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

Friday, 01 March 2019

BBC News

• High speed rail 'will benefit Scotland', says project bossThe person in charge of delivering the UK's new high speed rail network has said it will benefit Scotland, even though the line will stop at Leeds.
• Llangollen railway: Funding bid to finish steam projectAfter 45 years of building a railway line between two Denbighshire towns, volunteers say they need £10,000 to finish the last stretch.
• Council set to back Edinburgh tram extensionThe full City of Edinburgh Council will be asked to back a plan for trams to Newhaven.
• The London flats being built above train tracksNetwork Rail says homes built in this way could help to solve the housing crisis.
• Fare dodging costs London £100m a yearA travel watchdog calls for measures such as a confidential line for reporting adults using child tickets.
• Glasgow bus crash firm given formal warning after inquiryAn inquiry found broken bolts on the suspension of the coach which crashed on the Clydeside Expressway.
• Aston Martin shares dive by 18% on lossesThe luxury car maker plunged into loss as a result of the cost of its stock market flotation.
• Rolls-Royce swings to £2.9bn lossThe aerospace firm is hit by charges for fixing engine problems and the scrapping of the Airbus A380.
• Tesla drives down price for Model 3 to $35,000After two years the firm is fulfilling its promise to offer a mass market version of its electric car.
• Eurotunnel challenges 'secretive' Brexit ferry dealsThe rail operator Eurotunnel is challenging the government over its no-deal Brexit ferry contracts.

The Guardian

• Heathrow expansion plan involves planes over Richmond ParkOpponents say noise and pollution will be disastrous for wildlife and local residents
• Minicab drivers claim discrimination over new London chargeExemption for black cabs and their white drivers violates human rights, union says

The Independent

• SpaceX Crew Dragon set for historic launch paving way for future manned space travelNasa describes launch as the 'dawn of a new era'
• Tesla starts taking orders for Model 3 electric car as Elon Musk admits company won't profit in first quarterCEO says company will close stores and shift all sales to internet
• Suicide attempts on Tube fall for first time in five years as TfL staff interventions doubleTransport bosses hail efforts by staff to be more responsive and sympathetic to vulnerable passengers

The Scotsman

• Plans to restore hidden platform beneath Glasgow Central ‘on right track’, say Network RailPlans to restore a hidden derelict platform beneath Glasgow Central are “on the right track”, Network Rail has revealed as Scotland’s busiest station prepares to star in a new BBC series.

The Telegraph

• Graffiti artists hit by train were 'only guilty of their love of painting' says families as they defend 'art form' [Subscription]he graffiti artists hit by a train at Loughborough junction last year were "only guilty of their love of painting", their families have said as they mourn their loss.
• No more delays: where to live on the most reliable commuter train lines into London [The Telegraph]It’s the golden question for any commuter: where are the best places to live for reliable trains into London, fast commutes and cheap season tickets?
• HS2 budget 'out of control' as it spends £6,000 on inflatable photo booths [The Telegraph]inisters have been accused of allowing spending on HS2 to run out of control after it emerged that bosses spent £650,000 of taxpayers’ money on a promotional film and more than £6,000 on inflatable photo booths.

Times Online

• Green light to £207m extension of Edinburgh’s troubled tramline [Subscription]Edinburgh’s controversial tram project has taken a significant step forward after councillors approved the completion of its main line more than a decade after construction began.
• All Aboard [Subscription]An extended tram network will allow Edinburgh to grow into an even better future

Birmingham Mail

• The number of Birmingham train passengers has reached a record levelPeople are most likely to travel between the West Midlands region and London - with 13.6m journeys in 2017/18

London Evening Standard

• Celebrations across Britain to mark 50th anniversary of first Concorde flightEvents will be held across the UK to mark the 50th anniversary of Concorde's maiden flight on Saturday.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Better rail to airport connections ‘will drive East of England growth’ says Stansted chiefStansted Airport’s boss has called for upgrades to the rail links to the site to cut journey times and support £1.9bn worth of growth.

Other Regional Press

• Train journeys branded 'daily torment' as delays continue in 2019TWO thirds of trains to Bolton Station were delayed during peak times last month, new research has revealed.
• LIVE: ScotRail chief faces questions from passengers at public meeting in FifeThe event, organised by Lesley Laird MP, is taking place from 7pm at Kirkcaldy Town House and is open to all.
• Jackie Baillie calls for Scotrail to lose its licenceDumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie has called for ScotRail/Abellio to be stripped of the rail franchise.

Train Operators

• First of Greater Anglia’s new longer electric trains travels through East Anglia The first of Greater Anglia’s brand new long electric trains made by Swiss-manufacturer, Stadler, arrived in East Anglia today (28/2).

Coach and Bus Week

• Keeping commuters movingGo-Ahead London has provided the biggest rail replacement bus service ever seen in the UK, to cover work on lines south of Three Bridges station. Robert Izzard reports
• Engaged with the industryPaul Sainthouse has led Dawsongroup bus and coach for almost a quarter of a century. He speaks to James Day about the division’s success and how the company strives to be more than just a supplier to coach and bus operators
• Lothian bus drivers threaten strike over ‘hostile’ management cultureThe Unite union has warned that ‘hostile’ management culture at Lothian Buses could result in strike action.
• £10m expansion of West Midlands Park & Ride sitesWork has also begun on a Park & Ride facility for the Bradley Lane West Midlands Metro tram stop
• Coaches and buses to face charges under Greater Manchester CAZ plansLeaders in Greater Manchester are to vote on new Clean Air Zone (CAZ) proposals this Friday, 1 March.
• West Midlands Mayor launches ambitious clean bus plansMayor of the West Midlands Andy Street has unveiled plans to transform the region’s bus fleet by 2021 – making it the cleanest outside of London.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Confronting Brexit and ULEZ concernsWith looming Brexit and Ultra Low Emission Zone deadlines, the Coach Tourism Association’s conference was the perfect opportunity to discuss hot topics facing the coach industry
• Government consults on 10-year tyre ban lawThe government is to consult on options to ban the use of tyres that are over 10 years old on coaches, buses and minibuses in a move that it says “will help to keep road users safe.”

Aviation Industry

• JAL’s LCC brand launch imminent Japan's first long-haul LCC is on the verge of unveiling its brand name and inflight products, which may happen within weeks.
• Roll-Royce sees progress in Trent 1000 engine retrofitsRolls-Royce is hopeful that the number of Boeing 787s grounded by Trent 1000 engine problems could drop to single figures by the end of the year. read more
• Dutch government elbows in on Air France-KLMThe timing of the Dutch government's surprise announcement that it has doubled its stake in the Air France-KLM Group is interesting.
• Rolls-Royce pulls out of running to power Boeing NMA In a shocking move, Rolls-Royce is withdrawing from the contest to power Boeing's proposed new midsize airplane (NMA), citing challenges presented by the aircraft's tight development schedule.

Other News Sources

• MSSL acquires Bombardier UK rolling stock component businessUK: Indian automotive and transport component supplier Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd's PKC Group announced on February 28 that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Bombardier Transportation’s UK rolling stock electrical component and system production and installation activities