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

Wednesday, 16 December 2020

BBC News

• HS2 eastern leg downgrade 'will short-change millions'The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) suggests options on the future of the high-speed line.
• Prioritise northern rail network over HS2, says reportLinking close-by cities with an upgraded line will have a higher economic impact, a report says.
• Rail fares to rise more than expected next yearJanuary's planned rise is delayed until March - when prices will increase by an inflation-busting 2.6%.

Financial Times

• HS2 spur to Leeds should be delayed, infrastructure commission advisesAdvisory body says routes between cities in the north and midlands should be prioritised

The Guardian

• Rail fares in England to rise above inflation for first time since 2013DfT announces shock 2.6% rise in March despite widespread calls for freeze to boost train usageRail fares across England will rise by 2.6% in 2021 after the government decided to increase prices above inflation for the first time since 2013.The shock increase will take place in March, two months later than the usual annual rise, the Department for Transport announced. Continue reading...

The Independent

• Rail fares to rise by 2.6% in first above-inflation increase for 8 years‘Raising fares sends entirely the wrong message on choices,’ said Paul Tuohy of the Campaign for Better Transport

Mail Online

• Passengers will bear the brunt of Government's bailout of rail companies during pandemicTrain fares are set to rise by 2.6 per cent from March 1. The increase will see the cost of an average annual season ticket go up from£3,064 to £3,144 as passengers bear the brunt of rail operator bailout.
• New doubts over future of HS2 as report calls for eastern leg of the project to be SCRAPPED The future of HS2 was thrown into doubt yesterday after a report recommended a huge scaling back of the £106billion project, suggesting the eastern-leg should be shelved.

The Mirror

• Rail fares will rise above inflation for the first time in eight yearsTicket prices will increase by an average of 2.6% from March 1 next year in an increase described by a critic as "extortionate and plain daft" given the "massive economic fallout from the virus"

Sky News

• 'A kick in the teeth': Commuters face rail fare hike to help pay for COVIDCommuters will face an above-inflation hike in rail fares next year, the government has announced.

Birmingham Post

• Terminating HS2 in Leicestershire is "common sense" says MPComes as official report suggests turning East Midlands Parkway into end of the eastern leg of high speed line
• Rail review recommends cuts to HS2 proposalsNational Infrastructure Commission says new high-speed line travelling north east from Birmingham should stop near Nottingham

London Evening Standard

• Rail passengers to be hit by inflation-busting fares hike for first time in eight years Rail passengers are set to be hit by an above inflation fares rise for the first time in eight years.

The York Press

• Grand Central doubles number of carriages to cope with pre-Xmas rushYORK train operator Grand Central has doubled the number of carriages available to passengers on busy pre-Christmas services on the York-London route.

Reading Evening Post

• Rail passengers to be hit with above inflation fare riseIt is the first time railway fares have risen above inflation in eight years

Railnews

• Hitachi unveils plans for battery-powered Intercity Express The first intercity train in Britain to use batteries is to be developed by Hitachi and Eversholt Rail, for trial service on the Great Western Main Line. The train will be a conversion of an existing bi-mode GWR Intercity Express, and the result will be a five-car unit which will be able to use electricity from overhead lines, diesel fuel or battery power. Hitachi says adding batteries will offer fuel savings and carbon emission reductions of more than 20 per cent.
• Anger in Midlands as report downgrades HS2 eastern leg The National Infrastructure Commission has published a new assessment which reduces the importance of the eastern leg of HS2 to Leeds via the East Midlands in favour of regional schemes. The recommendations have angered and dismayed politicians and business leaders, with Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood describing the proposals as ˜an insult™. The Commission recommends ˜prioritising improved connectivity between Sheffield and Leeds, improved connectivity between Sheffield and Manchester [and] a new line from Manchester to Leeds via Bradford™, while it also questions the need for a hub sta...