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

Thursday, 07 May 2026

BBC News

• Railway line remains closed following derailmentA freight train derailment will continue to cause "major disruption" on Thursday, National Rail has said.
• Huge order boosts Belfast Airbus factoryMalaysian airline Air Asia places an order for 120 Airbus A220s, the wings of which are made in Belfast.
• Bus gate changes planned for near Glasgow's George SquareA new gate will come into force at the junction of Ingram Street and Queen Street in the city centre.
• Oil prices drop and stock markets rise after reports of deal to end Iran warReports have raised hopes of an agreement between the US and Iran after days of escalation.
• People urged not to cancel flights over fuel shortage fearsAirlines have cut 13,000 flights globally in May as jet fuel prices soar due to the conflict in the Middle East.
• Birdsong train tours are a hit with twitchersBirdwatchers in the South East have been taking to the tracks to enjoy the last of spring's chirpy dawn choruses.

The Guardian

• Vienna's public transport is the envy of the world - so why can't it ditch cars?Austrian capital mulls expanding tram network and park-and-ride car parks in effort to reduce private vehicle use
• Airlines among companies using fuel surcharges to cover surge in costs, UK survey showsFirms raising prices at fastest rate in three years, driven by soaring energy and wage bills but also extra materials costsOil prices fall as Trump hails ‘progress’ on Iran dealAirlines and other companies are increasingly using fuel surcharges to cover soaring costs, a survey has found, in a further sign of Iran war-linked inflation hitting the economy.A poll of companies in the services sector, which includes airlines, found rising fuel prices had contributed to businesses raising prices at the fastest pace in more than three years in April. Continue reading...
• Trainline says Middle East tensions hitting European rail bookingsProfits jump to £122m at ticketing retailer but it expects flat or declining revenues over the coming year Business live – latest updatesTrainline has said the US standoff with Iran is hitting its revenues, with rail ticket sales to foreign visitors to Europe affected.The UK-based international ticketing agent said it expected revenues to stay flat or decline over the coming year, citing “the effects of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on inbound air traffic into Europe”. Continue reading...
• Climate campaigners attack Shell over ‘windfall’ profits from Iran warFirm benefits from conflict to rake in $6.9bn as higher energy prices turbocharge profitsShell has reported better than expected profits of $6.9bn after its oil traders reaped the benefits of soaring energy prices during the war in Iran, angering climate campaigners.Higher oil and gas prices during the Middle East conflict helped Europe’s biggest oil and gas company post a 115% jump in first-quarter profits from the $3.2bn reported in the last three months of 2025, easily surpassing the $6.4bn forecast by City analysts. Continue reading...
• Cut UK speed limits to reduce Iran war impact on consumers, thinktank urgesCap of 20mph in towns and cities and 60mph on motorways would cut fuel demand and combat rising prices, IPPR saysBritain should lower speed limits for drivers as part of a package of measures to reduce the impact of the Iran war on consumers, a thinktank has said.Capping legal speeds at 20mph in towns and cities and 60mph on motorways would help reduce fuel demand and combat soaring oil prices triggered by conflict, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). Continue reading...

The Independent

• French Railways? Not as classy as you might thinkTrain Talk: SNCF has many annoying idiosyncrasies, starting with its randomly generated timetable

The Scotsman

• Bus operator West Coast Motors blames 30% cut in Mull passengers on CalMac ferry disruptionCalMac ferry disruption has been blamed for a 'deeply concerning' 30 per cent fall in passenger numbers carried by Mull's main bus and coach operator.

City AM

• Time to network the rail... Today Euston, Victoria, Waterloo, Liverpool Street and Charing Cross are each at different stages of planning and development for significant remodelling or regeneration. Each project is important in its own right, and brings its own unique set of challenges to address. But if we continue to treat them as separate, discrete efforts run by different national and local bodies, we will miss the scale of impact that a coordinated, strategic programme could deliver for London and the country.

The Mirror

• Major airlines cancel 194 flights and delay 2,603 in single day as airports in tourist hubs affectedThousands of people have been affected by the disruptions on Thursday, May 7 and it has been reported that 194 flights were cancelled and 2,603 delayed, sending airports into chaos
• UK's largest parking company with 340 car parks plunges into administrationNCP administration proceedings threaten the UK's largest car park operator, with potential closures across 340 sites and 700 jobs at risk following the company's financial collapse.

Network Rail

• VIDEO: New footbridge lifted into place at Hither Green station in preparation for an accessible futureA major milestone towards improving the accessibility of Hither Green station for Southeastern passengers has been achieved.

Birmingham Post

• EasyJet launches new Bristol Airport flight routeThe budget carrier is preparing to add another aircraft to its fleet at the South West airport

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Seaside village bus shelter 'blocking' pavement sparks claims it's 'facing wrong way'Conwy council has installed new shelter which has started a debate over its positioning and work is now taking place to move it

Yorkshire Post

• Reform make statement ahead of Doncaster Sheffield Airport voteDoncaster Sheffield Airport: Mayor Ros Jones provides latest updates Reform has called an extraordinary council meeting to vote down a £57m loan to frontload the aiport funding. The Doncaster Reform group has said 'negotiations remain ongoing' ahead of Monday's crunch vote on Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Other Regional Press

• Railway line set to return almost 60 years after closureGreat Western Railway has welcomed the £200 million return of a railway line to its local network.
• Boost for campaign to reopen Skipton-Colne railway lineThe long‑awaited extension of the East Lancashire route from Colne to Skipton has been included as a priority for the new Lancashire Combined County Authority.
• North West Norfolk MP James Wild 'not convinced' rail services will improve once nationalisedAn MP has expressed his doubts that nationalising rail services will benefit passengers and commuters in West Norfolk.
• New coach service under £7 links Finsbury Park to Stansted Airport 24 hours a dayLondon is well-served for air travel, with four of the country's five biggest airports on its doorstep - Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton. But trekking out of the city to catch one of the said airports is often the most strenuous part of travel.

Train Operators

• Southeastern and OnTrack Retail win 'Best Passenger Experience' at Transport Ticketing AwardsSoutheastern and digital retail partner OnTrack have been recognised at the prestigious Transport Ticketing Awards, winning the Best Passenger Experience Initiative category.

Highways News

• Government issues response to Transport Committee skills for transport manufacturing reportThe Government has responded to the Transport Committee's report on skills for transport manufacturing without fully committing to any new measures focused on sector-specific recommendations.

New Civil Engineer

• The missing link: why the Birmingham to Manchester line cannot waitDelaying the new Birmingham to Manchester railway until after HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail are delivered is not sensible sequencing - it is a gamble with the economic future of the North of England.

Rail Magazine

• Mayor of London and TfL call for Heathrow Express future to be reconsideredThe future of Heathrow Express should be reconsidered amid falling passenger numbers, according to the Mayor of London.

Railnews

• Government rejects transport skills criticism The Government has rejected concerns voiced by the Commons Transport Committee in its report on skills in transport manufacturing. The Committee had warned that skills gaps are posing ‘significant challenges’.
• FirstGroup takes charge at London Overground David Statham is leading the new FirstGroup TfL concession for London Overground, which started on 3 May. He was most recently commercial director for First Rail, and before that was managing director of Govia’s Southeastern until it was renationalised in 2021.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Fares are key party theme in Welsh election, says Bus Users UKFares and expanding services are the highest-priority themes linked to buses in parties' manifestoes ahead of the Welsh Senedd election tomorrow (7 May), according to a review by Bus Users UK.

The Business Desk

• Journeo lands £900,000 Boston transport contract as US expansion acceleratesJourneo has secured a contract worth around £900,000 to supply passenger display systems for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority network in Boston. The Leicestershire AIM-listed transport technology specialist said subsidiary Infotec received the purchase order from Outfront Media Group for deployment across the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority system.

Other News Sources

• East West Rail Co admits early feedback not reflected in current consultationEast West Rail confirmed in a meeting with Bedford Borough Council that Design Update Sessions in the borough were not used to shape the plans currently out for consultation.
• Three firms set for TfL upgrade frameworkThree firms are understood to have won places on a Transport for London framework that will include carrying out upgrade work to South Kensington and Elephant & Castle tube stations.
• Minister recognises safety concerns over A34 slip roads Writer: Safer Highways Safer HighwaysConcerns about the safety of slip roads on the A34 at East Ilsley and Beedon have been acknowledged by the Government following a meeting between a local MP and the roads minister.
• Bristol Airport expansion opponents launch fundraising appeal for legal challengeCampaign groups opposing further expansion at Bristol Airport are seeking legal advice over proposals affecting registered common land at Felton Common.
• Wrightbus Selects Ballard's FCmove SC Engine to Power Its Next -Generation Hydrogen Bus PlatformBallard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP) (TSX: BLDP) today announced that Wrightbus, a leading UK‑based bus manufacturer and long‑standing Ballard partner, has formally nominated Ballard as the fuel cell supplier for its next‑generation StreetDeck Hydroliner Gen 3.0 hydrogen bus platform.
• Vulcan partnership work targeting criminality across local rail networkOperation Vulcan is continuing to take a proactive, partnership-led approach in its work tackling all manner of criminality across the Brinnington area.
• TfWM smart travel leader Chris Lane retires after decade driving transport innovation Chris Lane, the long-serving head of smart travel at Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), has announced his retirement after nearly a decade helping shape the region's approach to transport innovation, connectivity and digital mobility.