Breaking News
World's first electrified road for charging vehicles opens in Sweden
Stretch of road outside Stockholm transfers energy from two tracks of rail in the road, recharging the batteries of electric cars and trucks. The world's first electrified road that recharges the batteries of cars and trucks driving on it has been opened in Sweden.About 2km (1.2 miles) of electric rail has been embedded in a public road near Stockholm, but the government's roads agency has already drafted a national map for future expansion.
First look at council's cycle 'superhighway' plan which aims to get more people on their bikes
Cardiff council wants to introduce five “cycle superhighways”
Decision time is coming soon
Last weekend marked an important, but largely unnoticed date. It is now less than a year until the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) comes into force on 8 April 2019.
Friday, 13 April 2018
BBC News
- Deeside receives Ł1.8m for public transport improvementsSome Ł1.8m will be spent improving public transport in Deeside as part of preparations for a north east Wales metro, Welsh ministers have said.
- West Midlands PCC calls car security summitPolice and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson says retailers have a
- First Aberdeen Bus drivers vote to end strike threatServices at First Aberdeen were facing further disruption in a pay and conditions dispute.
- Greater Manchester traffic police get 'trauma teddy bears' to help comfort childrenThe
- Car bought and driven to Bristol 'for less than train ticket'Tom Church says he bought, taxed and insured a car for less than a return train ticket to Bristol.
- British Airways owner considers Norwegian bidShares in Norwegian Air soar as IAG says it is considering a takeover bid.
- Volkswagen puts Herbert Diess in the driving seatGerman car giant replaces Matthias Mueller with Herbert Diess as part of a sweeping reorganisation.
Department for Transport
- New regulations to double the use of sustainable renewable fuels by 2020Increasing the use of renewable fuels will reduce carbon emissions, tackle climate change and to make the transport sector as sustainable as possible.
The Guardian
- Young people deserve free bus passesLabour’s new policy could be the first step towards a fairer allocation of resources and a tiptoe towards universal basic services
- Labour warns Apollo against pursuing interest in FirstGroupLabour and the RMT union have warned the US private equity firm Apollo Global Management off pursuing its interest in the transport firm FirstGroup, after the British company rejected a takeover approach.
- World's first electrified road for charging vehicles opens in SwedenStretch of road outside Stockholm transfers energy from two tracks of rail in the road, recharging the batteries of electric cars and trucks. The world's first electrified road that recharges the batteries of cars and trucks driving on it has been opened in Sweden.About 2km (1.2 miles) of electric rail has been embedded in a public road near Stockholm, but the government's roads agency has already drafted a national map for future expansion.
- Could allowing dogs on trains help ease Sydney's car crisis?As the city struggles to reduce traffic, a strict no-dog public transport policy forces owners into cars, causing 2.4m journeys a week. Time for a rethink? Sydney loves to boast of its cafe culture, but only Leichhardt’s Cafe Bones makes it accessible to those on four legs. Situated in the middle of Hawthorne Canal Reserve, a large park in the city’s affluent inner west, its menu extends beyond flat whites and friands to lactose-free “puppaccinos” and “dogaccinos” – the low-fat alternative “for the health-conscious pup”. Now in its 18th year, Cafe Bones bills itself as the world’s first dog-f...
Times Online
- Changes to UK road tax put drivers off buying a new car [Subscription]More old bangers are being driven on British roads after the number of new cars sold in the UK dropped for the first time in six years.
- BA owner sets sights on landing budget rival [Subscription]Stake in no-frills Norwegian may herald takeover
Reuters News
- Bombardier to bid on New Jersey rail contract: sourcesMONTREAL (Reuters) - Bombardier (BBDb.TO) will bid on an upcoming New Jersey Transit rail car contract, two sources familiar with the matter said, as the Canadian plane and train maker seeks to boost its North American business after losing ground in the region to rivals.
City AM
- One person lodged over 1,280 noise complaints with Heathrow in the last three monthsOne person complained about noise more than 1,280 times to Heathrow Airport in the first three months of the year.
- DEBATE: Is Labour’s free bus travel plan for under-25s a good way of tackling intergenerational inequality?Young people drive less and rely on public transport more. Higher living costs, less secure jobs, lower wages, more urbanisation, the postponement of parenthood, increased use of mobile devices for social organisation, and improved public transport have all led to young people spending less time in a four-wheel-drive and more time singing “the wheels on the bus”.
- SpaceX's value on course to rocket to $24bn as fundraising targets $500mElon Musk's SpaceX is plotting a new round of funding which could see its value skyrocket to almost $24bn (Ł16.9bn).
Mail Online
- British Airways owner eyes Norwegian takeover IAG said that it has acquired a 4.61 per cent stake in the airline, which is 'intended to establish a position from which to initiate discussions with Norwegian', including the possibility of a full offer.
- London Tube staff walk-out in support of driver removed from duty The District Line driver had been qualified for 18 weeks but only drove for 11 of them, due to sickness, retraining and a compulsory removal from duty, London Underground said.
Network Rail
- Blackpool to Preston railway to reopen following major upgradeThe railway between Preston and Blackpool North is set to reopen next Monday (16 April) as the transformation of train travel across the north of England continues.
- Caledonian Sleeper’s new carriages have been tested on UK railways for the first time ahead of their introduction later this year.Passengers using the busy platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly can look forward to more space as they wait for their train.
Birmingham Post
- West Midlands car thefts have doubled in two years as a result of relay key crime Car industry has been urged to step up security during summit with police commissioner
Derby Telegraph
- Corbyn plan for free under 25s bus travel gets lukewarm response from Derby councilScheme only available to councils which aim to run their own bus services again
London Evening Standard
- Man BUYS car to travel to Bristol... because it was cheaper than a rail ticket from LondonAn entrepreneur bought a car, taxed and insured it and drove it from London to Bristol – all for less than the price of a train fare.
- TfL Tube strike: District line walkout for driver 'who went through three red lights' set to cause travel chaosA Tube strike in support of a driver who allegedly passed three red signals is set to cause travel chaos for commuters on one of the busiest London Underground lines today.
Wales Online
- First look at council's cycle 'superhighway' plan which aims to get more people on their bikesCardiff council wants to introduce five “cycle superhighways”
Crewe Chronicle
- HS2: Crewe hub 'will connect the town and support the community' With HS2 coming to Crewe in 2027 and the recent government backing for up to seven HS2 trains per hour, work needs to start soon on preparing Crewe Station for its high speed future – which is just nine years away.
Other Regional Press
- Logistics North in bid to play part in expansion of Heathrow AirportA DELEGATION from Heathrow Airport will visit Logistics North as part of a nationwide hunt for sites to help with its expansion.
- "Get a grip" on rail services, says Green MSPA GREEN MSP has called on ScotRail to “get a grip” on rail services in the region, as recent figures show that the West of Scotland suffers from some of the highest instances of stop-skipping in the country, particularly in West Dunbartonshire.
- Council scraps tolls for Itchen Bridge's electric car users TOLLS on Southampton’s busy Itchen Bridge are set to be scrapped as early as the summer for electric vehicles in a bid to reduce pollution in the city.
- Oxford bus chief to stand down after 14 years at the wheelTHE managing director at one of Oxfordshire's bus companies has announced he is going to retire.
- Pensioner hit with Ł880 bill for parking at Manchester Airport during three-week holiday to US Hamilton McLean left his car in the short stay car park during frantic rush to airport when his taxi was cancelled due to snow
- Pensioner hit with Ł880 bill for parking at Manchester Airport during three-week holiday to US Hamilton McLean left his car in the short stay car park during frantic rush to airport when his taxi was cancelled due to snow
Bus and Coach Buyer
- Community transport operator to run longest Metrobus routeBristol Community Transport (BCT), part of the HCT Group, has been unveiled as the operator of Metrobus’s longest route.
- Plans for car-sharers in Manchester bus lanes criticisedManchester’s Congestion Deal has been deemed “counter-productive”, according to Bus Users UK. Alarming the industry watchdog are plans in the Deal to allow car-sharers to use bus lanes.
- Astons Coaches takes over M&S CoachesAstons Coaches, the Worcester bus and coach operator, has taken over M&S Coaches of Hereford.
Buying Business Travel
- IAG acquires stake in NorwegianGroup 'considering offer for take-over'
Coach and Bus Week
- ‘Let’s talk’With local authorities around the country not only cutting back on contracted bus routes, but also what they spend on publicising services generally, Fair Oak, Eastleigh-based PB Bus Marketing believes it’s well placed to ‘step into the breach.’ It says it understands the challenges independent bus operators, in particular, are now facing and has the expertise to help them better publicise and promote what they do.
- ‘Let’s talk’With local authorities around the country not only cutting back on contracted bus routes, but also what they spend on publicising services generally, Fair Oak, Eastleigh-based PB Bus Marketing believes it’s well placed to ‘step into the breach.’ It says it understands the challenges independent bus operators, in particular, are now facing and has the expertise to help them better publicise and promote what they do.
- ‘Let’s talk’With local authorities around the country not only cutting back on contracted bus routes, but also what they spend on publicising services generally, Fair Oak, Eastleigh-based PB Bus Marketing believes it’s well placed to ‘step into the breach.’ It says it understands the challenges independent bus operators, in particular, are now facing and has the expertise to help them better publicise and promote what they do.
- Safeguard Coaches adds new ticket options targeting young passengersFamily-owned Safeguard Coaches of Guildford introduced new bus fares on April 7, 2018, which include a new fare for young people and families.
- London to try a tri-axle ‘deckerLondon’s latest clocks a number of ‘firsts’ & is expected to be trialled on route Go-Ahead London’s X68 route this Summer
Global Rail News
- Caledonian Sleeper’s new Mark 5 carriages tested in UK for first timeCaledonian Sleeper’s new carriages have been tested on UK railways for the first time ahead of their introduction later this year.
Rail Advent
- New platform at Livingston South is next step in redevelopmentNetwork Rail has announced that the Edinburgh to Glasgow Central line via Shotts line has reopened after a 10-day closure to let part of the Ł3.5m redevelopment of Livingston South station to take place.
Rail Technology Magazine
- Network Rail offers young people career support through charity partnershipOver 150 young people looking to move into employment will be given advice by rail industry employees through a partnership between Network Rail and Barnardo’s. Since Barnardo’s was named as Network Rail’s charity of choice in 2016, over 50 young people have been given careers...
- NR awards Ł115m track deal to Balfour BeattyBalfour Beatty has been awarded a seven-year contract worth over £115m by Network Rail. The contract is for the supply, operation and maintenance of Balfour Beatty’s fleet of 13 track maintenance vehicles, known as ‘on track machines’ or ‘tampers’ by Network...
Railway Gazette
- London to Duisburg and China freight service launchedUK: The inaugural scheduled freight service from DP World’s London Gateway terminal east of London...
Route One (Bus and Coach)
- Decision time is coming soonLast weekend marked an important, but largely unnoticed date. It is now less than a year until the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) comes into force on 8 April 2019.
- O-Licences, thanks to digitalWith the start of digital-only O-Licence applications this month, bring to an end paper applications, the Traffic Commissioners (TCs) are clamping down on operators whose businesses have faced financial difficulty, but failed to tell the TC.
- Bristol CT wins Metrobus contractBristol Community Transport (BCT) is to run route m1 - the longest Metrobus route - on the three-route 50km Bristol Metrobus
- Bath sets out plans to charge in CAZBath & North East Somerset council has outlined the three options it is considering for the implementation of a charging Clean Air Zone in the central core of Bath.
Aviation Industry
- Intelligent cabin project gains support by German government A three-year project co-initiated by Etihad Airways Engineering and Boeing aims to make an aircraft cabin smarter by networking its components seats, galleys, lavatories and baggage bins.
- Clark: Profits up, pilot numbers down at EmiratesEmirates Airline's profits for its recently closed financial year will be considerably better than those for the previous 12 months, airline president Tim Clark said April 11.
- Norway's Wider¸e looks south with new Embraer E190 E2s Norwegian regional carrier Wider¸e is likely to expand its new fleet of Embraer E2 regional jets with a mix of models, the airline's CEO said April 12.
Other News Sources
- Welsh Govt tenders Ł7m infrastructure works for possible Heathrow hubThe Welsh Government is seeking to appoint a contractor to construct infrastructure, including a 1km road, for a 100 acre development site in Bridgend that could become a logistics hub for the expansion of Heathrow airport.
- More than 66% of Brits missing out on significant rail ticket savingsNew research from Greater Anglia has revealed that more than a fifth of people are not aware of the various train ticket types available, with travellers potentially losing out on significant savings as a result.
- MEP calls for an end to foreign rail firmsThe Government has been accused of "selling out" British rail companies after inviting more overseas companies to bid for UK train franchises.
- West Midlands reaps the devolution dividendA new metro mayor, growing commuter rail use, light rail expansion projects, HS2… this is a region that's going places A visualisation of the Midland Metro terminius at Edgbaston
- TOCs want action to limit reputational riskConcerns follow furore over the collapse of the East Coast franchise, which saw Stagecoach/Virgin unfairly accused of receiving a taxpayer bail out The issue was raised during the furore over the forthcoming collapse of the East Coast franchise Train operators have asked the Department for Transport to review its approach to publicising rail franchise awards to provide more accurate information to the public and prevent reputational damage to the industry.
- Government must face up to congestionMinisters and their shadows pretend not to notice a problem that is choking off buses, because they’re afraid of upsetting motorists One bus can replace well over 70 cars. There is no downside The latest figures show a continuing and concerning decline in the number of bus passenger journeys. And the standard responses – higher fares and reduced services – will at best bring short-term financial relief but at the cost of further decline and long-term damage. Yet the options available to bus companies are limited, and we need to look more widely if this trend is to be ...
- Is this the home of the mobility revolution?The West Midlands is hosting the UKs first trial of Mobility as a Service, launched this month with help from a creative three-storey marketing ploy The Nordic micro-house in Brindleyplace is the size of a parking space.
- Bus service subsidy secured for another year - but concerns raisedWINCHESTER city councillors have agreed to subside late-night buses for another year.
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