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

Friday, 06 October 2017

BBC News

• Doors opened on wrong side of train during rail strikePassengers were put at risk when the doors of a train opened on the wrong side during a strike by rail workers, a union has claimed.
• Carbon-ion battery could mean rapid chargingBritish start-up Zap&Go has developed carbon-ion supercapacitors that allow rapid charging.
• Drink-drive rules 'need updating for autonomous car era'Australia mulls changes in the law to exempt autonomous vehicle passengers from drink-drive laws.
• £4m solution to railway leaves problemAbout £4m spent on a new train to clear slippery leaves from the railway lines in Northern Ireland.
• Fresh rail strikes hit services across EnglandRMT action is affecting Southern, Merseyrail, Arriva Rail North and Greater Anglia services.
• UK car sales slide 9% in SeptemberThe sales fall included a 20% slump for diesel cars and will cause concern, says the SMMT trade body.
• Ryanair boss offers pilots better pay and conditions to stayMichael O'Leary's offer comes after the airline cancelled thousands of flights in recent weeks.

Department for Transport

• Government plans £80 million smart ticketing rail revolutionIntroducing smart ticketing across England and Wales by the end of 2018.

Financial Times

• Race to build first electric passenger aircraft takes to skiesBoeing-backed start-up Zunum reveals plans for hybrid-powered aeroplane
• The rise of super airlines leaves consumers out of pocketRecent bankruptcies among low-cost European carriers highlight a global problem
• Monarch’s creditors risk losing valuable airport slotsQuestions raised over KPMG’s right to sell assets that could be worth £60m
• EasyJet flags upbeat profits despite hit from sterling

The Guardian

• Fall in rail journeys raises questions for train franchise firmsApril to June figures are down nearly 5% against 2016 but industry sources say whole franchise model is based on growthThe number of rail passenger journeys in Britain fell sharply in spring this year, after two decades of virtually constant growth since privatisation.
• Electric commuter plane, backed by Boeing, could take off in 2022Small airliner powered by two electric motors would seat up to 12 passengers and cheaply fly trips under 1,000 miles (1,600 km)A Seattle-area startup backed by the venture capital arms of Boeing and JetBlue Airways has announced plans to begin selling a hybrid-electric commuter aircraft by 2022. The small plane is the first of several planned by Zunum Aero, which said it would seat up to 12 passengers and be powered by two electric motors, dramatically reducing the travel time and cost of trips under 1,000 miles (1,600km). Continue reading...

The Scotsman

• Scottish air tax cuts delay threatened by political row Plans to cut air taxes face being delayed with Scottish and UK ministers at loggerheads over responsibility for the hold-up. The row came as the SNP government was accused of trying to shelve its controversial proposal to gain Greens' support for its forthcoming budget.
• Alastair Dalton: Need to know if trains really arrive on time We haven’t heard much discussion about ScotRail’s punctuality for some time, probably because it has steadily improved and is now at its best for two years.

Times Online

• Belgium to sue ‘unprofessional’ Ryanair over flight cancellations [subscription]The Belgian government has labelled Ryanair “unprofessional” and said that it intends to sue the airline over the mass cancellations that have affected thousands of passengers.
• Rail union claims mass support as minister accuses them of playing games [Subscription]Commuters are being treated as “pawns” in a game played by Britain’s powerful rail unions, the transport secretary has said, as the network was hit by strikes for the second time in three days.

Mail Online

• Bombardier train company boss , 52, 'blew £690,000 on lavish lifestyle of Harley-Davidsons and a hot tub after hiding fake payments in his wife's bank account' A train company boss blew £690,000 on a lavish lifestyle of Harley-Davidsons and a hot tub after hiding fake payments in his wife's bank account, a court heard.
• Ryanair boss O'Leary sends begging letter to pilots In the three page letter sent to all pilots (pictured), the Ryanair boss promised significant improvements in pay and conditions, saying he would exceed rates paid by rivals.

The Mirror

• Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary begs pilots to stay with the airline in email apology plea after flight cancellation scandal With many pilots said to have left for Norwegian Airlines and more considering it, O'Leary promised better pay and conditions

This is Money

• Uber saw profits soar 60% to £3m last year Board members at the firm signed off the accounts a week after Uber’s London subsidiary was handed a shock notice from Transport for London announcing it was set to lose its operator’s licence.

Birmingham Post

• Passengers LOCKED inside plane at Birmingham Airport - when ground crew couldn't find key Workers search for steps to get travellers off flight

Bolton News

• It's only a matter of time before someone is hurt on Bolton's overcrowded trainsIN response to Kevan Jones answering my recent letter regarding the terrible train service that he believes we will have a better service in the "not too distant future".

London Evening Standard

• Uber accounts reveal how firm's revenues soared in London from £23.3m to £36.9m last yearUber's profit and turnover in London soared last year as the cab hailing app hugely expanded its presence in the capital, accounts reveal today.
• Last-minute air fares rise by a fifth after Monarch and Ryanair fiascoAir fares for last-minute trips rose by more than a fifth after Ryanair cancelled thousands of flights and Monarch collapsed, new figures revealed.
• Ryanair boss sends pilots letter pleading for them not to leave, offering bonuses and better contracts​The boss of Ryanair has apologised to pilots, offering them incentives to stay with the carrier in a personal letter.

Morning Star

• Rail Chiefs Accused Of Covering Up 'Potentially Disastrous' Safety Breaches During StrikeAs train staff walked out for the second day this week yesterday, rail union RMT also warned that hundreds of unstaffed stations in the north of England would become “crime hotspots” if guards were no longer guaranteed.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Nissan's sweat-sensing car seat could revolutionise driving forever - and keep you safe Soak technology changes colour depending on how hydrated the driver is - it is claimed dehydrated drivers are more likely to crash

The York Press

• Station safety claims by unionA UNION has named 330 unstaffed stations - including several in the York area - which it claims could become crime hot spots and “no-go areas” for vulnerable and disabled passengers if trains go without guards.

Cambridge News

• Rail scheme 'vital' for Cambridge faces 10-year delayCrossrail 2 has been described as 'vital' for the future success of businesses in the region

Other Regional Press

• 'People are concerned and distressed': Council fixes crunch meeting with Heathrow Airport to discuss vital bus services as residents protest changes to routesPeople in Stanwell say they are concerned about the impact the changes have had on access to Heathrow Airport, particularly for shift workers
• Do you agree with these huge changes planned for Cheltenham Spa railway station?A four-week consultation has started on proposals for a new 300-space car park and other big changes at Cheltenham Spa railway station.
• Scunthorpe-made rail on track for £14.8 billion London projectThe British Steel works has been supplying track for the Crossrail project since June 2015

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Government plans £80 million smart ticketing rail revolutionThe government has this week set out details of its £80 million programme to introduce smart ticketing across England and Wales by the end of 2018. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

Railnews

• Strikes go ahead, but Underground walkout is cancelled Strikes are taking place for the second day this week at four National Rail operators in England but a planned walkout by ASLEF drivers on London Underground has been called off, after progress was made in talks between the union and Transport for London over working conditions. As on Tuesday the effects of the National Rail strikes, which are being staged by the RMT, have varied. The worst disruption is on Merseyrail and Northern, where services are limited and will cease by 19.00 this evening, while services on most Southern routes are normal. Greater Anglia, the fourth operator involved, i...

Railway Gazette

• SNCF and AccorHotels to develop the Orient Express brandFRANCE: An agreement to exploit the SNCF-owned Orient Express brand within the global luxury...
• M62 diesel locomotive rebuilt as an electric POLAND: Following an official unveiling at the Trako trade fair in GdaÅ„sk, certification testing...

Aviation Industry

• Policies & incentives needed to expand use of sustainable alternative fuelsAlternative fuel sources for aviation are still in their infancy, although the reality is that the production and use of biofuels is much more widespread than many realize, attendees at the Global Sustainable Aviation Summit in Geneva this week heard. read more
• Belgium takes legal action against Ryanair over flight cancellationsBelgium’s deputy prime minister is launching legal action against Ryanair for unfair commercial practices as the fallout from the Irish LCC’s cancellation of thousands of flights—which came about after it mishandled scheduling of pilots’ leave—continues. read more
• Boeing 3Q deliveries up 12.2%; Ryanair takes most new aircraft YTDBoeing has delivered 554 commercial aircraft as of Sept. 30, including 202 aircraft during the third quarter alone, the US-based manufacturer said Oct. 5. read more

Green Miscellany

• Monarch airlines and travel insurance claims: Lessons to learnMany of the thousands of travellers stranded following the collapse of Monarch have faced unnecessary worry over doubts their travel insurance would cover airline collapse. Travel insurance from the ETA includes up to £1,500 cover in the event of insolvency of the scheduled airline, hotel, train operator including Eurostar, car ferries and villas abroad In the event of insolvency after… The post Monarch airlines and travel insurance claims: Lessons to learn appeared first on ETA.

Other News Sources

• Network Rail reveals major Christmas and New Year projectsChristmas is 80 days away – let that sink in. With friends and family putting festive travel plans in place, Network Rail has revealed the major work that is set to take place on the network in December.
• Guildford railway station £150 million development plans to be heard at appeal next month The £150m regeneration scheme by Solum proposed a new station building, 438 new homes, office space and a "radically enhanced station environment"