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

Tuesday, 17 October 2017

BBC News

• Driverless bus 'pod' tests under way in CambridgeTests have started on a new driverless bus system which could pave the way for an evening public transport service.
• Daimler recalls 400,000 Mercedes-Benz cars in the UKMore than a million vehicles worldwide are being recalled over a potential airbag safety issue.
• EasyJet and Lufthansa make offers for parts of AlitaliaThe failing Italian airline has received seven offers from interested companies.
• Bombardier to partner Airbus on C-Series jetsThe European aerospace firm is to take a majority stake in Bombardier's C-Series jet project.

Financial Times

• Airbus to take majority stake in Bombardier’s C-Series jet businessEuropean group gains ally in battle with rival Boeing over global aircraft sales
• Uber: food fightEncouraging numbers for the meal delivery service but competition will only intensify
• Alitalia sale delayed after string of woes at European airlinesItaly blames Ryanair crisis, Air Berlin break-up and Monarch collapse
• Monarch owner urged to contribute to repatriation billUK transport secretary says Greybull Capital may feel ‘obligation’ to pay share

The Guardian

• Monarch owner should help to fly tourists home, says Chris GraylingTransport secretary says Greybull Capital, which bought collapsed airline in 2014, has ‘moral obligation’ to stranded passengersThe investment firm behind the collapsed Monarch airline should help repay the £60m cost of the repatriation of its customers, the transport secretary has told MPs.The Civil Aviation Authority operated more than 500 flights over the past two weeks to return 110,000 Monarch passengers home after the airline went into administration on 2 October. Continue reading...
• Hybrid train's late arrival fails to electrify MPs let alone the rail network Transport secretary Chris Grayling did his best to defend the new Great Western fleet, tardy, out-of-date and waterlogged as it wasNo one can accuse Chris Grayling of not having his eyes firmly fixed on solutions. On Sunday the transport secretary had outlined his vision of a post-Brexit Britain. Those bits of the country that weren't going to be turned into a lorry park when we left the customs union were going to be ploughed into one large vegetable patch.The spirit of the Blitz would see us through.
• Airbus and Bombardier to partner in aircraft programmeEuropean group takes stake in Canadian multinational’s operations, in ‘win-win’ deal that could have impact on jobs in BelfastEuropean aircraft giant Airbus is buying a majority stake in Bombardier’s C Series programme.The two aircraft manufacturers announced the partnership on Monday evening, weeks after Bombardier was hit by a 300% import levy by the United States following a complaint from rival Boeing that the company had dumped its C Series jets at “absurdly lowâ€� prices. Continue reading...

The Telegraph

• Dutch giant Abellio to invest £1bn in UK train network in lifeline to BombardierTheresa May will receive a much-needed Brexit boost today as plans are unveiled for a £1bn investment in the West Midlands train network.
• Transport secretary embarrassed after new 'high-speed' fleet of trains faces huge delays and faults - with him on board

Times Online

• Big order for Bombardier train unit [Subscription]Bombardiers’ train assembly plant in Derby has emerged as the big winner in an order for rolling stock in Birmingham and on the main line to London.

City AM

• Hitachi apologises after Great Western Railway's first Inter City Express from Bristol delayed with Chris Grayling on boardThe first journey of the new Inter City Express service from Bristol was marred today by delays, a breakdown, and water entering the carriage.
• Lufthansa and Easyjet flag interest in struggling Italian airline AlitaliaGermany's largest airline Lufthansa yesterday put in an offer for parts of failing Italian operator Alitalia, while Easyjet expressed an interest in acquiring parts of the ailing airline.
• Airbus takes a majority stake in Bombardier's C Series programmeAirbus agreed to take a majority stake in Bombardier's C Series jetliner programme late last night.

Birmingham Post

• 80,000 Monarch customers returned to UK after airline goes bust The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) put on 567 flights

Daily Post (North Wales)

• 'Unusual odour' in cockpit sparks aircraft emergency at Hawarden Airport Police fire and ambulance services were called to the scene as staff and crew evacuate plane after strange smell is reported

Derby Telegraph

• Derby train-maker Bombardier lands contract worth hundreds of millions of poundsThe deal further guarantees the long-term future of the firm in Litchurch Lane

London Evening Standard

• Maiden voyage of new high-speed train into London blighted by leaks, heat and delaysA series of faults and delays has overshadowed the launch of a new high-speed train, one of 122 ordered by the government in a £5.7bn deal.

Northern Echo

• New bridge planned for Darlington to provide vital link between the rail station and Central ParkA NEW pedestrian bridge is planned to link Darlington rail station with the town's college, offices and homes.

Wales Online

• A top Welsh politician stood on tip-toes for a photocall and people are finding it very funnyWelsh Secretary Alun Cairns was at London Paddington this morning for the first of the new £5.7 billion Intercity Express fleet of trains.

Plymouth Herald

• Shedding light on 80 hidden railways in PlymouthIt's hard to believe it’s over 20 years since we featured Paul Burkhalter’s first book on an aspect of local railways – Devonport Dockyard Railway – but it’s great now to be able to announce the arrival of his follow up tome – Plymouth’s Hidden Railways.

Other Regional Press

• Rural bus subsidies could be cut completely and the county's rogue trader taskforce halved as part of latest Northamptonshire cutsBus subsidies, libraries, roads gritting and Trading Standards all set for cuts as part of £9.6 million savings announced by Northamptonshire County Council today.
• Bus company voted the very best in the countryBRIGHTON and Hove Buses has been voted the best bus company in the country.
• Luton marks final destination for rescued Monarch passengersThe largest repatriation scheme in British history ended today when the last flight to rescue Monarch holidaymakers touched down in Luton Airport.

Global Rail News

• Bombardier and CAF to make 413 carriages for new West Midlands franchiseFuture operator West Midlands Trains has made a £680 million order with Bombardier and CAF for 413 carriages.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Kingrail-Customisable Track Materials and Spare Parts for the Rail Sector Kingrail is a leading global supplier of bespoke track materials and spare parts that have been specially optimised for use in a wide range of rail industry applications.
• Two-thirds of public in favour of 'transformation' of Oxford Street districtTwo-thirds of public in favour of TfL plans to transform Oxford Street district TfL plans to improve the Oxford Street district took a step forward today with the publication of the first public consultation this week. There were 12,000 recorded responses to the consultation with two-thirds...
• Computerised signalling system set to increase LU capacity by a thirdA new computerised signalling system that will allow trains to run closer together and increase capacity by a third has been successfully tested on the London Underground. The SelTrac CBTC system, designed by Thales, is expected to improve the frequency of the sub-surface network in order to...
• Yousaf urges DfT to begin urgent and serious talks on 'unfair' CP6 dealThe DfT has defended its CP6 allocation to Scotland’s railways, arguing that the country will receive £600m more than it did in the previous control period – but the Scottish transport minister is adamant that the deal falls short of expectations. In a statement, the DfT...
• Launch of new GWR Intercity Express trains marred by major issuesA delayed service, leaky air conditioning and cramped carriages marred the launch of GWR’s Intercity Express as transport secretary Chris Grayling was due to make his first trip on the service.

Railway Gazette

• Bombardier and CAF win West Midlands train contractsUK: Bombardier Transportation and CAF have been selected to supply rolling stock for the next West Midlands franchise, the West Midlands Trains Ltd consortium of Abellio, East Japan Railway and Mitsui & Co announced on October 17.

Railway Gazette

• Bombardier and CAF win West Midlands train contractsUK: Bombardier Transportation and CAF have been selected to supply rolling stock for the next West...

The Business Desk

• Bombardier wins £680m contract to build West Mids trainsThe joint venture awarded the franchise to operate the new West Midlands rail service has announced plans for a £680m investment in new trains – with the carriages being manufactured in the East Midlands Midlands.

Aviation Industry

• Canada confirms UAV struck commercial aircraftAn unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck a commercial aircraft last week as it flew into Quebec City airport, the Canadian Minister of Transport said in a statement Sunday. The aircraft, flown by Skyjet, sustained minor damage but landed safely. read more
• Lufthansa confirms interest in ‘new Alitalia’ The Lufthansa Group has submitted an offer letter expressing interest in establishing a “new Alitalia,â€� only days after the German flag carrier signed a €210 million ($249 million) deal to take over a large part of bankrupt airberlin’s assets, including NIKI and regional carrier LGW. read more
• Airbus & Bombardier to partner on CSeries; build aircraft in AlabamaAirbus and Bombardier are forming a partnership that will see both manufacturers build and market the CSeries narrowbody, with plans to create a second final assembly line in the US. read more

Other News Sources

• Thousands of Scottish jobseekers benefit from pioneering discounted bus travel initiativeThousands of people in Scotland have benefitted from a pioneering Stagecoach scheme which provides jobseekers with discounted bus travel.