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

Monday, 30 March 2020

Government

• Critical rail services protected in new deals for GWR and SoutheasternVital connections between the South of England and Wales ensured during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

BBC News

• Coronavirus: Hull Trains axes all services amid outbreakHull Trains has axed all its services because of the "unprecedented circumstances" amid the coronavirus pandemic.
• Coronavirus: Airlines entering danger zoneA group of 38 MPs calls on the chancellor to support airlines during the coronavirus crisis.
• Coronavirus: NHS Nightingale work for Virgin and EasyJet staffVirgin Atlantic and EasyJet appeal to staff to step in and help at the NHS Nightingale hospital.
• Regional connectivity at risk, says airline bossThe head of Loganair, the UK's biggest regional airline, says he will ask the government for help.

Financial Times

• Grounded airline staff asked to bolster NHS resourcesVirgin Atlantic and easyJet calls on employees to volunteer for new UK hospitals
• Regional airports fear for the future as Covid-19 grounds flights Industry groups say lack of support from government undermines commitment to ‘connectivity’
• Greener biofuels battle for take-off to cut emissionsKerosene substitutes are curbing carbon footprints but remain in short supply
• Ammonia flagged as green shipping fuel of the futureMarine operators are looking to clean up their act

The Guardian

• Hull Trains becomes first British operator to suspend all servicesChief of rail operator says decision is aimed at protecting its long-term future. Hull Trains is to become the first British rail operator to suspend all services, after cancelling trains between London and the port city until further notice due to the unprecedented circumstances� caused by coronavirus. The company, part of rail operator FirstGroup, said it has been forced into the decision to safeguard the future of the business, after passenger numbers dwindled following government advice to avoid nonessential travel.

The Telegraph

• Former traffic officer calls for Highways England to be prosecuted after court hears smart motorways may have led to deaths A retired police officer has written to Essex Police urging them to prosecute Highways England over two deaths
• Can I drive during the lockdown? Your transport questions, answeredOn Monday, Boris Johnson said that people should only leave their homes for 'essential' trips.

Times Online

• Rail services face threat of further cuts [subscription]Train operators are warning privately that they may have to scale back services even further than the drastic cuts imposed already because the spread of coronavirus is stretching their workforce.
• Air freight prices soar [subscription]The cost of transporting goods by air has soared because of cuts to passenger flights.
• Railways will go electric to halt pollution rise from diesel trains [subscription]A new programme to convert Britain’s railways to electric power will be rolled out after the government admitted that greenhouse gases from trains will rise by a fifth in the next three decades.

City AM

• Uber to provide free journeys and meals for NHS staffUber has committed to providing 200,000 trips and 100,000 meals to NHS workers on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis.  The post Uber to provide free journeys and meals for NHS staff appeared first on CityAM.

The Mirror

• Airline passengers still flying into UK despite nationwide coronavirus lockdownPassengers are still arriving from worst affected countries such as Italy and Spain, and while other countries are enforcing quarantine, there is no extra restrictions in the UK stopping people from getting on tubes or buses

Birmingham Mail

• Bus and train passengers issued with eight bits of advice amid concern over 'non-essential' journeysTransport bosses have thanked the vast majority of regular commuters who are staying at home and the hard working staff who have kept the network running

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Mind The Gap: Student's £100bn plan for West Yorks Underground including BradfordPLANS for a potential £100billion underground system for West Yorkshire, including many areas of the Bradford district, have been drawn up by a student.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Taxi drivers being made to choose between test fees and feeding families by Edinburgh councilTaxi and private hire drivers are being asked to choose between feeding their families and paying £350 for postponed council tests, a union official has claimed.

The York Press

• York's railway stations old and newWe've dug out some great photographs of York railway station (both the old one and the new one) for you this week from Explore York's new-look digital archive, Explore York Images.
• CORONAVIRUS: Cuts to 'non-essential' public transport in York"NON-ESSENTIAL" public transport services have been cut in York. City of York Council says the move follows a "substantial" drop in demand as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Yorkshire Post

• Hull Trains suspends all services 'to safeguard long-term future'Hull Trains is suspending all trains from midnight to safeguard the long-term future of the business, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cambridge News

• Air pollution in Cambs has dropped by a third since coronavirus outbreakLess cars on the road mean fewer emissions - and it's having a great impact on Cambs' air quality

Leeds Live

• Jet2 has changed flight cancellation rules for NHS workers Thousands of doctors and nurses are working on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic at the moment, but Jet2's simple message is sure to mean a lot
• easyJet and Virgin Atlantic crew to work in coronavirus hospitalsWith flights currently grounded, airline staff could be redeployed to help at one of the UK's new Nightingale hospitals to treat patients with Covid-19

Other Regional Press

• Buses to replace trains as Tarka Line shutsFrom Monday, March 30, to Saturday, April 4, buses rather than trains will run between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple. A separate shuttle bus will serve Yeoford, running to and from Crediton.
• Fleetwood to Knott End ferry shuts as some passengers flout coronavirus rulesThe Fleetwood to Knott End ferry service has had to close until further notice, the operators have announced this morning.
• Shipping boss in Portsmouth swaps office for 20m craneA SHIPPING boss has swapped roles to help lift the port’s business.
• Coronavirus: Buses need protection says Oxford City CouncilOXFORD City Council is calling for the government to provide support for bus companies so that doctors, nurses and other key workers can get to work.
• Preston Bus services stripped back further with some routes completely suspendedA number of bus routes have been suspended in Preston due to coronavirus.
• Arriva bus services to continue runningBus services are continuing to run with an amended timetable. Arriva is continuing to run a reduces bus services in Colchester to serve the community as much as possible.
• Coronavirus Cambridgeshire: Coummunity transport group FACT could be asked to expand its service during the current emergencyCommunity transport provider FACT may be asked to play a major part in helping vulnerable and elderly people access shopping and prescriptions during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Coronavirus: Planes store at Bournemouth AirportAROUND 50 planes have been parked at Bournemouth Airport recently, as a large number of flights are grounded due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Railnews

• Hull Trains suspends all services indefinitely Hull Trains has cancelled all its services between London and Hull from today. The move follows declining demand as a result of coronavirus travel restrictions. There have already been sharp reductions in the timetables of franchised operators, and the Gatwick Express service of Govia Thameslink Railway has also ceased today. Franchised operators are now operating as management contracts with a payment capped at 2 per cent of each franchise™s ˜cost base™. Hull Trains said franchised operators had been offered ˜additional financial support™, but this is not available to open access operators l...

Green Miscellany

• Solar-powered battery charger for cars standing idle (or cyclists on the go)The fact millions of cars across Britain are currently sitting idle is great for the environment,  but not so good for the cars themselves as batteries may begin to lose their charge. Solar-powered battery chargers are inexpensive and easy to use. Simply place one on your dashboard and plug into your 12v socket. Be aware that running your car’s engine… The post Solar-powered battery charger for cars standing idle (or cyclists on the go) appeared first on ETA.

Other News Sources

• COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited Earnings Missed Analyst Estimates: Here's What Analysts Are Forecasting NowThe analysts might have been a bit too bullish on COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited(HKG:1199), given that the company fell short of expectations when it released its full-year results last week. COSCO SHIPPING Ports missed analyst forecasts, with revenues of US$1.0b and statutory earnings per share (EPS) of US$0.098, falling short by 3.1% and 7.6% respectively.
• Coronavirus: Bus services reduced or withdrawn completely on some routesBus services in Weymouth, Portland and west Dorset are being withdrawn or reduced as a result of the coronavirus.
• UK sees 20% hike in petrol station drive-offs during coronavirusThe UK is seeing a 20% increase in the number of people driving away from petrol stations without paying during the coronavirus crisis.
• Taskforce established to ‘Keep Freight Flowing’ into the UKMaritime Business Continuity Taskforce established to ‘Keep Freight Flowing’ into the UK 95% of goods – including medicine, food and fuel – come to the UK through ports Yet companies cannot access funding or safety equipment to ensure a flow of goods
• '2020 will be the year': Government presses forward with plan to align 'every single mode of transport' with net-zero The Department for Transport (DfT) has said it is on track to deliver a policy roadmap for decarbonising "every single mode of transport" in line with the UK's 2050 net-zero target this year, despite fears that the coronavirus pandemic would slow progress.