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

Saturday, 18 December 2021

BBC News

• Consett to Newcastle railway plan submittedPlans to open a passenger rail line between Consett and Newcastle have been submitted for government approval.
• Covid-19: TfL secures extension of government bailoutTransport for London's finances have been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
• New Glasgow Subway train put to the testThe bespoke train has begun its first trial runs on the city's underground rail network.
• Rail fares to rise at fastest pace for nine yearsRegulated rail fares in England, which include season tickets, will rise by 3.8% in March.

The Guardian

• Rail fares to increase by 3.8% in MarchIndustry welcomes decision not to raise fares above July’s RPI inflation rate as some had fearedRail fares in England are to rise by 3.8% in March, the government has confirmed, in line with July’s RPI inflation rate and the biggest increase in nine years.The latest increase – revealed in the Guardian after a leak this month – is less than some feared after fares went up above the RPI inflation rate in March of this year. Continue reading...

Times Online

• Rail passengers hit with the biggest fare rise in a decade [subscription]The level of the increase is determined by the Retail Price Index (RPI) in July. In previous years the cost of an off-peak ticket has not gone up by as much as RPI but this time the changes will apply across the board.
• Rail fares to rise by 3.8% — but not until March [Subscription]Chris Heaton-Harris, the rail minister, said: “Capping rail fares in line with inflation while tying it to the July RPI strikes a fair balance, ensuring we can continue to invest record amounts into a more modern, reliable railway, ease the burden on taxpayers and protect passengers from the highest RPI in years.
• Michael O’Leary: ‘You wouldn’t hire Johnson, Patel or Gove . . . they’re all idiots’ [Subscription]The head of Ryanair believes that the drive for Brexit has led to political talent being frozen out of the cabinet, he tells Ben Clatworthy

City AM

• TfL funding crisis: UK Government agrees last-minute cash deal to keep Tube running until FebruaryTransport for London (TfL) tonight announced it had reached another short-term stop-gap funding deal with central government to fund the capital’s transport network until early February.

Labour Party

• Transforming South Yorkshire is not just possible – it’s necessaryAll of us in South Yorkshire know our transport system is broken. Journeys that take minutes by car take hours by bus, tram, or train. Our public transport network is fragmented, unreliable and far too expensive. And yet many wouldn’t even think about walking or cycling on our congested roads.

Network Rail

• Major project set to transform the railway from Woking to Portsmouth HarbourA more reliable railway with faster journeys and the potential for more train services is coming for passengers between Woking and Portsmouth Harbour, with the launch of the Portsmouth Direct Upgrade.

Birmingham Post

• Clean green machine plugs a Net Zero need for rail yard's dirty workSouth Yorkshire rail equipment specialist helps bust emissions on yard work
• Train passengers set to be hit with the biggest fare hike in nearly a decadeThe increase from March 1 will be the steepest increase since January 2013, according to figures from industry body the Rail Delivery Group

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Travel on Bradford buses for just £1 this Boxing DayPEOPLE in Bradford will only have to pay £1 for a single bus journey on Boxing Day.

London Evening Standard

• TfL crisis: Emergency bailout to keep Tube and bus services running extended to FebruarySadiq Khan says he’s still having to consider major cuts to Tube and bus services

Northern Echo

• Consett to Newcastle rail plan business case submittedCONTROVERSIAL proposals to create a new railway between Consett and Newcastle costing over half a billion pounds have been submitted to the Government.

Wales Online

• Nextbike installs two new Cardiff city centre stations and promise they'll 'be back soon'The company promised a "stronger return" in a recent tweet

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds MP hits out at government "mismanagement" as Boris Johnson announces New Year 3.8 per cent rail price hikeA Leeds MP has hit out at the Government's "mismanagement" of the budget after Boris Johnson announced a 3.8 per cent price hike on rail fares across England.

Yorkshire Post

• Government doesn't know how derided Integrated Rail Plan 'will work on the ground', Transport minister admitsA Transport minister has admitted the Government doesn’t yet know how its controversial Integrated Rail Plan “will actually work on the ground”.

Cambridge News

• Net zero emissions target for Cambridgeshire brought forward by five yearsCambridgeshire County Council has now set its deadline for 2045

Railnews

• DfT confirms 3.8% rail fares increase FRIDAY BRIEFING: DfT confirms 3.8% rail fares increase: 'far from fair' says CBT ++ TfL warns of more Underground disruption ++

Other News Sources

• London Underground weekend closures: The Tube lines and Overground routes shut on December 18 and 19All of the planned Tube, overground and TfL Rail line closures this weekend
• Edinburgh to London budget train now has new Lumo Eats digital food menuCustomers on the train will now be able to order hot food and have it delivered to their seat. And Lumo have teamed up with some high street names like Upper Crust to offer a range of snacks.
• Edinburgh trains set for biggest price hike in eight years say Transport ScotlandTransport Scotland made the announcement today but one MSP says it is "wildly reckless to hit passengers with this brutal rip-off fare rise" at this time whilst there is a cost of living crisis
• Fears that Warrington and Manchester could benefit at Crewe's expense after poor decisionCheshire East Council has been urged to have a rethink