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

Saturday, 12 April 2025

BBC News

• Bus users bemoan company's fare increasesIncreases to operating costs are behind the changes to fares, the company says.
• Global breakthrough to tackle shipping emissionsCountries break ten-year deadlock to agree measures to reduce commercial shipping emissions.

Financial Times

• UN passes landmark carbon levy on ships, defying US threatsIMO plans to punish ships that miss decarbonisation targets, despite retaliation warning

The Guardian

• Shipping companies to pay for carbon dioxide produced by vesselsCompromise deal falls far short of carbon levy poor countries were hoping forShipping companies will have to pay for the carbon dioxide produced by their vessels for the first time under new rules agreed by the world’s maritime watchdog.The regulations agreed on Friday fall far short of the levy on CO2 that poor countries were hoping for, which would have funded their efforts to combat the climate crisis. Continue reading...
• Boarding passes and check-in could be scrapped in air travel shake-upFacial recognition and a ‘journey pass’ stored on passengers’ phones are part of UN-backed plans to digitise air transportThe days of fumbling around for your boarding pass or frantically checking in for a flight on the way to the airport could soon be over under imminent plans to overhaul the way we travel.The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN body responsible for crafting airline policy, plans to dramatically shake up existing rules for airports and airlines through the introduction of a “digital travel credential”. Continue reading...

The Herald

• New two-year pay deal agreed for ScotRail train driversTrain drivers have agreed a new two-year pay deal with ScotRail.
• £1.5m project to repair historic Glasgow rail bridges competedWork to future-proof two historic rail bridges in Glasgow has been completed.

The Independent

• Helicopter charter company involved in New York crash that left six dead had previous issuesRecords with the National Transportation Safety Board show the charter company was involved in two non-fatal accidents
• Hudson helicopter crash latest: Siemens executive and family killed after helicopter breaks apart midairThe pilot of the helicopter has been identified as 36-year-old Sean Johnson, a former Navy SEAL
• Major airline slashes economy fares on transatlantic travelEuropean airline groups have felt the effects of Donald Trump’s trade war

The Scotsman

• Glasgow Airport 'will eventually close' with flights focused on EdinburghGlasgow Airport will close when high-speed rail reaches Scotland, with flights being concentrated at its better-located Edinburgh rival, a rail engineer and writer has predicted.

Times Online

• How did the Hudson helicopter crash happen? [subscription]A pilot and family of five died when the New York tourist aircraft plunged from the sky. Was it a bird strike, rotor failure ? or the fault of ?crowded airspace??
• New airport rules will get rid of boarding passes and check-in [subscription]Passengers will be issued with a digital 'journey pass' containing all relevant information in the biggest shake-up of global aviation in 50 years

Daily Express

• Huge ?61m UK railway mega project update as 3 new stations to openThe line has been without passenger services for more than 80 years.

Mail Online

• Terrifying theory into cause of NYC helicopter crash after tech boss, his wife and three children were killedFootage of a rotor blade plummeting to the Hudson River has led aviation experts to likely determine the cause of the New York City helicopter crash that killed six people.
• Boarding passes and check-in to be ditched in biggest shake-up of global aviation in 50 yearsAeroplane passengers will no longer need to scan their boarding passes or check in the biggest shake up to air travel in 50 years, according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

This is Money

• Major carmaker cuts electric vehicle sales target by more than 20% for 2030In response to a slow EV uptake and increasing uncertainty over US tariffs, the manufacturer slashed 340k zero-emission models from its 2030 global sales targets.
• Lotus to axe up to 270 UK jobs due to 'US tariffs and shifting demand for sports cars'Lotus proposed restructuring could see 270 jobs gone from its Hethel factory as sports car demand falls and US tariffs make exporting to the US extortionate.

Sky News

• 'Completely nuts': New ferries too big for harbourThose unfamiliar with Scotland's so-called 'ferry fiasco' would barely believe it is a true story.

Birmingham Mail

• Seven SUVs on UK roads could face higher tax 'to pay for potholes'“Cars are getting fatter every year while our roads are crumbling,” said Oliver Lord, UK head of Clean Cities. “If you want to drive a tank around town, you should expect to pay for the privilege.”
• Diesel drivers in England face new rules which will be major boost for motoristsThe Labour Party government plans to allow some non-electric models to be sold in the UK until 2035, including petrol and diesel vans.
• Petrol, diesel, EV drivers warned over 'backwards step' policy under LabourAmid rising Vehicle Excise Duty rates, it is feared new charges could deter motorists from ditching combustible engines for EV models.

Birmingham Post

• Polestar sales surge as Tesla struggles after Elon Musk's Trump linksThe Swedish car company has sold around 12,304 vehicles since the beginning of the year, a 76 per cent jump on the same time period a year earlier

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Yorkshire mayors meet with transport secretary to share railway wishesYorkshire's three mayors met the transport secretary to share their ambitions for the region's railways.

Liverpool Echo

• 'Worst airline' for food and drink and it's not easyJet or Jet2Enjoying a snack and a beverage can help pass the time on a flight

Manchester Evening News

• Huge transport plans for Greater Manchester townThe TfGM plans would see the road network altered, with a focus on active travel

Northern Echo

• Metro workers star in series of films to help customers get to know new trainsMetro workers are featured in a new series of short films aimed at helping passengers get familiar with the Tyne and Wear Metro's new trains.

The York Press

• Yorkshire mayors meet with transport secretary to share railway wishesYorkshire's three mayors met the transport secretary to share their ambitions for the region's railways.

Wales Online

• Drivers warned of M4 and other major road and lane closures in Wales today - Saturday, April 12There could be a number of potential disruptions you should try to avoid this weekend - here are the details we know so far
• All the 20mph roads in Wales set to be 30mph againAnd some of those being considered for change as councils across Wales consult with local populations and make decisions on whether to return some routes to 30mph

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• 'It's been harder than we thought' - HS2 boss says Birmingham to London construction needs 'reset'Construction of HS2 has been ‘harder than thought’ and ‘needs a reset’, the boss of the high-speed railway company has confirmed.
• 'Nationally, it has cost millions' - Electric vehicle CEO talks about repeat vandalism of charging cablesAn electric vehicle charging founder has talked of the costs of repeated vandalism of charging ports following repeated incidents.

Yorkshire Post

• Time for the Government to end region?s rail woes as Lord Blunkett?s review shows case for improvementTransport woes that have beset Yorkshire and the North for such a long time are widely known. Instead of fixing issues with the rail network in particular, previous governments have only provided a litany of broken promises further compounding the misery of passengers across the region.

Bucks Free Press

• 'Unlimited travel' for £15 as bus company launches discount for groupsCarousel Buses is offering a special discount for groups

Burnley Express

• Traffic misery expected as busy Blackburn road dug up for "emergency" gas worksLong delays are expected in Blackburn town centre over the next week as Cadent begin works.

Other Regional Press

• Ban on petrol cars relaxed to tackle Trump's tariffs 'it makes sense'The ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars was set at 2035 by the previous Conservative government, but is being moved back to 2030 to help deal with the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs
• Campaign for railway line to Cirencester reaches major milestoneA PROJECT to get a rail link to Cirencester has taken a step forward as campaigners marked an important achievement recently.
• UK's longest railway journey axed: Here's the replacement routeTHE UK’s longest single railway journey, which starts in Aberdeen, is set to be axed in May ...
• Great Western Railway carries out tests on battery trainA special testing event saw 250 volunteers board Great Western Railway’s battery train.
• Major Southampton road 'more dangerous than ever' after seven weeks of roadworksResidents of Bitterne Road East that was hit by seven weeks of council roadworks have said they believe the road is more dangerous than ever.
• Shocking footage shows passengers panic as cruise ship begins to flood with waterPassengers have captured the moments a cruise that set sail from Southampton began to flood with water.
• Drivers warned dogs could lead to your car failing an MOT test - find out howCanines are common companions on the road, but damage caused by dogs while being transported could lead to costly repairs. Here's all to know.

Other News Sources

• IMO Approves Net-Zero Regulations for Global ShippingThe International Maritime Organization (IMO) has achieved another step towards establishing a legally binding framework to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships globally, aiming for net-zero emissions by or around, i.e close to 2050.
• Passengers 'gutted' as Zipper bus funding axedPASSENGERS who regularly use Hereford's Zipper buses have spoken out over fears the service could come to an end, with the city council to end funding for the scheme.
• Drivers warned of £1,000 DVLA fines and penalty points if they do not actThe DVLA advises people to renew their licence on its official website as it is the quickest and cheapest method