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

Tuesday, 19 November 2024

BBC News

• Trains fitted with 'leaf-busting' brake systemA new system to improve train braking during slippery autumn leaf fall has been fitted to the type of train involved in two serious crashes.
• Rail operator outlines changes in new timetablesA rail operator serving south east England has announced what services will be added to its new timetable, which starts in December.
• Rail freight scheme cuts lorry journeys by 64,000A scheme to transfer freight from road to rail has cut 64,300 truck journeys from roads in its first year, according to a port operator.
• Alternative northern leg HS2 plans to be discussedLouise Haigh will meet with the West Midlands and Greater Manchester mayors later.
• De-icer and empty trains to tackle snow disruptionStaff armed with specialist anti-freeze kits will help clear icy spots on the railway, operators say.
• Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy protectionDespite surging demand, low-budget carrier Spirit has not posted a full-year profit since 2019.
• British Airways says 'tech issue' resolved after delaysPassengers had reported delays, but the airline says flights were not cancelled.

ITV News

• Midlands buses to get £181 million boost from Transport SecretaryBus services in the Midlands will see a £181 million boost under plans confirmed by the Transport Secretary to "end the bus postcode lottery."
• New independently run trains to Swindon, Taunton and Weston-super-Mare approved for 2025
A co-operatively owned rail operator has been given the green light to run services in Somerset and Wiltshire.

Financial Times

• Volkswagen’s hopes of a US comeback shaken by Trump’s re-election The threat of tariffs and subsidy shake-up comes as German carmaker faces weak American sales of its all-electric SUV
• Spirit bankruptcy gives priority boarding to opportunistic creditorsHedge funds and bond managers are willing to invest millions of dollars to get reorganised carrier off the ground
• BA flights hit by fresh round of IT problemsDisruption for airline’s passengers amid problems with pilot communication and website going down

The Guardian

• Technical issue causes lengthy delays to dozens of British Airways flightsHeathrow says issue that led to hours-long postponement of flights has been resolved

The Scotsman

• The politics behind A9 delays - the 'wasted years', 7 transport ministers and ongoing doubtsWe take a look back at the politics of the A9 dualling and what has gone wrong.

Times Online

• ScotRail urged to make room by scrapping first class seatsMSP demands that operator follow other UK rail firms and replace premium seats with standard class to boost capacity
• BA systems failure grounds flights and brings down website [subscription]Queues build at Heathrow while pilots waiting on the tarmac say a global IT outage means they have lost contact with the airline

City AM

• Harland &Wolf's botched Scilly Ferries venture collapsed owing £3m Scilly Ferries was set up by the firm's former management, but it was ultimately wound down before a single voyage was made.

Mail Online

• British Airways battling to play catch up after flights were grounded and passengers left stranded across Europe: Jetsetters blast airline over 'lack of communication' over IT glitchHolidaymakers were seen standing in the cold waiting to board their flights yesterday evening, while some were seen stuck on planes awaiting clearance to take off.

Sky News

• British Airways flights delayed after 'technical issue'A "technical issue" at British Airways has delayed flights, reportedly for thousands of passengers.

Birmingham Post

• First electric powered trains introduced on the South Wales MetroThe Welsh Government said the trains would make 'passengers journeys more comfortable'

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• West Yorkshire's £2 bus cap to remain in place until spring, Mayor confirmsThe £2 bus cap will remain in place until spring - meaning single bus fares and the MCard DaySaver will stay the same price.
• Work on three major Bradford rail projects shows no sign of starting soonWORK on three major rail projects planned for Bradford shows no sign of getting off the ground any time soon.

Manchester Evening News

• The two new Greater Manchester train stations that could be built before 2030Both stations would see upgrades as a result of the scheme
• British Airways ‘technical issue’ delays flights as passengers left frustratedPassengers started to report problems earlier this evening
• Electric vehicles to be hit by car tax change for first time from AprilThe changes will impact electric vehicles for the first time

Nation. Cymru

• New state-of-the-art electric trains enter service on South Wales Metro in UK firstNew electric tri-mode trains will be used by passenger for the first time in the UK today (18 Nov) on the South Wales Metro.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• British Airways 'major IT outage' leaves flights grounded and delays at Newcastle Airport and across Europe and the UKBritish Airways has been hit by a major IT outage which is causing travel chaos across the UK and Europe. The airline has confirmed there are "delays" and the issue has been "resolved"

Northern Echo

• Plans raised for 'Superloop' bus route that will connect 'major hubs' togetherPlans for a 'Superloop' bus route have been raised to potentially connect the 'major hubs' between Darlington, the Yorkshire Dales and Northallerton.

Wales Online

• New tram system to connect Cardiff Bay and city centre moves forwardThe tram train line is due for completion in 2028
• 'Absolutely lovely' The Valleys lines get their first sight of Transport for Wales’ new electrified trainsThe new trains are being rolled out across the South Wales Metro and are set to bring in quicker and more frequent journeys for passengers

Yorkshire Post

• Yorkshire authorities awarded more than £60m to boost bus servicesMayor Tracy Brabin has confirmed that West Yorkshire bus fares will stay at £2 into the new year, as the government announced more than £60 million in funding for the region.

Cambridge News

• Cambridgeshire to get £10m to deliver 'London-style' better busesThe government has promised to spend nearly £1 billion to support bus services until 2026

Other Regional Press

• TRACK WORKS FOR £56.8M MID CORNWALL METRO STARTTrack works are under way for the Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM), a £56.8m rail initiative aimed at improving local journeys and connectivity in the region.
• Great Western Railway named best domestic train serviceGreat Western Railway (GWR) has been recognised as the best domestic train service in the UK.
• Revamp of train stations 'before 2030' in Oldham and TamesideRail bosses have confirmed two revamped train stations could be built in Greater Manchester before 2030.
• Welsh Labour Announces Measures to Take Back Control of BusesCabinet Secretary for Transport Ken Skates announced the re-regulation of bus services across Wales to connect our communities.
• Labour must focus on fulfilling promises made to rail passengersResponding to the news that new trains are finally being introduced on the core valley lines, Natasha Asghar MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, said:
• Silent electric bikes and scooters highlighted as major concern: 'They were taunting the police'The issue of off-road bikes was raised again

C.N.N.

• Britain is building one of the world's most expensive railways. Many people now think it's pointlessBuilding new railways is an expensive business. Even in ideal circumstances, carving a new route through the landscape costs millions of dollars per mile and can take decades to complete.

Business Live

• Cardiff Crossrail £100m city centre to Cardiff Bay tram link gets funding approvedThe go-ahead comes after the Welsh Government confirms its required £50m match funding

Rail Business Daily

• First electric trains to be introduced to South Wales MetroElectric tri-mode trains will be introduced to passenger services for the first time in the UK today (18 Nov) as part of the South Wales Metro.
• Knorr-Bremse partners with Northern to complete key overhaul ahead of autumn leaf fallKnorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK has partnered with Northern to complete critical upgrades on the Class 331 and 195 fleets, ensuring they're equipped to meet the challenges of autumn leaf fall.

Rail Magazine

• East Midlands Railway adds services on cross-country route in December timetable changeEast Midlands Railway (EMR) is adding eight services and extending two others in changes that will come into effect from Monday December 15.

Railnews

• ASLEF calls for action over toilet crisis The drivers’ union ASLEF is calling for radical improvements to the provision of toilets for drivers, because the lack of hygienic facilities is a ‘real problem’. ASLEF will be launching a report called Dignity for Drivers at the House of Commons tomorrow, to coincide with World Toilet Day.

Railway-News

• UK's First Tri-Mode Trains Launch on South Wales MetroTransport for Wales (TfW) has introduced the UK?s first tri-mode electric trains on the South Wales Metro.

Other News Sources

• A call for faster trains on the Elizabeth LineThe success of the Elizabeth Line has been celebrated in Reading, with a call for quicker train services to be introduced.
• HS2 begins assembling Turweston green bridge deckEngineers working for the HS2 project have begun assembling a new green bridge at Turweston on the edge of Buckinghamshire and West Northants.
• Advantage to showcase train travel with Rail Delivery Group partnershipAgency consortium Advantage has forged a new partnership with the UK's Rail Delivery Group (RDG) to increase the focus on train travel within the corporate sector.
• Detailed Design and Build Contractor Appointment for First Phase of Cardiff CrossrailFollowing a tender process, Graham Group has been awarded the contract for the Detail Design and Build for the first phase of the Cardiff Crossrail.