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

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

BBC News

• Covid: Hope for quarantine-free air travel - ministerA new testing regime could also reduce the 14-day self-isolation period, the transport secretary says.
• Covid: Norwegian Air faces 'very uncertain future'The airline faces a battle for survival after the Norwegian government declines further support.
• EU imposes tariffs on $4bn of US goods in Boeing rowBut the EU signals that it hopes for a settlement when Joe Biden becomes US president next year.

Financial Times

• Norwegian Air's wild ambitions narrow down to survivalPioneering airlines future in doubt as government in Oslo refuses to give bespoke support
• Swire's dilemma over Cathay as China tightens grip on Hong Kong Crisis in airline industry after Covid raises further questions over future of carrier
• SoftBank jumps into e-scooters with $250m Tier Mobility dealLatest investment values Berlin-based electric scooter start-up just below $1bn

The Guardian

• First passengers travel in Virgin's levitating hyperloop pod systemHigh-speed pods could eventually make New York-Washington trip in 30 minutesRichard Branson’s Virgin Hyperloop has completed the world’s first passenger ride on a high-speed levitating pod system, a key safety test for technology it hopes will transform human and cargo transportation.The Virgin Hyperloop executives, Josh Giegel, its chief technology officer, and Sara Luchian, the director of passenger experience, reached speeds of up to 107mph (172 km/h) at the company’s DevLoop test site in Las Vegas, Nevada, the company said on Sunday. Continue reading...

The Telegraph

• The UK risks falling behind the rest of Europe if we do not act now to save aviation - David Davis MP [subscription]The former Cabinet minister argues for immediate decisions on a testing regime that would enable quarantine of no more than five days

Times Online

• Coronavirus: Hope of quarantine-free travel after city-wide trial, says Shapps [subscription]Rapid coronavirus testing being trialled in Liverpool could be used to open up quarantine-free air travel to the UK, according to the transport secretary.
• Rail timetables to be cut as commuters stay away [subscription]Train timetables are likely to be cut in the new year as concern grows that as many as a fifth of commuters will stay away from the railway indefinitely.

City AM

• Auto industry pleas for zero-tariff deal as Brexit prep bill passes £735 millionThe UK auto industry has issued a last-chance plea for a zero-tariff, zero-quota trade deal, as the UK-EU free trade The post Auto industry pleas for zero-tariff deal as Brexit prep bill passes £735 million

Birmingham Post

• Swiss specialist signs 570 wagon deal with Network RailWascosa has an office in North Lincolnshire and wants to increase its presence in the UK rail freight market on back of 10 year deal
• Train operator signs new 'industry first' maintenance dealFranchisee is working with Derby-based firm on the programme which will see the latter responsible for the heavy maintenance and product enhancements

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford West MP objects to Leeds Bradford Airport expansion A BRADFORD MP is the latest MP to publicly oppose plans to expand Leeds Bradford Airport as the debate intensifies further.

Northern Echo

• Airline set to return to Teesside Airport after three year gapAN airline is set to return to a North-East airport with flights to five destinations.

The York Press

• Big Issue launches electric bike rental scheme THE Big Issue is launching plans for an electric bike rental scheme to help create jobs.
• £1.9m lifeline for railway lineTHE North Yorkshire Moors Railway has been given a £1.9 million lifeline after suffering a massive drop in passenger numbers because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Yorkshire Post

• North 'levelling-up' confidence waning amid claims Whitehall has 'battle royale' over HS2 in YorkshireCampaigners have warned of waning public confidence in the Government's plan to "level up" the North as a former Transport Secretary also claimed there is a "battle royale" in Whitehall about whether to proceed with high speed rail projects aimed at benefiting Yorkshire.

Leeds Live

• Covid-19 sniffer dogs could soon be coming to Leeds train stationIt takes the dogs less than a second to smell coronavirus on infected people - even if they are not showing any symptoms

Other Regional Press

• Reopen Oakley train station to help commuters, cllr suggestsA COUNCILLOR has suggested Oakley train station could be reopened to help residents commute more easily into London.

New Scientist

• ‘Demotivated’ Crossrail staff at ‘risk’ of jumping ship to other infrastructure projects Crossrail Ltd’s board raised concerns that its staff were becoming “demotivated” and were “seeking alternative employment”, during the last board meeting before the project’s governance transferred to Transport for London (TfL).

Business Live

• West Midlands Trains signs 'industry first' maintenance deal with PorterbrookFranchisee is working with Derby-based firm on the programme which will see the latter responsible for the heavy maintenance and product enhancements

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• First passengers travel safely on a hyperloopTransportation history was made in the Nevada desert, where Virgin Hyperloop tested human travel in a hyperloop pod for the first time.  “For the past few years, the Virgin Hyperloop team has been working on turning its ground breaking technology into reality,” said Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group. “With today’s successful test, we have shown that this spirit of innovation will in fact change the way people everywhere live, work, and travel in the years to come.” Josh Giegel, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, and Sara Luchian, Direct...

New Civil Engineer

• HS2 reveals tech winners to assist project delivery HS2 Ltd has named the latest winners of its Innovation Accelerator initiative to develop “cutting-edge” technologies to assist with the construction and operation of the high speed rail line.
• DfT confirms HS2 northern section will be split upThe Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that Phase 2b of High Speed 2 (HS2) will be split into multiple bills to be passed in Parliament.

Railnews

• Monday essay: A political problem (part 1) The Department for Transport has agreed to provide financial help for Transport for London until next year, but the agreement has not been reached without a price. In the first of two essays, Sim Harris looks at the effect politicians can have on the business of running transport services.

Other News Sources

• Brighton and Hove Buses give lockdown timetable update Brighton and Hove Buses will continue to follow current timetables during lockdown.