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

Saturday, 21 June 2025

BBC News

• Dozens seek help at rail station mental health hubDozens of people have been accessing mental health support at a railway station centre in its first month.
• Rail system 'could transform public transport'A light rail system currently being developed in Coventry could transform public transport in the future, officials claimed.
• Is this the biggest yellow box junction in the UK or Ireland?The box stretches more than 40m along a busy junction in Maghera, County Londonderry.
• Hot weather plan for Tube activated for heatwaveTfL says it has a "comprehensive" hot weather plan in place during the current heatwave.
• Stagecoach strike over as bus drivers accept pay dealThe Unite union said the new terms would be worth an 11.5% uplift on basic pay, ending a long-running dispute.

Financial Times

• BA and Amex finally reveal how cardholders can earn travel pointsAnnouncement comes six months after airline drew criticism for loyalty programme shake-up

The Guardian

• Chaos in Clapham: a visit to the most dangerous cycle spot in Great BritainCommuters share their views at the junction with the highest number of cycling accidentsIt’s 8am in Clapham, the area of south-west London where young professionals and well-off homeowners are crammed into 2 sq miles of buzzy high streets, a leafy common and rows of terraced houses.The popularity of the neighbourhood lies in its proximity to the city centre. A 4-mile hop to central London makes for an easy journey to work, especially for one kind of commuter: cyclists.

Times Online

• Don't fret over HS2 - we'll be using flying taxis before it's ready. [subscription]A report by Morgan Stanley estimates the market for eVtols 'vertical take-off and landing electric vehicles' will be $1 trillion by 2040

Mail Online

• Train ticket website sues Transport Secretary after making claims about 'secret' ?32million agreement involving state-owned firmTrainline has sued Labour's Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander over allegations she snubbed them by offering a ?32million contract elsewhere.

Local Government

• Cheshire East in the UK's top ten for bus satisfactionBus users have placed Cheshire East Council in the top ten of local authorities for how satisfied they are with their bus services.

Network Rail

• Work to begin this summer to protect the iconic railway through Folkestone Warren but passengers journeys won't be affectedNetwork Rail is preparing to begin a programme of essential work this summer to secure the railway line that runs through Folkestone Warren - which means that parts of the beach will be closed at times so that the work can be carried out safely.

Bolton News

• Route expected for Bolton 'tram-trains' expected in weeks“Tram-trains” could be coming to Bolton with an exact route expected to be published in a matter of weeks.

Bristol Live

• Train passengers face week-long disruption as track work starts Network Rail said the railway will be closed

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Wolverhampton councillor clashes with mayor over 8.65 per cent hike in bus faresA row has broken out between a senior councillor and the elected mayor for the West Midlands over the recent hike in bus fares.

Yorkshire Post

• Salamanca: Volunteers at Middleton Railway in Leeds get miniature piece of historyRailway enthusiasts in Leeds are celebrating the arrival of a miniature version of a locomotive which has taken them back more than two centuries.

Wirral Globe

• Merseyrail named UK's top train operator for satisfactionMERSEYRAIL has been named the UK's top train operator for customer satisfaction.

Other Regional Press

• Should the west coast railway lines be recommissioned The £2billion debate in the SeneddSenedd members debated calls to reopen railway lines along the west coast of Wales to connect north and south but balked at the estimated £2bn cost.
• MP meets minister as plans for new Shrewsbury rail services remain on trackJulia Buckley put the case for a direct rail service between Shrewsbury and London directly to the Prime Minister during Prime Minister's Questions last month.
• New cycle facility unveiled at Cholsey StationA new cycle maintenance facility has been unveiled at Cholsey Station. The project, funded by Great Western Railway's Customer and Community improvement fund in partnership with South Oxfordshire District Council, makes it easier for people to choose two wheels when travelling to and from the station. Featuring a bike pump and a variety of tools, the repair station allows cyclists to make quick fixes on the go. It is hoped the new repair station will encourage more people to use active travel such as cycling alongside public transport.
• Arriva unveils £9.7million fleet of low-emission buses on updated Luton Busway networkArriva has unveiled 30 new low-emission buses to be used on the upgraded Luton and Dunstable Busway network.
• Edgware project controversy over Barnet Council's £41.5m bus garage fundingBarnet Council has come under fire for proposing to allocate £41.5 million of public infrastructure funding towards a new underground electric bus garage in Edgware an essential part of a much larger redevelopment project that includes new housing, a library, health centre, and town square.
• New bus stop to benefit passengers in SouthseaA new bus stop will be installed on Southsea Terrace as part of Portsmouth City Council's plans to improve public transport.
• £1 bus fares for 16-21s part of new North Wales transport overhaulPlans to transform North Wales' public transport network aim to address the challenges faced by young people unable to reach employment due to poor connectivity.
• Arriva launches £9.7million fleet of next-generation buses on enhanced Luton Busway networkArriva has unveiled a £9.7 million fleet of 30 low-emission buses on its upgraded busway network, linking Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis and London Luton Airport.
• First Bus scores big win at Scottish Transport Awards 2025First Bus has been named Scotland's Public Transport Operator of the Year 2025.

Train Operators

• Northern expands ticket acceptance arrangement with East Midlands Railway and TransPennine ExpressTrain operators Northern, East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express are keeping cities across the North connected, with an agreement to automatically accept each other's tickets during times of disruption.
• Greater Anglia unveils new integrated train and bus information board at Norwich stationA new eight-metre-long information board has been installed at Norwich station. The new high-definition board has been unveiled by train operator, Greater Anglia, and will display train and local bus information.

Bus and Coach Buyer

• Wrightbus lifts trophy at Made in the UK AwardsWrightbus has been named Manufacturer of the Year (over £25m) at the Insider's Made in the UK Awards in Liverpool last night (19 June 2025).
• Arriva reveals £9.7m fleet for LutonArriva has unveiled a £9.7 million fleet of 30 Volvo B8RL MCV eVoRas on its upgraded busway network, linking Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis and London Luton Airport.
• Former-Aston Martin man joins WrightbusWrightbus has appointed Aston Martin's former engineering chief to the role of Group Chief Technology Officer.

New Civil Engineer

• Government's Green Book update lays the tracks for a new era of light railFrom the announcement of a £15bn investment in regional transport infrastructure to promised reform of the guidance on project appraisal, those in the industry would be forgiven for thinking that June has so far been one long dream. Yet, just like the West Yorkshire Mass Transit programme and the tram route to Birmingham's new sports quarter, change to the Treasury's Green Book is indeed happening.

Rail Business Daily

• ROSCOs funding research to enhance rail safety and performanceFour of Britain's rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs) are supporting cross-industry research projects led by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB). These initiatives aim to enhance both the operational efficiency and safety performance for the entire rail industry.
• Greater Anglia unveils new integrated train and bus information board at Norwich stationA new eight-metre-long information board has been installed at Norwich station. The new high-definition board has been unveiled by train operator, Greater Anglia, and will display train and local bus information.
• Northern expands ticket acceptance arrangement with East Midlands Railway and TransPennine ExpressTrain operators Northern, East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express are keeping cities across the North connected, with an agreement to automatically accept each other's tickets during times of disruption.

Railnews

• Infrastructure plan under fire over missing schemeThe government's £725 billion 10-year Strategy for infrastructure has received a generally broad welcome from the railway industry, but a council is criticising the omission of one scheme.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Optibus adds Control module to bus service management platformNew component gives 'precision command' over bus operations and is scalable to size of fleet

Trafnidiaeth Cymru [Transport for Wales]

• Temporary closure of Ty Glas railway station for major upgradesTransport for Wales will be carrying out major upgrades to Ty Glas station and its level crossing, allowing for the introduction of brand-new trains onto the Coryton line.

Transport Scotland

• A96 Corridor Review consultation report publishedTransport Scotland has published a new report summarising public feedback from the consultation on options to improve the A96 corridor.
• More than £23 million for active and sustainable travel projects across ScotlandScotland's seven Regional Transport Partnerships will share £23.45 million of Scottish Government funding for programmes which help make walking, wheeling and cycling the safe and easy choice for short everyday journeys.

Other News Sources

• Why Dartford Crossing still charges drivers even though it was meant to be free... The original deal for the Dartford Crossing was that tolling would cease after it had paid for itself, a milestone reached some time ago now. In February 1999, the government promised to make the crossing toll-free by the end of 2003, a decision met with approval from drivers and motoring groups.
• Pilot scheme to make public transport even saferPartners are joining forces to make public transport even safer as part of a pioneering new pilot scheme in Nottinghamshire.
• How 'enhanced' bus services coming to Powys will look'Enhanced' bus services could be coming to Powys after recommendations to the council.
• Cornwall's first ever electric bus hits the streetsCornwall's first electric bus has taken to the streets of Falmouth, boosting the town's shuttle service fleet and helping to cut carbon emissions.

News from Europe

• EU aviation groups call for end to 'knee jerk' noise restrictionsEuropean aviation groups have called for the EU to enforce a 'balanced approach' to airport noise management and to issue clear guidance to avoid 'fragmented and politically driven decisions' on a national level.
• Bremen public transport operator converts depot for electric bus operationBremer Straßenbahn AG (BSAG) is putting 50 new electric articulated buses from Daimler Buses and Irizar into operation at the end of June. To this end, BSAG has equipped and converted its first complete depot in the Blumenthal district for e-bus operation.