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

Saturday, 11 January 2020

BBC News

• Car ban and tram extension proposed in 10-year vision for EdinburghCity of Edinburgh Council publishes its draft city mobility plan and aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.
• Crossrail 'not fully operational until mid-2022'Europe's largest transport scheme was originally supposed to be finished by December 2018.

The Telegraph

• Crossrail to open in summer 2021 after long delay

Times Online

• Split fares just the ticket for passengers (but not rail bosses) [subscription]Britain’s biggest independent train ticket retailer will offer “split” fares in a move that could blow a £750 million hole in rail industry finances.
• State rail operator hunts for staff to run failing routesThe government’s in-house train operator faces a struggle to recruit enough rail experts as concerns mount that at least five major franchises are at risk. Sources said that the so-called operator of last resort (OLR) — a subsidiary of the Department for Transport — was finding it difficult to cope with a mounting workload caused by the implosion of train companies.

Birmingham Post

• Hull transport firm ESP Group has 'best-ever' year as sales pass £100mESP Group provides smart card technology for Transport for London, and last year saw turnover rise by more than £10m

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Fixing infrastructure issues like 'too short' platforms key to improving rail services SMALL changes to rail infrastructure, such as longer platforms at station, could make a huge difference to local rail services, according to West Yorkshire Councillors.

London Evening Standard

• Crossrail to open in summer 2021 - two-and-a-half years later than first hopedCrossrail will open in

Other Regional Press

• Hopes raised for talks to resolve guards on trains' disputeHopes have been raised that fresh talks will be held in a bid to resolve the long-running dispute over guards on trains on one of the busiest rail franchises in the country which includes the Weymouth-Waterloo line.

Rail Technology Magazine

• ScotRail 19 month-high for trains running on timeScotland’s Railway is celebrating the highest number of trains running on time since June 2018, a 19 month-high for the franchise. Customers of ScotRail are enjoying the benefits of a huge infrastructure investment and £475m spent on new and upgraded trains. The new figures...
• Elizabeth line completion update from Crossrail Ltd Today (10 January) Crossrail Ltd issued its latest update on progress to complete the Elizabeth line. They have confirmed their plans to open the central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood in summer in 2021. The central section is currently on time with construction and should be...

Railnews

• Franchising crisis deepens as West Midlands joins the doubtful list The rail franchising crisis is deepening, with West Midlands Trains now joining the list of contracts in doubt. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also confirmed that contingency plans are being developed to replace Northern. In the Commons, Mr Johnson has told MPs that ˜bell is tolling for West Midlands rail™, while Labour™s shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald has urged ministers to ˜turn off the life support™ for ˜zombie franchises™.