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

Monday, 18 May 2020

BBC News

• Ryanair says passenger numbers set to halveBut the airline says it will weather the coronavirus crisis and emerge stronger afterwards.
• Coronavirus: Stations put crowd control measures in placeMore trains begin running but rail bosses worry that social distancing will not be possible on board.

Financial Times

• Ease quarantine for ‘low-risk’ flights, says Heathrow chiefCall comes after UK government proposes 14-day self-isolation for overseas arrivals despite business warnings

The Guardian

• UK coronavirus live: thousands expected to return to work as train capacity increasesRail services ramped up in England after changes to lockdown guidance last weekCoronavirus latest: at a glanceCoronavirus global updates - liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 7.43am BST Good morning, folks. It’s Simon Murphy here kicking off the UK live blog today. Extra trains are expected to take thousands more people back to work under Downing Street’s plan to accelerate economic activity as lockdown restrictions designed to halt the spread of Covid-19 are eased.But Kings Cross Station, one of the capital’s busiest transport hubs, was almost deserted this morning – despite more trains runn...
• ‘I can just glide through traffic’: how e-bikes could answer our commuting problemsDemand has rocketed as people consider how to get into work after lockdown. They enable riders to avoid car use and the close contact of public transport – but just how safe, affordable and healthy are they?
• Is the Covid-19 crisis the catalyst for greening the world's airlines?“The political moment is now” to address the climate risks posed by the aviation industry, analysts, insiders and campaigners say, as governments across the world weigh up bailouts for airlines grounded by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Heathrow boss urges plan to restart flights between low-risk countriesThe boss of Heathrow has urged the government to develop plans to restart travel between “low-risk countries” as global lockdown measures are eased.

The Telegraph

• Monday morning news briefing: Police to block crowded trains

Times Online

• Coronavirus: Extra police put on duty to keep rail travellers apart [subscription]Extra police will be deployed at large railway stations from today as train companies prepare to launch the first significant increase in timetables since the lockdown was imposed.
• Amid the tragedy we have a chance to transform travel - Grant Shapps MP [subscription]Over the last few days, for people returning to their jobs, the morning commute has taken on a new look. Instead of their usual train, bus, tube or tram, passengers walked, cycled or drove, following government advice to avoid public transport if you cannot work from home.
• Heathrow flights set to take off in weeks [subscription]Britain’s largest airport is planning to increase the number of flights within weeks as the government faces pressure to lift travel restrictions.
• Motorways are like dustbins, transport chiefs told [subscription]Motorways are becoming “rubbish tips” because of the failure of highways chiefs to clear litter and debris, according to the former roads minister.
• Coronavirus: Holiday hopes scuppered by tough quarantine plans [subscription]Lorry drivers will make up the bulk of those exempted from quarantine rules being finalised today in a blow to the airline and tourism industries.

Reuters News

• Britain's rail network adds more trains amid crowding worriesBritain's rail network started running more services on Monday, raising concerns that more people will start to use trains which could lead to crowding at stations and onboard amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
• Cycling: UK has chance to change transport forever - Boardman It has taken a pandemic, empty roads and one of the sunniest Springs on record for Britons to fall back in love with the bicycle but the fear keeping Chris Boardman awake at night is that it will be a brief flirtation.

Sky News

• Commuters told to expect new controls as unions warn of 'high-risk strategy'Commuters returning to work have been warned to expect crowd management and social distancing measures as public transport services ramp up.
• Coronavirus: Extra trains take commuters to work as unions warn of 'high-risk strategy'More police are to be deployed to stations and commuters are being told to wear face masks and maintain social distance.

Bristol Live

• Bosses of iconic yellow Bristol Ferry boats 'hatching a safe plan' to return to waterThe iconic yellow boats that breeze around Bristol Harbour are still bobbing empty, almost two months after trips were suspended.

Liverpool Echo

• Merseyrail still hasn't received any coronavirus emergency funding from the governmentMerseyrail still has no agreement with the UK government for extra funding to support its services in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

London Evening Standard

• Ryanair predicts e200m losses in first quarter of the yearAirline launches harsh attack on
• Londoners urged to avoid public transport if possible as more return to work after lockdown measures eased

The York Press

• Billionaire bus owners furlough over 300 staffA NORTH Yorkshire bus company whose owners are on today's Sunday Times Rich List have furloughed over 300 employees. According to The Sunday Times, the company Optare, owned by the Hinduja brothers who last year topped the papers rich list, has furloughed 360 employees.

Yorkshire Post

• What to expect in Yorkshire as train services ramp up todayBritain's train companies will ramp up services on Monday to reflect coronavirus travel restrictions being eased.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Taxi drivers and care workers among jobs with highest rates of coronavirus deathsTaxi drivers and security guards are among the occupations for men with the highest number of coronavirus-related deaths, according to new figures.

Leeds Live

• Reopening abandoned stretch of Leeds train track could create new HS2 linkTransport bosses have discussed proposals to re-open a stretch of Leeds rail line that could create a new link to HS2 in West Yorkshire. Re-opening the Wortley Curve, a half mile long track, would allow rail services to pass between Wakefield and Bradford without the need to pass through Leeds train station.

Reading Evening Post

• How Reading's roads will be improved for walkers and cyclistsReading Borough Council is likely to make major changes
• Two new M4 bridges installed in just over 24 hoursThe motorway has been fully reopened to traffic earlier than expected

Other Regional Press

• Bus driver 'scared' to work as she reveals abuse she faces on journeysShe claims drivers are working without gloves and hand sanitiser - an allegation which has been refuted by Stagecoach
• Sandbanks Ferry return delayed after freak accidentTHE Sandbanks Ferry has been involved in a bizarre accident while moored at Poole Harbour that will delay its return to service for at least until next month.

Business Live

• Boost for 'top priority' airport rail link and extra London services plansTransport bosses say they hope to see both plans come off - despite the disruption caused by Covid-19. Plans for a train link connecting Liverpool Airport with the city centre and more services from Lime Street to London have been given a fresh boost.

New Civil Engineer

• TfL urged to follow HS2 and Network Rail lead on supply chain engagementRailway industry leaders have called on Transport for London (TfL) and train operating companies to follow the example set by HS2 Ltd and Network Rail in relation to supply chain engagement during the coronavirus pandemic.
• UK’s first multi mode tunnelling machines scheduled for autumn HS2 deliveryHS2 Ltd launched a naming competition for the first two tunnel boring machines (TBM) last week ahead of delivery to site this autumn to allow work to start on High Speed 2’s (HS2) Chiltern Tunnels in the first half of 2021.

Rail Advent

• Fares to increase and free travel for children axed as Transport for London agree £1.6 BILLION bailoutThe UK Government has agreed a £1.6 billion bailout package for Transport for London to protect essential train and bus services during the Coronavirus recovery stage.

Railnews

• HS2 ˜off course™ report welcomed by critics An updated HS2 report from the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts which is seriously critical of the project has been welcomed by critics. The review by the committee of MPs from all sides of the House says the programme has ˜gone badly off-course and is now estimated to cost up to £88 billion, significantly more than the original budget of £55.7 billion™. The Committee says it is ˜unconvinced that there will not be further cost increases, such as those we have seen in Crossrail and many other programmes, especially given that the route and forecast cost of the northern sections of...

Other News Sources

• Crossrail will help commuters meet social distancing protocols, says chairTony Meggs says line will be vital in effort to support social distancing on rest of Tube network
• Five million commuters could travel to work by bike following coronavirus lockdownCycling and walking will be encouraged as public transport capacity is limited to combat the virus
• National Express to return bus services in the Black Country to 75% of pre-coronavirus levelsMORE buses will run in the Black Country from later this month in a bid to help social distancing when travelling by public transport.