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

Tuesday, 27 February 2018

BBC News

• Busiest trains hit by cuts to carriagesShortage of carriages as old diesel trains reach the end of their lease period and electrics trains are delayed.
• Drive to rebuild 'forgotten' early carThe ambitious project to recreate a Skeoch
• Row over £26m Derry station planThere is anger over a multimillion refurbishment of the old Waterside railway station in Londonderry.
• Aston Martin roars back into the black with £87m profitBritish sports car maker posts an annual profit for the first time since 2010.
• Carbon emissions up as diesel sales diveThe popularity of SUVs and falling diesel sales has led to higher vehicle CO2 levels, the SMMT says.

Financial Times

• OneWeb and Airbus team up to put 5G on aircraftDelta and Sprint also join alliance that aims to let passengers use phones while flying
• UPS sues EU for blocking €5bn TNT Express deal
• US airlines tick higher after Buffett says he’s open to a deal
• Macron heads for clash with unions over rail reformsFrench president is paring back public sector privileges and unions’ welfare role
• Stagecoach blames government for East Coast mainline failingsFranchise for rail route ‘not fit for purpose’, transport chief tells MPs

The Guardian

• Brussels to make public transport free on high air pollution daysThe new rules will also see car speed limits cut and wood-burning stoves banned in a drive to improve air quality in the cityBrussels has moved to make the city’s public transport and bike share system free on the smoggiest days in a bid to drive down pollution levels and meet EU air quality directives.After two consecutive days of high particulate matter (PM) levels – defined as surpassing an average of 51-70 micrograms per cubic metre of air – buses, trams and metros would have to open their doors completely free, under new city council rules. Continue reading...
• Whistleblower warned Carillion bosses about irregularities, MPs toldEmma Mercer raised accounting questions shortly after becoming construction finance chiefA senior Carillion “whistleblower”, who later became the group’s finance boss, struggled to get her concerns about accounting irregularities within the company taken seriously in the run-up to its demise, it has emerged.Emma Mercer raised questions last spring over the company’s accounting practices to the group’s human resources department six weeks into her new role as finance chief of Carillion’s construction services. Carillion folded in January with just £29m in cash on its balance sheet. Continue rea...

The Herald

• Fewer carriages on rush-hour trainsScotRail is cutting the number of carriages on some services between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh via Falkirk High.

The Telegraph

• French rail unions vow to strike as Macron axes workers’ privileges

Times Online

• Rip out safety railings to cut road deaths, say experts [Subscription]More pedestrian barriers could be stripped away from roadsides after a study found railings can actually increase accidents by lulling pedestrians into a false sense of security.
• Taxpayers’ £250m bill as passengers put off trains [Subscription]Taxpayers face a shortfall of almost £250 million because of a fall in the number of railway passengers. The Department for Transport (DfT) admitted that income from rail franchises would be lower in 2017-18 than originally forecast. A report setting out changes in government spending plans said that net income would be £248.7 million lower than previous estimates.

City AM

• Ryanair shrugs off pilot group's call for chief executive Michael O'Leary to resign to return the airline "to its rightful place"Ryanair has rebuffed pressure from pilot group the European Employee Representative Council (EERC) calling on the airline's boss Michael O'Leary to resign.
• Crossrail's coming: Elizabeth Line train makes its first trip through new tunnels across south east LondonTransport for London (TfL) and Crossrail Limited today said the first new Elizabeth Line train has been tested in brand new tunnels through London.

The Mirror

• Rail boss blames Manchester terror attack for decline in passenger number growthStagecoach chief executive Martin Griffiths was being grilled by MPs over his firm pulling out of the East Coast Main Line franchise five years early

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Train commuters urged to check journey times ahead of Saturday's strike action RAIL users are urged to check their journey times this weekend as Northern announces its timetables ahead of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) strike this Saturday.

London Evening Standard

• Elizabeth line trains start running in south-east LondonAn Elizabeth line train has made a journey through the tunnels of south-east London for the first time.
• UK weather forecast latest: British Airways cancels flights from Heathrow as Siberian blast blankets UK in snow sparking commuter chaosHeavy snow blanketed huge swathes of the UK overnight as freezing temperatures brought fears of major disruption to road and rail networks.

Wales Online

• Who are the two companies left in the race to run the railways in Wales?It is the biggest procurement exercise ever seen in Wales and over the long-term could be worth £5bn. But now there are just two bidders left in the race, in MTR and KeolisAmey, to run the next 15 year Wales and Borders rail franchise from October and design and build the next phase of the south east Wales Metro project with electrification of the core Valley Lines.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Greater Anglia and Network Rail defend decision to close linesGreater Anglia has confirmed that it will be running a reduced service because of threatened snow on Tuesday and Wednesday – and has defended its decision to make a public announcement.

Other Regional Press

• Railway company first to recycle disposable cupsCHILTERN Railways has announced that it will be the first train operator to recycle coffee cups at stations.
• Railway company first to recycle disposable cupsCHILTERN Railways has announced that it will be the first train operator to recycle coffee cups at stations.
• East Coast boss aware of problems just weeks after taking overThe boss of the majority owner of Virgin Trains East Coast has revealed he knew the route faced financial difficulties just weeks after taking over responsibility for it.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Phasing issues put Crossrail construction £190m over expected costConstruction costs on the Crossrail programme have come in 20% over the planned costs, amounting to around £190m of extra spending on the year to date. The difference in cost has been attributed in part to the phasing of certain works, with construction on certain sections of the line...
• 'Milestone moment' as Elizabeth Line train makes successful debut in new tunnelsThe first of the Elizabeth Line trains made its debut journey on Crossrail’s new south east London tunnels last night. With 10 months to go until the line officially launches, the new train represents the first journey to leave Abbey Wood as part of the Elizabeth Line. The Class 345 EMU...

Aviation Industry

• Seamless Air Alliance to provide streamlined inflight connectivity Would-be telecommunications satellite operator OneWeb has joined forces with Airbus, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and mobile network operators Sprint and Bharti Airtel to offer a seamless experience to those passengers wanting to connect their mobile device on board. read more
• American, Qantas resubmit JV application to DOT American Airlines and Australian flag carrier Qantas are hoping that a revised application submitted to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Feb. 26 to form an antitrust-immunized joint venture (JV) will be approved. read more