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

Tuesday, 28 September 2021

BBC News

• Southeastern: Government takes over services after 'serious breach'The government has stripped rail operator Southeastern of its franchise after "a serious breach of good faith". Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said more than £25m of historical payments due to the Department for Transport were not paid.

Department for Transport

• Government takes over running of LSER services in response to over £25 million breach of franchise agreementDecision will have no impact on passengers or the frontline staff of LSER.

The Guardian

• Government to take over Southeastern after ‘serious’ breach of franchiseThe government is taking over the running of the railway operator Southeastern, owned by Go-Ahead, from mid-October after discovering a “serious” breach of the franchise agreement.

The Telegraph

• Only one in 20 rail commuters back in office full time [subscription]More than half now expect to work from home as a rule and only head into offices ‘when required’

City AM

• UCL: Train commutes could make Londoners feel less stressedTrain commutes can reduce stress and anxiety for Londoners, if used to mentally prepare for the day or decompress on The post UCL: Train commutes could make Londoners feel less stressed appeared first on CityAM.

Mail Online

• Crossrail faces MORE delays: Opening of £20bn Elizabeth Line is pushed back from vague 'early 2022' launch to May - making it more than 1,000 days LATEThe beleaguered £20billion Crossrail line has been delayed yet again to next May with critics urging project bosses to have 'some real honesty' about its progress.

Birmingham Post

• Transport for Wales confirms dates for additional train services as delays hit rolloutBecause of the impact of COVID-19 over the last 18 months, some original dates, set in 2018, have had to be revised
• City return ticket for former council chief as he takes helm of Hull TrainsDavid Gibson succeeds Louise Cheeseman at the First Group entity having previously been assistant chief executive of Hull City Council

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Hourly trains between Llandudno and Liverpool among raft of new services promised by TfWTransport for Wales' plans for the network have been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic but will be delivered in the next three years

London Evening Standard

• Southeastern rail taken over by Government after ‘serious breach’ of franchise agreementhe Government will take over the running of Southeastern rail services following a “serious breach” of its franchise agreement, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced on Tuesday.

Other Regional Press

• German election 2021: Why there could soon be direct trains from London to Berlin and FrankfurtThe German Green party is set to enter government meaning its plans for night trains to London are closer to becoming reality
• Coventry’s Affordable Very Light Rail Track UnveiledCoventry Very Light Rail (VLR) took a major step forward on 24 September as Coventry City Council and WMG, University of Warwick showcased a breakthrough new track design which aims to drive down the costs associated with the installation of urban light rail.
• HS2 drivers could be redeployed to help with fuel crisis, says Buckingham MPMP for Buckingham Greg Smith says government could step in 'to move those contracts over to fill temporary gaps in food supply and fuel supply'

Rail Advent

• Nexus visits Switzerland to see new Metro trains being builtNexus, the public body that owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, sent a team over to Switzerland to see the impressive 8,500 square metre state-of-the-art train production work up close.

Rail Technology Magazine

• £8m embankment works bring stability to Dumfriesshire railway lineWork is underway to upgrade drainage systems and re-profile embankments to reduce the risk of flooding and landslips on the line between Sanquhar and Dumfries in south-west Scotland.

Other News Sources

• Work's been completed on a new footbridge over the railway in Hands off HS2 Eastern LegTSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has warned the Government not to scrap the Eastern Leg of High Speed 2 (HS2). 
• Alstom’s Chinese JV receives contract for Shenzhen Airport APM systemAs agreed, Alstom will also be responsible for the preventive and corrective maintenance of vehicles.