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

Monday, 17 May 2021

BBC News

• Intercity 125: Workers say farewell to British Rail iconEast Midlands Railway is the latest operator to retire its fleet of High speed trains - better known to millions as the InterCity 125. Some workers at the company's depot have spent most of their careers repairing, improving and tending to the engines, helping them to become a workhorse of the tracks since they came into service in 1976. But now it is time to say goodbye to an icon of Britain's travel network.
• No alternative to vaccine passports, says Dubai airport bossDubai is the world's busiest airport and its boss says vaccine passports will get us flying again.

Financial Times

• Foxconn the carmaker? Disruption in the era of electric vehicles The Apple iPhone maker is spearheading an assault by electronics groups on the auto industry
• Dublin Airpor's Dalton Philips: You really can't communicate too much in a crisisDespite having to make difficult cuts, the aviation boss protected jobs by slashing costs and changing work practices
• Ex-BA boss warns that outdated technology is drag on airlines Alex Cruz says digital rivals are stealing a march as carriers rely on systems up to 50 years old

The Guardian

• UK railways brace for shake-up and cuts as long-overdue review arrivesBiggest change since 90s privatisation looks to halt franchise failures, reform fares and, for the Treasury, slash costs

The Herald

• ScotRail and union leaders come to blows over Pot Noodle lunches as strike continuesSCOTRAIL has said that staff who are covering for striking conductors and examiners have been forced to have Pot Noodle for lunch.

The Telegraph

• Sturgeon on collision course with unions over Scotland’s railways [subscription]The SNP wants to control billions of pounds worth of tracks and stations currently owned by Network Rail

Times Online

• Holiday plans thrown into chaos by Covid variants [subscription]Britons urged to stay away from ‘amber list’ countries such as Spain, Italy, France and Greece

City AM

• Government to unveil flexible rail tickets as part of a wider overhaulThe government will reportedly bring in flexible rail tickets next week as a part of a wider shake-up of the The post Government to unveil flexible rail tickets as part of a wider overhaul appeared first on CityAM.

The Mirror

• Thousands of Brits head to Portugal on first flights out of UK as lockdown easesThe Mirror was in the queue to board the first flight from the UK to Faro and joined sun-seekers desperate to swap our wet and miserable May for blue skies, golden beaches and a temperature of 27C

Birmingham Mail

• Cars stranded and M6 slip road closed after flooding hits the West MidlandsThe fire service has issued a warning to drivers

Birmingham Post

• East Midlands Airport opens up for first 2021 passenger flightsThe Portuguese and UK governments have announced that British tourists can return

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford artist was poster boy for graphic designHIS posters for seaside resorts and rail journeys are famous for their stylish, colourful designs - but the Bradford-born artist who created them is not so well known.

London Evening Standard

• Cabbie found dead in his taxi at Heathrow as desperate drivers sleep in their cars in the hope of picking up faresA taxi driver was found dead in his car at Heathrow, as dozens of cabbies sleep inside their vehicles in the hope of picking up a fare.
• Croydon tram crash inquest opensThe inquest was initially due to begin in October 2020, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Doncaster Free Press

• Transport bosses advise passengers to plan ahead and avoid busy times‘Plan ahead and avoid busy times’ advise South Yorkshire’s transport bosses, as the easing of restrictions from tomorrow, Monday, May 17m could see more people using buses, trams and trains.

Other Regional Press

• 'Transport is key' in levelling up Barrow residents have saidALMOST a fifth of people believe improving transport is the most urgent issue in Barrow and Furness, according to a survey.
• ScotRail: 'hundreds' more trains to to be added tomorrowScotRail has announced that it will be adding "hundreds more" trains from tomorrow as lockdown restrictions are eased.
• 'Keep the blind safe on platforms'An MP wants tactile surface markings to protect the visually impaired at two railway stations in his constituency.
• Letter: Council out of touch when it comes to Weymouth's public transport needs AS USUAL, councillors are not in tune with the public's requirements when

Christian Wolmar

• Railcard scam is nothing short of theft by the stateLast week, buying a ticket for my first rail journey in six months, I said to the kindly ticket clerk, ‘I presume that my Senior Railcard will have been extended since I have been barred from using the railway since December?’  The poor woman almost blushed: ‘I’m afraid not. You will have to buy a new one. You are not the first — and you should complain.’

New Civil Engineer

• HS2 contractors to start work on Old Oak Common’s record-breaking station boxA joint venture between Balfour Beatty, Vinci and Systra (BBVS) is gearing up to start work on Old Oak Common’s main station box this month.
• South Yorkshire Police investigate Highways England for corporate manslaughterSouth Yorkshire Police are investigating Highways England for potential corporate manslaughter charges relating to two fatal incidents on the M1 smart motorway.

Railnews

• RMT calls for zero tolerance of Covid breaches as lockdowns ease Lockdown rules are being eased again from today, but the RMT says although it supports increases in public transport services it is also calling for zero tolerance of any breach of transport Covid safety measures or abuse of staff. Many operators are boosting their service levels in response to fewer restrictions.

Other News Sources

• Hourly weekday services resume on East Devon rail linkFor those travelling on the East Devon Line between Axminster, Honiton and Exeter this means a welcome return to hourly weekday services for the first time since Christmas.
• Airport passengers plunge by 98 per centIN just six months passenger numbers at Southampton Airport have plunged by as much as 98 per cent.
• Cycle lane in Madeira Drive fenced off after reports it is 'dangerously slippery' CYCLISTS have been warned not to use a new lane yet after reports it is