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

Wednesday, 29 October 2025

BBC News

• Councils paying school transport costs for 470,000 pupils in EnglandNearly half a million under-16s in England use taxis, buses and other transport funded by their local authorities to get to school, according to government estimates.
• Tram drivers in strike ballot over working hoursMore than 300 drivers could walk out during the Christmas shopping season in Greater Manchester.
• School bus provision is a 'massive muddle' say parentsSome councils have reduced eligibility for free school bus services leaving pupils and parents confused.
• A future with a Reading / Heathrow rail link [Audio]Will we ever see a time when you can get a train directly into Heathrow from Berkshire?

Financial Times

• Wizz woos business travellers with empty middle seatsBudget airline will test letting front-row passengers pay more for extra elbow room and faster boarding
• FirstGroup warns of competition appeal if Manchester train service rejected Company has applied for ‘open-access’ licence to run trains between London and Rochdale

The Telegraph

• Emirates and Stansted are aviation's most unlikely alliance [subscription]This odd partnership between ultra-luxe Gulf airline and budget British airport shouldn't work - but it does

Times Online

• Rules on EV chargers to be eased for motorists without driveways [subscription]Reforms will help car owners who have to apply for planning permission to install a charging point if they park kerbside
• Rules on EV chargers to be eased for motorists without driveways [subscription]Reforms will help car owners who have to apply for planning permission to install a charging point if they park kerbside

Birmingham Mail

• Driverless cars 'trained' on M6 in West Midlands as MP presses for region to 'lead revolution'MP Sarah Coombes led a debate in Parliament on driverless cars

Birmingham Post

• Eastern Airways cancels all flights and suspends operationsThe Civil Aviation Authority has told passengers with bookings not to travel to the airport

Bolton News

• Bolton hit by 10,000 train cancellations as Northern vows to rebuild reliabilityThousands of trains from Bolton Station were cancelled last year as staff shortages led to widespread disruption.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Cycle storage pods for Leeds city centre after 1,300 bike thefts in three yearsCYCLE storage pods are set to be installed in the city centre after more than 1,300 bikes were stolen in three years.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Third Menai crossing backed in transport plan for North WalesPlan also includes proposals for Eryri hotspots and a seasonal bus service for Newborough forest and Llanddwyn beach

London Evening Standard

• South London train station to get £7m new entrance to beat overcrowdingWandsworth Council is set to spend £7.1 million to install a second entrance and lifts at a crowded train station.

The York Press

• New legislation will see region's leaders 'take back control' of bus networkNew Bus Services legislation will allow York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and the region's authorities more say in the bus network.

Cambridge News

• Warning as Cambridgeshire bus fares set to increase to £3 for a single after cap liftedThe £2.50 fare cap will come to an end in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Fares will then increase to £3 in line with the national fare cap.

Oxford Mail

• First look for new station in Oxford for Cowley Branch LineThe first look of a new station in Oxford has been revealed by architects as part of a major development of a new railway line in the city.

Other Regional Press

• More traffic lights and road closures to help Falkirk's A9/A904 Improvement Project reach milestoneFalkirk Council's much anticipated A9/A904 Improvement Project has almost reached a milestone connection but temporary traffic lights and road closures must come first.
• Temporary shelters to be added at town’s new bus stationTemporary shelters are being installed at a town centre’s bus station this week following delays to permanent replacements.

Train Operators

• Transport Secretary opens Great Western Railway's new state-of-the-art Learning and Development CentreSecretary of State for Transport and Swindon South MP, Heidi Alexander, has officially opened Great Western Railway's (GWR) new Learning and Development Centre at its Swindon Head Office, marking a major investment in training and skills development for the rail industry.

Modern Railways

• Lumo plans new Cardiff to York route in latest round of applications to ORROpen access operator Lumo has applied to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to operate a new route between Cardiff and York.

Rail Advent

• Sustainability plans for CrossCountry releasedCrossCountry has released its Sustainability Strategy for 2025. The strategy highlights their 10-year plan to make the railway not only more inclusive but also resilient and low-carbon

Railnews

• FirstGroup bids for more open access services FirstGroup has submitted a new application to the Office of Rail and Road for more open access services. First said it was the ‘first phase’ of three separate applications which it will be making to the regulator. They include a new route between Cardiff and York, and a second attempt to run between London and Rochdale which the ORR refused in July.

Railway Gazette

• FirstGroup announces Cardiff - York open access plan and tries again to serve RochdaleUK: FirstGroup has made initial submissions of three separate applications to the Office of Rail & Road for new and extended open access passenger train services which would be operated under its Lumo brand.

Urban Transport Group

• New bus law represents 'watershed moment' for bus passengersThe Urban Transport Group has welcomed the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill becoming law

Other News Sources

• North Wales Regional Transport Plan Approved 'A Milestone for Sustainable Connectivity'Ambition North Wales is proud to announce that the North Wales Regional Transport Plan has been formally approved by Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales. This marks a significant step forward in delivering a safe, sustainable, affordable, and integrated transport network across the region.
• Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, reacts to Bus Services Act receiving Royal AssentResponding to news that the Bus Services Act has become law, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, Graham Vidler, said:
• New £7.7m system to improve safety on Scotland's railwaySCOTLAND'S Railway is investing £7.7 million to upgrade braking systems on more than 70 ScotRail trains to improve safety and performance during the autumn season.