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

Thursday, 07 June 2018

BBC News

• ScotRail leases more trains for busiest routesScotRail reduced services in the central belt in February after the lease on some carriages ended.
• Carillion collapse to cost taxpayers £148mTwo-thirds of its UK workers have found new jobs since the liquidation, National Audit Office says.

ITV News

• Rail firm relocates to Wales and brings 130 jobsThe Welsh Government says the new franchise for the Wales and Borders rail service and the South Wales Metro means two new head offices will come to Wales creating around 130 jobs.

Department for Transport

• Tough regulations brought in to crack down on emissions cheatsCarmakers face fines for supplying vehicles designed to cheat emissions tests to the UK, following a government consultation.
• Faster journeys, more seats and better compensation for passengers in next East Midlands franchiseEast Midlands franchise bidders urged to show how they can deliver an ambitious upgrade programme as the invitation to tender is published.
• East Midlands rail franchise invitation to tenderPublication of the ITT for the East Midlands rail franchise and the launch of the consultation for the next Cross Country rail franchise.

Financial Times

• Britain’s railways are veering off the tracksBritons are used to queueing and they have become used to poor service on their railways. But the latest chaos has shocked even the most hardened commuters. Hundreds of train services have been cancelled this week, leaving thousands stranded on their way to work. Worse, there are no immediate solutions. People who pay hefty prices for season tickets have had enough.

The Guardian

• Northern rail workers to strike over plans to abolish train guardsRMT union members to stage three walkouts in June amid ongoing chaos caused by timetable change
• ‘Chaos’: has British rail travel fallen into an abyss?In Greek mythology Eros emerged from an abyss known as ‘chaos’ – if only something lovely would arise from today’s rail troubles

The Herald

• We should look to Japan to see how a rail system ought to operateYOU carried a letter (June 4) from the chief executives and managing directors of our leading rail companies asking for suggestions from the public for the “root and branch reform" of rail ticketing regulations in the UK. The letter contained the astonishing fact that there are at present “55 million fares to choose from across the country”. Quite apart from the serious shortcomings of our rail network, it is little wonder then that the rail travelling public feel a sense of bewilderment and frustration when it comes to purchasing a ticket for a rail journey.

The Scotsman

• Eight-carriage trains to ease crowding this month on Edinburgh-Glasgow linePassengers on ScotRail’s flagship route are due to get eight-carriage trains for the first time this month to ease overcrowding.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Longer trains are coming to Bradford district - but most platforms are too short for them!DESPERATELY-needed longer trains are at last being introduced on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines – but most platforms are too short to take them.

London Evening Standard

• Jubilee line strike set to go ahead next week, RMT union saysStrike action is due to take place on the Jubilee line next week, following the suspension of another walkout that was due to take place today.

Yorkshire Post

• Tim Farron: Break up rail franchise that is failing the North You couldn’t make it up. During a week of rail chaos for vast swathes of northern commuters, the Tories announce a major investment in the South East with the oft-repeated promise to expand Heathrow with a new third runway. The North of England has been crying out for this sort of investment in transport for years.

Other Regional Press

• Portsmouth MP starts all-party rail group to tackle commuter issues in Commons AN MP has launched a new all-party parliamentary group on rail operator South Western Railway in the House of Commons.
• Rail chaos: Chorley MP Sir Lindsay Hoyle grills Transport Secretary Chris Grayling Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has faced a 45-minute grilling at the hands of Chorley MP Sir Lindsay Hoyle over the Northern rail fiasco.
• MP and commuters to stage trains protest at Batley StationMP Tracy Brabin will be joined by angry commuters 'fed up of being at the bottom of the pile when it comes to transport investment'

Rail Technology Magazine

• Greater Anglia speeds up delay repay compensationGreater Anglia has updated its compensation process to make it faster to make a claim after listening to customer feedback. Rail passengers in the region told the train operating company that its online Delay Repay claim form, which is used to compensate passengers who experience delays of 30...
• NR stations to tackle plastic use to become greenerNetwork Rail is to ban retailers from supplying plastic cutlery and cups in its managed stations from 2020. The move forms part of the organisation’s plans to tackle three significant environmental issues in the country’s biggest and busiest stations. Currently, 94% of Network...
• Proposals put forward to WYCA for HS2 testing facility and station refurbProposals have been made to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) Investment Committee to back new schemes that will create an HS2 testing facility, renovated station plans and a new rail park & ride scheme in the area. The plans put forward to the authority involve 10 new schemes...

Railway Gazette

• Electrification and train-trams in ambitious Wales franchise UK: Investment of £1·8bn in three new train fleets, electrification of commuter routes radiating...

Other News Sources

• Transport body ramps up rail boss pressure PRESSURE has been ramped up on Northern Rail to urgently improve their services.
• Northern Rail extends services from Clitheroe to Rochdale amid travel chaosTRAIN services have been extended from Clitheroe to Rochdale amid Northern Rail travel chaos.