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

Thursday, 05 September 2024

BBC News

• Mayor pledges bus improvements within two yearsRichard Parker plans to create a public franchise system similar to Greater Manchester's.
• Translink defends lack of Irish signage at new Belfast hubBus services are due to begin on Sunday with the first departure - to Dublin - scheduled for 5am.
• River path from quays into city centre planned The cycle and walking path would run beside the River Irwell up to Peel Park, the council says.
• ULEZ has cut children's school car rides - studyResearch shows children living in the zone are now nearly four times more likely to be walking or cycling.
• Volvo gives up plan to sell only EVs by 2030The car maker's decision comes as industry faces slowing demand in some major markets for electric vehicles.

Financial Times

• Dublin Airport chief says ‘outdated’ passenger cap puts 1,000 aviation jobs at riskOperator warns that limit of 32mn will hurt country’s foreign direct investment

The Guardian

• Air pollution harms male fertility while women face similar risk from noise, study findsEnvironmental pollutants may have different effects on male and female reproduction, research in BMJ suggests Air pollution is associated with a higher infertility risk in men, while noise pollution is associated with a higher risk of infertility in women, a study has found.The study, which has been peer-reviewed and published in the BMJ, looked at whether long-term exposure to road traffic noise and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a particular form of air pollution, was associated with a higher risk of infertility in men and women.

Daily Record

• Scottish Government 'failing bus passengers' with raft of broken pledges, claims reportTransform Scotland said Holyrood ministers had not fulfilled promises on cash to improve the bus network and on reducing car congestion.

Network Rail

• Dumfries station ?3.6m accessibility project celebrates official openingScotland?s Railway and local community members gathered to mark the official opening of Dumfries station?s brand-new footbridge and lifts on Tuesday (September 3).
• Safety advice released with Northumberland Line at its busiest in 60 yearsPeople living near the Northumberland Line are being warned to take extra care with more trains now running on the major upgraded route.

Birmingham Post

• Able Humber Port to get 'UK's first' electric HGV charging siteAutomotive industry joint venture Milence is pursuing the plans which aim to be central to decarbonisation of the diesel fleets

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• CAZ funded e-bike hire scheme in Bradford to begin next yearA new e-bike hire scheme will begin in Bradford in 2025 after getting approval from council bosses.

The York Press

• 'It's now an increase of almost £1,100 per year' - York bus fare rowANGRY parents from across York have hit out at First York changes to child bus tickets in the city.

Other Regional Press

• Image of new Mossley railway station unveiledMOSSLEY?S railway station will move 300 metres as part of a multi-billion pound rail project. And images showing how it will look have been released.
• Mid Cornwall Metro rail improvement hit by higher costsAlthough the majority of a scheme to create the ?56.8m Mid Cornwall Metro rail improvement through the Duchy is on budget, one element has been hit by higher costs,
• New Devon MP fights for better rail links in first speechA Devon MP has used her maiden speech in the House of Commons to advocate for critical rail improvements in South West Devon.
• HS2 works to shut key Midlands motorway links for two daysDiversion routes are in place as HS2 installs two large viaducts to carry the rail lines over the roads

Bus and Coach Buyer

• 15,000 more ZEBs needed to hit net-zero target ? reportAround 15,000 buses operating in England?s major cities must become zero-emissions by 2036, if city regions are to hit their net-zero

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Rail renationalisation passes key milepost and new road costs come under scrutiny, S2, Ep 25Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker bring listeners right up to date with progress of the new UK Labour Government's rapid legislation to allow franchised passenger train operations to return to state control [01:45]. Mark discusses with Christian his recent Guardian article calling for the abandonment of all England's major road building schemes [23:22]. Finally, Christian previews the reissue of his book 'Fire and Steam' to mark the bicentenary of the world's first railway [33:14].

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• UK Chancellor urged to impose pay-per-mile scheme on electric carsChancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged by public transport charity, Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) to reform vehicle taxation or face a massive revenue gap. CBT has written a letter to the Chancellor proposing that drivers of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) should be changed depending on how far they travel, introducing a pay-per-mile scheme. The public transport charity has warned that an estimated £5 billion a year from fuel duty will decline by 2033. This would leave a £5 billion black hole if a new solution isn’t introduced say CBT. Silviya Barrett of ...
• Government launches Shadow GBR as Passenger Railways Services Bill advancesThe Passenger Railway Services Bill, known as the Public Ownership Bill, is reaching it final stages in the commons. Under this bill the government has pledged to prioritise passengers over private companies and tackle delays, cancellations and unreliable services on Britain’s railways. As part of this initiative, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has ‘fired the starting gun’ with the launch of Shadow Great British Railways (Shadow GBR). Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: "I am firing the starting gun on the biggest reforms to our railways ...

New Civil Engineer

• Installation of prefabricated 129m active travel bridge for Levenmouth Rail Link beginsNetwork Rail has begun its installation of an active travel bridge over the River Leven and recently completed ?116M Levenmouth Rail Link.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Scottish Government to Replace Intercity Trains: New Procurement Led by ScotRailThe Scottish Government announced that procurement will begin to replace its Intercity trains.

Railway Gazette

• ScotRail to replace inter-city HST fleetUK: ScotRail is to procure trains to replace the ageing High Speed Train fleet used on routes between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness, the Scottish government announced on September 3.

Railway-News

• InnoTrans: Stadler to Present Electric Train for the Centovalli RailwayAt InnoTrans 2024, Stadler will present a tailor-made electric low-floor train for the Centovalli railway in Switzerland.
• Icomera Publishes Connectivity Insight 2024 ReportA new survey of industry professionals has highlighted the pivotal role of onboard Internet connectivity in the development of the rail sector.

Green Miscellany

• How to unlock a 'green bus revolution', according to the transport authorities that have to deliver itReport from Urban Transport Group urges Labour government to establish clear phase out date for diesel buses and provide 'long-term and sustained' support to enable rollout of zero emission models

Other News Sources

• Train Communication Gateways Market to Grow by USD 321.5 Million (2024-2028), Due to Increased Passenger Connectivity Demand, How AI is Transforming the Market- Technavio ReportThe global train communication gateways systems market size is estimated to grow by USD 321.5 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio
• 89% of Rail Professionals View On-Train Internet Connectivity as Vital for Industry's FutureA new survey of industry professionals has highlighted the pivotal role of onboard Internet connectivity in the development of the rail sector.
• GBRf opens Garden of England depotIt?s the less glamorous aspect of the business, but proper maintenance is the route to proper business. That?s probably why GB Railfreight has invested in a head-turning new maintenance facility in pretty-as-a-picture Tonbridge, in Kent, Southeast England.
• Midlands Rail Hub to provide major employment boostThe Midlands Rail Hub programme is expected to create more than 12,750 roles, according to workforce analysis unveiled by Midlands Connect.

News from Europe

• Alpha Trains expands fleet with up to 70 new VectronsAlpha Trains, the largest private rolling stock lessor in Continental Europe, has announced a significant expansion of its fleet with the addition of up to 70 new Vectron locomotives. This expansion comes as part of a framework agreement signed with Siemens Mobility in July 2024, which includes an initial order of 35 locomotives.