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

Monday, 08 February 2010

BBC News

• Plans for Swansea rail station revamp are unveiled Plans to upgrade Swansea railway station are going on show for the first time.
• Campaign launched against Kent rail freight depot A conservation charity has launched a campaign to fight a railway freight interchange in west Kent.
• Commuters 'happier' with rail service in East Midlands Managers at East Midlands Trains said a £75m investment in their services had paid off after a survey showed an increase in passenger satisfaction.

The Scotsman

• Bosses plan to draft in help if rail staff vote for strike SCOTTISH rail passengers face the threat of disruption from as early as next week after the results of a conductors' strike ballot are announced tomorrow.

Other News Sources

• Advisers lined up for SNCF dealFrench national rail operator SNCF is about to move closer to a merger with the UK’s Arriva transport group with the selection of advisers for the deal. Investment banks including Lazard, BNP Paribas and JP Morgan are expected to pitch for a role. Arriva, which last month said it was in merger talks with the transport arm of SNCF Keolis, is usually advised by NM Rothschild and Deutsche Bank.
• Smart card ticket on trial at Kidderminster station A TICKET system similar to London's Oyster Card is being trialled at Kidderminster train station.
• Network Rail: "St Albans will soon have 12-carriage trains" THE delay in the Thameslink rail improvement programme will affect the final phase only, and 12-carriage trains could be serving St Albans in less than two years, Network Rail is insisting.
• Tories Would Let Nat' Express Into Rail LONDON (Reuters) - National Express will be allowed to re-enter the rail franchise market in two years' time if the Conservative Party wins this year's election, according to the Observer.
• Rats cause train delays Train delays have been blamed on rats We've all heard the excuses about leaves, signal failures and lack of staff... Now hungry rats have been added to the list of reasons why rail services have been delayed or cancelled in Lancashire.

News from Europe

• Rail expansion plan is pointless Paul Melia reports that a spokesman for Iarnrod Eireann said: "The expansion of Tara Street station is a crucial part of our development plans for the capacity of the rail network in the greater Dublin area" (Irish Independent, February 4).