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

Saturday, 19 October 2024

BBC News

• Grand Central Station: Your questions answeredTrains have now been running from Belfast's new £340m Grand Central Station for a full working week after the first services pulled away from the platform on 13 October.
• Alderney States denies delaying licence for ferryThe States of Alderney has denied "dragging its feet" on issuing a ferry passenger licence.
• Electric buses heading to Gloucestershire routesBrand new electric buses are heading to routes in Gloucestershire over the next 12 months, it has been announced.
• Third platform to be added to busy city stationNetwork Rail says Salford Crescent is one of the busiest stations in Greater Manchester.
• Bus and tram in head-on collision in city centreA number of tram stops in Manchester's city centre have been closed as a result of the crash.

ITV News

• Police investigate deliberate flooding of rail line in Cheshire after water pump sabotagedPolice are investigating after a drainage pump was deliberately sabotaged in a "senseless act of vandalism" causing a rail line to flood in severe weather.

Financial Times

• Airlines bet on food and art to lure flyers back to ageing premium cabinsNew perks offered while better planes and seats remain grounded from supply chain disruptions

The Guardian

• ‘Best-in-class’ seats and no bog-standard loos: first look at HS2 train interiorsCarriages for controversial high-speed line focus on passenger comfort, innovations and headroom, mock-ups revealFor now, it remains unclear quite how far any passenger will travel on future HS2 services – whether reaching Euston or on high-speed tracks all the way to Crewe. But however short the journey, an exclusive peek at HS2’s embryonic carriages reveals travellers will be enthroned in “the best seats of any UK trains” – even, arguably, in the toilets.Conscious of discontent with the “ironing board” seats in some of the newest trains introduced to...

The Independent

• HS2 claim their trains will have UKs 'most comfortable' seats as test designs revealedThe HS2 trains will include recling seats, plenty of leg room and reading lights

Times Online

• CalMac ferry services to meet 'minimum requirements' for each island [subscription]1. The ferry operator CalMac has said it will make alterations to its timetable in the coming months in anticipation of increasing customer numbers.

Network Rail

• Intelligent wagons using tech to make freight more efficientWe've developed smart technology to track freight wagons on our railway. These 'intelligent wagons' monitor wagon condition keeping your journeys smoother and our railway safer.

London Evening Standard

• HS2 high speed trains to Euston will be 'most comfortable' on UK rail network with 87cm of legroomPassengers on HS2 high speed trains to and from Euston will enjoy the most comfortable' seats on the rail network under plans being drawn up.

Northern Echo

• Calls for action as probe is launched into 'crazy' Teesside transportA probe into Teesside's 'crazy' transport system will investigate how to bring bus, rail and other services together better amid calls for urgent action.

Other Regional Press

• Bus stations 'invariably became unattractive polluted places'When I moved to Sheffield as a student many moons ago, I discovered that Sheffield did not have a central bus station as such but that all the buses ran across the city from one side to the other.
• Cardiff named one of the best UK cities for public transportCardiff is one of the best cities in the UK for public transport, according to new research.
• Caledonian Sleeper pays out almost £1million in compensation in less than a yearData obtained through a Freedom of Information request revealed that between April 24, 2023 and April 5, 2024, £965,672 was paid out to passengers hit by delays.

Modern Railways

• Network Rail shuffles region leadershipA series of changes to the leadership of Network Rail's regions will take place from April 2025 as Rob McIntosh moves to chair the TransPennine Route Upgrade board from his current role as Managing Director of the North West and Central Region.

New Civil Engineer

• Government preparing to announce privately-funded HS2 Phase 2a leg to CreweHigh Speed 2 (HS2) may run from London Euston to Crewe, reinstating Phase 2a of the project, following a reversal of government policy.

Rail Advent

• Driver training progresses on Welsh tri-mode trainsThe Stadler-built Class 756 Tri-mode trains are becoming increasingly visible on the South Wales network as drivers undergo final training sessions.

Rail Business Daily

• Signalling specialist helps to address level crossing issues in NorthumberlandA Sutton Coldfield-based signalling specialist has helped to address ongoing issues with a level crossing on the East Coast Main Line (ECML).
• Changes at the top at Network RailNetwork Rail has announced several changes due to come into play next April.

Rail UK

• Network Rail and Southeastern partner with Earth Cubs to launch children's educational videosPositive storytelling through educational videos will help Network Rail and Southeastern work together to create a cleaner, greener and more socially responsible region, resilient to climate change

Railway Gazette

• New leasing company awards 50-locomotive framework contractAUSTRIA: New entrant to the European full-service locomotive leasing market Green Mobility Partners has awarded Siemens Mobility a framework contract covering the supply and support of up to 50 locomotives.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• David Cutts appointed Transport UK London Bus MDTransport UK London Bus has appointed David Cutts to the position of Managing Director amid a leadership overhaul.

Sustainable Bus

• Transport UK London Bus appoints David Cutts as new Managing Director (within new leadership team)David Cutts has been appointed as Managing Director of Transport UK London Bus as new leadership team announced.

Aviation Industry

• Heathrow completes major runway resurfacing in £100 Million airfield investmentHeathrow Airport has completed the resurfacing of its Southern Runway, a once-in-a-decade project involving over 200 engineers and technicians.

Other News Sources

• Bjorn's Corner: Air Transport's route to 2050. Part 1.In Corners over the last years, we have covered new airliner technology and engine developments that would apply to the next-generation airliners in the largest segment of the market, the single-aisle segment, or as we like to call it, the Heart of the Market segment, as it's not sure it will be a single-aisle aircraft.