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

Friday, 31 July 2026

BBC News

• Stations selected for transport hub pilotsTwo railway stations are set for improvements to encourage more commuters to leave their cars and use trains, bikes or buses to get to work.
• Hundreds of jobs to go at Jaguar Land RoverThe car giant says it expects fewer than 300 people will lose their jobs.
• ScotRail apology after passengers unable to book tickets in app launch chaosScotRail has apologised for the chaotic launch of its new app, which left hundreds of passengers unable to book train tickets.
• Further £90m approved for new electric busesPlans to spend a further £90m on a fleet of publicly-owned electric buses for West Yorkshire have been approved.
• Andy Burnham to give regional mayors share of income taxPrime Minister Andy Burnham will give all mayors of city regions in England a share of income tax revenue for the first time, as part of his drive to transfer power from Westminster to local leaders.

Department for Transport

• Independent HS2 Commissioner report 2This is the second report from the Independent HS2 Commissioner.
• Transport business case guidanceThis guidance explains how DfT uses the HM Treasury 2022 Green Book and supplementary business case guidance when developing transport business cases and preparing advice on spending decisions. It is primarily aimed at those who are involved in developing transport proposals, as well as informing a wider audience with an interest in the business case process.

The Herald

• Scottish train stations campaign to protect vulnerable childrenA rail operator has joined a national campaign aimed at protecting vulnerable children and young people across the UK rail network.

Times Online

• Rolls-Royce defends plea for state funding as profits jump [subscription]The areospace engineer is planning a move into the short-haul market, which it says would create thousands of British jobs and be good for taxpayers
• Petrol prices to top 160p a litre as Middle East strikes resume [subscription]Rising wholesale costs and oil trading above $90 a barrel threaten to push fuel prices in the UK to new heights after hostilities restart in the Strait of Hormuz
• Soar in airport drop-off fees linked to steep rise to net-zero targets [subscription]Drivers now face average fees of ?7, a third higher than last year, as authorities try to discourage passengers arriving by car

The National

• We're exploring how to transform public transport in ScotlandTHE National is launching a new investigative series exploring how we can transform public transport in Scotland.

Local Government

• New 'OnDemand' service set to transform travel across Doncaster and Rotherham at click of a buttonA new flexible public transport service is launching in South Yorkshire this August called OnDemand, powered by South Yorkshire People's Network and Via, giving residents in Doncaster and Rotherham more ways to travel when and where they need.
• Bus service improvements in the west welcomedNorthumberland County Council has welcomed a range of public transport improvements in the west of the county

Network Rail

• Funding approved for world-first rail safety technology rollout across entire Heart of Wales railway lineNetwork Rail has secured funding to progress the next phase of pioneering rail safety technology that could transform how trains are monitored, enhance safety and reduce waiting times at rural level crossings.

Rail Delivery Group

• Why take the plane? New independent research reveals that train travel gives you more time to use, is quicker and cheaper than flyingRail passengers save 71% on average once the full cost of flying, including transfers,'baggage' and airport charges, is factored in, a saving of £147 per journey.

Sky News

• Key HS2 contracts renegotiated as government scrambles to slash costsMinisters will announce on Friday that two of HS2's biggest contracts have been recut as they try to lop up to £2bn from the cost of one of Britain's most catastrophically managed infrastructure projects

Birmingham Mail

• Three mandatory tests on table for drivers over 70 under Andy BurnhamThe previous Labour Party government announced a Road Safety Strategy earlier this year, looking at changes for older motorists.

Liverpool Echo

• Landmark plan to let mayors like Steve Rotheram keep income tax sharePrime Minister sets out major reforms that he says will see regions like ours able to keep much more of the money generated here

London Evening Standard

• Silvertown and Blackwall tunnel charges to rise - everything you need to knowThe cost of driving through the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels is to increase from Monday, September 21

Manchester Evening News

• Relief for the Wigan town 'cut off' for 60 yearsTransport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said train services would reduce journey times into Manchester city centre by up to 30 minutes

Other Regional Press

• Plan to move Dorset railway station called 'anti-motorist'A 15-year plan with proposals to move a railway station, introduce trams and expand the cycling network is continuing the 'anti-motorist biased agenda'
• Segro 'minded to accept' huge £14bn takeover bidThe firm behind the controversial Radlett rail freight project looks poised to accept a £14 billion takeover bid from a US rival.
• Work to begin on £14m Milford Haven transport interchangeMajor redevelopment will create an integrated hub linking rail, bus, walking and cycling routes
• Rutland and Stamford MP urges government to review data-measuring methods to improve A1 safetyAn MP has called for the Secretary of State for Transport to update how road casualty data is measured, to account for deaths in rural areas where population density is typically lower.

Train Operators

• Banbury Station revamp unveiled by Chiltern Railways and Oxfordshire County CouncilUpgrades to Banbury Station were unveiled today (Thursday 30 July) as part of a joint investment by operator Chiltern Railways and Oxfordshire County Council.

Bus and Coach Buyer

• New Routemasters receive mid-life refurbishmentThere are 40 New Routemasters allocated to Walworth-based Routes 3 and 68 to complete the programme, with the remaining vehicles due to be refurbished over the next 12 months. Among those already refurbished is the LT1000, the last ever production New Routemaster, which is now back at the Transport UK Twickenham Depot.

Highways News

• Madders made minister for roads as Lightwood takes on local transportDepartment for Transport (DfT) newcomer Justin Madders has been made minister for roads, with Simon Lightwood taking on responsibility for local transport following the departure of Lilian Greenwood.

Rail Business Daily

• New independent research reveals that train travel gives you more time to use, is quicker and cheaper than flyingNew independent research challenges the long-held assumption that flying is the obvious choice for long-distance domestic travel in Great Britain. In fact, rail journeys are often cheaper, more productive and significantly greener than flying with 60% of people from an additional recent survey saying they would consider travelling by train rather than flying.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• DfT view to early 2026 put unplanned rail replacement outside AIRReview changed the position on unplanned services, an exemption impact assessment reveals
• More protests against West Yorkshire bus franchising not ruled outSquarepeg Buses says strong public support received at its first gathering in Leeds on 16 July

TaxiPoint

• TfL backs government plans for national operator database as cross-border licensing faces fresh scrutiny from the Mayor of LondonTransport for London (TfL) has thrown its support behind the creation of a national database for private hire operators, adding weight to calls for greater oversight of cross-border licensing arrangements across England.

Transportxtra

• Methodology for GBR's network valuation not yet decidedThe Government has not yet decided how the rail network will be valued when ownership transfers to Great British Railways, according to the DfT's annual report for 2025/26
• Wetton is Integrated MD at GBR West MidlandsDenise Wetton has been appointed Integrated Managing Director of GBR West Midlands. Wetton was most recently Route Director for Network Rail's Central Route which operates and maintains railway infrastructure in the West Midlands and Chilterns area, as well as managing Birmingham New Street station and has more than 20 years experience in the rail industry.

Other News Sources

• Yorkshire Day plea by Harrogate MP for a 'true Transport for Yorkshire policy' to help North YorkshireHarrogate?s MP is calling for a truly Transport for Yorkshire plan to ensure North Yorkshire is not left behind in new PM Andy Burnham?s travel plans for the North.
• Royal Mail adds electric cargo cycles to delivery fleetRoyal Mail is deploying its first electric cargo cycles in cities across the UK, adding further to the UK's largest electric delivery fleet.
• Has development above Euston station been scaled back?The redevelopment of Euston station may have a significantly reduced oversite element than previously envisaged, new images on the developer's consultation page appear to show
• Mayor Brabin backs rail freight to sustainably deliver local homes and jobsWest Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, has shown her support for using the railway in Yorkshire to deliver the new homes, offices and growth in Leeds and minimise the number of HGVs on the region's roads.
• TfL and Outdo join forces to share access to tube advertising for local businessesLocal London businesses are set to gain further access to advertising opportunities across London's Underground network, after Outdo secured a new contract to operate poster advertising outside of Transport for London Underground station sites.