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

Saturday, 14 November 2015

BBC News

• Western Greyhound and Black Velvet Travel bus companies' licences revokedTwo bus companies in Cornwall and Hampshire have had their licences revoked by the traffic commissioner and their director disqualified.
• Google car pulled over for being slowOne of Google's autonomous vehicles has been pulled over by police in Mountain View after causing a traffic jam by driving too slowly.
• Tram plans to extend line to NewhavenEdinburgh's tram network should be extended to Newhaven, a report to councillors has recommended.
• Transport bosses keep tram dogs banA ban on non-assistance dogs travelling on the Metrolink tram system in Greater Manchester is retained after a Transport for Greater Manchester meeting.
• Tube records busiest day on recordLondon Underground had its busiest ever day when 4,735,000 people went on the network, managers reveal.
• Sleeper service workers to be ballotedRMT union members working on the Caledonian Sleeper rail service are to be balloted on industrial action.

Financial Times

• Lufthansa’s longest strike takes its tollAirline chief is still determined to cut costs to compete with more nimble rivals
• Travel groups keep services to Paris openAmerican Airlines suspends Paris flights while other operators vow to continue services

The Guardian

• First time driving test passes to be given cash refundsWell-prepared learner drivers who pass their driving test first time will be eligible for a refund of part of the cost, under new government proposals.
• Plan forcing cyclists to dismantle bikes before using Channel service ditchedEurostar reverses decision after campaign by cycling groups and charities signed by more than 9,000 people
• UK rail problems a 'phoney crisis', says First Group bossTim O’Toole says that a dramatic redesign of the industry would not solve its problems

The Herald

• Rail summit urged amid 'chaos engulfing the system'A summit on Scotland's railways is needed to deal with the

The Telegraph

• Why do so many learner drivers fail their test?The government hopes to boost test results by offering 'cashback' to those who pass on the first go - but will it work?
• Stealth speed cameras to be scrapped, government announcesAll 200 grey speed cameras across England to be repainted yellow as government say 'honest motorists' will no longer be fined

Network Rail

• First wires go up for Great Western Mainline electrification
• Rugby ROC ready to rollNetwork Rail has officially opened the latest addition to the rail operating centre (ROC) network.
• Community celebrates first step in South Wales Mainline electrification

Birmingham Mail

• Zebra crossing bungle leaves pedestrians on road to nowhere! Amey workmen failed to reinstate crossing for two weeks after resurfacing work in Sutton Coldfield

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Leeds Bradford airport increases number of flights leaving on time LEEDS Bradford has shown the biggest improvement out of the country's main airports for flights taking off on time, according to new research.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• North Wales rail upgrade could happen in five years' time, says First Minister Carwyn Jones says Wales cannot afford upgrade and UK government will have to foot the bill

Derby Telegraph

• Arriva bus changes are causing chaos in Derby city street, says passenger Bus services in Derby are now starting and finishing in a place where it is "dangerously" overcrowded, there is no shelter and the queuing system causes chaos, claims a regular passenger. And Derby South MP Dame Margaret Beckett reckons the campaigner, Patricia Woolley, "has a very good case".

Manchester Evening News

• Journey times on Greater Manchester's road 40% slower than a year ago The average speed on the region's A roads during rush hour was 17.2mph in the year to September, the Department for Transport numbers show

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Aberdeen’s hydrogen centre refuels 1,000th busAn innovative Aberdeen transport facility has reached a major milestone.

Wales Online

• Toll prices for Severn Bridge to rise again in 2016 and will now cost �6.60 for cars The new prices for the Severn Bridge and Second Severn Crossing will come into force on January 1, 2016

Yorkshire Evening Post

• New link road to Leeds Bradford Airport could cost as much as �75mA new link road providing improved access to Leeds Bradford Airport could cost as much as £75m, it has been revealed.

Get West London

• Heathrow Academy graduation ceremony celebrates 82 apprenticesAmong the latest graduates are people from Hounslow, Hillingdon and Ealing

The Shields Gazette

• Paris terror attacks prompt increased security at UK ports and eventsThere will be a heightened police presence at British ports and major events over the coming days in response to the massacres in Paris, a senior Metropolitan Police officer has said.

Other Regional Press

• University of Huddersfield boffins lead way in helping to beat traffic jamsAward for new system to control traffic lights on busy roads
• Network Rail boss welcomes upgrade plans Plans to electrify the trans-Pennine rail line have been welcomed by Network Rail's new director in charge
• Huddersfield and Calderdale's slowest roads revealedNew report shows that average speed in rush hour drops again to just 21.1mph - we've got the slowest roads in our area
• DUNDEE BUS SERVICE CONCERN AS OAPS ‘LEFT IN THE LURCH’ BY CHANGESRoute changes to a popular Dundee bus service have left dozens of older residents “in the lurch”, according to a community leader....
• New law against bad parking which puts the blind at risk gets backing of Coventry MP Blind charity RNIB says badly parked vehicles are forcing people to step out into the road without being able to clearly see on-coming traffic

Bus and Coach.com

• Latest Live Edition 13 November 2015
• Big boost for gas as NCT plans 82 Scania ADL double-decks
• Leeds Guided Busway reaches 20th anniversary
• Slight fall in capital’s bus casualty rate
• Doncaster network review out to consultation
• Solar-powered depots for Stagecoach
• Bishop disqualified and Black Velvet and Western Greyhound licences revoked
• Eight more Volvo 9700s for GoBus.ie
• Campaigners fear over DfT spending cuts of 30 per cent Campaigners have expressed concern following the agreement by the Department of Transport to acquiesce to Treasury demands for a 30 per cent cut in its budget. Reacting to the news, Stephen Joseph, chief executive, Campaign for Better Transport, said: “We fear that this huge cut in spending will hit everyday transport, the transport networks people use on a daily basis, whilst big road and rail schemes will remain untouched. We await details, but we fear this will mean more potholes in local roads, more cuts in local bus services, and less funding for safe cycling and walking routes.
• New StreetDecks to meet growing demand in Bristol

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Motoring services strategy: a strategic direction 2016 to 2020Seeks views on the strategic direction of the Department for Transport’s motoring services agencies over the life of this Parliament. The Department for Transport’s 3 motoring services agencies provide vital services to the country’s drivers and vehicle owners. This consultation is about setting the strategic direction that the agencies should take over the life of this Parliament. It will inform the strategy which the department intends to publish in the spring of 2016. We are seeking your views on the whole range of the agencies’ activities. In addition to a number o...

Rail Magazine

• McLoughlin witnesses Crossrail’s rapid developmentCrossrail is proof plans to build a rail network fit for the 21st century is “firmly on track”, Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin claims.
• Crossrail concrete train starts work at PlumsteadThe first trains have entered Crossrail’s tunnel at Plumstead in southeast London. A 465 metre-long concrete train was hauled into the tunnel by GBRf '66s'.
• Network Rail strengthens ties with European freight groupNetwork Rail has joined the board of the RFC North Sea-Med management, making it easier to operate trains across the continent.
• New team members at Railway Benefit FundThe Railway Benefit Fund has appointed Faye Jacques, Mel Male and Emma Cooper to its fundraising and welfare support team.
• NR appoints McIntosh as London North Eastern RMDRob McIntosh is Network Rail’s new Route Managing Director for London North Eastern and East Midlands, and will begin work in January.
• Boxing Day trains on MerseysideMerseyrail will run trains on parts of its network on Boxing Day. It will be the first time the train operating company has run trains on December 26.
• 48-hour challenge to design software for rail passengersSoftware designers and developers aim to design a software
• Tain station to be upgradedA new restaurant has opened in a disused station building at Tain, on the Highland Main Line.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Cincinnati carries out first live-power test drive for streetcar rail transit system in US The streetcar rail transit system in Cincinnati, Ohio, US, has completed the test drives of the vehicle along the 1.6-mile Over-the-Rhine (OTR) route.
• Siemens to deliver 13 electric locomotives to SEPTA Siemens has secured a $118m contract from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SETPA) in the US for the supply of 13 electric locomotives.
• Three more EU rail freight corridors become operational The European Commission has announced that three more EU rail freight corridors (RFCs) have become operational, which completes the European rail network for competitive freight.
• Ironcore-Transformers and Signalling Equipment for Railway and Rolling Stock Ironcore manufactures transformers for the railway industry, but also supplies major industrial companies in the government, construction, mining and computer sectors.

Railnews

• Network Rail report fuels privatisation debate A preliminary report examining options for the longer-term structure of Network Rail has sparked opposition to any form of reprivatisation. The report sets out the rough scope of an investigation being led by HS1 chairman Nicola Shaw. Although it comes to no conclusions at this stage, nothing is ruled out including more private sector involvement. Shadow transport secretary Lilian Greenwood said: �This report opens the door to the total privatisation of Britain�s railways. Network Rail needs to improve but more fragmentation and more privatisation are the last things we need.

Railway Gazette

• Railway supply industry news in briefHSH Nordbank, ING DiBa, BAML, DVB, Deutsche Bank, Barclays and ABN AMRO are participating in a...
• TRAN Committee approves technical pillar of Fourth Railway PackageEUROPE: Meeting on November 10, the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport & Tourism...
• Three shortlisted for Melbourne’s High Capacity Metro Trains contract AUSTRALIA: Three consortia have been shortlisted for the High Capacity Metro Trains public-private...
• Gateway Development Corp to lead trans-Hudson tunnel projectUSA: Officials from the states of New York and New Jersey announced on November 12 that a...
• Nomad Digital and ÖBB agree 10-year onboard connectivity partnershipAUSTRIA: Technology provider Nomad Digital has signed what it says is the world’s largest...
• SBB orders locomotives with ‘working and waiting’ cabsSWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways’ Infrastructure business has awarded preferred bidder Alstom a...
• Rail industry news in brief - November 2015Czech open access operator LEO Express launched a LEO Express Easy feeder bus service between...

Aviation Industry

• Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary predicts just three major global airlines within 20 yearsRyanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has predicted that there will be three major global airlines serving most of the world's travellers in two decades. However, he insisted that he would not be concerned at such a development, and said that the Irish carrier will continue to focus on growing its short haul business across Europe for the foreseeable future.
• BA to add flights from London CityCarrier will base extra Embraer aircraft at airport for summer 2016
• Cityjet founder predicts brave new world for airlinesAirline executive says carriers could end up contracting out flight operations

Other News Sources

• Plummer to head RDGPlummer to head RDG
• Deutsche Bahn using virtual reality to plug skills gapDeutsche Bahn using virtual reality to plug skills gap
• Perry opens Northampton AcademyPerry opens Northampton Academy
• Wales seeks rail improvements to benefit from Northern PowerhouseWales is hoping to capitalise on the Chancellor George Osborne's Northern Powerhouse project with new rail projects to better connect North Wales with northern England.
• American Expresss agrees deal with AirbnbAmex card holders can pay for accommodation using membership points
• STAGECOACH AIMS TO DELIVER CARBON SAVINGS THROUGH SOLAR POWERStagecoach Group has announced plans to deliver further carbon savings at its UK Bus division through the use of solar power.
• STAGECOACH WELCOMES LAUNCH OF GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON FUTURE OF SOUTH WESTERN FRANCHISEStagecoach Group, which operates the South West Trains network, today (12 November 2015) welcomed the start of a government consultation inviting passengers to have their say over the future of their rail services.