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

Friday, 05 January 2024

BBC News

• West Yorkshire bus franchise campaign to hand in petition to mayorCampaigners who want to see public control of buses will hand a 12,000-signature petition to West Yorkshire's mayor Tracy Brabin later.
• Tube and train strikes: When are the January walkouts on the London Underground?Passengers on the London Underground face major disruption when workers hold days of strikes in a dispute over pay. Walkouts run between 5 and 12 January, but the full impact will not be felt until the evening of Sunday 7 January, when Tube services wind down.

Financial Times

• Electric cars share of UK market fell for first time in 2023Industry calls for cut in VAT to provide incentives for buyers after EV growth falters
• A freightful time for container shipsWelcome to how the world used to work before British, then US, naval supremacy
• Shipping blues get a hand from Red Sea disruptionRebel attacks on ships boost share prices

STV

• First Bus and Stagecoach to offer free weekend travel across cityA free travel scheme is being introduced across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in an effort to encourage bus travel.

The Guardian

• Electric car sales in UK flatline, prompting calls for VAT cutStalled growth in electric vehicles comes despite government goal to phase out petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles by 2035The number of new cars registered in the UK has jumped by nearly 18% but electric vehicle demand is flatlining, prompting the industry to call for a VAT cut to stimulate sales.Annual figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on Friday show 1.9m new cars were registered last year, well up on the previous year's figure of 1.6m and the highest level since the 2.3m registrations of 2019.

Times Online

• New London to Sheffield train service planned for 2025 [subscription]FirstGroup has submitted plans to launch a route between Sheffield and London King’s Cross

City AM

• Relief for drivers as UK petrol prices fall by 6p per litre in December The average price of petrol in the UK fell by 6p per litre in December in a relief for consumers after a year of trouble at the pumps.

The Mirror

• Petrol prices fell 6p last month - but RAC says they're still too high The RAC said pump prices should be still lower as the average supermarket margin on fuel was 13p per litre last month which is more than double what it was in 2021
• New York trains crash in subway with multiple people injured during derailmentA subway train in has derailed in Manhattan after it was involved in a collision with a work train, authorities said. No one was severely injured in the crash which has resulted in travel chaos

Birmingham Post

• JDR Cables makes commitment to Hartlepool site with PD Ports contract extensionThe power cables decision to extend its agreement at the Port of Hartlepool is being seen as boost to the location's credentials in the offshore energy market

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Why Bradford Interchange bus station has been closedBradford Interchange bus station is currently closed. It follows damage believed to be linked to

Yorkshire Post

• Taxpayer to cover £6m loss after Supertram is brought under public controlSupertram in South Yorkshire is expected to lose more than £6m in the first year after it is brought back under public control.

Other Regional Press

• More evening buses for CheltenhamGloucestershire County Council has announced the introduction of additional later evening bus services on routes in Cheltenham.

Bus and Coach.com

• New Durham Bus Station to open after delayAfter its opening has been set back by half a year, Durham’s new bus station is due to open on Sunday (7 January).

Coach and Bus Week

• Scottish and Welsh bus funding confirmed for next financial yearThe Scottish and Welsh Governments have confirmed their positions on bus funding for the 2024-2025 period. In Scotland, almost £2.5 billion has been allocated for public transport to provide viable alternatives to car use, plus an increased investment of £220 million in active travel to promote walking, wheeling and cycling.
• Nottingham services under threat as council cuts spendingAs the crisis in local government funding continues to impact on councils across the country, Nottingham City Council has highlighted that it faces a £50 million gap in its budget for the 2024/25 year, which will have a major impact on its services, including transport.

Intelligent Transport

• First Bus announces major investment and job creation for Rochdale bus depotFirst Bus is set to transform Rochdale’s transportation with a £750,000 investment in a Corporation Street depot, enhancing engineering facilities and preparing to take charge of Bee Network services from March 2024.

New Civil Engineer

• Network Rail makes planning application for remedial repairs to 19th century Stockport ViaductA planning application has been submitted by Network Rail to conduct remedial repairs to Stockport Viaduct, built in the 19th century.
• Rail Freight Group sets out government actions needed to increase rail freight in the UKPutting freight at the heart of future rail policy, commitment to a long-term electrification programme and safeguarding land for rail terminals are among the Rail Freight Group’s (RFG’s) advice for government to increase rail freight in the UK.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• West Yorkshire bus operators claim public support for EP PlusThe financial risk of bus operation in West Yorkshire should stay with businesses and not local authorities, according to a survey of residents commissioned by a group of operators ahead of the closure of a consultation into proposed franchising in the region.
• Xplore Dundee reports 2023 boost for FLY serviceXplore Dundee’s FLY service, which connects Dundee with Edinburgh Airport, has enjoyed a 50% rise in passengers over the course of 2023, the operator has announced.
• First Bus to invest £750,000 in Rochdale depotFirst Bus has announced a £750,000 investment in a Rochdale bus depot and the creation of up to 50 jobs as it prepares to take on responsibility for running Bee Network services in the area from March.
• PSVAR review work falling behind already does not bode wellIt will be scant surprise to some that a government response to the PSVAR review call for evidence (CfE), and publication of the next steps in that reform process, have been delayed.
• Bus franchising in Wales is zero-emission catalyst, minister claimsPlanned rollout of bus franchising in Wales will be the catalyst for a wholesale move of the country’s bus fleet towards zero-emission, Minister for Climate Change Julie James told the Senedd Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee on 13 December 2023.