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

Wednesday, 02 March 2022

Cogitamus

• The Chris Stokes Column - Simpler long distance rail fares key to increasing patronageDespite withdrawal of the government’s “working from home” guidance in late January, there has as yet been no dramatic surge in rail use.

BBC News

• London Tube strike: All lines down after workers walk outBuses are overwhelmed with passengers and roads are gridlocked due to the RMT union's walkout.
• Ukraine conflict: ExxonMobil and Boeing take action over Russia tiesThe companies join the growing list of global corporations to cut business links with Russia.

Department for Transport

• Over £150 million provided to safeguard local transport services as the country emerges from the pandemicFunding will help local bus and light rail services across the country as millions of passengers return to the network.

Financial Times

• World’s biggest shipping groups suspend Russian cargo bookingsMoves by MSC and Maersk come as sanctions hit strained supply chains

The Telegraph

• Disruption from Tube strike expected to last all week, TfL warns

Times Online

• Overpaid drivers have kept control of Tube too long [subscription]After two years of disruption, London is just getting back to normal. For the unions to shut the Tube system now is outrageous. It is also counterproductive, because the system’s finances are in a dire state and the strike will make them worse.
• Maersk and MSC suspend dockings in Russia [subscription]Maersk, the world biggest container shipping company, has suspended sailings into and out of Russian ports. It comes as Grant Shapps, the transport minister, banned vessels from Russia docking in the UK.
• Jet2 drops facemask rule on flights [subscription]Jet2 has become the first major airline to drop the requirement for passengers to wear masks.

City AM

• Grant Shapps expresses frustration at London tube strikesTransport secretary Grant Shapps expressed today its frustration at the today’s Tube strike, which has created havoc across the whole of London.

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham's bumpiest roads revealed as readers name most 'dangerous' pothole areasDriving along one city road was described as "like riding a bucking bronco"

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• First and Bradford Council unveil £8.1m buses to boost air qualityA FLEET of new buses which form part of an £8.1 million investment to help reduce emissions and boost air quality in Bradford will be on district roads from today.

Bristol Live

• Jet2: Face masks no longer required on all flights - becoming the first airline to do soThe move reportedly surprise other airlines who are keeping the requirement in place

Manchester Evening News

• "Ridiculous, disappointing, regrettable": Passengers respond to biggest rail hike in a decadeThe largest rise in rail fares in nearly a decade - adding more than £100 to the cost of many season tickets - has been branded ’disappointing and ridiculous' by passengers and campaigners.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Transport Minister says £14million Inverness Airport train station will make area more ’attractive’ to future investorsScotland’s new transport minister has visited the site of the new £14million Inverness Airport Railway Station.

Wales Online

• Transport for Wales to spend millions on a rail depot in Barry to store new Welsh trainsSome of the new Swiss-made trains will be stored in Barry once they've been rolled out

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Opening month set for Wolverhampton's Metro extension as project nears completionWolverhampton city centre's Metro extension will open to passenger services this summer, bosses have announced.

East Anglian Daily Times

• TfL-style system for Essex a 'major prize of devolution'Essex having its own transport authority like Transport for London would be a major prize of devolution, a leading councillor in Essex has said.

South Wales Argus

• Work starts on Pontypool and New Inn railway station upgradeWORK has started on improvements to Pontypool and New Inn railway station which will include a new park and ride and a footbridge.

Other Regional Press

• Network Rail uses new technology to detect faults on train tracksNetwork Rail is trialling technology that will allow digital sensors to spot track faults – in a bid to cut train disruption.
• Grantham announced as Lincolnshire’s bid to host the Great British Railways HQLincolnshire County Council and South Kesteven District Council will be putting a joint expression of interest to host the Great British Railways Headquarters.
• £1.5m bus terminal set to open with Coventry's new rail stationIt is based in one of Central Six's car parks and includes and underpass

Train Operators

• Rail improvement and platform extension work to take place in West CornwallWorks to improve the railway in West Cornwall begin on Saturday 5 March 2022, with amended train services and replacement buses in operation to keep people moving.

British Trams Online

• More funding for the DfT for English regional light railEnglish bus and light rail operators are to be awarded a further £150 million in funding as part of final phase of pandemic related financial support for the sector from the Department for Transport. This funding is due to last until October 2022 after which the government expect no further emergency funding to be offered to either bus or light rail services in England.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Hitachi Rail’s digital sensors prevent rail disruptionHitachi Rail and its subsidiary, Perpetuum, have been awarded a contract by Network Rail to develop the first real-time digital solution that monitors and eventually predicts sections of track that affect ride quality and require maintenance.

New Civil Engineer

• TfL has ’several concerns’ with HS2 designs for Euston stationTransport for London (TfL) has raised “several concerns” in relation to HS2 Ltd’s latest designs for the redevelopment of Euston station.

Rail Business Daily

• Government announces £150m funding for light rail and busesLight rail and bus operators across England are set to benefit from over £150 million of government support.

Railnews

• Labour condemns 'brutal' rise in rail fares TUESDAY BRIEFING: Labour condemns 'brutal' rise in rail fares ++ London Underground staff strike in jobs and pensions dispute ++

Other News Sources

• HS2 funds major new environmental project in StaffordshireHS2 says six environmental projects, due to start in Staffordshire in 2022 as part of a Ј1.5m HS2 funding package, will deliver HS2’s green corridor benefits.
• UK ports asked to deny access to Russian vessels by Transport SecretaryThe Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has written to all UK ports asking them to deny access to vessels linked to Russia - saying they were not welcome here.