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

Friday, 20 October 2023

BBC News

• Transport for Wales: More cash for rail firm after lost ticket salesTaxpayer funding for rail operator Transport for Wales (TfW) is increasing by around half because it has sold fewer tickets than hoped.
• RMT union votes for six more months of rail strikesTrain passengers are facing another six months of potential strikes, after members of the RMT union voted for further industrial action.
• Wales' 20mph speed limit: Bus route cuts consideredArriva Buses Wales says lowering the default speed limit has led to an
• TransPennine Express announces service cuts to boost punctualityThe train firm's boss says the temporary reduction will help
• Transport for London: Fare dodgers cost network £130m a yearLast year there were about 18,000 offences reported by TfL revenue teams for possible prosecution.

Financial Times

• I Squared buys red London bus operator Arriva Miami-based infrastructure investor plans to invest over £2bn in transport operator with strong UK presence
• Can weight-loss drugs save the aviation industry (some money)?No, but it's mildly interesting to ask
• Peru's megaport aims to reshape region's maritime traffic Project offers a new model for infrastructure but raises concerns over Chinese influence
• SUV sales in Ireland rise as richer drivers demand roomier carsTwo out of three new passenger vehicles now fall into the category among the highest proportion in the EU

The Guardian

• Train strikes in England could continue for six months after union voteBacking of 90% of RMT members gives leverage for improved offer, says union leader Mick Lynch
• Why high-speed trains may not be right for us in the UK | LettersCathy Swann argues that the high-speed rail networks seen in Spain and France may not be suitable for our small, densely populated landscape, but Steven Clark says the negativity about HS2 is a blight on progressHaving recently returned from my favourite holiday destination in southern Spain, travelling by train to avoid flying, I can testify to the excellence of the Spanish rail system
• London bus operator Arriva bought by US private equity firmThe London red bus operator Arriva has been snapped up by US infrastructure investor I Squared in a deal believed to be worth about €1.6bn (£1.4bn).

The Independent

• US infrastructure firm to buy bus and train giant ArrivaGerman owner Deutsche Bahn secured the sale, understood to be worth around 1.6 billion euros (£1.4 billion), after lengthy talks.

Times Online

• Mark Bostock obituary. [subscription]Economist who made the case for routing HS1 via Stratford and played a key role in the successful bid for the 2012 London Olympics
• Sale of HS2 land to lose £100m of taxpayers’ money [subscription]A “fire sale” of land bought for HS2 north of Birmingham is set to cost the taxpayer more than £100 million, analysis has revealed.
• Pothole-plagued roads are driving motorists crazy. [subscription]Drivers’ anger at the condition of local roads has reached an eight-year high, research has found.

Transport Committee

• New planning policies for major road and rail schemes need clarifying against Net Zero laws, says Transport CommitteeThe Transport Committee has published its analysis of the Government’s proposals to revamp planning policies for nationally significant road and rail infrastructure projects.

Birmingham Post

• Liverpool John Lennon Airport makes first-ever pre-tax profit as passenger numbers more than doubleThe airport is expecting passenger numbers to grow to five million a year

Bristol Live

• Marvin Rees warns Bristol overground transport system 'undeliverable' because of major road closuresMayor urges ambition for mass transit system and has a challenge for his successors in his final State of the City address

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Mark Drakeford will not use 'tools of past' to improve major North Wales roadThe Welsh Government will now only build new roads under specific circumstances

Metro

• RMT votes to continue rail strikes for another six monthsThe RMT Union has voted to extend strike action for another six months.

Yorkshire Post

• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's comments about West Yorkshire mass transit system 'annoying' said Tracy BrabinWest Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said the Prime Minister’s wording – linking the transport system solely to Leeds – was frustrating after years of the scheme being promoted as something that would benefit all towns and cities in West Yorkshire.

Cambridge News

• New National Express service to link Cambs to Luton and Heathrow AirportsThe bus line will go from Cambridge and Peterborough to Luton and Heathrow

Other Regional Press

• HS2 just seems to have been an elaborate con trickCOMMENT: The Network North policy paper had the feel of something hurriedly scrawled on the back of a fag packet

Bus and Coach Buyer

• Mellor to take Sigma electric as far as 13.5m as nine-metre debutsMellor will expand its Sigma battery-electric bus range as far as a 13.5m model, the manufacturer has revealed. Presently the Sigma line-up is available at lengths between 7-12m, and while the longer Sigma 13 is being driven by requirements in Scandinavia, it will be offered in the UK if demand dictates.
• Arriva sale announcedArriva parent company, Deutsche Bahn AG (DB) has signed an agreement with I Squared Capital for the sale of the whole of Arriva Group.
• RHA makes wish list for Autumn StatementRHA has written to the government with a number of suggestions of how it can support the coach and wider transport industry in the upcoming Autumn Statement.

Intelligent Transport

• Funding secured for automated transport link feasibility study by Solihull CouncilThe feasibility study will consider all aspects of the transport technology required in order to provide a safe and reliable automated public transport service in Solihull.

Rail Advent

• Transport for Wales celebrates its team of cleaners!Inspired by National Thank Your Cleaner Day, the rail operator is raising awareness of its hard-working team members who keep trains clean!

Rail Business Daily

• Formal start of partnership working between local transport and national railway leadersHot on the heels of the launch of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) have formally started work to deliver a more locally accountable and integrated rail network in Greater Manchester.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Arriva sale to I Squared Capital set to be completed in 2024Agreement has been reached for the sale of Arriva Group to I Squared Capital by current owner Deutsche Bahn (DB). Completion is expected during 2024, subject to conditions and approvals, and a firm announcement follows heavy speculation on the proposed deal.
• Partnership delivering Stagecoach InterConnect 505 improvementsStagecoach East Midlands has relaunched its InterConnect 505 route between Spalding and King’s Lynn. The work includes an upgrade to the Scania Alexander Dennis Enviro400 buses used, while two local authorities (LAs) will improve roadside infrastructure and provision of information in what the operator calls a “cross boundary partnership.”
• BSIP Plus improvements outlined for OxfordshireA county-wide all-operator day ticket is being considered by Oxfordshire County Council courtesy of its latest Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP Plus) award, while it has also promised £1 Sunday bus fares in December.
• Morebus routes gain top Great Scenic Journeys accreditationGreat Scenic Journeys has awarded Morebus’s Breezer and New Forest Tour services its highest “Premium Journey” rating.
• Morebus 28-strong Alexander Dennis Enviro400 fleet enters serviceMorebus has put 28 new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-deckers into service on its trunk M1 and M2 routes between Bournemouth and Poole.

Other News Sources

• Inditex collaborates with Maersk to cut down on maritime transport emissionsSpanish fashion conglomerate Inditex has announced a new partnership with freight company Maersk to reduce its global greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint.
• Transport / SNP members back call for action on island transport connectivityMEMBERS of the SNP have backed the idea of creating a new Scottish Parliament committee focused on rural and island transport.
• TransPennine Express to cut trains from York to boost reliabilityTrain operator TransPennine Express is to reduce the number of trains it runs as part of an attempt to boost its woeful reliability.
• Rail Delivery Group responds to further six month strike extension by RMT membersA spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, said: “We want to resolve this dispute and are acutely aware of the damaging impact it's having on our passengers, our people and the many businesses up and down the country who rely on rail.