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

Tuesday, 03 March 2026

BBC News

• Ticket deal between rival bus companies to endBus users have slammed the collapse of a ticket agreement between rival companies on a busy route. Passengers using services on the Coast Road, between Newcastle and North Tyneside, are currently able to travel on any of Arriva's 306 and 308 or Go North East's 307 and 309 buses using tickets purchased from either operator.
• What is different about new direct rail bid?Times have changed since Shropshire last had a direct rail link to London. The county has not had a direct train link to the capital since Avanti West Coast stopped its single daily service in 2024 because, it said, of low passenger numbers.
• Pedestrian death rate nearly doubles, report showsFigures show 48% of road deaths across the West Midlands last year were that of pedestrians.
• M4 relief road and income tax cuts in Welsh Tories' election manifestoThe Conservatives say its income tax pledge could save an average working family £450 per year.

Financial Times

• ‘Half of Dubai is booking’: expatriates drive to Oman and Saudi Arabia to find flightsCharter operators vie to secure slots in Muscat as airports in UAE and Qatar remain constrained
• Can the US build ships again?Not if Trump refuses to follow his own administration’s best advice
• Airlines’ healthy finances will be tested by Middle East conflict Carriers have enjoyed strong demand and cheap fuel but escalating tensions threaten both
• BlackRock-backed group pushes to close ports deal without Panama assetsMove comes after Central American country ejected Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison from canal terminals

The Guardian

• More than 100,000 Britons stranded in Gulf, with airspace closed to most flightsUK considering all evacuation options, including charter and military flights and bus trips across land borders

The Herald

• Bus firm to transform Glasgow express routes as new operatorFirst Bus is gearing up to operate two express bus routes between Cumbernauld and Glasgow.

The Independent

• 'It's a mess': Expert warning over changes to UK train ticket refundsTrain passengers in the UK are being advised to delay purchasing flexible tickets until the day of travel, as new, stricter refund rules are set to come into force.

The Telegraph

• 'Don't buy train tickets in advance', warns expert ahead of change to rail refunds [subscription]Passengers lose right to cancel flexible tickets on the day. Rail passengers could lose hundreds of pounds if they buy flexible tickets in advance from next month, experts have warned. On-the-day tickets, whether off-peak or anytime, cost the same whenever they are purchased, but many people book ahead because they can be rescheduled free or cancelled for a £5 fee.

Times Online

• Home chargers that look as cool as the EVs they're designed for [subscription]Sweeping lines, bold contours, dynamic silhouettes the new models are all about aesthetics

City AM

• 'Attention, please': Rachel Reeves hails rail fare freeze over Liverpool Street tannoyCommuters arriving into Liverpool Street station have been serenaded by the Chancellor's voice today. Rachel Reeves has taken over the key City transport artery to share the news of a freeze to rail fares the first in 30 years.

Local Government

• No proposals to implement bus lane on B106 corridorHaringey has listened to the concerns of residents and will not be progressing with proposals to implement a bus lane on the B106 corridor which links Colney Hatch Lane with Bounds Green Road via Alexandra Park Road, Albert Road and Durnsford Road.

Birmingham Mail

• 7 countries shut airspace with NO flights - thousands of UK tourists warnedHundreds of thousands of passengers have been left stranded after the US-Israeli attack on Iran.
• New train ticket rule from April 1 in crackdown on rail fare dodgersChanges to train ticket rules will be rolled out next month in a bid to stop fare dodgers.

Birmingham Post

• Next Welsh Government must look to deliver an M4 Relief Road says business body the CBIIn its Senedd Election manifesto CBI Wales is also calling for the next Welsh Government to devise its own industrial strategy
• Next Welsh Government must look to deliver an M4 Relief Road says business body the CBIIn its Senedd Election manifesto CBI Wales is also calling for the next Welsh Government to devise its own industrial strategy
• Next Welsh Government must look to deliver an M4 Relief Road says business body the CBIIn its Senedd Election manifesto CBI Wales is also calling for the next Welsh Government to devise its own industrial strategy

Manchester Evening News

• Rail passengers issued warning ahead of major ticketing change coming next monthThe warning comes before a major refund change next month

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Usage of West Midlands Bus and Metro services decreases - while train boardings increaseThe number of passengers using buses and the Metro in the West Midlands dropped while train boardings have increased.

Other Regional Press

• Airspace consultation due to open for Manston Airport schemeRiverOak Strategic Partners Limited (RSP), owner of Manston Airport, is launching its Stage 3 airspace consultation, as part of the process to reopen the airport as an air freight hub.
• 'Elland deserves a new station' - Leaders to give go-ahead for the first phase of project at meeting this monthWest Yorkshire leaders are set to give the go-ahead for the first phase of the Elland Station project.
• Wirral to benefit from £9million of funding for road and transport schemesPlans have been set out for how £6 million will be spent on road maintenance - and a further £3 million on local transport schemes in Wirral - over the coming year.
• Kimmins visits Wrightbus to discuss important role of transport sector in tackling climate crisisInfrastructure Minister tours Ballymena factory as firm's hydrogen and electric buses drive decarbonisation of Translink fleet

Coach and Bus Week

• Go-Ahead launches 'Better by Bus' campaignThe operator will use advertising wraps plus radio and social media messaging to encourage more people to try the bus
• Portsmouth extends bus pass enhancementsPortsmouth City Council recently confirmed it will extend the enhanced benefits of its concessionary bus pass travel scheme for another year.

Rail Business Daily

• Getting Ireland's rail future on the right trackIreland's rail network is at a crucial turning point. Ambitious plans for expansion, decarbonisation and improved passenger services are under way, and how we approach delivery today will shape the railway for decades to come

Rail Magazine

• East West Rail Co accused of making depot decision with "no meaningful consultation"East West Rail Co has been accused of not carrying out any meaningful consultation with stakeholders before unveiling its preferred depot location.
• East West Rail Co accused of making depot decision with "no meaningful consultation"East West Rail Co has been accused of not carrying out any meaningful consultation with stakeholders before unveiling its preferred depot location.

Railway Gazette

• Unobtrusive monitoring techniques reduce safety risks at Victa RailfreightUK: Victa Railfreight says it has achieved a 75% reduction in adverse safety events through the use of body-worn cameras and unobtrusive monitoring.

Aviation Industry

• IAWA study reveals almost half of women consider leaving aviation due to implicit biasThe International Aerospace Women's Association (IAWA) has released its second Lift Off to Leadership: Leadership Barriers for Women in Aerospace and Aviation study, which builds upon the first edition in 2021, co-authored by Oksana Bardygula, Debra Santos, Marita Lintener, and Livia Hayes.
• London City Airport enters consultation phase for A320neo plansLondon City Airport has launched a public consultation for the Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) proposal to enable the operation of larger aircraft, such as the A320neo. The plan would be to introduce an additional 4.49 degree approach rather than the current mandated 5.5 degrees, and does not require changes to existing flight paths.
• Teesside Airport secures landmark air freight deal with global carrierCargo flights to China are set to take off from Teesside International Airport after UK-based global air freight carrier European Cargo today (3 March) confirmed a deal to create a new operational base at the hub.

Other News Sources

• Preston bus-only zones come under fire as council leader suggests amnesty for first-time offendersCouncil leader hints at discussions around fines in response to controversial restrictions
• East Midlands Airport helping to keep the lights on around the globeEast Midlands Airport is playing its part in keeping the bright lights on in many locations around the globe by providing vital air freight support to a local firm.
• Deutsche Bahn to launch train service to Brussels AirportGerman rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) is to start operating train services from Germany to Brussels Airport later this year, as part of a codeshare deal with Brussels Airlines.
• 'Raw anger' at Bristol Airport plan to 'steal' part of unique commonBristol Airport's plans to 'steal' part of a unique nature reserve in order to fly to America has triggered 'raw anger,' councillors have been told.
• Heathrow expansions PMO Consultant appointed Turner & Townsend and AtkinsRéalis, have been appointed by Heathrow as expansion Portfolio Management Office (PMO) consultants - marking a significant milestone in the airports ambitious programme to expand and upgrade its infrastructure.
• Active travel in Southampton saves NHS almost £11mWalking, wheeling, and cycling are helping to save millions in healthcare costs.
• This major UK airport could get a new public transport linkThe new tram stop would help the airport support the eight million extra passengers expected by 2030

News from Europe

• Deutsche Bahn to launch train service to Brussels AirportGerman rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) is to start operating train services from Germany to Brussels Airport later this year, as part of a codeshare deal with Brussels Airlines.