the Office of Rail and Road's Chief Executive, Joanna Whittington...

London Evening Standard

• Row erupts as rail passengers unable to book cheap advance tickets because of timetable delayA row has erupted after rail customers have been prevented from purchasing cheap train tickets well in advance due to a delay in confirming timetables.
• Londoners face another Easter rail and Tube shutdown as Network Rail carries out major upgrade worksLondoners are braced for another rail and Tube shutdown over the Easter weekend as major upgrade works are carried out.

Wales Online

• Abellio pull out of £5bn bid to run the next Wales & Borders rail franchise and build next phase of the MetroDutch-owned transport giant Abellio has pulled out of the race to run the next Wales & Borders rail franchise and build the next phase of the Metro project.

Other Regional Press

• ScotRail apologise as passengers face packed rush hour train on North Berwick linePASSENGERS have launched fresh criticism of ScotRail after the morning train from North Berwick to Edinburgh had just three carriages on it at rush hour.
• Here's how rail passengers can save the lives of suicidal peopleSamaritans to give vital information in Huddersfield
• ScotRail apologise as passengers face packed rush hour train on North Berwick linePASSENGERS have launched fresh criticism of ScotRail after the morning train from North Berwick to Edinburgh had just three carriages on it at rush hour.
• Cupar residents could be in for sleepless nights due to track workResidents in the centre of Cupar have been warned to prepare for potentially restless nights over the coming weeks as work to renew track at the town’s railway station gathers pace.
• Second company pulls out of Wales and Borders rail franchise biddingANOTHER of the bidders to run the Wales and Borders rail franchise from October, including setting up the South Wales Metro, has pulled out of the running.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• New study into revival of Skipton to Colne rail linkA new study into the potential reopening of a historic Lancashire to North Yorkshire rail line was announced by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. The Transport Secretary announced the feasibility study into the value of reopening the Skipton to Colne railway on a visit to Colne Railway Station. The 12 mile route, which last ran in 1970, could create a faster rail route across the Pennines and allow new passenger services between Lancashire, Skipton and Leeds, connecting towns on the route to new jobs and education opportunities. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:
• Work under way on Phase One of HS2 a year on from Royal AssentJust one year after Her Majesty the Queen granted Royal Assent for Phase One of HS2, significant work is under way in preparation for Britain’s new high speed railway line, with over £13 million of homeowner payments still available for those living along the route. The government is encouraging eligible homeowners in rural areas to apply for a payment under the Homeowner Payment (HOP) scheme which launched on February 23 last year — the same day that Parliament approved the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Hybrid Bill. The scheme was set up as a way of sharin...
• Government commits £1.8 million to fund innovation in aviation securityCutting-edge security technology could mean passengers see shorter queues and faster, more effective airport screening processes. Eight projects have been awarded £1.8 million in government funding to develop innovative technology, which has the potential to bolster airport security while also speeding up the screening process for passengers. The projects all apply novel approaches to aviation security which have the potential to improve threat detection capabilities. In addition to improving security, some of the projects have the potential to reduce the length of time passengers spen...
• Aviation Minister hails 10-year high in Newcastle air passenger numbersThe Aviation Minister, Baroness Sugg, recognised Newcastle International Airport as one of the north-east’s “great success stories” as new figures revealed a 10-year-high in passenger numbers. The latest statistics show the airport enjoyed its best start to a year since 2008, with more than 283,000 passengers passing through its terminal in January alone. The figures show how travellers from across the world are taking advantage of greater connectivity in the north. Baroness Sugg is visiting Newcastle International Airport today as part of Northern Powerhouse International W...

Rail Technology Magazine

• First Elizabeth Line trains run from Paddington for testing The first Crossrail trains have started running from Paddington to Reading this week. In a Twitter post from the Elizabeth line’s account, it was revealed that the new Class 345 trains are undergoing testing from Paddington to as far as Reading and Maidenhead.  

Railnews

• Abellio withdraws its bid for Wales & BordersABELLIO has withdrawn from the competition for the next Wales & Borders franchise, folliowing the collapse of its contracting partner Carillion. The move leaves just two companies bidding for the contract, which includes the planned South Wales Metro.

Other News Sources

• Southern Rail strike: RMT union announces further 24-hour walkout making guards dispute longest industrial impasse in history - but Southern says strike will have 'no effect' on most services The RMT union has announced ANOTHER 24-hour walkout on March 12 - here's everything you need to know