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

Friday, 30 August 2024

BBC News

• New bus route set to improve transport optionsBus travel will become a "more realistic option" for Much Wenlock commuters when a new route launches next month, according to Shropshire Council.
• Bus route extension to serve Gatwick AirportA bus route which runs through Surrey will be extended to provide a new connection to Gatwick Airport.
• Bus depot goes net zero with all-electric fleetA York bus operator has announced one of its depots is among the first in the country to achieve net zero emissions.
• Weekend strikes by LNER train drivers called offTrain driver strikes at London North Eastern Railway (LNER) have been called off following last-ditch talks between union and company officials.
• Walking and cycling rates stagnant for a decadeThere appears to be no significant increase in walking or cycling in the past decade, says report.
• Fuel duty cut could be scrapped, says RACThe motoring group claims retailers not drivers have benefitted from lower tax on petrol and diesel.
• Will sustainable aviation fuels take off?Sustainable aviation fuels work, but can they be made in sufficient quantity to replace fossil fuels?
• 'We were fined £50 each over £3 extra train fare'The transport watchdog says ticket inspectors need to treat fare dodgers differently from people who make genuine mistakes.

ITV News

• Weekend LNER train driver strikes called off after union talksA series of weekend strikes by train drivers for London North Eastern Railway (LNER) have been called off after union negotiations.

Financial Times

• Rail strikes on Britain’s east coast line are called off Train drivers union reaches deal with operator of one of the country’s busiest long-distance routes

The Guardian

• Ex-Network Rail chair threatened firm over engineer's Euston criticismLetter shows Peter Hendy, now the rail minister, threatened to withhold public contracts until firm disciplined worker
• ‘Harry would approve’: rail firm protects Cheshire viaduct turned Styles shrineFence and message boards put up at Twemlow viaduct, where One Direction singer is said to have had his first kiss. It has survived two world wars and nearly 200 years of northern English weather – but nothing threatens critical infrastructure like a Harry Styles fan.A Grade II-listed railway viaduct in rural Cheshire has had to be guarded by a wall to stop souvenir-hungry Harries damaging the 183-year-old structure.

The Independent

• Starmer facing questions over appointing rail minister who had whistleblower sackedShadow transport secretary Helen Whately has written to the Cabinet Office asking about the vetting of rail minister Lord Hendy after it emerged that he demanded an award winning engineer was sacked for talking to The Independent

Times Online

• Rail minister accused of misconduct after having whistleblower sacked [subscription]Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill is said to have pressured a consultancy firm when he was chair of National Rail

Scottish Government

• Trial removal of peak fares on ScotRail discussions: FOI releaseInformation request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

City AM

• Uber partners with Wayve to offer self-driving rides Uber has already announced tie-ups with self-driving group's Waymo and Cruise this year as it pushes into the nascent autonomous vehicle market.

Local Government

• Work starts on a new walking and cycling route in MaidenheadWork has begun on the second part of a three-phase project to make it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to get between Maidenhead town centre and the north of the town.

Birmingham Mail

• Ryanair, Jet2, TUI, Easyjet already have drink limit but passengers 'not aware of it'Earlier this week, Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary called for a strict alcohol limit on every passenger amid rising bad behaviour and antics.

Bolton News

• Cameras that can catch drivers on phone trialled in Greater ManchesterCameras which can automatically detect drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel are set to be trialled in Greater Manchester

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Majority of women in West Yorkshire don't feel safe getting bus at nightJUST 41 per cent of women in West Yorkshire feel safe catching the bus at night – a statistic one Councillor has described as “horrific.”

Liverpool Echo

• Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary shares idea to limit passengers to two alcoholic drinksMichael O'Leary said the airline has seen "record numbers" of air rage

Manchester Evening News

• Preparation for a major link road 50 years in the making is set to startThe bypass has been on the cards for half a century, now National Highways have confirmed preparation work is starting

Bucks Free Press

• Chiltern Railways warns passengers of 'major' line closures this weekendChiltern Railways has warned travellers to watch out for line closures caused by major engineering works across its Buckinghamshire services this weekend.

Oxford Mail

• Oxford Botley Road scheme could be halted in optionsNetwork Rail bosses are now considering a series of options for Botley Road as part of the £161m scheme to revamp Oxford rail station.

Other Regional Press

• Progress on plans for road works that will pave way for new villageWORK which officials say will help pave the way for a new village to be created at the former Inverkip Power Station site looks set to start next year.
• Preparations for major A57 link road project set to start next weekThe A57 link road project - which will ultimately affect numerous Oldham drivers - is set to see builders start work next year, but in the meantime preparation works need to be carried out, according to National Highways.
• Bus service for villages including Badwell Ash and Walsham le Willows saved by county council. Worried village residents have had key bus services saved by Suffolk County Council following route axing. Diss-based Simonds Buses, announced it would be axing some of its services due to economic viability.

The Economist

• Heathrow's third runway asks questions of the airport and LabourHeathrow airport has a new boss and two new investors. Yet some familiar problems continue to affect it.

Bus and Coach Buyer

• DVSA issues PSVAR compliance letterLetters have been sent out from the DVSA concerning PSVAR Enforcement on home-to-school and rail replacement services.
• Bus trips outside London increase 8%Average trips by buses outside London increased by 8% in 2023 compared to 2022.

EV Magazine

• Tesla Launches First All-Electric Train in GermanyTesla's first all-electric train service, the Giga Train, has begun operations in Germany, marking a new chapter in sustainable transportation

New Civil Engineer

• Lord Hendy forced Systra to sack engineer for raising concerns about crowd crush at Euston stationRail minister and former Network Rail chair Lord Hendy had an engineer at Systra sacked by threatening to withdraw business from the consultancy unless action was taken after the employee publicly commented on safety concerns at Euston station.

Rail Magazine

• SELRAP woos new MP supportersCampaigners trying to break the deadlock in their bid to reopen the 12-mile Skipton-Colne link will be forging links with new MPs.
• Lord Hendy accused of threatening company over Euston criticismNew rail minister, Lord Peter Hendy is facing growing calls to answer his role in the dismissal of engineer, Gareth Dennis from his role at engineering company, SYSTRA.

Railnews

• LNER strike threat lifted following ASLEF agreement A series of weekend strikes which had been called by ASLEF on LNER has been suspended after a resolution was reported by the union. LNER had already published a reduced timetable for this weekend but said it would now see how it could strengthen its service. The operator said the latest talks with ASLEF had been ‘constructive’ and that it was pleased the strikes had been suspended.

Railtech

• SNCF?s low-cost rival Kevin Speed could secure ?400m EU loanFrench open-access operator Kevin Speed, one of the first companies to challenge SNCF?s high-speed rail dominance in France, could soon secure significant EU financing. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is considering supporting the newcomers to the tune of around 400 million euros, the total estimated value of the procurement, a staggering 1 billion euros.
• ?There are no hydrogen trains!? Romania to scrap H2 plans, reinvest EU funds in roadsRomania is cancelling plans to buy 12 hydrogen-powered trains worth around 360 million euros and wants instead to reinvest EU funds intended for the project in building highways. Why? ?Because there are no hydrogen trains,? according to Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Bus usage up 8.7% outside London, survey showsThe number of bus trips across the UK outside London increased by 8.7% in 2023 compared to 2022, according to the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey.
• Weekend bus travel in Portsmouth to be free during SeptemberBus travel where journeys start within Portsmouth will be free across every weekend in September. The approach comes thanks to funding from the city's successful Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and marks Catch the Bus Month, which starts on 1 September.
• Three First Bus depots verified as net-zero-emission sitesFirst Bus depots in Leicester, York and Roundtree Way in Norwich have been verified as net-zero-emission by environmental consultancy Carbon Footprint, which reviewed the group?s claims for those three operating centres.

The Business Desk

• Homes England seeks contractor for ?23m Rugby roadHomes England has launched a search for a civil engineering contractor to construct a ?23m road outside Rugby.

Other News Sources

• Stadler Debuts Hydrogen and Battery-Powered RS ZERO for Sustainable Rail Travel in BerlinStadler has unveiled its latest rail innovation, the RS ZERO, a direct upgrade from the longstanding Regio-Shuttle RS1. This new model marks a significant step forward in sustainable rail solutions, offering two environmentally conscious propulsion options: hydrogen and battery. These choices reflect a commitment to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the eco-friendliness of regional railways.
• Stadler to Display Battery-Powered FLIRT Akku at InnoTrans 2024At InnoTrans 2024, Stadler will display a battery-electric version of its FLIRT Akku train.
• Coventry: City to trial single-decker electric Volvo busA single-decker electric bus is being trialled on the streets of Coventry over the next few weeks. National Express Coventry?s fleet of 140 double-deckers are already fully electric.
• UK rail minister got engineer sacked for raising safety concernsPeter Hendy threatened to withhold public contracts while seeking disciplinary action.