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

Friday, 07 February 2020

BBC News

• Ex-Thomas Cook staff adapting to railway life with GWRAbout 30 staff from the holiday company that collapsed last year are now employed by rail firm GWR.
• Thameslink disruption: London train lines re-open after wire repairedTwo lines between St Pancras and Bedford were closed because of damaged power lines.
• Millions unclaimed in rail compensation watchdog claimsA rail watchdog claims millions of pounds are being left unclaimed by people hit by train delays.

The Guardian

• A £15bn transport network for the West Midlands is a pipe dream. Or is it?The Tory mayor’s baffling plan is blatant electioneering, but by banging the drum for the region he might attract investment
• Capacity, cost and CO2 – the HS2 arguments roll on [Letters]Readers share their views on the controversial high-speed rail line

Times Online

• Mobile phone coverage on trains stuck ‘in dark ages’ [subscription]Britain’s railways are stuck in the “digital dark ages” because of poor mobile phone coverage on trains, according to government advisers.
• Rail operators failing to tell passengers of cash for delays [subscription]Rail companies have been accused of leaving passengers “in the dark” over their rights to compensation for delays.

Birmingham Mail

• New rail and metro lines planned for Sutton Coldfield in West Midlands Mayor Andy Street's 20-year transport vision"The changes I have outlined for Sutton Coldfield’s transport network will bring huge investment into the Royal Town," said Andy Street

Birmingham Post

• Derby rail firm awarded contract to test Stadler’s new Merseyrail fleetSerco Rail Technical Services selected to put new trains through their paces

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Anger over train plansresidents have vowed to fight plans for an electric train depot in Wednesbury, declaring:

Yorkshire Post

• Rail firms ‘stay silent on payouts for journey hold-ups’TRAIN Operators fail to tell most passengers they can claim compensation when their journeys are delayed, a survey suggests.

Other Regional Press

• Rail chiefs warn of disruption at these Huddersfield train stationsThe Network Rail improvement project is continuing and passengers will be affected

The Economist

• How HS2 will transform a forlorn part of LondonEuston, we have a solution

Rail Technology Magazine

• Northern on the hunt for new apprenticesArriva Rail North (Northern) has announced it is looking for apprentice applicants to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week. The scheme will enable 16 of these apprentices to train as engineering technicians and five to focus more specifically on train planning and station operations. The...

Railnews

• Train delay compensation needs ˜shake-up™, says watchdog Passenger watchdog Transport Focus says passengers often find it too difficult to claim compensation if their train is late or cancelled. It is launching a publicity campaign today using cinema advertisements, station billboards and social media to explain that compensation is available, often after a delay of just 15 minutes, although this is not yet universal. The watchdog is calling for a new website, ˜quicker and easier™ claim processes, and more automated compensation.

Other News Sources

• Alstom signs first contract for battery-electric regional trains in Germany Alstom will manufacture, deliver and maintain until 2032 eleven Coradia Continental battery-electric trains for regional traffic on the Leipzig-Chemnitz route on behalf of VMS (Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen) and with the support of ZVNL (Zweckverband für den Nahverkehrsraum Leipzig), the two authorities responsible for this line. The contract is worth approximately €100 million. Following this order, Alstom offers all types of traction systems on the market as well as the full range of emission-free drives, from efficient electric motors to hydrogen fuel cells and advanced battery traction.In...