Breaking News
New rail franchisees could face greater risks
Ministers are poised to shake up rail franchising policy by ending a system that compensates train operators when revenues fall short of expectations while allowing them to keep the right to take a share of unexpected profits
Most overcrowded trains identified
The 07.42, operated by First Great Western, carried on average 326 passengers more than the train’s capacity of 533. Described by the DfT as a “very popular service into Paddington”, it was one of 10 trains identified in a Freedom of Information reply,
Train services between Birmingham and London could be reduced
Dramatic changes to long distance rail services to Birmingham could be introduced when a new franchise begins next year, the Department for Transport has revealed.
Thursday, 20 January 2011
BBC News
- Gosport to Fareham bus link legal challenge rejected A legal challenge over the construction of a rapid bus route in Hampshire has been rejected by the Supreme Court.
- Prime Minister says rail companies must improve performance [blog]It's only a week since my last blog about delays on Southeastern train services but the issue has again been dominating discussion at Westminster.
- A9 dual 'needed more than trams'A campaigner for improvements to the A9 says improving the route is more relevant than giving Edinburgh trams.
Financial Times
- New rail franchisees could face greater risksMinisters are poised to shake up rail franchising policy by ending a system that compensates train operators when revenues fall short of expectations while allowing them to keep the right to take a share of unexpected profits
- American Airlines warns of continued pressureShares in AMR fall 7% after its reports another quarterly loss and cautions that sharply rising fuel prices are likely to affect earnings in the coming year
- Brussels eyes damages plan for snow-stricken airlinesThe European transport commissioner has said the EU is eyeing regulations that would require airports to upgrade systems to avert the kind of weather-related shutdowns that bedevilled most of Europe last month
The Herald
- Government may miss chance to discount fuel in remote areasThe Government could miss the chance to include plans to discount fuel in remote areas in its March budget, it emerged last night.
The Independent
- £560 transport fund urges councils to go green A £560 million fund to encourage local councils to
- Yorkshire returns to the age of steam for commuter service Few journeys evoke the romance of steam travel quite like the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Eight years after it closed in 1962, the route was made famous in the film The Railway Children.
The Scotsman
- Survey shows 'worst streets' areasThe millions who motor to Blackpool for their holidays are having to contend with some of the worst road conditions in the UK, an AA survey shows.
The Telegraph
- Segway scooters: facts you didn't know A Segway is worth more than half a Fiat Panda Segways cost about £5,000, meaning that buying one each for you and your partner or carer is more expensive than buying a brand new Fiat Panda (£8,000) or Ford Ka (£8,500).
- Most overcrowded trains identified The 07.42, operated by First Great Western, carried on average 326 passengers more than the train’s capacity of 533. Described by the DfT as a “very popular service into Paddington”, it was one of 10 trains identified in a Freedom of Information reply,
Press Association
- Rail franchise shake-up announced Plans aimed at making train companies more responsive to the needs of passengers have been announced by the Government.
Mail Online
- Britain's largest wild pear tree to be axed after 250 years for high speed rail linkThe tree, which measures more than 12ft around the trunk, stands in the way of the proposed HS2 train line between London and Birmingham.
Birmingham Mail
- Train services between Birmingham and London could be reduced Dramatic changes to long distance rail services to Birmingham could be introduced when a new franchise begins next year, the Department for Transport has revealed.
Bradford Telegraph & Argus
- Commuter trains plan for Keighley & Worth Valley Railway A study into the feasibility of running commuter trains on a heritage steam railway has been published.
Derby Telegraph
- Transport embarrassment again THE decision to slam at least part of Derby's bus lane policy into reverse leaves the city more open than ever to criticism of its public transport ideas.
- Euro bid to cut height of lorries will cost us millions, warns MPEUROPEAN Union plans to change the height of UK lorries – costing British industry over £300m – have been slammed by a Derbyshire MP. Pauline Latham led an attack on the proposals, which would limit the height of trailers to four metres, in Parliament yesterday. She claimed the plans, drafted by the EU Commission, were being
Journal Live
- Cutting speed cameras risks lives says safety chief ROAD accident rates in the North East could soar again if speed cameras are cut back to save money, a road safety chief warns.
London Evening Standard
- DLR strike banned in last-minute High Court challenge48-hour strike on the Docklands Light Railway tomorrow and Friday was dramatically halted this afternoon following a successful legal challenge
- Survey shows 'worst streets' areasThe millions who motor to Blackpool for their holidays are having to contend with some of the worst road conditions in the UK, an AA survey shows.
Manchester Evening News
- Metrolink tram service could be extended into Cheshire The Metrolink system could be extended into Cheshire allowing commuters to travel to Manchester from Mobberley and Knutsford by tram.
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.
The York Press
- York Rail Station security screen plan rejected A RAIL firm has seen its plans to increase security at York Station derailed by planners.
Yorkshire Evening Post
- First: Leeds bus firm pledges change for goodBosses at transport giant First have launched the latest stage of their 2011 charm offensive.
Bucks Free Press
- Council hopeful quits Lib Dems over High Speed 2THE Liberal Democrats' support of High Speed 2 has prompted one of the party's candidates for the May council elections to quit.
Other Regional Press
- Where customers matter not one jot [letter]I AGREE with Martin Body about the new Metropolitan line trains (Train service is going backwards, Letters, January 5). They are designed to cram more standing passengers in on the central section, with no thought for customers who travel in from the outer suburbs.
- Kent transport chiefs slam rail service Kent MPs have heaped further criticism on under-fire rail operators Southeastern and have pressed ministers to tighten up the rules on refunds and penalties. The call came in a debate at Westminster today initiated by the long-standing critic of the company Sir John Stanley, the Tonbridge and Malling MP.
- Preston bus sold... againPreston Bus is set to be bought by Midlands company Rotala, the Evening Post can reveal today.
- Bus surgery to roll into town BUS users in Huddersfield are being invited to have their say on local services.
- Lib Dems call for high-speed rail link to include Huddersfield HUDDERSFIELD should be included in the high-speed rail link, say councillors.
- Cubbington wild pear tree could stop HS2 rail plan THE LARGEST wild pear tree in Britain which is Cubbington could de-rail the controversial HS2 high-speed rail link.
Campaign for Better Transport
- Local transport can be sustainable transport19 January: Transport minister Norman Baker will today publish guidance on the local sustainable transport fund and a new local transport white paper. These could make local transport choices into more sustainable transport choices. But wider cuts to transport funding mean that its impact will be much less than it could be. read more
- Fuel price stabiliser doesn't add up19 January: As the price of fuel creeps steadily higher, pundits are once more calling for a fuel price stabiliser. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it. read more
Rail-News.com
- Finlandia deal for KilfrostFinnish railways has placed an order for rail de-icing fluid with an English company.
- More coal moved by rail The freezing temperatures of the last couple of months resulted in an increase of over 11% in the amount of coal moved by rail, compared to the same time last year, as demand soared.
Green Miscellany
- Bicycle bible for electric two-wheelers A new book, Electric Bicycles is an invaluable guide for prospective buyers and enthusiasts alike, according to the Environmental Transport Association (ETA).read more
- The see-through folding kayak you carry by bicycle A new design of kayak features an entirely see-through shell and the ability to fold up small enough to fit in a rucksack.read more
Other News Sources
- Plans Submitted For Northampton Railway Station Development Network Rail has submitted plans to Northampton Borough Council for a major redevelopment of Northampton railway station.
- East Coast gain C2EEast Coast recently achieved Committed to Excellence (C2E) accreditation. East Coast runs passenger train services on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland.
- Virgin Trains' Cheshire Stations are the BestVirgin Trains has scooped two top awards in the annual Cheshire Best Station awards. For the second year in a row, Virgin Trains has walked away with the Best Staffed Station and the Best Customer Care awards, with Crewe and Runcorn stations taking top honours.
- Transport bosses blasted over bus servicePENSIONERS have blasted transport chiefs for failing to re-route a bus service on Sundays and bank holidays.
- Contractors criticise government transport paperCivil engineering contractors have warned that the transport white paper focuses too little on developing infrastructure.
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