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

Friday, 27 June 2025

BBC News

• Stagecoach confirms bus depot closure plansBus operator Stagecoach has confirmed plans to close two depots in southern Scotland later this summer in a move affecting more than 100 staff.
• Metro fares to rise next week after postponementFares on the Tyne and Wear Metro and the Shields Ferry will rise next Tuesday.
• Upgraded £7m bus fleet to be rolled outA new fleet of 24 upgraded British-built buses are set to be introduced in East Sussex at a cost of more than £7m.
• Rules for pedicabs receives overwhelming supportThe regulation of pedicabs has jumped another hurdle after a consultation found "overwhelming support" among respondents for bringing in the rules, Transport for London (TfL) said.
• Orders not enough to keep us in Scotland, says bus firm bossThe firm claims it would need almost 400 orders in the next two years to retain its Larbert and Falkirk sites.

Financial Times

• UK vehicle production hits 76-year low in May as Trump tariffs biteOutput plunges after Aston Martin and other British carmakers halt exports to the US
• FedEx demand ‘deteriorated sharply’ on China route amid Trump’s trade warShares in express parcel operator fall sharply amid uncertainty over demand outlook

The Guardian

• London's often unruly and overpriced pedicabs to be regulatedOverwhelming support for bringing rickshaws, known for playing loud music and fleecing tourists, under control, says TfL
• Local bus services in England still declining despite investment – reportNational Audit Office questions viability of many routes, with half of all operator income from public subsidy. Local bus services in England have continued to decline despite attempts by successive governments to bolster investment in services, according to a National Audit Office (NAO) report.

The Independent

• ‘Cabin baggage wars’ set for another major battle – here’s what it means for airline passengersMEPs want passengers to be free to take a roll-along bag as well as a ‘personal item’, but Wizz Air warns the move would ‘make flying more expensive for millions of travellers’

The Telegraph

• Sadiq Khan 'avoids cleaning Tube graffiti' in push for extra fundingSources say Bakerloo line vandalism is benefiting London Mayor's campaign for multi-million pound Government handout

Times Online

• What happened to the homes bought by HS2? [subscription]Some 50 family homes sit on the wooded slopes of Whitmore Heath in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, each in its own generous plot, individually designed in a dazzling array of architectural styles, from faux Arts and Crafts to stark contemporary.
• Volex profits rise by a quarter as demand for its EV chargers soars [subscription]Lord Rothschild's cable manufacturer also boosted by the belief that Trump's tariffs will have only a limited impact
• 'Anti-car agenda' behind Edinburgh's George Street revamp [subscription]The city council plan to spend £35m to pedestrianise one of the capital's best-known roads has provoked Conservative opposition
• British vehicle production falls to lowest for May since 1949 [subscription]Fewer than 50,000 cars, vans and lorries rolled off lines as output fell for a fifth consecutive month, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

The Mirror

• Bus services in a 'cycle of decline' after years of failure, watchdog warnsA report by the National Audit Office (NAO) warned that attempts to improve bus services and attract more passengers have been met by a string of failures by successive governments

Local Government

• £200,000 road improvements to be carried out near North FerribyEast Riding of Yorkshire Council is to invest £200,000 to upgrade the road surface and replace foundation layers on the A15 road between the Humberfield roundabout and the junction with Ferriby High Road, where the road connects with the A63.
• First phase of smart bus display installation underway across North Lincolnshire Digital bus displays are being installed across towns and villages in North Lincolnshire showing times of buses, real-time estimate for services, network messages for any changes or diversions and the full timetable to improve the passenger experience.
• Consultation launched on the Capital Call schemeA consultation has been launched on the future of the Capital Call scheme. TfL are proposing to close Capital Call, an assisted transport service that was set up in 2003 to supplement Taxicard, which is a subsidised taxi and minicab service for people who have difficulty using public transport.

Birmingham Mail

• Cars could be banned from major city with drivers permitted 12 journeys a yearA Berlin court has ruled that a referendum aiming to largely ban cars from the city centre is permissible, newspaper Tagesspiegel reported this week.

Birmingham Post

• Holyhead Port reopening delayed as Stena Line says it is 'disappointed'It has apologised to its customers

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Leeds Bradford Airport apologises after viral TikTok video shows 'hellish' queuesLeeds Bradford Airport has apologised after a viral video showed lengthy queues as holidaymakers prepared for their flights.
• 'CYCLOPS' junctions among plans to improve busy Bradford corridor'CYCLOPS' junctions are among the proposals for the second phase to improve one of Bradford's biggest corridors.

Bristol Live

• Bristol Airport plans to launch direct US flights as part of major redevelopmentThe airport has released an ambitious 15-year masterplan

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Scrapping roads plan slammed as critic says 'offering false hopes is not fair'Speed limits in the area have been a hot topic of debate among North Wales Live readers
• 6.6million passengers denied boarding flights despite having passports and ticketsAirlines 'bump' passengers from flights which can cause delays for flyers
• Abandoned UK airport could reopen and offer cheap Ryanair and easyJet flights to EuropeThe airport is currently undergoing a major refurbishment and could offer budget flights to some of the continent's top destinations

London Evening Standard

• London pedicab regulation moves forward after public backs tackling 'Wild West' rip-off fares and safety fearsA consultation of 7,700 people has given overwhelming support to regulation of the rickshaws in the capital

Manchester Evening News

• Cancellations and delays to London Euston expected all day after train derailsAvanti West Coast has issued a warning to passengers

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Bus services are stuck in a 'cycle of decline' following years of failed fixesThe report shows successive governments failed to attract more passengers to bus services

Carlisle News & Star

• 'Urgent' action needed to address M6 Junction 40 traffic issuesA campaign group is calling on National Highways to take 'urgent and meaningful' action to address the ongoing traffic problems at both Kemplay roundabout and Junction 40 of the M6.

Other Regional Press

• Southern U-turns on East Croydon bike rack closureSouthern Rail has paused its planned closure of vital cycle parking at East Croydon station, just days before the changes were due to take effect.
• Infrastructure Minister cuts first sod at Moira Park and Ride rail facilityInfrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has officially cut the first sod at the site of an enhanced Moira Park and Ride rail facility.
• Railway line group celebrates 20 years of bringing people togetherThe Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership marks 20 years improving St Albans–Watford rail services with accessibility upgrades.

Bus and Coach Buyer

• Antony Goozee is new National Express West Midlands MDAntony brings over 30 years experience in public transport, including seven years with National Express West Midlands as Bus Strategy and Commercial Director. Before that, he held a number of senior director roles at the Rotala Group.

Bus-News

• Bee Network Influences Travel Trends Across Greater ManchesterA new report has found that Great Manchester's Bee Network is beginning to influence travel trends across the region.
• UK: NAO Reports Concern Over Commercial Viability of Bus ServicesBus ridership numbers in England remain below pre-pandemic levels despite a range of government interventions, according to a new report by the National Audit Office (NAO).

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• TfL announce solar energy deal to power London UndergroundTransport for London (TfL) has signed a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with EDF Renewables UK, via its subsidiary Longfield Solar Energy Farm Limited, to supply solar electricity to the London Underground.
• Amazon unveils £40 billion UK investment with major boost to logistics infrastructureAmazon has announced plans to invest £40 billion in the UK over the next three years, with a major emphasis on expanding its national logistics network.

Highways Magazine

• TfL launches 'green' academyTransport for London (TfL) has launched a new green technology training academy to address the growing demand for workers with green skills
• Government on a £625m mission to boost construction skillsIndustry bosses have hailed the new Construction Skills Mission Board as a 'significant step' towards addressing the skills gap in the construction sector.
• National Highways £495m SPaTS3 contract awards announcedSeven companies have been awarded contracts by National Highways as part of the 3495m Specialist Professional and Technical Services 3 (SPaTS3) framework.

New Civil Engineer

• TfL prefers twin-bored tunnel for DLR extension as second consultation startsTransport for London (TfL) has confirmed that its preferred method for extending the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Thamesmead is via a twin-bored tunnel under the Thames.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Tootbus to launch AI-powered Tootie conversational city guide50-language tool is set to turn open-top bus tour experience into 'a conversation with the city'
• Bus services in new housing developments anti-congestion callPlanning reform to unlock new housing developments must not lead to increased congestion and such projects should have 'a measurably positive impact on local transport networks' including bus services, according to a group of transport and environmental organisations.
• Renewable fuel client-facing verification launched by ZemoParticipants can issue clients with a Fleet GHG Emission Declaration for renewable fuel used
• York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority joins UTGMembership comes as YNYCA is part of government 'franchising pilot' for rural bus services
• Anil Singh named Volvo Bus RSM for London, SE and AngliaAnil Singh has been named Regional Sales Manager for London, the South East and East Anglia by Volvo Bus UK and Ireland.
• Bus services in new housing developments anti-congestion callFramework via bill amendment to limit the increase in traffic from new developments is sought

TaxiPoint

• TfL moves forward with plans to regulate pedicabs across London from as early as 2026 Perry RichardsonTransport for London (TfL) has confirmed the next steps in introducing regulation for pedicabs in the capital, following the release of a consultation summary published earlier this year.

Urban Transport Group

• York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority joins Urban Transport GroupYork and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) has become the newest Member of the Urban Transport Group (UTG), the UK's network of transport authorities.

Aviation Industry

• Airbus China eyes next 40 years of growthAircraft maker committed to Chinese market with more investment in Tianjin

Other News Sources

• Funding infrastructure for large-scale housing and placemakingYou have planning, a design and a strategy, but now you need the money. How do you fund a placemaking scheme? Despite the Government's focus on the delivery of new homes, the challenge of funding large-scale developments remains a significant barrier to their construction.
• Local bus services in England - ReportLocal buses are the most used form of public transport in England. There were around 1.8 billion bus journeys outside London in 2023-24. Buses are essential for millions of people to get to work, education, shops and medical appointments.
• Advancing Accessible Travel: Insights From New Survey on European Travellers With Mobility and Accessibility NeedsAlmost half of European travellers with accessibility needs take at least one leisure trip abroad per year yet still face challenges within the travel sector