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

Friday, 21 January 2011

The Herald

• Rail companies set for more freedomTrain companies are to be given greater freedom to set timetables but will face new targets on tackling overcrowding as part of a reform of the rail franchising system announced yesterday.

The Scotsman

• Big freeze causes chaos for rail timetables The severe pre-Christmas weather meant only 81 per cent of trains ran on time in December 2010, while Scotland's rail network was worst hit by the snowfall.

The Telegraph

• Wheels come off Invensys as FTSE 100 slides Invensys was shunted into the sidings as investors expressed their disappointment over a muted trading update from the engineering group.

Daily Record

• Winter chaos hit more than a third of Scottish train services - report MORE than a third of train services on Scotland's two key rail links to the south were late last month, according to official figures.

ATOC

• ATOC responds to Government policy statement on franchisingIn response to the Government’s policy statement on the future of rail franchising, Michael Roberts,...

Network Rail

• LEADING ECONOMIST JOINS NETWORK RAIL BOARD
• TRAIN PERFORMANCE HIT BY SEVERE WINTER WEATHER

Bolton News

• MP presses rail cash case BOLTON MP Julie Hilling has argued for the urgent need for greater rail investment in the region during her first meeting with the transport minister.

London Evening Standard

• Tube union chiefs reject invitation to talks with Boris JohnsonUnion bosses snub Boris Johnson by turning down his offer of talks on the future of the Tube

Metro

• Train fares could soar in bid to end rail overcrowdingMoves to ease overcrowding on trains could lead to double-digit fare increases within the next year, campaigners have said.

Sheffield Telegraph

• Rail vision ˜on right tracks™VOLUNTEERS pressing for the reintroduction of passenger train services between Sheffield and Stocksbridge have been given a boost by a feasibility study.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• HIE boss calls for high-speed railScotland™s two northernmost cities must be connected to a high-speed rail line, according to a leading business development boss.
• Food trolleys to be scrapped on servicesFood trolleys are to be withdrawn from standard-class carriages on trains between the north of Scotland and London, while first-class passengers will have complimentary meals taken to their seats.

The York Press

• East Coast to cut travel centre posts YORK-BASED rail operator East Coast is set to cut 28 travel centre posts in a move which has been fiercely criticised by a union chief.

Wales Online

• Train which can’t reverse scuppers north-east route A SECOND express rail link between North and South Wales is almost certain to miss out the north-east because of technical difficulties, a leading Network Rail figure confirmed yesterday.

Yorkshire Post

• £14.3m drive for work go-ahead on new transport interchange METRO and Wakefield Council are this week submitting a £14.3m bid to enable work on a new Castleford Transport Interchange to go ahead.

Other Regional Press

• Railway plans face hostile reception PLANS to build a £45 million rail link between Ripley and Derby were derided at a packed town council meeting on Tuesday night. Desmond McKinley, managing director of CES Group Partnership, faced a hostile reception from nearly 90 townsfolk angry at the company’s plans to re-open line along Ripley’s Greenway, which was closed to passengers in the 1930s, and build new stations in Denby and Coxbench.

Transport for London

• Victoria Tube station's 42-year-old escalators to be refurbishedWork essential to meet growing demand at one of London's busiest stations. Work to be completed ahead of the 2012 Games.

Other News Sources

• Airtrack petition keeps pressure on county council A PETITION calling on Surrey County Council not to abandon its opposition to the Airtrack rail scheme has been submitted.
• High Speed Rail: Upgrading existing rail network should be priorityHigh Speed Rail: upgrading existing rail is urgent priority