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

Monday, 02 September 2024

BBC News

• Stagecoach announces improvements to bus serviceA Stagecoach director said he hoped an increase to the number of buses available in a service would help it to become a "turn up and go" system.
• More bus services after ?42m funding boostThere will be more frequent bus services in Lancashire from September thanks to increased funding, the county council has said.
• Disruption warning as rail bridge work set to beginThe London Overground and District line are set to be partially closed over four weekends in September and October, as work commences on repairing Kew Railway Bridge in south-west London.
• Railcard train travel to offer less of a discountThe discount will be trimmed from 34% to 33.4% from the middle of September after system changes.
• All-night buses hailed 'a game changer' for ManchesterThe new services will offer 135,000 people cheap transport options over seven days a week.
• Work on major link road 50 years in making set to startThe A57 Link Roads project includes the creation of two new link roads and aims to reduce congestion.
• UK and EU airports are sticking with 100ml liquid rule - but why?Air travellers who hoped the era of "tiny toiletries" was nearly over are facing fresh disappointment.

The Guardian

• I have the ideal road plan for Britain. Take the 16 major highway schemes worth ?15bn and bin themNew ministers now face a historic choice: more roads of dubious value or fresh thinking to secure growth ? and fight climate breakdown
• ‘The new digital flex’: the airport tray trend stirring outrage and delightHigh-end possessions artfully placed in grey plastic security trays are giving #foodstagram a run for its money. They might be grey, plastic and reportedly very dirty, but airport security trays are in demand. Online, a new trend called the “airport tray aesthetic” sees people carefully curating the contents of a tray, showcasing their shoes, scents, accessories, headphones, hats and reading material against a backdrop of polypropylene – and then photographing it to share with their followers.Sometimes called “TSA tray aesthetic”

The Telegraph

• Rail passengers to pay more as train operators cut railcard discount. [subscription]Price of card itself will not rise but one lobby group says the ?tiny? fares increase is a ?step in the wrong direction?

City AM

• Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary considers entering package holiday market Michael O'Leary said he wouldn't rule out setting up a package holiday division amid concern over the resilience of near-term flight demand.
• Why the new Labour government should invest in trains, not planes The aviation industry's contribution to the economy has long been its most relied upon defence. But is it really that clear-cut?

Mail Online

• Motorists heading for Dover could be held in 'car stacking' sites while waiting for their ferries in bid to alleviate gridlock at the port when new EU entry rules come into forceThe Government is understood to be in talks with landowners to use sites in the event of severe congestion, amid concerns that the new system could see queues of up to 15 hours at the Port of Dover.

Birmingham Mail

• New UK and EU airport rule from today with 'no date for when it will be relaxed'All travellers will be prohibited from carrying any liquids, gels, or aerosols in cans, containers or jars exceeding 100ml in their hand luggage.

Bolton News

• Bee Network double decker bus smashed hours before night bus launchA Bee Network bus has been smashed in Leigh just hours before night bus services launch on two routes from Bolton and Leigh to Manchester city centre.
• Northern teams up with start-up companies to drive forward changes and improvementsSoutheastern, Northern, LNER, and TransPennine Express have joined forces under the initiative called Future Labs.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Railcard discounts to be trimmed by train operators from this monthTrain operators will lower the discount currently available to passengers with a Railcard from September 15.

Bristol Live

• Six vital new bus routes linking passengers to Bristol and surrounding towns They launched at the start of September

London Evening Standard

• Bid to keep Crossrail 2 alive as talks continue over 'safeguarding' project's futureThe long-awaited scheme could unlock hundreds of thousands of new homes and jobs across London and the South East
• Train firms to cut railcard discounts without telling passengersThe PA news agency understands fare reductions will be reduced from 34% to 33.4% from September 15

Other Regional Press

• Students offered half price rail travel to encourage more commuting by trainStudents across Greater Manchester are being offered half-price school-run tickets for the entire 2024-25 academic year.
• Hopes for new bus service for WeymouthWeymouth Town Councillor David Harris of the Radipole Ward has proposed the plan for a bus which would better serve communities with infrequent or no bus services

Rail Advent

• Battery train begins testing ahead of trials in YorkshireTesting of battery trains is to begin soon between York and Manchester Airport and between Leeds and Liverpool Lime Street. The train has had a new distinct livery applied which Hitachi says celebrates the collaboration between TransPennine Express, Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail.
• Tech startups have the potential to shape the rail industry?s futureNine tech start-up companies have been chosen to collaborate with four train operators to work and deliver new innovations within the rail sector.

Railway Gazette

• GB Railfreight opens ?2?5m locomotive maintenance facilityUK: GB Railfreight has opened a ?2?5m facility at Tonbridge in Kent which will be used to maintain Class 73, 69 and 66 locomotives.

Other News Sources

• More services to run from Cardiff Bus InterchangeAn additional 14 bus services will run from the new Cardiff Bus Interchange from Sunday 1 September.
• The expansion of Gatwick Airport would be a significant loss to societyWhen approving airport expansions, the government is prioritising the interests of wealthy frequent flyers over the well-being of society, argues NEF's Alex Chapman
• More cash needed for new London Overground line on old railway, says TfLThe project would serve four boroughs, ensuring connectivity with the Elizabeth line and HS2
• Plan for a multi-billion pound railway running north-south through London, the Government has confirmedThe route would make use of the existing railway lines from Surrey through to Wimbledon, at which point it is proposed to go underground through Balham to Clapham Junction.

News from Europe

• Transforming rail: More convenient and sustainable train travel in the EUTravelling by train in Europe is becoming more convenient and sustainable thanks to recent EU initiatives. New regulations for the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) to improve rail connectivity and make travel greener have recently entered into force. This means better and more efficient rail services across Europe.