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

Tuesday, 08 April 2025

BBC News

• Councils given funding for zero-emission busesTwo councils in Surrey and East Sussex are among 12 local authorities to receive a share of £37.5m of government funding for new zero-emission buses.
• Fresh plans for Liverpool Street Station submittedRevised plans to redevelop Liverpool Street Station have been submitted to the City of London Corporation, Network Rail has said.
• UK to relax electric car rules as US tariffs hitThe prime minister says measures will help the car industry but critics claim they are not enough.

Department for Transport

• Government invests nearly £38 million to bring 319 new green buses to communities across EnglandFunding will make bus travel cleaner and more affordable for passengers, while helping the UK to meet its zero emissions goals.

Financial Times

• Prices for used Teslas drop in US and BritainA glut of former fleet cars may explain the fall rather than any link to Elon Musk but the brand is undoubtedly under pressure

Times Online

• Carmakers demand more help from Starmer to survive Trump tariffs [subscription]The prime minister watered down his pledge to ban all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, but the industry says he should go further

The National

• Scottish university students welcome First Bus electric vehiclesSTUDENTS at Robert Gordon University (RGU) gathered on campus to celebrate the arrival of a new fleet of 36 First Bus electric vehicles.

Local Government

• Wheely good news for route 300: Workington to Carlisle, as more people hop on the bus!Cumberland Council is pleased to announce that passenger numbers on Route 300 between Workington and Carlisle have increased by 20%.

Sky News

• Should UK take on tough new licensing laws used in Canada - where deaths of young drivers have fallen by 83%?The UK government is facing accusations of being 'disingenuous' and 'irresponsible' amid growing criticism for not introducing tougher licensing laws for new drivers.

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham Airport changes ahead of 'busiest Easter on record' as 650,000 passengers expectedMore than 650,000 passengers are expected through the doors at BHX this Easter

Birmingham Post

• Jaguar Land Rover reveals scale of Donald Trump's tariffs with US sales figuresThe luxury car maker on Saturday confirmed it will 'pause' shipments to the US as it works to 'address the new trading terms'

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Let's get West Yorkshire moving again, says MPIt is difficult to envision a region with more untapped potential than the North of England. The North is rich in talent, creativity, and culture; however, the last decade has been characterised by underinvestment and unfulfilled promises.
• Bradford to be served by cutting edge 'tri-mode' trains after £300m order is placedSERVICES between Bradford Interchange and London are set to be operated by state-of-the-art 'tri-mode' trains in the future

Bristol Live

• WECA mayor candidate Steve Smith speaks out against LTNsThe Tory says he's heard from people saying the do not want them
• Just 3% of local roads were repaired last year, new figures showProblems caused by potholes include damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Car ban in Wrexham city centre with cameras to enforce new rulesThe changes will come into force from next Monday with vehicles barred at certain times of the day

London Evening Standard

• Smooth, speedy and free. But will cyclists be prepared to wait for the Silvertown bike bus?Shuttle bus will run every 12 minutes through Sir Sadiq Khan's new road tunnel under the Thames

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• New green buses for local communities after government announces £38m fundingA total of 319 new zero-emission vehicles will be brought into service across the UK, by the Spring of 2027

Yorkshire Post

• Labour urged to create 'Transpennine Growth Corridor' helmed by minister to capitalise on rail projectThe Government must create a special 'growth corridor' to capitalise on the Transpennine Route Upgrade to help rebalance the UK's economy, a new report has said.

Other Regional Press

• Planning application submitted for St Helens transport interchangeA PLANNING application has been submitted for a £43m transport interchange in the heart of St Helens town centre.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Government unveils bold plans for zero emission vehicle transition amid tariff uncertaintyThe government has announced significant changes to its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate in response to global economic uncertainties and potential tariff impacts on the automotive sector. Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled the package of reforms yesterday, confirming the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel car sales while introducing greater flexibility for manufacturers.  The changes include allowing hybrid vehicles to remain on sale until 2035 and exempting small-volume manufacturers like McLaren and Aston Martin from the mandate targets. The announcement comes at...

Rail Advent

• Keswick is again part of Britain's railway networkAvanti West Coast and bus company Stagecoach have again joined forces to make Keswick in Cumbria part of Britain's railway network, with a virtual railway station that allows visitors to the Lake District to enjoy seamless journeys by train and bus.

Rail Business Daily

• Transport Secretary unveils blue plaque for Great Western Railway pioneerA blue plaque honouring Great Western Railway's (GWR) first locomotive driver has been unveiled as part of the 200th anniversary celebrations of the birth of the railway.

Rail Magazine

• "Too many challenges for approval": cross-country open access plan withdrawnGrand Union has withdrawn its plan for an open access service between Cardiff and Edinburgh.

Railnews

• Siemens launches new centre with ground-breaking ceremony Siemens has begun work on its new £100 million centre in Wiltshire by staging a ground-breaking ceremony. Rail minister Lord Hendy joined members of Siemens Mobility’s leadership team, Chippenham MP Sarah Gibson, past employees, and members of the local community to celebrate the occasion.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• £38 million allocated to further 319 zero-emission buses in EnglandMoney is for 12 previously-successful ZEBRA 2 bids to expand existing vehicle procurements
• Electric coach charging in London: Bus depots and more neededBut little encouragement from TfL that bus depots will support electric coaches within London

Aviation Industry

• Ryanair calls for comprehensive reduction in air transport taxRyanair is putting pressure on the German government to completely abolish the air traffic tax and significantly reduce air traffic control and security fees. The airline argues that the high costs place German air traffic at a significant disadvantage compared to other European countries.

Other News Sources

• 'Game changer' idea to extend Elizabeth Line from Heathrow into SurreyImproved access to airport would be needed to cope with any expansion but questions remain over funding

News from Europe

• How Might Starline Impact Europe's Transport Emissions?Starline high-speed rail aims to enhance European logistics, cutting emissions and boosting economic ties through sustainable freight integration
• Continued public free transport for commutersStarting Tuesday, April 8, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility launched the sale of free passes for Renfe train services and state-owned buses for the May to June 2025 period.