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

Friday, 06 October 2017

BBC News

• Doors opened on wrong side of train during rail strikePassengers were put at risk when the doors of a train opened on the wrong side during a strike by rail workers, a union has claimed.
• £4m solution to railway leaves problemAbout £4m spent on a new train to clear slippery leaves from the railway lines in Northern Ireland.
• Fresh rail strikes hit services across EnglandRMT action is affecting Southern, Merseyrail, Arriva Rail North and Greater Anglia services.

Department for Transport

• Government plans £80 million smart ticketing rail revolutionIntroducing smart ticketing across England and Wales by the end of 2018.

The Guardian

• Fall in rail journeys raises questions for train franchise firmsApril to June figures are down nearly 5% against 2016 but industry sources say whole franchise model is based on growthThe number of rail passenger journeys in Britain fell sharply in spring this year, after two decades of virtually constant growth since privatisation.

The Scotsman

• Alastair Dalton: Need to know if trains really arrive on time We haven’t heard much discussion about ScotRail’s punctuality for some time, probably because it has steadily improved and is now at its best for two years.

Times Online

• Rail union claims mass support as minister accuses them of playing games [Subscription]Commuters are being treated as “pawns” in a game played by Britain’s powerful rail unions, the transport secretary has said, as the network was hit by strikes for the second time in three days.

Mail Online

• Bombardier train company boss , 52, 'blew £690,000 on lavish lifestyle of Harley-Davidsons and a hot tub after hiding fake payments in his wife's bank account' A train company boss blew £690,000 on a lavish lifestyle of Harley-Davidsons and a hot tub after hiding fake payments in his wife's bank account, a court heard.

Bolton News

• It's only a matter of time before someone is hurt on Bolton's overcrowded trainsIN response to Kevan Jones answering my recent letter regarding the terrible train service that he believes we will have a better service in the "not too distant future".

Morning Star

• Rail Chiefs Accused Of Covering Up 'Potentially Disastrous' Safety Breaches During StrikeAs train staff walked out for the second day this week yesterday, rail union RMT also warned that hundreds of unstaffed stations in the north of England would become “crime hotspots” if guards were no longer guaranteed.

The York Press

• Station safety claims by unionA UNION has named 330 unstaffed stations - including several in the York area - which it claims could become crime hot spots and “no-go areas” for vulnerable and disabled passengers if trains go without guards.

Cambridge News

• Rail scheme 'vital' for Cambridge faces 10-year delayCrossrail 2 has been described as 'vital' for the future success of businesses in the region

Other Regional Press

• Do you agree with these huge changes planned for Cheltenham Spa railway station?A four-week consultation has started on proposals for a new 300-space car park and other big changes at Cheltenham Spa railway station.
• Scunthorpe-made rail on track for £14.8 billion London projectThe British Steel works has been supplying track for the Crossrail project since June 2015

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Government plans £80 million smart ticketing rail revolutionThe government has this week set out details of its £80 million programme to introduce smart ticketing across England and Wales by the end of 2018. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

Railnews

• Strikes go ahead, but Underground walkout is cancelled Strikes are taking place for the second day this week at four National Rail operators in England but a planned walkout by ASLEF drivers on London Underground has been called off, after progress was made in talks between the union and Transport for London over working conditions. As on Tuesday the effects of the National Rail strikes, which are being staged by the RMT, have varied. The worst disruption is on Merseyrail and Northern, where services are limited and will cease by 19.00 this evening, while services on most Southern routes are normal. Greater Anglia, the fourth operator involved, i...

Railway Gazette

• SNCF and AccorHotels to develop the Orient Express brandFRANCE: An agreement to exploit the SNCF-owned Orient Express brand within the global luxury...
• M62 diesel locomotive rebuilt as an electric POLAND: Following an official unveiling at the Trako trade fair in GdaÅ„sk, certification testing...

Other News Sources

• Network Rail reveals major Christmas and New Year projectsChristmas is 80 days away – let that sink in. With friends and family putting festive travel plans in place, Network Rail has revealed the major work that is set to take place on the network in December.
• Guildford railway station £150 million development plans to be heard at appeal next month The £150m regeneration scheme by Solum proposed a new station building, 438 new homes, office space and a "radically enhanced station environment"