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

Wednesday, 14 November 2018

ITV News

• Holyrood to debate scrapping Abellio's ScotRail contractNew figures put ScotRail's performance level at its lowest since the franchise began.

The Guardian

• Less than half of rail complainants happy with response, data showsResearch into train companies highlights huge failings in complaints process
• FirstGroup's new boss to bid for more UK rail operations despite lossTransport group reports increased losses of up to £4.6m under challenging conditions

The Independent

• Train operators criticised for 'serious underlying problems' with complaints systemMost rail commuters who complain don’t like the outcome

The Scotsman

• Train factory to bring 1,000 jobs to Longannet in FifeAt least 1,000 jobs will be created at a train-building factory to be built at Longannet in Fife, Spanish firm Talgo announced today.

The Telegraph

• Bring back dining cars, says TV chef who has cooked for Queen after he was served 'inedible' meal by Virgin Trainsail companies should bring back first class dining cars, a TV chef who has cooked for the Queen has said, after being served an “inedible” meal and refused a cup of tea on a train.

Times Online

• £7bn cut urged as HS2 costs dwarf rival schemes [Subscription]Ministers are under pressure to impose cutbacks to HS2 after a report warned that it would cost more than double that of other high-speed rail projects.
• South Western Rail is facing its own Waterloo, warns First Group [Subscription]The new chief executive of First Group has opened talks with the transport secretary to amend the company’s £2.6 billion winning bid to run the trains running out of London Waterloo.

City AM

• Only one in five Govia passengers happy with handling of complaints, says watchdogGovia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is feeling the heat after a consumer survey shows only one in five passengers who filed a complaint were happy with how it was handled.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Funding bid to improve access at Ben Rhydding Railway StationILKLEY MP John Grogan has written to Transport ministers supporting the bid of West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and rail operator Northern to build a replacement footbridge with a lift at Ben Rhydding Station.

London Evening Standard

• TfL Tube map 'World Cup final': Jubilee and Victoria lines go head-to-head in 'ultimate London Underground tournament'The wait is nearly over. The eagerly-anticipated World Cup final showdown… between two Tube lines… is almost upon us.
• How Christmas and New Year rail passengers could get cheaper tickets even if they've already bookedRail passengers who have already booked train travel over Christmas and New Year could potentially swap their tickets for cheaper fares, according to officials.

Yorkshire Post

• Rail companies ‘failing to deal with customer complaints’RAIL companies have been urged to “step up and start delivering” after new analysis revealed train operators were failing to deal with customer complaints effectively - even neglecting to treat customers with basic politeness.
• HS2 transformation plans for Sheffield railway station given £800m pricetagUp to £800m of public money could be spent on transforming Sheffield railway station and the area surrounding it to adapt it for the arrival of HS2, it has been revealed.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Could Greater Anglia’s new suburban trains be maintained at Harwich?Greater Anglia is due to take delivery of its first new suburban trains next year – but has still not yet formally announced where they will be serviced in north Essex.

Other Regional Press

• Heathrow Express’ new posters feature illustrations made from train rubbishThe trainline has launched an awareness campaign around recycling and sustainability, and has commissioned illustrator Rebecca Sutherland to “upcycle” old newspapers and drink cans into intricate sculptures for it.
• Train seat searching tool goes live to help Leeds rail passengers avoid standing miseryNew seat-finding technology Seat Sensor uses a traffic light system to show empty places on board the train
• Plan to help keep shops profitable in DevizesA NEW vision for Devizes over the next four years, which includes campaigning for a railway station and coming up with ways to maintain a vibrant High Street, has been drawn up.
• Rail chiefs reveal plans to fix the Brighton Main LineBrighton Mainline goes through East Croydon Station and a series of junctions known as the “Selhurst triangle” which funnel trains to and from London stations.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Andrew Jones returns as rail minister following Jo Johnson’s resignation Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has been appointed as transport minister with responsibility for rail following the resignation of transport minister Jo Johnson last week.
• GWR and SWR owner FirstGroup appoints new CEO as it announces fall in rail profitsFirstGroup has named Matthew Gregory as its new chief executive as it revealed widening half-year losses and warned about the profitability of its rail franchises.

Railnews

• Andrew Jones named as new rail ministerTHE new rail minister is Andrew Jones, following the sudden departure of Jo Johnson at the end of last week.

Transport Network

• Jones returns to transport as Norman climbs DfT ladderRoads minister Jesse Norman has been promoted to minister of state at the Department of Transport (DfT), replacing Jo Johnson, who resigned last week over Brexit.

Other News Sources

• Market-led proposals in rail: What’s in an idea?A new approach: lots of approaches The DfT has recently turned to the private sector for ideas, because as Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, said: “Governments do not have a monopoly on good ideas for the railways.”
• FirstGroup promotes senior executive to CEOFirstGroup has promoted chief financial officer (CFO) Matthew Gregory, who has also been the company’s interim chief operating officer (COO) since May, to the position of chief executive.
• Porterbrook makes positive case for bi-mode trainDerby-based Porterbrook Leasing Co, which specialises in the leasing of all types of railway rolling stock and associated equipment, has completed an engineering assessment that makes a positive case for the conversion of one of the UK’s most reliable trains into a battery/electric bi-mode train
• VIDEO - LNER paints iconic train in original coloursThe Class 91 electric locomotive and its rake of carriages started to entered passenger service on the East Coast Main Line from the 3rd March 1989.