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

Friday, 23 June 2017

BBC News

• RMT announce further strikes on Southern, Northern and MerseyrailThe long-running dispute centres on union concerns about staffing and driver-only-operated trains.
• UK rail ticket machines hit by IT glitchRail ticket machines across the UK fell out of service during the morning commute.
• New railway connection to London Luton Airport approvedThe line will replace the current shuttle bus between Luton Airport Parkway station and the terminal.
• HS2 franchise: Bidder shortlist revealedGovernment reveals who could run the West Coast Main Line, including HS2, and South Eastern rail franchises.

Financial Times

• UK rail: new trains, pleaseQueues to acquire franchises will remain lengthy
• Go-Ahead Group rattled by Southern trains troublesTransport company’s results marred by problems and strike action at rail operator

The Herald

• Commuter chaos as rail ticket machines across the country hit by technical glitchRail commuters were prevented from buying tickets from machines during the morning peak after a technical glitch.

The Telegraph

• Commuter chaos as rail ticket machines across Britain broken due to IT glitch

Times Online

• More passenger misery as summer of rail delays looms on Southern, Merseyrail and Arriva Rail North [Subscription]Rail passengers across Britain could face a summer of delays as workers in three franchises plan to stage walkouts over staffing and driver-only trains.
• Gravy train could come off the rails [Subscription]Talk about suckers for punishment. Hasn’t the Department for Transport already had enough of Sir Richard Branson v Tim O’Toole on the west coast main line? Last time the Virgin founder and Firstgroup boss squared up on the London to Glasgow route it ended with a nasty derailment: that of the UK rail franchising system.
• Chinese are shortlisted to operate HS2 railway [Subscription]A state-backed Chinese operator is among the companies shortlisted to run the new HS2 railway, the first bidder for a rail franchise from mainland China.

Mail Online

• Report on Southern Rail meltdown blames unions The assessment by Chris Gibb says the RMT and Aslef were the 'primary cause' of the chaos that caused misery for hundreds of thousands of commuters last year.
• Report on Southern Rail meltdown blames unions The assessment by Chris Gibb says the RMT and Aslef were the 'primary cause' of the chaos that caused misery for hundreds of thousands of commuters last year.
• Arriva Rail North staff to stage three-day strike in July Workers on Arriva Rail North are to stage a three-day strike next month. The staff will walk out from July 8 over a long-running dispute about driver-only trains, the RMT union said.

The Mirror

• Millions of rail commuters left stranded as ticket machines nationwide fail during rush hour The IT glitch began at 6am when on-screen messages on ticket machines said they had 'no online connectivity', making them unable to send payment card details

Birmingham Post

• Three rail firms bidding to run the West Coast Main Line and HS2 have been named Government reveals shortlist of three firms hoping to run rail services on the West Coast Main Line and High Speed Two

Derby Telegraph

• Train built in Derby by Bombardier for new Elizabeth Line makes London debut The first train built by Derby's Bombardier as part of a key £1 billion contract has finally entered into passenger service in London.

London Evening Standard

• Crossrail: First Elizabeth line train comes into service on Liverpool Street lineThe first Elizabeth line train has come into service in east London, ahead of the launch of Crossrail next year.
• Striking staff caused misery for Southern passengers, report rules... as new walkout is announcedMeltdown was caused by walkouts by drivers and crews... but unions call FRESH strike
• London weather: thermal camera captures heat of Tube on hottest June day since 1976A thermal imaging camera recorded a temperature hot-spot of 42C on London's Tube network as commuters endured the hottest June day since 1976.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Go-Ahead Group release pre-close trading updateThe Go-Ahead Group plc has announced its pre-close trading update for the year ending 1 July 2017, ahead of its full year results announcement on 7 September 2017.    Overall expectations for the full year are unchanged. The Group remains in a strong financial position, with good cash generation and a robust balance sheet. Bus RegionalExpected full year like for like growth rates Revenue Passenger journeys c.1.0% ...
• Bidders for 2 rail franchises named by governmentThe government has announced the names of the companies in the running for the new West Coast Partnership (WCP) rail franchise and the next South Eastern franchise. Passenger numbers have more than doubled since privatisation of the railways 20 years ago and our country’s railways need to adapt and change to be able to cope with this and future demands. This government is committed to revolutionising our railways through innovation and investment to transform passengers’ experiences and ensure our railways work for everyone. This is an exciting time for both franchises, which are...
• The future of cross-London travel arrives Customers were given their first chance to travel on the state-of-the-art trains that will serve the Elizabeth line when the new rail tunnels open through central London in December next year.  Following extensive testing and preparation, the train, part of a fleet of 66 that will operate on the new line, is now operating in passenger service between Liverpool Street and Shenfield on the TfL Rail route. Eleven trains will be introduced on the route by the autumn and will initially be 160 metres long and made up of seven carriages. They will later be extended to nine carriages and the ...

Rail Technology Magazine

• Four bidders officially in the running for next South Eastern contract The final shortlist of bidders for the South Eastern franchise has today been revealed by the DfT. Amongst the bidders are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Govia Ltd called London and South East Passenger Rail Services, as well as a subsidiary of Stagecoach Group called Stagecoach South Eastern...
• NR awards £9m contract to deliver Cornwall capacity enhancements Design, engineering and management consultancy Atkins has today been awarded a contract worth £9m to upgrade the signalling capability in the south of Cornwall. The planned works form part of the Cornwall Capacity Enabling Scheme for Network Rail, and Atkins will now take responsibility...

Railnews

• More foreign contenders on franchise shortlists The shortlisted bidders for two high-profile rail franchises have been announced by the Department for Transport. They are the West Coast Partnership and Southeastern, and in both cases the existing operators are attempting to stay in control. There are also several foreign contenders involved, including companies from China, Sweden, the USA, France and Italy. The West Coast Partnership franchise starts in April 2019, and will also include operating the first section of HS2 between London and Birmingham from 2026. The South Eastern franchise will change hands in December 2018.

Railway Gazette

• Three shortlisted for West Coast Partnership franchiseUK: The shortlisted bidders for the West Coast Partnership franchise were announced by the...
• South Eastern franchise bidders announcedUK: The Department for Transport announced the shortlisted bidders for the next South Eastern...
• Alstom to overhaul Akiem electric locomotivesFRANCE: Leasing company Akiem has awarded Alstom a €20m contract to undertake the mid-life overhaul...