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

Thursday, 09 May 2019

BBC News

• £100m train test complex plans for Neath valley backedA £100m train testing site on the Neath valley/Powys border would create jobs and prosperity, a council leader says. Rob Jones spoke as Neath Port Talbot's cabinet backed a joint venture to set up a Global Centre of Rail Excellence.
• New rail timetables to ease commuter miseryAfter complaints about overcrowding and cancellations, ScotRail says its improved timetable will add 20,000 seats to journeys every day.
• Stagecoach legal action over East Midlands railway franchiseThe Transport Secretary barred the firm from bidding for the contract last month over pension issues.
• Rail passengers losing out on compensation due to demandsPassengers are required to submit up to 24 pieces of information to make a claim, says Which?.

The Guardian

• Stagecoach launches legal action over rail franchise competition banDfT accused of ‘opaque decision-making’ after firm was disqualified from lodging bids. Stagecoach has launched legal action against the Department for Transport (DfT) after it was disqualified from the East Midlands rail franchise competition.

The Scotsman

• Work on the Edinburgh tram extension to begin this monthPreparatory work for the Edinburgh tram extension is to begin later this month and run until mid-July.

The Telegraph

• First details of Dyson's plans for electric car emerge [Subscription]he first details of Dyson’s electric car have emerged with the publication of patents and a memo from the company’s billionaire founder which call on staff to keep the automotive plans secret.

Times Online

• Stagecoach sues department of transport over rail franchise snub [Subscription]One of Britain’s biggest train operators is suing the Department for Transport, alleging a breach of statutory duties in its stewardship of the railways. The action could mean that Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, is called to give evidence in court.
• Air pollution: Clampdown is too little and too late [Subscription]Towns and cities across Britain, led by London, are already taking action to cut levels of pollution on traffic-choked streets.
• Air pollution fight: School Streets plan targets parents who leave car engines running [Subscription]Within metres of the runway at Birmingham airport and backing on to the main trainline to London, Marston Green Infant Academy cannot ignore the risks of air pollution to its pupils.

City AM

• Chris Grayling could be forced to take the stand as Stagecoach launches legal action over franchise snubsBeleaguered transport secretary Chris Grayling could be called to the stand to defend the government after Stagecoach formally launched legal action over its decision to disqualify it from three rail franchises.
• National Express revs up sales growth as it hits the road for Silicon ValleyNational Express accelerated revenues in the first three months of its new financial year as it prepares to take a 60 per cent stake in Silicon Valley’s shuttle service in an $84.3m (£64.5m) deal.

The National

• ScotRail slammed over 'cynical' delay repay processSCOTRAIL’S compensation scheme for delayed passengers has come under fire, after research revealed the process is among the UK’s most complicated.

Sky News

• Stagecoach takes legal action over franchise bid banThe company has launched a claim against the Department for Transport after it was barred from bidding on three networks.

London Evening Standard

• Victoria station crash: Southern Rail train 'hits buffers causing loud bang and smoke' in front of shocked commutersA commuter train has reportedly ploughed into the buffers at Victoria station causing a long bang and smoke on a platform.

Wales Online

• How Transport For Wales makes it so difficult for passengers claim compensation by demanding up to 24 pieces of informationA Welsh train operator is making it difficult to claim compensation by demanding up to 24 separate pieces of information during the process, according to new research from Which?.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Just the ticket! New bus service launched in StaffordshireThe county council has worked with D&G Buses to introduce the new service, which started on Monday.

Other Regional Press

• Local plan and airport expansion top the bill as new council leader starts work"I am thrilled, a little bit stunned," said Councillor John Lodge, leader of Residents for Uttlesford, which took overall control at the local elections, upping their seats from 11 to 26.
• Hundreds of Preston bus drivers to strike over payHundreds of Lancashire bus drivers are to go on strike this weekend after pay talks broke down.

Airportwatch

• Alternative plans for contentious Heathrow Airport expansion set to be unveiled at Colnbrook Village HallAlternative plans for Heathrow’s controversial terminal expansion are set to be unveiled this month. The project, named Heathrow West is being proposed by business and landowner the Arora Group, which specialises in major construction and hospitality.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Better connected with a universal information systemMaddy Grant, marketing and content specialist at KeTech Systems Ltd, explores the possibilities of a Universal Information System (UIS). With each exhibition and every award season that passes, companies across the industry challenge themselves to show how they’ve improved, how...
• Network Rail awards final west London station upgrade contracts for CrossrailNetwork Rail has awarded the final contracts for upgrades to stations in west London as part of the delayed flagship Crossrail project. The upgraded stations will benefit from improved passenger flow, new ticket halls and enhanced accessibility with lifts and footbridges, as well as step free...
• Toufic Machnouk, Network Rail's LNE & EM Route Programme Director, on rethinking digital technologyToufic Machnouk, LNE & EM Route Programme Director for Network Rail, joins us to discuss Digital Railway and rethinking Network Rail’s digital approach ahead of TransCityRail Midlands 2019. What does your role as LNE & EM Route Programme Director at Network Rail involve? I...
• Network Rail announces £136m contract winner to manage its road vehicle fleetNetwork Rail has awarded a £136m contract to Hitachi Capital to manage its road vehicle fleet for the next four years. The railway infrastructure manager described the road maintenance contract as an “integrated one-stop shop” contract and will incorporate Network Rail’s...
• Siemens' Rob Morris on the Rail Sector deal and Digital RailwayRob Morris, Managing Director at Siemens Rail Automation and Digital Railway Industry Champion for the Rail Supply Group Rail Sector Deal joins us to discuss how Digital Railway is developing a ‘transformative’ Rail Sector Deal ahead of TransCityRail Midlands 2019. What does...
• Network Rail's Julia Territt on working with the supply chain Ahead of TransCityRail Midlands this July, Julia Territt, Network Rail’s Regional Delivery Director for Route Services Supply Chain Operations joins us to discuss ‘putting the passenger first’ and working with the supply chain. What does your role as Regional Delivery Director...

Aviation Industry

• Icelandair widens 1Q net loss on higher costs, MAX uncertaintyIcelandair posted a first-quarter net loss of $55 million, widened from a $35 million net loss in the year-ago quarter as pressure on airfares, higher costs and Boeing 737 MAX grounding created uncertainty. read more
• Spain’s Volotea to add six more Airbus A319sSpanish LCC Volotea plans to add six more 156-seat Airbus A319s this summer, as part of a planned transition to a single-type fleet by 2022. read more
• Poland’s Enter Air buys former Swiss charter unit of defunct Germania Privately owned Polish carrier Enter Air has agreed to acquire 49% of Germania Flug, the former Swiss charter unit of Berlin-based leisure carrier Germania. read more
• French ATC strike cancels 550+ flights, affects 75,000 passengersFrench air traffic controllers (ATCs) are set to begin a 35-hour strike from 7 p.m. May 8, the third national ATC strike in Europe this year, according to Airlines for Europe (A4E). read more

Other News Sources

• LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR DURHAM TEES VALLEY AIRPORT REVEALEDThe appointments include Phil Forster, who has joined as head of airport development from Leeds Bradford Airport, and David Soley – chairman of Cameron’s Brewery in Hartlepool – who has become non-executive chairman of the airport company in an unpaid role.
• Heathrow Hub appeals High Court judgmentThe legal battle over the expansion of Heathrow Airport continues despite last week’s High Court ruling against opponents of the scheme.