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

Wednesday, 17 May 2017

BBC News

• Fresh rail strikes announced for 30 MayGuards and drivers at three rail companies will hold strikes on 30 May, the RMT union confirms.

The Guardian

• RMT train crews to stage further 24-hour walkout after UK bank holidayUnion confirms strike on Southern, Northern and Merseyrail on 30 May in ongoing dispute over future of conductorsTrain staff in the RMT union will stage another 24-hour strike across three rail networks in the ongoing row over the future of conductors or guards. Crew on Southern, Northern and Merseyrail services will go on strike on Tuesday 30 May, the day after the next UK bank holiday. Continue reading...

Times Online

• On-board catering service hits the buffers [subscription]For many travellers, no rail journey is complete without buying a stale sandwich and overpriced packet of crisps from the buffet cart. But the era of on-board catering appears to be coming to an end.

Bolton News

• Rail staff set to strike againBOLTON commuters are set to be hit by the fourth day of strike action since the start of March.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• UPDATE: Further 24-hour rail strike announced WORKERS at three train operators, including Arriva Rail North, will stage a fresh 24-hour strike on the same day in the bitter disputes over staffing and driver-only trains.

London Evening Standard

• Southeastern to increase off-peak fare prices Southeastern rail passengers are facing higher fares on off-peak journeys from the end of this month.
• Chiltern Railways axes all on-board cateringFans of railway buffet car fare were dealt a blow today after yet another train company announced it was ending on-board catering services.

Wales Online

• Normal service resumes following evacuation at train station after suspicious package found nearbyCaerphilly train station was closed after a suspicious package was found at Caerphilly bus station

Rail Technology Magazine

• Weighwell Provides Full Car Weighing system for 'Chocolate' and 'Cheese' Trains in Switzerland Weighwell recently installed a Full Car Weighing System that provides our Switzerland-based customer Compagnie Du Chemin De Fer Montreux Oberland Bernois SA (MOB) with the ability to weigh their various trainsets.
• WW2 bomb closes Birmingham New Street-Lichfield line for second day An unexploded World War II bomb has caused chaos on the line between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley as services will not run on the tracks for a second day. The bomb was found at Witton, close to Erdington and Aston Villa yesterday, and has led to nearby homes and businesses...
• Virgin begins hunt for innovating rail start-ups Virgin Trains has this week called on the next generation of innovative start-up businesses to pitch original ideas to solve a set of rail industry challenges. The company has partnered with PlatformX – a business accelerator programme to discover the next big innovators who will sculpt...
• Metro mayors call on government to prioritise HS3 over Crossrail 2 plansThe two newly elected metro mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region have called on the government to prioritise rail investment in the north by committing to building the HS3 rail link, alternatively known as Northern Powerhouse Rail, before work begins on Crossrail 2. The pair...

Railnews

• New Southern talks fail to reach agreement Talks between Govia Thameslink Railway and the RMT have broken up without agreement once again. Both sides met yesterday to discuss the continuing dispute over driver-controlled operation on Southern but there was no agreement, with both sides reported to be now �considering their positions�.
• Three new RMT strikes called over DCO The RMT has announced walkouts on Merseyrail, Northern and Southern on 30 May after talks to resolve the long-running driver-controlled operation disputes failed again. Operators said they were 'disappointed', but the RMT has spoken of its 'anger and frustration'.

Railway Gazette

• Ukrainian Railways plans five-year investment programmeUKRAINE: National railway UZ has presented its five-year development strategy for 2017-21. This...
• Alexa 'Skill' for train times and fares released UK: Independent ticket retailer RedSpottedHanky.com can now be accessed via Amazon Echo and Echo...

Other News Sources

• Southern Rail: Date announced for the next 24-hour strike The RMT has announced workers will stage another 24 hour strike on Tuesday May 30
• New £25 billion rail line between Brighton and London in Labour manifesto A Labour government would invest more than £25 billion in creating a second rail link between Brighton and London.
• Rail operator accused of “sneaking through” fare risesA RAIL operator has been accused by public transport campaigners of “sneaking through” a rise in fares.