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Tuesday, 17 March 2020

BBC News

• Waterside Totton and Hythe railway line plan back on trackPlans to reopen a freight railway line near Southampton to passenger trains have taken a step forward.
• Coronavirus: Flexibility needed over train firms, says ShappsThe government will show flexibility over rail firms' franchise agreements during the coronavirus outbreak, the transport secretary has suggested. Grant Shapps said he would be meeting rail bosses this week to determine how to "sustain" services amid falling passenger numbers.

Times Online

• Transport groups’ shares plunge as passengers stay at home [subscription]Shares in train and bus operators tumbled yesterday after figures showed that passenger numbers have plunged because of the coronavirus pandemic.

London Evening Standard

• Tube chief in emergency talks to keep trains running during coronavirus outbreakCoronavirus: the symptoms Follow our live updates here
• 'Fit' Tube staff urged to work amid coronavirus crisis as boss tells them: London needs youCoronavirus: the symptoms

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Transport for London update on financial impact of coronavirusTransport for London (TfL) has issued an update on how the Covid-19 virus has affected its passenger numbers and how it intends to utilise its reserves to manage the forecast initial financial impact. This assessment has been based on Government scenarios for the impact of the virus on households over a number of weeks.  An underlying softness in demand and passenger revenue, largely caused by economic uncertainty, had been experienced by TfL since October 2019, with both Tube and bus revenues trending at around 2 per cent below the previous year. During February, TfL’s revenue was...

Railnews

• Shapps confirms franchise contracts could be eased for virus emergency Transport secretary Grant Shapps has signalled that he is ready to consider easing franchise contracts, to help operators hit by sharply falling demand. Big London stations are much quieter than usual, reflecting a fall in passenger numbers which is said to be not far short of a fifth, although this has yet to be confirmed by the industry. Mr Shapps is holding meetings with franchise managers this week to see how services could be kept running for essential users.
• Railway suppliers urged to help with coronavirus ventilators Companies in the railway supply chain are being urged to help with the manufacture of coronavirus ventilators. The urgent appeal has come from Rail Forum Midlands, which is asking its railway industry members if they can help. The move follows the news that the government is seeking suppliers who may be able to contribute by making Covid-19 ventilators or parts for them.