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

Saturday, 10 March 2018

City AM

• Inmarsat shares fall as it cuts dividend to propel take off of in-flight Wi-FiInmarsat said this morning it had cuts its dividend to 20 cents a share in order to propel investment in its aviation division, after earnings dipped in the fourth quarter.
• Another Southern rail strike is going ahead on Monday 12 MarchThe latest strike in the long-running row over the role of the guard on Southern rail will go ahead on Monday 12 March, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said today.

Birmingham Mail

• Green light for new train station between Walsall and WolverhamptonTransport Minister Chris Grayling MP was on hand to announce that Willenhall railway station will reopen for the first time since 1965

Bristol Live

• 27 people fined hundreds of pounds for attempting to dodge small train fares on Great Western RailwayA total of 27 people from across the South West have been fined huge sums for attempting to ride on Great Western Railway trains in Bristol without paying for a ticket.

Wales Online

• Welsh transport chief's passionate defence of Metro scheme as it comes under attackThe man leading the project to create a South Wales Metro has issued a vehement defence of the £1bn scheme. Ken Skates, Wales' transport secretary, wrote a public letter to all AMs after a member of his own Labour Assembly group compared it to the Loch Ness monster saying "nobody knows whether it actually exists of not".

Other Regional Press

• HS2 trains WILL stop at Stoke-on-Trent (but we don't yet know how many services there will be)Community leaders today described plans to allow HS2 trains to stop at Stoke-on-Trent as a potential ‘game changer’ for the local economy.
• Rail Minister says new Brighton to Cambridge train is sign of better things to comeA NEW direct train service between Brighton and Cambridge is further evidence that commuters’ rail misery is behind them, according to the Rail Minister.

Global Rail News

• New automated people movers for Singapore’s Land Transport AuthorityBombardier Transportation has signed a contract with Singapore’s Land Transport Authority for 19 new Innovia automated people mover (APM) cars.
• Alstom buys on-board internet and infotainment provider 21netAlstom has announced an agreement has been reached to acquire 21net, a provider of on-board internet and infotainment system for the rail industry.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Final Thameslink Class 700 train rolls off production line The final Siemens Class 700 Desiro city train rolled off the production line yesterday. The production of the 115th unit marks a significant milestone in the completion of the government-sponsored Thameslink programme to upgrade the route and add extra capacity through London and across the...
• Crossrail CEO Wolstenholme to step down after seven years at organisationAndrew Wolstenholme is to step down as chief executive of Crossrail, it has been announced. After seven years, Wolstenholme will take up a new role in the private sector, and programme director Simon Wright will lead the organisation in a combined role as chief executive and programme director...
• Consultation launched into potential Edinburgh tram extension A consultation is to be launched to help shape the plans to extend Edinburgh’s tram line to Newhaven and Leith. The consultation, which will start later this month, will seek feedback on traffic management and business support plans for the construction period of the tramway, and the...
• More than four in five women have never considered work in the rail industryWomen’s perception of the rail industry mean that they could miss out on a jobs boost that will see over 100,000 job opportunities created across Britain’s railway by 2027, the Rail Delivery Group has warned. In October ambitious plans were unveiled to attract new talent to the...
• Rail must do more to support local communities, economies and environment, experts warnThe rail industry could do more to support communities, local economies and the environment, a new report has found. The report, ‘Ensuring a sustainable rail industry,’ produced by think tank Tracks, says that the rail industry could play a greater role in the delivery of sustainable...

Aviation Industry

• The airline industry's glass ceilingToday is National Women’s Day. I’m not typically one of those who lauds achievements purely based on the gender of those who achieved, but a vexing question remains: why are there still so few women running airlines? read more
• All-women crew operates first Ethiopian Airlines Buenos Aires flightEthiopian Airlines launched 5X-weekly Addis Ababa-Buenos Aires Ezeiza services, March. 8. The flight is being operated with a Boeing 787-8 and makes a stop in Sao Paolo Guraulhos, Brazil. read more
• Airbus forecasts Indian expansion to be ahead of global curveEuropean OEM Airbus expects that airline traffic in India will grow by 8.1% per year over the next 20 years, almost double the global average of 4.4%. read more
• Aviation sector 37% growth lifts Inmarsat 2017 revenuesGlobal mobile satellite communications provider Inmarsat reported $1.4 billion in total group revenue for 2017, up 5.4% from 2016, largely on the strength of 36.7% growth in Inmarsat’s aviation sector, which includes in-flight connectivity (IFC), business/general aviation (BGA) and safety/operational services (SOS) revenue. The aviation sector reported $195 million in total revenue for the year. read more

Other News Sources

• Rail Minister says new Brighton to Cambridge train is sign of better things to come A NEW direct train service between Brighton and Cambridge is further evidence that commuters’ rail misery is behind them, according to the Rail Minister.
• TransPennine fail to show for Hull train discussionThere was an empty seat at today's meeting to discuss longer rail journey times in Hull today.
• £16.5m extension approved for Lynton and Barnstaple RailwayA huge scheme to reinstate the Lynton to Barnstaple Railway and provide a massive boost to the local economy has been approved.
• 'Landmark moment' for commuters, says rail operatorRAIL passengers on Bedfordshire’s Thameslink line have been having their first taste of the expanded commuter service being implemented by operator Govia Thameslink Railway.
• Greg Wright: The business case for free wi-fi on every train EVERYONE lucky enough to work from home should spare a thought for the dreary lives of their counterparts who must use the train.