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

Sunday, 08 September 2024

BBC News

• Drivers could face big increase in parking costsDrivers could face big increases to the cost of parking their cars in a city, in a bid to promote more sustainable methods of transport.
• Ulez scrappage scheme to close for applicationsThe scrappage scheme for vehicles that do not meet the standards of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) closes on Saturday.
• Grand Central Station opens to the publicThe first bus from the new transport 'hub' in central Belfast has departed for Dublin.
• Workers start to demolish M62 rail bridgeA section of the M62 is closed all weekend while work takes place.
• Chinese giant Chery could build cars in UKChery is weighing up the possibility of building cars in the UK, according to a senior executive.

Financial Times

• Rail renationalisation won’t boost UK growthGiven the backdrop, the Treasury is unlikely to give rail the funding it needs to improve punctuality or hold down fares

The Independent

• British Airways: 25,000 passengers hit by mass weekend flight cancellationsOn one of the busiest weekends of the year, an estimated 25,000 passengers have had their travel plans wrecked by mass flight cancellations on British Airways.

Times Online

• Pure Electric e-scooter company ?to be bigger than Dyson? [subscription]Lando Norris romped to victory in last month?s Dutch Grand Prix a full fortnight ago but you still can?t wipe the smile off his father?s face.
• After the hype, is hydrogen truly ready to take off? [subscription]The gas has long been touted as the answer to emission-free transport but doubts are emerging over the cost of production and how green it really is

Parliament

• Cycling road safety in the spotlight in Lords debateOn Thursday 12 September, members of the House of Lords will debate the safety and regulation issues involved in cycling on the road network.

The Mirror

• Councils will be allowed to run local buses as Labour scraps Thatcher's banIt?s understood Labour?s rule changes, to be tabled in the Commons on Monday, will lift the ban on local councils setting up community bus companies, allowing more local leaders to take more services into public control

This is Money

• Labour needs to extend the ?2 bus fares cap, says Stagecoach boss Claire MilesStagecoach is on a journey that is about to come full circle. At the wheel for this new adventure is Claire Miles.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Edinburgh transport: 14 challenges facing new transport convener Stephen Jenkinson from trams to parkingTransport is always a hot topic in Edinburgh - whether it?s a new tram extension, the workplace parking levy, new parking controls or the spectre of congestion charging.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Metro expansion plans questioned after history of 'unrealistic' visions for North East transportA councillor has called for tougher scrutiny over North East mayor Kim McGuinness plans for restore the Leamside railway line and take the Tyne and Wear Metro to Washington

Wales Online

• Welsh airport that most people have never flown from now being run by new groupA new group has taken over the operation of Swansea Airport after what were described as high-level talks with the site's owner, Swansea Council. Swansea Airport Stakeholders Alliance is running the airport on a temporary basis after the previous leaseholder agreed to relinquish its lease.

Other Regional Press

• Exeter Airport rated as one of the best airports in the UKExeter Airport has been rated one of the best airports in the UK for customer experience and has received ?Recommended Provider? status by consumer champion Which?
• Weymouth Town Council vote community bus plans to progressWeymouth Town Councillor David Harris of the Radipole Ward proposed the plan for a bus which would better serve communities with infrequent and no bus services.
• Belfast Grand Central Station: Full details as ?340m public transport hub opens its doors this SundaySunday will see the opening of the new world class station, signalling a new era for public transport in Northern Ireland.
• Stagecoach enhances transport for university studentsAn improved bus service has boosted travel options for university students and staff members
• Southampton takes two million rides on Voi rental e-scootersSouthampton residents have taken two million rides on Voi rental e-scooters, new figures have revealed, replacing an estimated 825,000 car journeys.
• Flint Railway Station receives "much needed" refurbTRANSPORT for Wales has completed a million-pound investment into Flint and Runcorn East railway stations.

Aviation Industry

• Heathrow partners with Databricks to optimise passenger flowLondon Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) has partnered with Data and AI company Databricks to optimise passenger flow through its terminals and improve passenger experience.

Green Miscellany

• New H2StarFire engine smashes hydrogen: New combustion type and historic efficiency recordRecently, Astron Aerospace presented a new type of hydrogen combustion engine called H2StarFire, which offers unprecedented performance across numerous sectors due to zero emissions. This innovative engine design offers clean fuel advantages combined with familiar internal combustion engine characteristics, thereby creating new opportunities that can compete with traditional gasoline engines and electric power trains.
• Sweden shows why they are ignoring hydrogen: This engine uses a fuel never seen beforeNorthern European countries have always shown an almost inordinate degree of innovation, with a firm commitment to renewable energies and ecosystem conservation projects. But what about their mobility? Why do they embrace EVs but ignore the hydrogen that Japan is revolutionizing? We didn?t know why until now, when a legendary brand has just unveiled an engine that changes everything we imagined about traditional fuels, making it very clear that it is not one of them.

Other News Sources

• BMW AND TOYOTA AIM TO DEPLOY HYDROGEN FILLING STATIONSToday?s announcement of an extensive hydrogen collaboration between the two manufacturers is based on the belief that the necessary infrastructure will be developed.
• UK airports ranked by Which? ? Manchester T3 takes the bottom spot for third year runningFor the third year in a row, Manchester Airport?s Terminal 3 has finished at the bottom of the annual Which? airport survey, while Liverpool John Lennon Airport soared to the top with the highest customer satisfaction rating.
• Warwickshire to procure electric bus fleet and charging infrastructureThe central English county of Warwickshire has announced the procurement of 27 electric buses and charging infrastructure for them. Public transport operator Stagecoach Midlands has placed the actual order and will support the required electrical connection works and charging infrastructure installation.
• MP makes maiden speech with transport agenda for regionWest Devon MP Rebecca Smith wants towns linked up with Plymouth South West Devon Conservative MP Rebecca Smith has used her maiden speech in the House of Commons to campaign for improved rail links.
• Community vow to take on care of an East Lancashire train stationA group of women have volunteered to take care of an East Lancashire railway station to showcase the town they are proud to call home. The 20-strong band have adopted Accrington Station, which is operated by Northern and used by more than 465,000 people a year.

News from Europe

• Clermont-Ferrand latest French city to offer free public transportFrench city Clermont-Ferrand is considering extending free weekend public transport to a full week-long service. This move aligns with a growing trend among local authorities aiming to reduce pollution and stimulate local economies.