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

Tuesday, 26 May 2020

BBC News

• Plan due on Scotland's public transport post-lockdownNicola Sturgeon will set out her Transport Transition Plan and more details on test, trace, isolate.
• Volkswagen loses landmark German 'dieselgate' caseA ruling in a German court could have implications for other VW motorists seeking compensation.

ITV News

• New 'viruscide' being used by Govia Thameslink to kill coronavirus on surfacesA new viruscide which sticks to surfaces killing coronavirus for up to 30 days is being used across Govia Thameslink's entire fleet of 2,700 trains as well as at stations and in areas for staff.

Financial Times

• Danish groups join forces to deliver green hydrogen projectCompanies look to create emission-free fuels for ships, trucks, aircraft and industry
• German government agrees €9bn bailout for LufthansaState fund will take 20% stake in the airline in long-awaited rescue package

The Guardian

• German court rules against Volkswagen in 'dieselgate' scandalCarmaker must pay compensation to motorist who bought minivan fitted with emissions-cheating software. Volkswagen has lost a landmark legal battle in Germany's highest civil court over compensation for the buyer of a secondhand minivan fitted with emissions-cheating software.
• BA planning to rehire sacked staff on worse terms, union saysUnite accuses airline of using coronavirus crisis as cover for betraying its workforceThe Unite union has claimed that British Airways plans to fire the vast majority of its workforce and rehire them on reduced pay and worse terms.BA informed unions last month that it was holding a consultation on as many as 12,000 job cuts. The notice under section 188 of the Trade Union Act means workers could be made redundant as soon as 15 June.

The Telegraph

• Uber cuts 10pc of self-driving division as part of sweeping layoffs [subscription]Uber has cut employees from its self-driving car division as part of a second round of lay-offs.
• EasyJet finance chief resigns days after surviving Stelios voteAndrew Findlay is expected to stay in the role until May of next year in adherence with contractual obligations

Times Online

• Coronavirus: contactless doors and visors are the future for rail [subscription]Trains could be fitted with plastic screens and contactless door controls under plans to restore confidence in public transport during the pandemic.
• £90bn road revamp planned despite drive for green travel [subscription]A £90 billion upgrade of England’s motorways and main A-roads is planned despite commitments during the pandemic to fund green transport.
• Work at Bombardier Transportation ‘to cease’ without state aid [subscription]The owner of Britain’s biggest train factory has told the government that it will be “unable to continue production” without support as it burns through cash during the lockdown. Bombardier Transportation, which makes train carriages, has asked for contractual charges to be suspended after it was forced to halt production. The bond repayments and penalties for delivery delays that it wants paused total about £20 million a month.

Mail Online

• British Airways passengers complain about packed flights in EuropeImages emerged on Twitter of a packed BA flight with passengers appearing to be seated directly next to each other rather than the government-advised two metres apart.
• British Airways 'will lay-off thousands of cabin crew then re-hire them on HALF PAY'In a letter sent to staff just two weeks ago, BA sent out new terms and conditions due to the coronavirus crisis which has severely damaged the aviation industry.

The Mirror

• Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit rocket fails on debut space launch attemptControllers were forced to abort the launch seconds after the rocket ignited its engines due to currently unknown technical problems - with SpaceX's Elon Musk offering his condolences

Belfast Telegraph

• Virgin Orbit unsuccessful in first rocket launch attemptSir Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit has failed in its first test launch of a new rocket carried aloft by a Boeing 747 and released over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California.

Birmingham Post

• £5.3m funding to help West Midlands high streets reopen safelyNew cash injection will allow councils to work with non-essential retailers on introducing measures such as street markings to help with social distancing

Bolton News

• TFGM launch survey on future of Greater Manchester travel after lockdownTransport for Greater Manchester have launched a survey to see what the future of public transport should look like after coronavirus.

Liverpool Echo

• New 'Continental Liverpool' plan for post-lockdown cityMajor scheme to allow businesses to extend spaces outside when restrictions are eased

London Evening Standard

• Virgin Orbit: Historic test flight of LauncherOne vehicle delayed due to equipment problemsVirgin Orbit has delayed the historic first orbital test flight of its LauncherOne vehicle due to equipment problems.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Call to save West Midlands car industryThe Government has been urged to pump cash into firms including Jaguar Land Rover in a bid to save the West Midlands car industry from the ravages of the coronavirus crisis.
• Vote launched to name giant HS2 machinesHS2 has launched a public vote to name its first giant tunnelling machines.
• Interchange opportunity to boost skillsThe approval of plans for the West Midlands Interchange has been labelled as a ‘great opportunity’ to upskill workers and boost employment in the region by a leading labour supply company.

Yorkshire Post

• Leeds-based Tracsis gains two major rail contractsThe Leeds-based company said the first award is a further significant contract for the provision of its TRACS Enterprise software product with another major UK rail operator.

Other Regional Press

• New Wantage-Harwell cycle route work starts todayA PROJECT to create a new cycling route between Wantage and Harwell is due to begin today.
• Botley Road £9.1m upgrade due to start todayA £9.1 million project aiming to cut congestion on Botley Road is due to start today.
• Jet2 holidays and flights secured with emergency £172 million cash boostThe Leeds-based airline has grounded all flights since March

C.N.N.

• Virgin Orbit rocket experiences anomaly during launch demoVirgin Orbit experienced a hiccup Monday with the launch demo of its two-stage orbital rocket from a 747 aircraft.

Other News Sources

• Italy’s high-speed trains to operate one of Europe’s longest routesAs Italy emerges from lockdown, Trenitalia will be first off the block with what will possibly be Europe’s longest train ride.
• Longer TfL Rail trains on the line to ReadingLast week, TfL Rail completed a migration to running longer trains between Paddington and Reading.
• Great Central Railway reopening announcement as staff are brought back from furloughThe Great Central Railway has begun preparations for reopening - as soon as it is safe to do so.