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

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

BBC News

• Return of main Arran ferry delayed due to gearbox problemA CalMac ferry due to return to active service in the west of Scotland for the first time in seven months has been hit by a further delay.
• Electric bus fleet to start operating next yearElectric buses will begin operating on five routes across Somerset next year.
• Locally-run buses 'working well' despite trafficPassengers have said the return of buses to local control in a city region has led to a more reliable service that has "worked well, despite the traffic".
• Railway station's lift open after storm damageA lift at one of the district's main railway stations has been opened to passengers again after storm damage was repaired.
• Labour 'ripping up roots of Thatcherism' on transportThe transport secretary says plans to bring trains and buses back under public control will improve services.
• Locally-run buses 'working well' despite trafficIt is a year since the roll-out of locally-run Bee Network buses in Greater Manchester.
• US to ban Chinese tech in cars Officials say they are worried the technology could allow enemies to "remotely manipulate cars".
• Boeing union hits out over 'final' 30% pay rise offerMore than 30,000 Boeing workers went on strike earlier this month after rejecting a 25% pay rise offer.

Financial Times

• Boeing’s latest offer to striking workers sparks union furyCompany says improved pay and retirement terms represent ‘best and final’ proposal

The Herald

• MV Caledonian Isles ferry returned delayed in 'bitter blow'A ferry that was due to return to active service in the west of Scotland has been hit by a further delay described as another bitter blow for passengers by a local MSP.

The Independent

• Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to unveil bus service revolutionExclusive: Louise Haigh intends to be the first transport secretary to use her conference speech to focus on the unfashionable subject of buses, but for her they represent a wider message on transforming travel in the UK

Times Online

• Could Heathrow's third runway finally be cleared for take off? [subscription]The political mood seems to have tilted back towards economic growth and away from the green agenda

Local Government

• First look at new livery for Liverpool City Region's publicly run buses as Mayor announces expansion of electric fleetMayor Steve Rotheram today unveiled the new livery for the Liverpool City Region's publicly run buses as he announced a major expansion of the electric bus fleet.

Network Rail

• Lift re-opens at Bradford railway stationBradford's busiest rail station is now fully accessible again after storm-battered equipment was successfully repaired.
• Supporting Second Hand September at Network RailSecond Hand September is a pledge started by Oxfam. The charity wants us all to rethink the month that's usually associated with Fashion Week and encourages you to shop second-hand. Buying second-hand clothing is kinder to the planet and often to your wallet.

Sky News

• E-bike seizures surge as police take 'death traps' off the streetsPolice seizures of illegally modified electric bikes have soared amid increasing concerns they are death trap; for pedestrians and riders, an investigation has found.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Northern staff receiving training to protect 'vulnerable' rail usersStaff at rail company Northern are receiving special training in an effort to protect vulnerable railway users.
• Noise cameras to tackle revving boy racers 'create strong deterrence effect' - MPAn MP has urged the new Labour Government to listen to the recommendations of a report on how to tackle noisy, engine-revving drivers.

Bristol Live

• New entrance at Temple Meads completed - but will remain closed for two yearsThe £25 million project will now wait for the neighbouring university campus to open

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Why station on beautiful North Wales rail route will change name back after 50 yearsA station on a beautiful North Wales rail route to set to return to a name it last used 50 years ago. Despite its relatively small size the market town of Llanrwst has two train stations.

Liverpool Echo

• Burnham 'won't accept' £12bn Liverpool-Manchester rail line cutNew Transport Secretary Louise Haigh suggested the 'funding wasn't there' for the previously promised scheme
• Transport Secretary can't commit to promised £12bn Liverpool-Manchester rail planPrevious Conservative government promised huge cash injection for major rail project between north west cities - but new Labour transport boss says cash is not currently available

London Evening Standard

• Day of London Euston 'chaos' leads to calls for Network Rail to improve safetyLondon Euston passengers have demanded change after a 'chaotic' day of travel that saw overcrowding, and with many forced to sprint for their trains.

Wales Online

• Call for final decision on Cardiff Parkway station after months of waitingThe Welsh Government said months ago they expected to make a decision on the proposed new railway station and business park for the city in April 2024

Doncaster Free Press

• Volunteers help keep Doncaster area railway station looking blooming lovelyVolunteers young and old have helped keep a Doncaster area railway station looking blooming lovely, by attending to a colourful array of platform plants.

Other Regional Press

• Signaling X One cloud for countries and citiesWith Signaling X, we establish a common computing platform which allows for the seamless control and operation of signaling applications for countries and cities from one centralized Signaling Data Center, powered by standard hardware.
• Burnham insists money remains for Liverpool Manchester scheme despite govt remarksAndy Burnham has insisted money has been set aside for the development of a high speed rail line between Liverpool and Manchester, despite the new Transport Secretary seeming to pour cold water on the idea.
• Aberdeenshire bridge to be demolished and rebuilt in £3m projectA £3 million project is underway to demolish and reconstruct a railway bridge on Craigo Road in Marykirk.

Bus and Coach Buyer

• Louise Haigh doubles down on public ownership of buses at conferenceLouise Haigh MP, Secretary of State for Transport, has doubled down on the Labour government's move to bring buses into public ownership.

New Civil Engineer

• First electric trains run between York and Church Fenton for Transpennine Route UpgradeThe first electric trains have completed test runs along the recently electrified section of railway between York and Church Fenton as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).
• £1.2M renovation of 180-year-old Halifax viaduct on Historical Railways Estate completedA 180-year -old viaduct in Halifax has been renovated for £1.2M by contractor AmcoGiffen for National Highways as part of its stewardship of the Historical Railways Estate (HRE).

Rail Magazine

• Holyrood support for Clyde MetroThe Clyde Metro project will be backed with public funding from the Scottish government, Scotland's Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop has confirmed.

Railnews

• New ‘game-changer’ bi-mode freight locomotive unveiled A new bi-mode freight locomotive is to be unveiled this week. It is forecast to reduce emissions by as much as 58 per cent and is being described as a ‘game changer’.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Little of note for bus in Louise Haigh speech at Labour conferenceSecretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh revealed nothing new about bus policy in England during her speech at the Labour party conference on 23 September despite the now-pressing need for clarity on the future of the £2 bus fare cap beyond 31 December.
• Bristol workplace parking levy could generate long-term bus fundsA proposed workplace parking levy (WPL) in Bristol that would generate funding for bus services in the city is to move to the scheme development and outline business case (OBC) stage. That follows approval of such a step by the Bristol City Council (BCC) Transport and Connectivity Policy Committee on 12 September, subject to resource availability.

Sustainable Bus

• What bus visitors should expect to find at InnoTrans 2024?InnoTrans is the industry's largest trade fair in the public transport sector, with 200,000 square meters of exhibition space on the fully occupied Messe Berlin exhibition grounds. The expo will be running from 24th September until 27th September on the biggest display area since the show's launch in 1996. 2,940 exhibitors from 59 countries occupy

Other News Sources

• Brittany Ferries: First LNG-electric ferry embarks on sea trialsA hybrid ferry with the world?s largest battery fitted to a ship has taken to the water, French shipping company Brittany Ferries said.
• London Gatwick can help the new government meet its missions for national renewalBy investing in infrastructure, businesses, local communities and decarbonisation ? while increasing airport capacity − London Gatwick will play a crucial role supporting the government?s objectives on economic growth, clean energy and reducing barriers to opportunity
• Exploring the innovations that are remaking aviationAs major pieces of transport infrastructure, airports have the opportunity to adopt low emission development strategies, optimise their energy and resource use, pioneer the use of electric vehicles within their estates, embed circular economy principles as they build new capacity, and drive socially valuable outcomes for local populations. This film explores over a dozen innovations that will improve the way we travel, from baggage handling, to real time airports, to integrated airport planning.
• Heathrow Relaunches Export Competition to Support SMEs to Expand OverseasHeathrow is relaunching its World of Opportunity competition which helps new exporters to get their goods and services sold on international markets.
• This is how hydrogen trains could transform transportThe United States has launched its first zero-emission passenger train, in what could prove to be a significant milestone in global efforts to decarbonize public transport.
• Portugal could soon launch a new mega-cheap monthly rail passThe new Green Rail Pass could cost as little as £20
• High-Speed AI: Hitachi Rail Advances Real-Time Railway Analysis Using NVIDIA TechnologyThe global transportation company is adopting NVIDIA IGX, the enterprise-ready platform for industrial edge computing, to improve railway operations, lower maintenance costs and reduce energy use.
• Tritax in play to move Old Trafford rail terminal to St HelensA pivotal land deal that could help unlock the economic benefits of the proposed new Manchester United FC stadium is being worked on by metro mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram.
• Innovation expert set to help rail firms drive ideas forwardRail Forum has announced its members will now be able to access the support of a dedicated innovation expert to help them meet the future needs of the industry.