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

Monday, 31 January 2022

BBC News

• Rail passengers have been led to safety after flooded tracks stranded their train amid rising river levels.Six people on the 07:25 Greater Anglia service between Norwich and Lowestoft were assisted when water undercut the railway on Sunday.
• Free bus travel for under-22s in Scotland beginsAs a new free public transport scheme begins, BBC Scotland looks at how it will work.
• Most-polluted street breaches air quality limitHope Street in Glasgow recorded an annual average above the legal limit for diesel pollution.

Financial Times

• Air taxis: flight of fantasy or realistic promise about to lift off?Flying cars have moved closer to reality as billions pour into ‘urban air mobility’

The Guardian

• UK proposes changes to compensation for domestic flight delaysNew system aims to be fairer and easier to access, but passengers could get less money than before

The Independent

• Free bus travel scheme for under-22s launches in ScotlandUnder-22s are able to apply for travel cards that will allow them free bus travel.
• More passengers to be eligible for flight delay compensation under new planTransport Secretary Grant Shapps is proposing to make travellers entitled to compensation for domestic flights which are at least one hour late.

Times Online

• RMT rail union to march against higher ticket prices [subscription]An environmental protest is to be led by transport workers who have accused the Scottish government of a “betrayal” of their Cop26 climate ambitions with cuts to public services.
• Counterterror police will protect ferry passengers [subscription]While there is no known plot against British ferries, a senior counterterrorism source said that they were seen as extremely vulnerable as they were currently “completely unguarded”. Boarding passengers are not individually searched or given body scans unlike those on planes or Eurostar trains.
• Giant lorry park plan to ease border traffic chaos on A20 in Kent [subscription]Speaking to the transport select committee, Baroness Vere of Norbiton, the roads minister, said she had asked National Highways to “look at any and all landholdings to see if we can find any new places”. She said there was “a lot of work going on in the department on how to address this, but one thing is the responsibility of local authorities”.
• Domestic flight delayed by an hour? Compensation is coming [subscription]There will be sweeping reforms of the delay compensation scheme for domestic flights, making the system fairer for passengers and carriers. At present the UK adopts the EU’s rule 261, which entitles passengers on short-haul flights under 1,500km to claim £220 for delays of more than three hours but nothing for shorter hold-ups.

City AM

• Domestic air passengers set for more generous compensation scheme for delaysNeil Lancefield PA More passengers will receive compensation for delayed domestic flights under plans announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. The Cabinet minister is proposing to make travellers entitled to payouts for flights within the UK which arrive at their destination more than one hour late. The UK currently uses the European Union’s EU261 rule, [...] The post Domestic air passengers set for more generous compensation scheme for delays appeared first on CityAM.

Mail Online

• Free snacks are BACK on British Airways flights as boss admits it was a mistake to axe luxuryIn an open letter to customers, Sean Doyle said they will be entitled to a free snack, bottle of water and array of hot and cold drinks - perks that were axed on short-haul flights six years ago.
• Delayed air passengers are in line for better refunds under plans to shore up fliers' rights Ministers will today launch a consultation on the plans, made possible by Brexit. They would bring compensation rules for air travel more into line with rail and could lead to fewer delays.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Government warned it could create 'bargain basement Britain' if it doesn't reconsider Northern Powerhouse Rail planBORIS Johnson risks seeing his pledge to

The York Press

• TransPennine Express customers warned to plan carefully ahead of weatherA TRAIN firm is warning customers to plan ahead for travel this evening (January 30) due to poor weather forecasted to hit many parts of the north of England.

Other Regional Press

• Scotland's free bus travel for under-22s scheme starts todayMore than 900,000 young people across Scotland are thought to be eligible for the free travel scheme, with 'tens of thousands' having successfully applied so far
• When a cunning plan boosted passenger numbers at Cornwall’s loneliest little railway stationLocals rallied to give historic Coombe Junction Halt on the Liskeard to Looe line an unforgettable anniversary
• The call for a new Redcar rail halt attacked as 'pie in the sky' by mayorCouncillor Chris Jones said the proposal would provide thousands of households with better connected rail travel and improve safety
• Stanford rail station budget soars close to £30 million despite pledge it would not burst a 'budget envelope' of £20 millionLEAKED documents have revealed that the cost of the much-delayed and massively over budget Stanford-le-Hope rail station has now soared close to £30 million – and it may crash through that barrier if and when work is commissioned to build stage two of the project or projected costs go even higher.
• EasyJet revives its pilot training programme as it launches huge recruitment drive for 1,000 pilotsIf being a pilot is your dream job, this could be the perfect opportunity

New Civil Engineer

• Public transport inquiry launched to improve connections in towns and citiesThe Lords Built Environment Committee has launched an inquiry into public transport in towns and cities in England and is inviting written contributions.
• HS2 | Potential for ’serious’ discussion of Manchester underground station proposalsThe deposit in Parliament of the High Speed 2 (HS2) Phase 2b western leg Bill is likely to spark more "serious" discussion of alternative proposals for an underground station at Manchester Piccadilly.

Rail Advent

• RATP renews contract with Hitachi Rail to maintain Paris Metro and tramwaysThe operator of the Paris Metro, RATP, has renewed its contract with Hitachi Rail for the maintenance of the Paris Metro and tramway networks.