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

Saturday, 11 May 2019

BBC News

• Climate change 'may curb growth in UK flying'The UK may need to review expansion of aviation to meet CO2 targets, the government admits.
• Older cars to pay Edinburgh city centre levyEdinburgh City Council plans to introduce low emissions zones, with older cars being charged to enter.
• Is ScotRail right about peak fares?A tweet from train operator ScotRail claiming they do not charge extra for peak fares has blown the minds of commuters.
• NI company makes 'world first' hydrogen busWrightbus will manufacture 20 hydrogen buses that will be introduced on three London bus routes next year.
• Could aviation ever be less polluting?The aircraft industry has to cut greenhouse gases but air travel is growing, so what's the answer?
• Delta Airlines staff told 'don't unionise, buy video games'Posters discouraging Delta staff from joining a union prompt a significant backlash on social media.

The Guardian

• The case for rural public transportWe need to invest in country buses and trains, writes Jenny Gray. Sue Owen praises Manchester’s trams, while Mick Marchington bemoans the slowness of northern cross-country rail services
• London to have world-first hydrogen-powered doubledecker busesThe buses will only have water exhaust emissions and will be on the capital’s streets by 2020
• ‘Climate emergency’ edict in UK to shape decision on Heathrow expansion reviewBritain’s net zero by 2050 goal may have impact on whether existing policies are reassessed. Britain’s move to “net zero” carbon and the declaration of a climate emergency in parliament will be “given careful consideration” in deciding whether to grant a review of Heathrow airport’s expansion, the government has said.

The Scotsman

• Thomas Cook named worst airline in world in 2019 rankings - here’s the full listThe best and worst airlines and airports for 2019 have been revealed, with Qatar Airways taking the top spot for the second year running.
• Brian Wilson: Blowhard promises led to SNP’s air tax U-turnThe SNP’s U-turn over Air Passenger Duty or ‘Air Departure Tax’ was not the result of any supposed environmental virtue, writes Brian Wilson.

Times Online

• Passengers hear porn on train speakers [subscription]Groaning is not uncommon on London commuter trains but few passengers were expecting the sort they heard yesterday on one service to Waterloo.
• Tax on parking at work ‘leaves police officers at risk from terrorists’ [Subscription]Police officers face the choice of a pay cut or a dangerous journey to work on public transport under proposals to tax parking spaces, according to the body that represents rank and file officers.
• Air pollution: Double-decker bus releases zero exhaust emissions [subscription]The world’s first hydrogen powered double-decker buses will be introduced on routes in London under plans to tackle air pollution, it was announced yesterday.

Mail Online

• Travelling by train is up to 13 times more expensive than driving with a return from London to Manchester costing £327 - nearly TEN times the £33.97 fuel billIt may come as a surprise to motorists who’ve filled their tank on a motorway lately. But travelling by train is still up to 13 times more expensive than driving, analysis has found.

Belfast Telegraph

• Virgin Galactic moves rocket to New Mexico ahead of first space tourism flightSir Richard Branson announced the plans to move 100 employees from California.
• World first as Wrightbus secures bus order in £12m London dealWrightbus has secured an order for 20 hydrogen-powered buses in a £12m Transport for London investment programme.

London Evening Standard

• World's first hydrogen-powered buses to be introduced in LondonThe world's first hydrogen-powered double-deckers are being introduced in London to cut bus emissions and tackle toxic air.
• Thousands of Heathrow passengers could be left without food and drink due to strike actionTens of thousands of travellers could face long-haul flights without on-board meals, drinks or duty-frees due to a five-day strike at Heathrow airport.
• TfL Tube strike: Talks to avert London Underground walkout over FA Cup Final weekend break downTalks to avert a strike by London Underground workers on the weekend of the FA Cup Final have broken down.

Other Regional Press

• Transpennine Express train timetable changes and new bike policy to start on Sunday... Meanwhile TPE has also announced bike passengers will be able to book a space for their cycle up to 10 minutes before travelling. Previously places had to be booked 24 hours in advance. This can be done on Whatsapp and on social media.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Network Rail reveals winner of Dawlish sea wall construction contract Network Rail has awarded the contract for the construction of the first phase of the Dawlish sea wall to BAM Nuttall ahead of work starting at the end of this month. The £80m sea wall was announced in February to protect the coastal rail line from extreme weather five years after storms...
• Council backs plans for £100m global centre of rail excellence in WalesA £100m train testing site on the border of Neath Port Talbot and Powys has taken a major step forward after the local council voted to approve the joint venture. Neath Port Talbot Council leader Rob Jones called it an “important step forward” for the Global Centre of Rail...

Aviation Industry

• Walsh: IAG will not pursue Thomas Cook, Norwegian takeoversInternational Airlines Group (IAG) has no interest in bidding for the airline division of tourism group Thomas Cook, CEO Willie Walsh said May 10. read more
• BEA begins new search for key fragment in Air France A380 engine failure French air accident investigation bureau BEA is gearing up for a new search phase in Greenland, still hoping to find a key fragment of the Air France Airbus A380 engine that lost its fan in flight on Sept. 30, 2017. read more

Other News Sources

• £600M INVESTMENT PLEDGED BY NEW RAIL FRANCHISE OPERATORThe new operator of the East Midlands rail franchise has pledged to make a £600m investment in the network.
• Clwyd South MP visits Chirk Railway StationTHE work carried out by volunteers on Chirk railway station has come under the scrutiny of a VIP guest.