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

Sunday, 23 February 2025

BBC News

• Bus firm awards drivers pay rise to end strikesA bus operator in Hampshire has given drivers a 4.8% pay rise in a bid to end strike action, saying it has "fully exhausted the negotiation process".
• 'New bus services will make everyday life easier'More bus services have been created in Stoke-on-Trent in a bid to meet demand for public transport on evenings and weekends.
• West Coast Main Line reopens after landslipThe West Coast Main Line has been reopened following major disruption caused by a landslip.
• Parking changes due at 42 railway stationsSoutheastern has announced that the way passengers pay for parking at 42 stations on its network will change from 24 February.
• Transport for London faces £23m funding shortfallTfL needs to find more than £20m in savings due to an increase in employers' NI contributions.

Financial Times

• Oil traders steer away from long-term tanker charters amid Trump uncertaintyConcerns over US president’s policies on tariffs and global conflicts add to existing worries

The Guardian

• A train through Germany: is Europe?s powerhouse going off the rails? In the run-up to Sunday's crucial election, the Guardian took a long journey through Europe's heartland to talk to voters
• UK-wide parking app may be out of road after government funding withdrawnFive-year-old platform intended to make drivers’ lives easier will only be supported until the end of March‘Those without smartphones unfairly penalised, say campaignersHow to navigate apps: from checking safety to recalling passwordsUK-wide parking app may be out of road after funding withdrawnIt was hailed as “the future of UK parking”, intended to remove one of the bugbears of modern life: the need to sign up to a plethora of different apps in order to park your car.
• BMW pauses £600m upgrade to Oxford Mini plant as electric car demand fallsGerman carmaker will review plans for site which had been forecast to secure 4,000 jobs in EV productionBMW Group has paused a £600m investment into a Mini car assembly plant on the outskirts of Oxford, amid a declining demand for electric vehicles.In 2023, the German carmaker, which has owned Mini since 2000, announced the investment to upgrade its Cowley plant for electric production of the Mini. It was supported by government-backed investment, and was forecast to secure 4,000 jobs in electric vehicle production.

Times Online

• The 45-year battle to keep walking over our level crossing [subscription]A bizarre dispute about the safest way to cross a train line in Dorset reveals the absurdity that can ensue when planning and protest collide
• Apparently passengers are fuming at King's Cross. I tried to find one. [subscription]Reports of outrage about a tweak on the station's departure boards may be exaggerated
• Never mind Heathrow: Gatwick airport is close to getting a new runway [subscription]The airport's second runway is set to be approved this week for a fraction of the cost of its rival's plan. It will be litmus test for the government's growth agenda
• Wizz Air boss vows to beat Ryanair in race to dominate Ukraine market [subscription]József Váradi and Michael O'Leary of Ryanair vie to re-establish civil air travel if and when Russian and Ukraine sign a peace deal

Nation. Cymru

• Can Cardiff Airport take flight?Professor Stuart Cole, CBE. Emeritus Professor of Transport (Economics and Policy), Prifysgol de Cymru / University of South Wales

Other Regional Press

• New platform encourages train journeys instead of car travelOxfordshire Community Rail Partnership has launched TrainTripper.
• New 'smart' AI speed cameras catch out thousands of drivers in just one year on Midlands roadsThe cameras, which use the latest technology and artificial intelligence to capture speeding drivers, were rolled out at hotspot locations at the end of 2023
• Solihull Jaguar Land Rover agency staff axed after 'assignments come to an end'The Lode Lane firm has confirmed that some roles at the plant have finished as part of a normal business practice

Other News Sources

• New hand luggage screening rules by Bournemouth AirportBOURNEMOUTH Airport has changed the rules of hand luggage for passengers travelling though airport.
• Hitachi Rail Transforms Rail Maintenance with Cutting-Edge Real-Time Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance Technology Powered by UK-Led Research and DevelopmentHitachi Rail has successfully commercialized a groundbreaking technology designed to enable real-time infrastructure monitoring and predictive maintenance, following extensive UK-led research and development.
• MetroWest takes top regional prize at Rail Business AwardsA scheme designed to transform train services in the West of England was a winner at this year's Rail Business Awards, the industry's most recognised awards scheme.