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

Friday, 05 April 2019

BBC News

• ScotRail passengers 'fainted on overcrowded trains'MSPs are told a pregnant woman also fell ill on overcrowded services on the Borders Railway.

Times Online

• ScotRail ‘chaos’ reflected in rising delay claims [subscription]The number of passengers claiming refunds for delayed ScotRail trains has risen sharply in the past nine months.

Reuters News

• Deutsche Bahn asks Siemens, Bombardier to fix train quality issuesBERLIN (Reuters) - German railway operator Deutsche Bahn has asked Siemens and Bombardier to fix quality issues with its newest ICE 4 high-speed trains, the state-owned company said on Thursday.

Mail Online

• Miami gives Branson celebrity welcome for train renamingMIAMI (AP) - Billionaire businessman Richard Branson got a rock star's welcome at Wednesday's public rollout of his Virgin Group's partnership with Florida's privately owned, higher-speed passenger rail service that backers hope will soon stretch from Miami to Orlando.

London Evening Standard

• Frozen rails cause delays for thousands as de-icing trains stand idle in depotsTens of thousands of rail commuters suffered major disruption today as rails froze — while de-icing trains remained in their depots overnight.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Transport secretary to consider plan to move more whisky by railTransport Secretary Michael Matheson is to look at setting up a task force to encourage the transportation of whisky distilled in the north and north-east by rail.

Yorkshire Post

• These six Yorkshire railway stations will get better access for disabled passengers by 2024Six railway stations in Yorkshire will have improved access for disabled passengers by March 2024 after being chosen to share part of a £300m government funding package.

Kent Online

• Forecast changed too late for Network Rail to clear the tracksNetwork Rail said the late change to the forecast meant it was too late for them to "mobilise the snow and ice treatment trains."

Other Regional Press

• Thousands more ScotRail passengers claiming refunds for delayed journeysThe number of passengers claiming refunds for delayed ScotRail trains has risen sharply in the last nine months, according to Scottish Labour.
• Coventry welcomes Lady Godiva train on maiden voyage Coventry Railway Station welcomed a special guest to the station earlier today - the Lady Godiva train.

Christian Wolmar

• The railway’s annus horribilisThis has been the railway’s annus horribilis. Nothing may have burnt down but almost everything else that could have gone wrong has done so. The list is almost too painful to go through: the timetable meltdown; the new Hitachi trains that seem to have endless problems and seats that make you wish you had brought your own cushion; the laughable failure of Crossrail’s promise to be on time and on budget;

New Civil Engineer

• UK rail stations set for £300M upgradeSeventy-three railway stations across the UK are to benefit from a new £300M funding pot aimed at improving access for all across the transport network.
• 10 private-financed rail proposals in frame for government backingTen privately-financed rail proposals are still in the running for government backing as part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) call for ideas.

Rail Technology Magazine

• DfT’s £300m scheme to see disabled access at 73 railway stations improvedThe DfT has announced a £300m investment to see disabled access improved at 73 UK rail stations.
• RAIB to investigate lorry's near miss with train at level crossingThe RAIB has launched an investigation after a passenger train came close to a collision with a lorry that had become trapped at a level crossing. The cement mixer lorry drove onto the crossing at Mucking in Essex just as the barriers began lowering, causing the lorry to become stuck until the...
• MPs 'not convinced' two-year delay and £3bn overspend will be enough as committee slams Crossrail's 'disastrous' governanceMPs have said they are “increasingly alarmed at the continual shortcomings” of Crossrail and the DfT as its nearly £3bn overspend and substantial delays still “may not be enough.” The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has slammed Crossrail and the DfT’s lack of...
• DfT's £300m scheme to see disabled access at 73 railway stations improvedThe DfT has announced a £300m investment to see disabled access improved at 73 UK rail stations. Lifts, adjustable ticket counters, and footbridges will be among the new measures announced by transport accessibility minister Nusrat Ghani to be brought in over the next five years. The...

Other News Sources

• HS2 already delivering high speed boostCompanies across the West Midlands are benefiting from the HS2 infrastructure project, ahead of its arrival in 2026, by accessing tailored funding streams to grow their businesses, delivering new jobs across the region.
• Yeowart plans first competition for GWROpen access entrepreneur Ian Yeowart is planning a new London-Cardiff service that would provide the first competition to Great Western Railway since privatisation 25 years ago.
• Birmingham receives first ever UK 5G train station trialsVodafone is rolling out 5G to 19 towns and cities this year, including Wolverhampton