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

Friday, 13 April 2018

BBC News

• Deeside receives £1.8m for public transport improvementsSome £1.8m will be spent improving public transport in Deeside as part of preparations for a north east Wales metro, Welsh ministers have said.

The Guardian

• Young people deserve free bus passesLabour’s new policy could be the first step towards a fairer allocation of resources and a tiptoe towards universal basic services
• Labour warns Apollo against pursuing interest in FirstGroupLabour and the RMT union have warned the US private equity firm Apollo Global Management off pursuing its interest in the transport firm FirstGroup, after the British company rejected a takeover approach.
• Could allowing dogs on trains help ease Sydney's car crisis?As the city struggles to reduce traffic, a strict no-dog public transport policy forces owners into cars, causing 2.4m journeys a week. Time for a rethink? Sydney loves to boast of its cafe culture, but only Leichhardt’s Cafe Bones makes it accessible to those on four legs. Situated in the middle of Hawthorne Canal Reserve, a large park in the city’s affluent inner west, its menu extends beyond flat whites and friands to lactose-free “puppaccinosâ€� and “dogaccinosâ€� – the low-fat alternative “for the health-conscious pupâ€�. Now in its 18th year, Cafe Bones bills itself as the world’s first dog-f...

Reuters News

• Bombardier to bid on New Jersey rail contract: sourcesMONTREAL (Reuters) - Bombardier (BBDb.TO) will bid on an upcoming New Jersey Transit rail car contract, two sources familiar with the matter said, as the Canadian plane and train maker seeks to boost its North American business after losing ground in the region to rivals.

Mail Online

• London Tube staff walk-out in support of driver removed from duty The District Line driver had been qualified for 18 weeks but only drove for 11 of them, due to sickness, retraining and a compulsory removal from duty, London Underground said.

Network Rail

• Blackpool to Preston railway to reopen following major upgradeThe railway between Preston and Blackpool North is set to reopen next Monday (16 April) as the transformation of train travel across the north of England continues.
• Caledonian Sleeper’s new carriages have been tested on UK railways for the first time ahead of their introduction later this year.Passengers using the busy platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly can look forward to more space as they wait for their train.

London Evening Standard

• TfL Tube strike: District line walkout for driver 'who went through three red lights' set to cause travel chaosA Tube strike in support of a driver who allegedly passed three red signals is set to cause travel chaos for commuters on one of the busiest London Underground lines today.

Crewe Chronicle

• HS2: Crewe hub 'will connect the town and support the community' With HS2 coming to Crewe in 2027 and the recent government backing for up to seven HS2 trains per hour, work needs to start soon on preparing Crewe Station for its high speed future – which is just nine years away.

Other Regional Press

• "Get a grip" on rail services, says Green MSPA GREEN MSP has called on ScotRail to “get a grip” on rail services in the region, as recent figures show that the West of Scotland suffers from some of the highest instances of stop-skipping in the country, particularly in West Dunbartonshire.

Global Rail News

• Caledonian Sleeper’s new Mark 5 carriages tested in UK for first timeCaledonian Sleeper’s new carriages have been tested on UK railways for the first time ahead of their introduction later this year.

Rail Advent

• New platform at Livingston South is next step in redevelopmentNetwork Rail has announced that the Edinburgh to Glasgow Central line via Shotts line has reopened after a 10-day closure to let part of the £3.5m redevelopment of Livingston South station to take place.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Network Rail offers young people career support through charity partnershipOver 150 young people looking to move into employment will be given advice by rail industry employees through a partnership between Network Rail and Barnardo’s. Since Barnardo’s was named as Network Rail’s charity of choice in 2016, over 50 young people have been given careers...
• NR awards £115m track deal to Balfour BeattyBalfour Beatty has been awarded a seven-year contract worth over £115m by Network Rail. The contract is for the supply, operation and maintenance of Balfour Beatty’s fleet of 13 track maintenance vehicles, known as ‘on track machines’ or ‘tampers’ by Network...

Railway Gazette

• London to Duisburg and China freight service launchedUK: The inaugural scheduled freight service from DP World’s London Gateway terminal east of London...

Other News Sources

• More than 66% of Brits missing out on significant rail ticket savingsNew research from Greater Anglia has revealed that more than a fifth of people are not aware of the various train ticket types available, with travellers potentially losing out on significant savings as a result.
• MEP calls for an end to foreign rail firmsThe Government has been accused of "selling out" British rail companies after inviting more overseas companies to bid for UK train franchises.
• West Midlands reaps the devolution dividendA new metro mayor, growing commuter rail use, light rail expansion projects, HS2… this is a region that's going places   A visualisation of the Midland Metro terminius at Edgbaston  
• TOCs want action to limit reputational riskConcerns follow furore over the collapse of the East Coast franchise, which saw Stagecoach/Virgin unfairly accused of receiving a taxpayer bail out   The issue was raised during the furore over the forthcoming collapse of the East Coast franchise   Train operators have asked the Department for Transport to review its approach to publicising rail franchise awards to provide more accurate information to the public and prevent reputational damage to the industry.