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

Friday, 13 December 2019

BBC News

• Boeing: US regulator admits 'mistake' over aircraft crashesSafety regulator allowed the aircraft to continue flying despite its own analysis flagging warnings.
• Apology over railcards issued with missing photosNational Rail has apologised for a glitch which meant some railcards were issued without photographs.
• Qantas picks Airbus over Boeing for longest flightsThe move marks a fresh blow to rival Boeing as it deals with the fallout from its grounded 737 Max jets.

Financial Times

• Australia’s Qantas chooses Airbus for longest routes Chief executive says Project Sunrise decision delayed over negotiations with pilots
• Boeing ‘unrealistic’ over timing of 737 Max return — FAARegulator says safety approval for aircraft has been hit by delays
• Delta Air Lines: plastic fantastic Airline’s deal with Amex should help to insulate it against headwinds
• Wizz Air to set up low-cost airline in Abu DhabiHungarian carrier to tap into markets in Middle East, Africa and Indian subcontinent

The Guardian

• Google's self-driving car project buys British AI firm Latent LogicPurchase of Oxford University spinoff gives Waymo its first presence in the UK

Bolton News

• Diamond Buses: What Bolton News readers have to say OUR story about passengers’ major disappointment with the Diamond Buses service in Bolton provoked a big response online.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Anger at bus service cutsANGER has greeted cuts to bus services between Keighley town centre and Long Lee, Laycock and Highfield.

London Evening Standard

• £40m overpaid with TfL's peak paper TravelcardsPassengers who buy peak-hour paper Travelcards are paying almost £40 million a year more than necessary, it was revealed today.

Wales Online

• Eight people are hurt after double-decker bus hit railway bridge in SwanseaTrains services have been disrupted and the road remains closed

Other Regional Press

• General Election 2019: James Heappey hints at new Somerset train station as he wins in WellsJames Heappey said he was "hugely relieved" to have won back his seat in Wells - and pledged to try to bring back the railway to Shepton Mallet.
• Bombardier fast trains for Greater Anglia are delayedTHE delivery of a phase of Greater Anglia’s £1.4 billion trains has been delayed. Manufacturer Bombardier said the first of a new fleet of high-speed trains are now expected to enter service by spring and not the end of this year as originally expected.
• Northern Rail bosses warn passengers across Lancashire to be prepared as new timetables come into forceRail bosses are warning passengers to be prepared as new timetables come into force this weekend.
• New bus service coming to Coventry in the new yearIt will run via Coventry rail station

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Eddie Stobart shareholders approve £55 million rescue saleEddie Stobart shareholders have approved a £55 million rescue sale in a bid to secure the future of its 6,500 employees, the trucking firm has confirmed. The logistics giant said that investors voted in favour of the deal by private equity firm DBay Advisors to buy a 51% stake in the company at a general meeting in central London. Sebastien Desreumaux, chief executive officer of Eddie Stobart, said: 

Coach and Bus Week

• First West of England invests in 77 new gas buses for BristolNew vehicle deliveries to First Bristol will see the second metrobus route converted to biogas operation, whilst some other services in the city will also benefit from new biogas-fuelled buses early next year
• First West of England invests in 77 new gas buses for BristolNew vehicle deliveries to First Bristol will see the second metrobus route converted to biogas operation, whilst some other services in the city will also benefit from new biogas-fuelled buses early next year
• A new report called ‘Lessons from London’ urges radical changeThe next government will need to consider “radical” changes to arrest a long-term decline in bus use, according to Professor Mike Waterson of the Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE) at the University of Warwick. Cities around England should learn from London’s system of bus franchising, he says. He also says that long-term reforms could include emulating German laws that deter public bodies from paying expenses for taxi travel.
• Greening BasingstokeStagecoach South has made a significant investment in its Basingstoke town network, enhancing services and introducing 32 new buses. Andy Izatt was at the 2 December launch
• Coaching in the FutureThe CPT’s annual Coaching Conference took the title of Tomorrow’s World this year, examining how the industry could change in the coming years. James Day reports

Rail Technology Magazine

• Grand Central completes £9m refurbishment of rolling stockGrand Central has completed a two-year £9m refurbishment of its train fleet, serving the operator's route linking Sunderland and Hartlepool to London.
• GTR start roll out of 200 more defibrillators in stationsGovia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is continuing its roll out of life saving defibrillators at stations across its network. Statistics show that more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen every year across the UK, and less than one in ten of those cases survive. By using an automatic...

Railnews

• Mystery signalling faults are disrupting Greater Anglia services Disruption of Greater Anglia services being worked by the new Stadler trains appears to be caused by signalling problems, but an investigation by Greater Anglia and Network Rail has so far failed to find the cause. Inquiries have also been launched into a near miss at a level crossing and a pantograph which struck a bridge after it had failed to come down when the train was leaving an electrified route.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Passenger Plus completes 10,000 journeys with appPassenger Plus has completed over 10,000 journeys with its passenger app, which was developed in partnership with Rise Digital Media.
• Pulhams Coaches adds three ADL Enviro200sCotswolds operator Pulhams Coaches, based in Bourton-on-the-Water, has taken delivery of three Enviro200s, supplied by Alexander Dennis (01909 551166).
• Senior TC Turfitt reminds Directors of responsibilitiesSenior Traffic Commissioner (STC) Richard Turfitt (pictured) has reminded company Directors that the ultimate responsibility for an O-Licence remains with them, and that they should undertake regular audits of compliance, remain up to date on legislation and action any shortcomings discovered.
• Bus Taskforce meets for the inaugural timeThe first Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Bus Reform Taskforce meeting was held last week. Held in the office of Metro Mayor James Palmer, the group heard from Mr Palmer and others who spoke on how they wish to improve services in the region.
• Plymouth Citybus takes 10 Enviro400 CitysPlymouth Citybus has added 11 Alexander Dennis Enviro400 City double-deckers to its fleet, representing an investment of £2.6m.

Aviation Industry

• Retirements prompt senior-management changes at BOC AviationAircraft lessor BOC Aviation has appointed a new executive director, board vice-chairman, two deputy MDs and CFO following the retirement of two multi-role senior executives. read more
• FAA wants Boeing to improve MAX submissionsFAA administrator Steve Dickson suggested Boeing improve the “quality and timelinessâ€� of information it is providing the agency to support getting the 737 MAX back into service, part of a larger message that Boeing’s efforts should focus on meeting regulatory demands, not influencing the process. read more

Other News Sources

• New excel fleet for First Eastern Counties long-distance serviceA new fleet for the excel service is set to introduce a number of firsts for the Scania/Alexander Dennis combination
• Grand Central completes Adelante overhaulTrain operator Grand Central has completed the £9million refurbishment of its Adelante fleet.
• Second platform at Dunbar Railway Station opens on Sunday THE new £13million second platform and lifts at Dunbar Railway Station will enter service this Sunday.
• Cyclists using Guildford Stoke crossroads 'taking their life into their hands' There has been criticism of the amount of time it takes cyclists to cross the new Stoke junction layout following the upgrade works