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

Friday, 09 August 2019

BBC News

• Tesla motors make classic Ferraris go fasterElectric cars have to be as cool as petrol ones to really take off, and these engineers think they can be
• Levenmouth rail link to reopen in £70m projectThe reopened Levenmouth link will eventually connect Leven to the Fife Circle.
• Oyster card accounts hacked, confirms Transport for LondonSome 1,200 customer accounts are affected and TfL have temporarily suspended online access.
• Flood-damaged rail route from Ardlui to Crianlarich to stay closedA section of track between Ardlui and Crianlarich was washed away after severe flooding on Sunday.
• UK to stay in Interrail scheme after U-turnUK train operators will stay in the scheme following a backlash on social media.
• Uber shares tumble as profit figures disappoint Wall StreetInvestors take flight as the taxi-hailing company reports its biggest quarterly loss.

The Guardian

• UK train operators reverse decision to quit InterrailBritain will remain part of the Interrail travel scheme after the UK’s operating companies performed a U-turn just 24 hours after announcing the country’s withdrawal.

The Herald

• Scotland to reverse more Beeching cuts by re-opening Levenmouth lineA railway in Fife is to re-open, in another reversal of the Beeching-era cuts that decimated Scotland's network.

The Independent

• TfL's Oyster service for taking Tube taken offline after users are hackedTravellers unable to check balance or top up their cards
• British Airways A350: What it is like flying on BA's brand new planeAirline unveils lie-flat bed and sliding privacy door for new Club Suite

The Scotsman

• Time for Scotland’s railway revival to gather even more speed – leader commentThe Scottish Government’s announcement of a £70m project to reconnect Levenmouth in Fife to the rail network is most welcome.

Times Online

• Levenmouth link: Old line could put economy on track [subscription]A Fife railway line not used for 50 years will be reopened in an effort to repeat the success of similar projects in revitalising towns and rural areas.
• Train bosses backtrack over Interrail [subscription]British train companies have reversed their decision to leave the Interrail and Eurail schemes after strong criticism.
• Scottish flooding: Torrential rain to bring more transport chaos [subscription]Flash flooding and huge disruption to transport networks are expected today with torrential rain predicted to sweep the country.

City AM

• TfL suspends online Oyster system following breachTransport for London (TfL) has temporarily suspended access to customers’ Oyster and contactless online accounts after over 1,000 customers had their details accessed maliciously.
• Car crash: Uber shows record loss in new resultsUber disappointed investors yesterday as the ride-hailing app showed its biggest-ever loss, and slowest revenue growth.

Bristol Live

• Two new bus services announced by Bristol AirportA six-month trial of two bus services from rural locations in North Somerset to Bristol Airport are set to be launched next year.

London Evening Standard

• Heathrow's expansion is key to the PM's bright outlookEvery time I pass through Stratford I remember the success of the London Olympics. The Games were a triumph, delivering huge national economic and social benefits from the investment we made in the East End.
• Interrail pass latest: Britain to remain part of Europe ticket scheme after fresh talksBritain's train companies will now remain part of the Interrail ticket scheme after renewed talks between rail authorities.
• Shaun Bailey: Sadiq Khan should use TfL ad space to fight crime, says Tory mayoral candidateTory mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey is calling on Sadiq Khan to use his free ad space on the transport network to combat crime.
• Euston Station delays: Misery for commuters after signal failure prompts chaos at busy London hubHuge crowds formed at Euston station after a signal fault caused mass delays at the busy London transport hub.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• £200m Chase Line plagued by delays and cancellationsPassengers on the Chase Line have been faced with repeated cancellations and delays since its £200 million electrification.

Other Regional Press

• A small section of railway track is set to be laid on a former North Devon railway lineBut the track would be so small that no trains could operate on it
• Shocking video shows extent of flooding on Edinburgh railway – and why trains are still offA shocking video has highlighted the extent of the severe flooding on railway lines near Edinburgh.

Bikebiz

• What is the Government doing to encourage more people to cycle?Organised by a range of organisations including NGOs, bike manufacturers and cycle to work scheme providers, Cycle to Work day, taking place today, 8th August, encourages thousands of commuters to leave their cars at home and instead opt to cycle, as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way of travelling. It is collaborating with Love to Ride, an online platform which motivates people to cycle by being a member of the online community, setting goals and recording rides they take part in.
• Winners announced in TfL’s Best Cargo Bike competitionTransport for London (TfL) has announced the winners of its inaugural competition to find the best cargo bikes for sustainable business deliveries and family trips.
• New Santander Cycles docking station opens at Victoria Park to boost capacityTfL and Tower Hamlets Council have unveiled a new Santander Cycles docking station in Victoria Park.
• E-bikes: Addressing a cultural shiftWe are standing before a cultural shift that will have a longstanding impact on the way that bicycles are consumed and used in the UK. That cultural shift concerns e-bikes. The electrification of bicycles continues to be a point of controversy among a limited few. There remains a lingering macho attitude to cycling. Riding a bike is seen by some consumers as a means to an end: getting in shape, rather than getting from A to B. Electric bikes are painted by some as cheating because for those enthusiasts, cycling is an athletic pursuit. But perpetuating this myth within the industry is not helping anyone.

Coach and Bus Week

• Diamond Bus North West takeover First Manchester depot this SundayRotala-owned Diamond Bus North West will commence operations formerly operated by First Manchester’s Bolton depot from Sunday, 11 August.
• Tees Valley to pilot demand-responsive bus serviceThe Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority Cabinet have agreed plans to pilot a demand-responsive bus service – and further investigate the potential for a partnership system for the area’s operators.
• Is new Stagecoach branding moving a step closer?Designed by Ray Stenning of Best Impressions, the ‘Beach ball’ branding as it is commonly known in the industry has been gracing thousands of Stagecoach UK Bus vehicles since 2000, when it replaced the original striped livery.
• North of Tyne Mayor calls for public control of bus servicesFollowing comments by Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a speech in Manchester last week, in which he said he wanted “higher frequency, low-emission or zero-emission buses, more bus priority corridors, a network that’s easier to understand and use,” North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll has said he will take up the Prime Minister’s offer to extend London-style bus networks to any area of the UK where local leaders want it, and that it would be fantastic if the local government delivers on the Prime Minister’s promise.
• Testing timesJonathan Prime, recently-appointed Director Sales Mercedes-Benz, and Managing Director Michael Thielmann update Andy Izatt on recent developments at EvoBus (UK)

Construction Enquirer

• Gatwick Airport to invest £1.1bn over next five yearsGatwick Aiport has unveiled its refreshed five-year plan to invest £1.1bn in infrastructure improvements through to 2024.

New Civil Engineer

• Latest blow for freight rail hub as planners raise ‘serious concerns’Planning Inspectorate bosses have raised “serious concerns” about revised plans for a massive strategic rail freight hub in Northampton.
• Exclusive | HS2 Birmingham Curzon Street station details revealedHigh Speed 2 Ltd has told interested contractors more details around how its Birmingham terminus will be procured and built.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Northern helps develop UK's first autism-friendly railway lineJoining forces with Community Rail Lancashire and the National Autistic Society, Northern has developed the UK's first autism-friendly railway line.
• Scottish Government approve £75m Levenmouth rail linkA rail link to the Levenmouth area has been approved by the Scottish Government, as part of a £75m investment plan announced this morning.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Durham city centre coach park to close despite controversyThe Sands coach park will be replaced with a park and ride on the edge of the city
• Blackpool Transport delivers mental health and wellbeing trainingNew measures could improve mental health and wellbeing for operators’ staff and customers across UK
• Tribunal upholds ULEZ PCNs despite complianceOperator has proved to TfL that vehicle is compliant – but four £500 PCNs stand
• Cameras to replace wing mirrors on London busesCameras have replaced the wing mirrors of a London bus for the first time. 21st Century is behind the SmartVision Camera Monitoring System (CMS) recently added to a Transport for London (TfL) Metroline ADL.
• Oxford Bus Company pioneers green transport with latest trialLatest green bus trial edges Oxford city centre closer to world’s first Zero Emission Zone
• NAT Group grows Swansea presenceNAT Group has taken over the operation of five key bus routes in Swansea and introduced simplified fares to all its routes in the city.

Aviation Industry

• Amazon petitions FAA for drone delivery authorizationOnline retailer Amazon is seeking exemptions from FAA to operate its Prime Air drone delivery service as an air carrier under the agency’s Part 135 regulation. read more

Other News Sources

• Gospel Oak to Barking London Overground route goes fully electricTransport for London says the new trains are “much better for air quality and the environment” than previous diesel versions
• 500 people working on Crossrail’s Bond Street stationSite running 24 hours a day as bosses race to get it ready enough to begin train testing