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

Tuesday, 12 December 2023

BBC News

• Rare solar storms could cause rail network chaos, scientists warnPowerful solar storms could cause train signals to switch, according to Lancaster University research.
• New trains launch for Glasgow Subway passengersThe first two trains were introduced by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport on Monday.
• Train ticket websites warned over drip pricingThe rail regulator has written to seven third-party sites over concerns their fees are not clear enough.

The Guardian

• UK online train ticket sellers warned to be more upfront about booking feesSome sites are charging up to £6.45 a transaction and need to be more transparent, says regulator

The Scotsman

• Glasgow Subway’s brand new trains: First ride as they enter service unannouncedTransport Correspondent Alastair Dalton travelled on one of the underground railway’s first new services for 43 years on Monday.

Times Online

• Sorry your train is late … blame the wrong type of solar flare. [subscription]Scientists have warned that rare space weather events could pose a threat to the rail network
• Electric flying taxis ’in the air within ten years’ [subscription]Prediction comes as air traffic controllers simulate how they could operate alongside existing aircraft
• Train ticket sites told to be more open about extra fees [subscription]The Office of Road and Rail is concerned that passengers only discover the full price at the checkout

The Mirror

• ULEZ 'loopholes' that mean some drivers don't have to pay charge for driving in LondonMany Londoners have blasted the new low emissions rules on some of the city's roads, but there are a number of exemptions and discounts available to help you avoid paying

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford district train services affected by floodingTrain passengers faced cancellations and delays in the Bradford district this morning due to flooding.

London Evening Standard

• Train ticket retailers using drip pricing – regulatorThe Office of Rail and Road said companies must ensure their booking or finder’s fees are included within upfront prices.

Northern Echo

• Echo Comment on the future of Hitachi's train factory at AycliffeNO one is yet seriously suggesting that the Hitachi factory at Newton Aycliffe is under threat, but its difficulties do suggest the crisis in Britain’s rail industry.
• All LNER trains facing cancellations to North EastTrains running to the North East are still being cancelled following overhead wire damage between Peterborough and Grantham over the weekend.

Bucks Free Press

• Arriva bus passengers rate company onlineBus passengers have left scathing online reviews about transport providers.

Other Regional Press

• Plans to improve rail services in Redditch revealedPlans to improve the rail network in Redditch and the wider West Midlands have been revealed.
• 'When the District line is down we're cut off, TfL needs to make more London Underground trains stop here'Sadiq Khan has rejected proposals to have Piccadilly line trains stop there during the day

Airportwatch

• Third-party rail ticket retailers charge booking fees up to £6.50, watchdog says. [subscription]Office of Road and Rail concerned over practice of adding charges only at checkout

British Trams Online

• New Chair appointed at Midland Metro LimitedPhil Hewitt has been appointed as the new Chair of Midland Metro Limited (MML), the operator of the ever expanding West Midlands Metro network. Mr Hewitt has over 30 years experience in senior roles across the light rail sector and has previously served as Metro Director at Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) before the launch of services to Library in 2019.

Business Live

• Hitachi slashes value of Durham factory amid crisis in rail industryThe firm said a £64m write-down in the value of its factory at Newton Aycliffe did not mean there would be a "cessation" at the planst

New Civil Engineer

• RMT members believe funding cuts will lead to ’major railway incident’ in next two yearsMembers of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) believe “a major railway incident” is likely to happen in the next two years in face of cuts to Network Rail’s budgets.
• Network Rail chief says rail operator ’failed as a system’ and apologises for Paddington chaosThe chief executive of Network Rail has said the organisation “failed as a system” after hundreds of passengers, including himself, were stuck on trains at Paddington for hours.

Railway Technology

• Hitachi facing UK difficulties as EU business thrivesHitachi UK's rolling stock plant in the north east of England has been revalued with a massive loss.

Other News Sources

• TfL has revealed all the art that will feature in 2024’s Art on the UndergroundMosaics, audio works and a fascinating new pocket map will all come to the tube next year