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

Monday, 06 January 2025

BBC News

• Ditch your car to keep 32 bus fare, mayor urgesThe mayor of Greater Manchester has asked people to ditch their cars in 2025 if the region's new bus network is to be a success.
• Works on 'road from hell' to end after 23 yearsIt has taken 23 years and cost almost £2bn, but the major road will be finished later in 2025.
• Airports reopen runways after snow disruptionPassengers who were due to fly into Manchester and Liverpool airports have been diverted.
• London roads still the most congested in Europe London has been the most congested city in Europe for four years in a row, analysis suggests.
• Donated bikes help refugees feel better connectedSince 2016, charity Bikes for Refugees has handed out more than 3,000 bikes from its hubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Financial Times

• New York becomes first US city to introduce congestion chargingPlan to ease traffic faced years of challenges and opponents want incoming Trump administration to block it
• FirstGroup to add bus and open access rail routes amid Labour nationalisation UK’s largest train operator under pressure to diversify due to government plans
• Shipowners’ record order book for container vessels prompts downturn warnings Total capacity of ships on order overtakes pandemic levels despite uncertain outlook for global trade

The Guardian

• London is Europe’s most congested city, with drivers sat in traffic an average 101 hours last yearThe capital beats Paris and Dublin, in second and third place, as traffic congestion gets consistently worse. Much like its gridlocked traffic, London’s position as the most congested city in Europe has remained unmoved, with it coming top of the list ahead of Paris and Dublin. Drivers in the capital spent an average 101 hours sitting in traffic last year, a 2% increase from the previous year, according to the transport analytics company Inrix.

The Telegraph

• German giant wants to pitch in to make Britain's trains run on time [subscription]German industrial giant Siemens is urging Labour to let it upgrade underperforming rail routes, as the Chancellor explores cheap ways of modernising the network.

Times Online

• Amsterdam abandons smart traffic lights amid privacy fears [Subscription]The technology, which collects road users? personal data through mobile phone apps, raised concerns about cybersecurity
• Government may scrap net zero 'flight tax' [subscription]The government has admitted it may have to backtrack on a net zero 'flight tax' if it adds hundreds of pounds to holidaymakers journeys.

City AM

• Rail regulator orders HS1 to slash train ticket prices on Eurostar route The Office of Rail and Road has ordered HS1 to lower its train ticket prices from April 2025, after finding it did not meet its duties for efficient spending. The 109km high-speed rail line was ordered to bring charges down by 3.8 per cent compared to its latest plans, saving passengers and freight trains as £5m a year

Birmingham Post

• Tech, transport and talent: What 2025 holds for the North West, according to business leadersAfter a tough year in 2025, entrepreneurs and analysts are hopeful for the future but warn there could still be problems ahead

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford Interchange reopens but snow forces buses to be recalled to depotThe long-anticipated reopening of Bradford Interchange has happened today, but due to heavy snow very few buses are in operation.

Bristol Live

• Bristol transport 2025: What's happening with trams, new train stations, buses and scootersThere were some major changes to the city's transport network in 2024 and more huge changes are planned

Carlisle News & Star

• Mayors should take over local trains says northern leaderThe north east's directly elected mayor has called for regional leaders to run Northern train across the north of England.

Other Regional Press

• MP says station repairs due sooner, after meeting bossesA Cheshire MP says Network Rail has agreed to bring forward the start date for repairs to one of the county's railway stations following his intervention.
• Deputy leader says gyratory project will make Shrewsbury nicer to visit as work around station begins againA long-running scheme to improve the road and pedestrian network around Shrewsbury's railway station will resume today after a break over Christmas.
• Pop-up transport hub in Glasgow praised for successA pop-up transport hub in Glasgow has been praised for increasing active travel rates.
• Staffordshire quarry wants extended hours to help build HS2A Staffordshire concrete plant is set to be allowed extended operating hours for the next three months - to support the construction of HS2. Pyford Brook Quarry, near Alrewas, was granted planning permission in 2022 and primarily provides concrete for the high speed railway.
• Herne Hill commuters have given up on hellish rush hour trains amid constant delays and cancellationsLocal MP Helen Hayes has demanded 'urgent improvements' from operator Thameslink
• Major National Express change set to affect bus passengers across CoventryAdults will be charged £2.90 instead of £2
• Motorists warned of delays as A444 closed to one lane for 'banana bridge' inspectionIt spans the A444 dual carriageway

Rail Advent

• Digital signalling installed at one of Britain's busiest railway junctionsOn Friday, 3rd January, control of rail traffic through one of Britain's busiest railway junctions, at Crewe in Cheshire, was transferred to a state-of-the-art Rail Operating Centre in Manchester.

Rail Magazine

• Eversholt's Class 321 EMUs heading for scrap despite £60m rebuildEversholt Rail is preparing to dispose of its 30 Class 321 Renatus electric multiple units, even though they were completely rebuilt with new traction equipment and smart interiors at a cost of £60 million, and only worked for five years.
• What next for High Speed 2?HS2 has been mired in controversy for years as fierce arguments continue about spiralling costs and what will actually be built. Ben Jones considers the future of the project under a new Labour government.
• 'Once-in-a-generation overhaul of Crewe signalling system complete as three signal boxes closeThree signal boxes have been closed as part of a huge overhaul of the signalling system at Crewe.
• FirstGroup's half-year results reveal plans for 'operational delivery' for railFirstGroup says it has 'clear plans to navigate the evolving market', as it presented an upbeat set of half-year results to shareholders.
• RIA makes three requests of Transport Secretary for 2025The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is calling on the government to end 'boom and bust' investment cycles and set out clear investment plans in 2025.

Railnews

• Rail suppliers 'remain strained since electionThe immediate outlook for companies supplying the railway has remained 'strained' since the Labour government was elected in July, according to the Railway Industry Association.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Greater Manchester bus franchising completed with third trancheReregulation of bus services in Greater Manchester completed on 5 January with the rollout of the third tranche of franchising. That final segment broadly captures the southern half of the region and is significantly bigger in scope than the first and second tranches.

The Business Desk

• £10m railway station refurb nears completionNetwork Rail has confirmed a £10m renovation of a 130-year-old West Yorkshire railway station has been 'substantially completed'.
• City bus station back in action following year-long closureBus services have resumed at Bradford Interchange again - a year after it closed due to structural problems.

Other News Sources

• Devolution plans could mean a new Mayor for SussexA special meeting of Brighton and Hove’s cabinet will ask councillors to back the city council taking part in a devolution priority programme.