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

Tuesday, 07 May 2024

BBC News

• Midlands rail passengers set for week of disruptionSeveral operators are expected to be affected by strikes, including West Midlands Trains and CrossCountry.
• Boeing faces new inquiry over 787 inspection doubtsBoeing told US regulators it might not have properly inspected its 787 Dreamliner jets.
• Boeing crewed space launch postponed for safety checkFirst crewed space flight of Boeing's Starliner was postponed shortly before lift-off due to glitch.

Financial Times

• Governments slap taxes on EVs as $110bn fuel duty shortfall loomsNew levies and fees worldwide add cost to electric-car buyers as sales growth cools
• Boeing calls off Starliner spacecraft launch after problem with valveAerospace manufacturer also subject to new FAA probe over 787 Dreamliner inspections

The Guardian

• Train strikes to halt most trains in south-east England on TuesdayCommuter routes in and out of London hit as train drivers begin three days of rolling strikes amid six-day overtime ban. Most trains will not run in south-east England on Tuesday “ including on key commuter routes in and out of London “ after train drivers embarked on three days of rolling strikes at national rail operators. Drivers in the Aslef union are striking for 24 hours at each English operator between Tuesday and Thursday, while continuing a week-long nationwide overtime ban that started on Monday, as part of a long-running pay dispute.

The Telegraph

• Covid forced Britain into lockdown – now, overpriced rail companies are doing it on the sly. [subscription]Britain must get out of the house, commute, go to restaurants and get moving not just for the sake of the economy, but for our own sanity

Times Online

• Protect pedestrians from these deadly cyclists. [subscription]Cities have turned themselves inside out to cater for bikes yet some riders are dangerous and abusive
• British driverless car start-up raises $1bn. [subscription]Wayve, a British driverless car company, has raised over a billion dollars from three of the world’s most influential tech companies to commercialise its products.
• Cycling used to be cool. Now, too many bike riders are jerks. [subscription]I was a regular cyclist, for transport not sport, ever since my stabilisers came off 55 years ago. I cycled to school, at university and then around London for work for 35 years. Now, I’ve pretty much stopped. That’s partly laziness, partly loss of confidence, partly the discovery of a bus direct to the office. But it’s also because I realised that I was no longer proud to identify as a cyclist.

The National

• Free public transport would benefit people and the planet‘NERO fiddled while Rome burned”, the saying goes. To modernise the phrase, politicians fiddle while the planet burns.

Birmingham Mail

• Expert warns of 'serious implications' for those attempting to bypass 'mandatory' speed limiter ahead of summer rolloutAn EU rule shake-up means cars could be fitted with mandatory speed limiters this summer

Edinburgh Evening News

• Edinburgh Airport to trial 'free parking' for some customers this summer as part of luggage changesEdinburgh Airport will allow some passengers to park for free this summer to help them beat the rush at check-in on the morning of their flight.

Manchester Evening News

• Greater Manchester rail commuters face further chaos as strike action by train drivers rolls onThe near two-year dispute is now the longest ever in the rail industry

Wales Online

• The Welsh Government spends £160m on a rail line it's not responsible forThe investment the Welsh Government has made in upgrading the Ebbw Vale Line since 2008 highlights the raw deal Wales gets on rail funding from the Westminster government

Burnley Express

• Lancashire councillors set to endorse £8m bus uplift planCOUNTY transport chiefs are set to give the nod to a raft of bus service offers and improvements totalling more than £8m.

Other Regional Press

• Government: ‘Third Heathrow runway looking as though it will not go ahead’AN ADMISSION from the government that plans to build a third runway at Heathrow have stalled have been welcomed by a campaign group opposing the proposal.
• Travel expert at WizzAir shares the best time of day to flyThis is the best time of day to fly if you're looking for a smoother airport journey, according to Head of Communications at WizzAir.
• M6 Toll fee increases explained drivers left £1,056 out of pocketPrices have increased over the past four years and a single Class 2 entry (car) on the M6 Toll, from north to south, now costs £8.90 - an increase of £2.20

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Bus franchising momentum grows after mayoral election resultsMomentum for further franchising of bus services in England has grown with the election of several Labour mayors at existing and newly created Combined Authorities on 2 May.

Aviation Industry

• Innovative Design Is Enhancing Airports Across the GlobeAirports are spending millions investing in projects like new terminals and impressive lounges

Other News Sources

• New report highlights importance of walking for public transport successWalk21’s policy brief emphasises that integrating walking and public transport is essential for reducing car traffic and improving urban liveability, aligning with its mission to advocate for the right to walk globally.

News from Europe

• Greening corporate fleets: an industrial and social policy for EuropeT&E position paper on the European Commission public consultation