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

Sunday, 25 February 2018

BBC News

• No plan for petrol and diesel ban in Wales, says Plaid AMA Plaid Cymru AM warns the Welsh Government is

The Guardian

• Heathrow: budget row threatens to further delay third runwayAirlines back cheaper rival bid, warning projected spend could increase passenger costs
• Carillion halted stupid, unthinking outsourcing. Now it’s time for changeSerco boss Rupert Soames has come up with a plan to reform delivery of public services by private firms
• Gobee.bike pulls out of France due to 'mass destruction' of its dockless bike fleetPeople wanting to get on their bikes in France have one option less to do so after the Gobee.bike hire service closed for business after a string of thefts and vandalism.

The Herald

• Yousaf in plea for rail infrastructure devolutionTRANSPORT Minister Humza Yousaf has made a fresh plea for powers over Scotland's rail infrastructure to be devolved to Holyrood.

The Telegraph

• Uber rival Taxify plots London comeback A European Uber rival that was forced out of the UK after just three days last year is plotting a return to London, in a new challenge to the US taxi app.

Times Online

• HS2 starts hunt for new chief to replace Sir David Higgins [subscription]High Speed 2 is beginning the search for a new chairman to oversee the £56bn north-south rail line

Bristol Live

• Why Bristol Airport was evacuated leaving passengers outside in freezing conditionsPassengers at Bristol Airport faced a freezing start to their travels as an evacuation forced them to wait outside in sub-zero conditions.

Sheffield Star

• Passengers disappointed as South Yorkshire bus firm announces plan to hike fares from next weekSome bus passengers in South Yorkshire are to see their fares increase from next Sunday, it has been revealed.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Wacky Races across Leeds: Cycling, driving or taking a bus or train... who do you think wins?THEY travelled by bus, train, bike and car in a race to be crowned the Yorkshire Evening Post’s commuting challenge champion.

Other Regional Press

• Multi-million pound revamp of Aberdeen International Airport takes step forwardConstruction of the second phase, to create a new security search area and duty free space, as part of the transformation, is well under way at Aberdeen International Airport.
• ScotRail to share £1million loyalty potTRAIN passengers in the Borders with a ScotRail Smartcard will be entitled to claim a share of a reward fund next month.
• TRANSPORT: Government faces taking back route The trouble which has been brewing on the East Coast Main Line is now coming to a head. There are a few things to be said about the problem.
• Fears a proposed direct train service from Huddersfield to London could be derailed Pressure put on Transport Secretary to guarantee improvements
• Start date revealed for £3.5m improvement works at Scunthorpe railway stationA start date has been revealed for improvement works to Scunthorpe railway station.

Railway Gazette

• RSSB calls for a more scientific approach to train seat comfortUK: The Rail Safety & Standards Board has called for a more scientific approach to measuring...

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• The whizz-kids need youIf you’re ever in London riding on the Tube, and you look up at the adverts, you’ll see technology start-ups for almost every conceivable market: Working-from-home communication software; laundry and housekeeping services; takeaway and delivery; even call-out hair drying services.
• Go North East MD Kevin Carr to retireGo North East (GNE) MD Kevin Carr will retire in June, by when he will have turned 60, after 43 years with the region’s largest bus operator.
• First Bus makes four new appointmentsGraeme Macfarlan (pictured) has joined the business as Commercial Director for Scotland. He will take overall responsibility for all areas of commercial development and specifically, overseeing fares and ticketing as well as the development of local marketing strategies designed to support increased passenger growth, stakeholder engagement and contract tendering.
• New Ops Manager at BluestarAndy Shaw is to take charge of operations at Southampton bus operator Bluestar.
• Stagecoach staff clock a millenniumLong-standing employees at Stagecoach Yorkshire have been honoured for their ‘decades of dedication’ at a special event after clocking up nearly a millennium of combined service.
• New m-ticketing rolled out in NEGo-Ahead Group is launching new contactless mobile ticketing on its Newcastle buses after a successful pilot in Southampton.

Other News Sources

• Londoners face another Easter rail and Tube shutdown as Network Rail carries out major upgrade worksLondoners face another Easter rail and Tube shutdown as Network Rail carries out major upgrade works
• Southern Rail is applying for its franchise again. The reaction from commuters is priceless.Beleaguered train operator Southern Rail has announced [paywall] it will be re-applying for its current contract. But if you wanted a measure of the esteem (or lack of) the public hold the company in, then look no further than social media.