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

Saturday, 09 June 2012

BBC News

• Tram line to Oldham set to openTrams are to start running to and from Oldham next week, if final tests on the new Metrolink line are successful.

Derby Telegraph

• Derby Telegraph published 'Request for railway station cash is still being considered'Article

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Complaints over Leeds rail ticket queuesRail passengers say a shortage of ticket machines is forcing them to play a frustrating waiting game.

Railnews

• More prosecuted for level crossing misuse More than 2,400 people have been caught and charged with breaking the law at level crossings by three Network Rail/BTP enforcement vans in London, the south east of England and Scotland.
• Call for more local control of rail in north Transport authorities in the north of England are calling upon the Government to allow local rail services to be managed 'by the north, for the north', and also to merge the present Northern and TransPennine Express franchises when these come up for renewal in 2014.
• Network Rail debt grows as railway expands Network Rail's debt has increased to more than £27 billion, but although the company's group finance director has admitted that it is 'certainly a big sum', profit after tax also rose last year, from £313 million to £754 million. Revenue just topped £6 billion, most of it coming from state subsidies and track access charges paid by franchised passenger operators.
• Further strike threat at Tyne & Wear Metro A strike by RMT members on the Tyne & Wear Metro on Thursday 7 June is set to be followed by another on 21 June, unless a dispute over pay is resolved in the meantime.
• Baker critical of rail fares 'lottery' A transport minister has criticised the 'lottery' of rail fare tariffs, even though ATOC has said it has tried to make the structure more straightforward. A new survey has revealed that many passengers are puzzled about the rules for peak hour travel and Advance ticket restrictions.
• Virgin demands better West Coast performance Virgin Trains has told Network Rail that it must improve performance on the West Coast Main Line, after another period of lack-lustre punctuality on the route. Talks are underway between the two parties, but now Virgin has taken the unusual step of making its grievances public.

Other News Sources

• HS2 awards four new contracts for land surveysMouchel, Mott McDonald and Terraquest have been awarded HS2™s final professional services contracts worth more than £3 million combined.
• Five in hunt for £75m Crossrail power dealCrossrail has confirmed a shortlist of five for its non-traction high voltage power supply contract which could be worth up to £75 million