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

Monday, 31 October 2022

BBC News

• Switzerland sets record with world's longest passenger trainA Swiss railway operator has set a new record for completing a journey with the world's longest passenger train.
• Scotland's 'green' ferry to begin service using diesel fuelOne of the ferries in a controversial Scottish government contract will initially only operate on diesel - despite being built to also run with liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Financial Times

• Icelandair to become first flag carrier to fly domestic routes emissions freeAirline aims to exploit abundant and cheap carbon-free electricity in home market
• UK rail companies and unions to hold talks to prevent more strikesProtracted industrial action that began in June is focused on pay and working practices

The Guardian

• HS2 could face review as Tories look to plug budget, says Michael GoveLiz Truss's investment zones also suggested as likely savings target, amid reports energy windfall tax will be extended. Everything will be reviewed as the government considers ways to cut spending and plug a budget black hole, the levelling up minister has said, naming the HS2 high-speed rail project and Liz Truss's investment zones as possible candidates for savings. Michael Gove's comments followed reports that ministers are considering extending the windfall tax on energy companies by three years and increasing it to 30% of profits, but have taken a similar levy on banks off the table.

The Herald

• MSP unveils plans for free transport home for late night hospitality staffPROPOSALS for a new law requiring hospitality bosses to provide free late-night transport to help workers get home safely are to be unveiled later this year.
• 'Shambles beggars belief': Scots transport bosses end plans for ’green fuel’ ferries... costing taxpayers millionsTAXPAYERS are set to foot a multimillion-pound bill as transport chiefs have abandoned liquefied natural gas (LNG) ferries designs with new vessels that would be expected to use them.
• Edinburgh George Street car ban plan to be decidedBUSINESSES have highlighted the need for access as plans to pedestrianise a world-famous shopping street in the Scottish capital are set to reach a

The Scotsman

• Passengers due to ride ’world's most ambitious and complex’ autonomous buses across Forth Road Bridge by JanuaryPassengers are due to finally travel on the UK's first full-size autonomous bus over the Forth Road Bridge by January after road tests were completed.

Times Online

• Late power switch-on puts e-car hubs ’at risk’. [subscription]Drivers of electric vehicles are being held back and tens of millions of pounds of renewable energy investment in Scotland is being put at risk because of delays connecting vehicle charging hubs to power supplies.
• HS2 rail plans could be derailed in hunt for £50bn savings, suggests Michael Gove. [subscription]Michael Gove says that HS2 could be scaled back as Rishi Sunak targets big infrastructure projects in his attempts to save £50 billion.

Daily Record

• Radical project proposed to fully electrify nearly 120 miles of railway between Dunblane and AberdeenThe A2CB route travels through Gleneagles, Perth and Invergowrie but the works could see local commuters face seven years of disruption

i News

• HS2 contractors threaten to walk away as Government hints it could scale back rail project againOne source said they had been ’waiting for answers’ from the Government for too long

Birmingham Post

• Airporter coach company snapped up by Dublin bus groupNew parent Aircoach is owned by Aberdeen headquarter and London-listed First Group

London Evening Standard

• HS2 ’likely’ to exceed mammoth budget unless urgent savings found“HS2 Ltd has indicated that, if unmitigated, the final delivery cost is likely to exceed its target cost of £40.3 billion based upon its forecast of future spending,” Mark Harper said

Manchester Evening News

• HS2 rail scheme under review as government targets £50bn cutsMichael Gove has suggested HS2 could be derailed as the government considers up to £50bn in spending cuts. Capital investment for the high speed the railway line will be reviewed Mr Gove said, as he warned the Government has to make 'painful' decisions.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Electric car owners may have to pay tax under new Government plansThe Government is looking at a number of huge cuts and tax hikes as well as new taxes to plug a £50billion hole in the budget

Northern Echo

• Go North East rises bus fares from October 2022 - here's new pricesA bus company said it has been forced to increase its fares across the entire network amid the cost of living crisis.

Wales Online

• The simply terrible response the Welsh secretary gave when challenged about Wales missing out on HS2 fundingAlhough more than £96bn will be spent on HS2 in England the UK Government has defined it as an England and Wales project

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Rail network in West Midlands to undergo 'revolution' under plans for more services, stations and linesRailway stations could be built, lines could be reopened and more services introduced to London under major plans to create a

Yorkshire Post

• Mayor demands update on £100m project that aims to ensure HS2 trains reach LeedsWest Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin is demanding an update on a £100m study that will look at “the most effective way” to bring HS2 trains to Leeds, after almost a year of waiting.
• Chances of HS2 reaching region are receding furtherWith a multi-billion gap in public finances exacerbated by the disastrous Mini-Budget looming over the Government’s Autumn Statement, comments by Michael Gove suggesting HS2 budgets could be in the firing line do not bode well for Yorkshire.

Other Regional Press

• HS2 rail scheme under review as Government eyes £50billion cutsMichael Gove insisted people “deserve the truth” which is “as a result of different factors, including mistakes that were made at the mini-budget, we have got to make some decisions, which will be painful"
• Over 60s face waiting longer for free bus passes due to state pension changeChanges to the state pension age are likely to come into force next April

New Civil Engineer

• DfT to recruit head of uncertainty to predict future travel trendsCombining expert economic advice with modelling skills will be key tasks for the person appointed to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) newest post as the organisation looks to understand the risks that arise from uncertainty.

Other News Sources

• Transport for the North say train performance 'unacceptable'Lord McLoughlin, Chair of Transport for the North, has called on the government to urgently intervene to help end the current ’unacceptable’ levels of performance on the rail network in the North of England.