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

Friday, 30 June 2023

BBC News

• Bristol birthday bus passengers unable to apply for passesWest of England residents promised free bus travel have been unable to apply for passes shortly before the new scheme starts.
• Arriva Darlington and Teesside services 'saved' after dealSeveral bus services at risk of being scrapped due to funding cuts have been saved after a "last minute agreement", the Tees Valley mayor has said.
• Trains return to top of Wales' highest mountainVisitors heading for the summit of Wales' highest mountain can finally let the train take the strain after a three-year break.

Financial Times

• Why do some UK cities punch below their weight?Poor transport between cities beyond the south-east is holding back Manchester and Birmingham
• European companies sound alarm over draft AI lawExecutives from 150 businesses, including Siemens and Heineken, highlight risks of tight regulation
• Trade-off between EV sales and EU relations leaves carmakers in a fogUK wants to increase electric car use but this will cost business tariffs under post-Brexit deal with Europe
• Cancelled flights upset US travellers promised a smoother summerUnited Airlines blames aviation regulator for disruptions ahead of busy July 4 holiday

The Guardian

• Carbon emissions from UK rail travel lower than previously thoughtRail travel is far more carbon efficient than previously thought, according to a rail industry group that has commissioned a new tool for calculating emissions.
• Airline passengers in UK being let down by toothless regulationWhich? calls for stronger legislation, saying no airline has been fined for breaching obligations in 20 yearsAirline passengers in the UK are being let down by toothless regulation, with no airline fined in the last 20 years for breaching obligations, the consumer group Which? has found.
• Low emission zones are improving health, studies showReview of research finds particularly clear evidence that LEZs in cities reduce heart and circulatory problemsAn increasing number of research studies are showing that low emission zones (LEZs) improve health.More than 320 zones are operating across the UK, Europe and notably in Tokyo, Japan. These reduce air pollution across an area by curbing the number of highly polluting vehicles, normally older diesels. Schemes, including London’s ultra-low emission zone, can improve air quality. This should lead to improved health, but does this actually happen? Continue reading...

Times Online

• Volkswagen to cut production of electric cars at German factory [subscription]The UK’s most popular car manufacturer has cut back production of electric vehicles because of “strong customer reluctance”.

City AM

• Rail operators forced to cough up as delay repay claims doubleRail operators closed more than double the number of compensation claims for delays in the 12 months to March, reflecting in part a “deterioration in train punctuality and reliability” as well as the ongoing effect of strike action.
• Airlines getting off scot-free with no fines issued for decades, says WhichAirlines are getting off scot-free from penalties with no fines having been issued due to regulatory action in two decades, according to the consumer group Which. Which said Britain’s aviation watchdog – the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – should be doing more to “name and shame” airlines, withdraw licences and pursue action “in the courts” where behaviour has been unlawful.

Mail Online

• Not a single airline is fined in 20 years despite numerous cases of 'unlawful behaviour'The scandal was highlighted by Which? as the lack of action was cited as evidence of a massive failure of the customer protection regime.

Network Rail

• Foundations completed for new tracks at Bamford as part of the Hope Valley Railway UpgradeMajor progress is being made on the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade, with the majority of earthworks which set the foundations for a new passing track loop between Bamford and Hathersage stations completed.
• Milestone achievement for Network Rail as drive for a greener railway picks up paceThree-quarters of Network Rail’s suppliers have, by emissions, committed to setting their own science-based emissions targets.
• Network Rail celebrates being named in The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender EqualityNetwork Rail, the organisation which manages, maintains and upgrades Britain’s railway infrastructure, has been recognised as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality for the third consecutive year, for its commitment to addressing gender inequalities in the workplace.
• Ordsall Chord footbridge opens reconnecting Salford and ManchesterA key pedestrian and cycle route between Salford and Manchester has opened underneath the iconic Ordsall Chord railway bridge.
• Scotland’s Railway relaunches Rail Pastors programmeScheme to help keep people safe on Scotland's Railway returns in Inverclyde, Paisley and Fife
• Councillor visits Levenmouth Rail Link to see STEM workshopsCouncillor Colin Davidson, convener of the Local Area Committee, visited the site of the Levenmouth Rail link project to see first-hand Levenmouth Academy pupils participating in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workshops.

Bolton News

• Bolton:Taxi drivers continue to raise objections to MLS proposalsTaxi drivers turned out in large numbers at Bolton Town Hall this week to once again make their opposition to the proposed Minimum Licensing Standards (MLS) known.

Liverpool Echo

• All the roads where new 20mph zones in Wirral are proposedNot everyone has welcomed the changes but those for it argue it will save lives

Blackpool Gazette

• More Government details emerge on how Fleetwood's rail link will be restored - using tram-train technologyNew details have emerged about how the Government plans to restore the rail link between Fleetwood and Poulton using state-of-the-art tram-train technology.

Cambridge News

• Transport chiefs to start work on 'final solution' for Cambridge congestion charge - ready for Autumn voteThree potential scenarios for changes have been put forward, with the possibility of "mixing and matching" different options

South Wales Argus

• Mark Drakeford plans better bus travel network in WalesMARK Drakeford has vowed to improve the bus network in Wales by introducing a new law this year.

Other Regional Press

• People unimpressed with Brighton and Hove bus revampPeople are unimpressed with plans to give Brighton’s buses a new look.
• Corby train station link road and town centre green plans approved by the governmentThey are the final two projects to be funded through £19.9m allocated to Corby Towns Fund

Airportwatch

• TransPennine Express installs 47 ticket vending machines of a new typeTransPennine Express (TPE) has installed 47 new ticket vending machines (TVM) across its network that show customers what departures they can catch for each type of ticket.

Coach and Bus Week

• Abellio London enjoys service confidence with CumminsA comprehensive service agreement between Cummins and Abellio London is proving its worth not just for both companies but for travellers who between them take millions of journeys each year, the companies say. The agreement is centred on improving the reliability and efficiency of Abellio London’s 560-strong fleet of Cummins-powered Alexander Dennis buses which make up the bulk of its total fleet of around 800 operating in the west, south-west and central areas of the capital.

New Civil Engineer

• East West Rail CEO confirms commitment to Aylesbury ’spur’ with business case prepEast West Rail's (EWR) chief executive Beth West has dispelled fears that a proposed “spur” of the planned railway connecting it with Aylesbury has been dropped.
• First beams for HS2’s ’double composite’ low carbon Wendover Dean Viaduct arrive on siteHigh Speed 2 (HS2) is due to begin the deck construction of a 450m long viaduct in Buckinghamshire as the first of 38 steel beams for the low carbon structure have arrived on site.

Rail Advent

• Rail regulator review finds improvements in compensation claim processIn its first review of how train companies handle delay compensation claims, The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) found that since its Delay Compensation Code of Practice was launched in April 2022, most companies have simplified the process, but some need to do more to raise awareness of how and when to make a claim.

Rail Business Daily

• Rail industry supports 3.5 million assistance scheme journeys in two yearsRail customers with accessibility needs are benefiting from a specifically designed app to help them book the assistance they need, with over 3.5 million journeys supported since it was launched two years ago by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Ex-First man Richard Gagg to lead Portsmouth BSIPFormer First Bus and Go South Coast manager Richard Gagg has been appointed Project Manager for the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) by Portsmouth City Council.
• Geotab unveils AI-driven fleet management solutionGeotab, a global leader in the internet of things (IoT) and connected transportation, has launched Project G, an intelligent assistant designed to unlock the power of generative artificial intelligence (AI) for fleet managers.
• Rotala reshuffles management at North West businessesRotala is in the process of overhauling the senior management structure of its Diamond Bus North West (DBNW) and Preston Bus businesses as its looks to capitalise on opportunities presented by the current market status.
• Brighton and Hove to drop red and cream in rebrandBrighton and Hove Buses is to drop its trademark red and cream livery and rebrand its fleet into a teal and aqua scheme. The Go-Ahead Group subsidiary’s logo will also change to reflect the new colours.
• National Express Transport Solutions and Liftango launch TrioNational Express Transport Solutions, the private hire subsidiary of National Express, and Liftango, a leading technology provider, have teamed up to introduce Trio, a state-of-the-art “passenger transport technology” aimed to shape the future of shared mobility.
• EPM Contract Performance product used on TrawsCymruTransport for Wales (TfW) has adopted the EPM Contract Performance product, which the supplier says has been developed to suit local transport authorities and overseeing bodies. It manages all stages of contract procurement, management and performance analysis and will be used by TfW to improve its TrawsCymru network.

Aviation Industry

• AEF Responds to Government Consultation on Developing a Sustainable Fuel MandateAEF recently responded to the Government’s latest consultation on proposals for developing a ’Sustainable Aviation Fuel’ (SAF) mandate. The consultation asks for views on the appropriate future mandate levels. AEF prefers the term ’alternative aviation fuel’, since ’SAF’ has come to be used as a catch-all term for any non-fossil liquid aviation fuel whether or not it can be sustainably produced in a net zero future.

Other News Sources

• Stagecoach brings new buses onto Barrow to Kendal routeBus users in Barrow have been enjoying a smoother ride thanks to an upgrade to vehicles on the Barrow/Ulverston to Kendal route. 
• The £1.8m scheme to fix Surrey A-road 'among worst in country' after 70 collisionsThe A25 between Dorking and Reigate was named by The Road Safety Foundation as one of the worst A roads in England
• Default 20mph zones could roll out across Surrey - starting with Woking and ElmbridgeA new road safety strategy will aim to reduce the number of deaths on Surrey's roads
• Gatwick Airport evacuated with flights delayed and cancelledGatwick Airport in Sussex was evacuated last night after passengers bypassed security through a fire door.