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

Monday, 25 August 2008

Financial Times

• Credit squeeze moves car clubs into top gearZipcar and Streetcar pursue more clients in a push to build scale for their fast-growing businesses as increasing number of drivers choose to rent rather than buy vehicles
• Kingfisher Airlines stretches its wingsKingfisher Airlines, the carrier founded three years ago by Vijay Mallya, one of the most prominent and colourful Indian tycoons, is taking the group from the domestic Indian market on to international routes for the first time next month

The Guardian

• Breaking up BAA will not make life easier for passengers, says BA bossBusiness & money: Chief executive says airports authority needs stronger regulation by Civil Aviation Authority
• Red faces at department's green HQOffices responsible for slashing buildings' carbon emissions emerge as least energy-efficient

The Herald

• The train standing at platform three is now ready for vandalisingBusiness Diary: Business Diary received the following e-mail from a source in the banking sector this week: “I read with interest that one of the bidders for the London commuter train lines is Dutch operator … Ned Railways.

The Independent

• BAA blasts commission report as 'ridiculous'Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of BAA, launched an angry attack this weekend on the Competition Commission, which he accused of drawing blood and punishing the airport operator for the UK's congestion problems.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Railway chiefs say Sir Sean is way off trackNETWORK Rail has hit back at Sir Sean Connery's "outrage" at the prefix Edinburgh being added to Waverley Station.

Journal Live

• Public ’misled’ over road building costsTRANSPORT chiefs have denied misleading taxpayers after it emerged that North road costs have gone up by more than £20m.

Liverpool Post

• Bus and train operator increases profits by 40%MERSEYSIDE’S biggest bus operator, Arriva, yesterday announced a 40% rise in half-year pre-tax profits to £66.3m.

Manchester Evening News

• C-charge poll: The FULL resultNOW we can reveal the FULL result of a poll on whether to have a congestion charge in Greater Manchester.

Metro

• Airport workers begin strikeWorkers who operate luggage scanning equipment at Stansted Airport have begun a 24-hour strike because of a deadlocked row over pay, union leaders said.

Carlisle News & Star

• MORE CASH FOR BUS OPERATORSSCHOOL bus operators around Cumbria could be set for a pay increase to stop them walking away from the job.

International Herald Tribune

• Caution: Driver may be surfing the WebChrysler is poised to offer in its 2009 models a new entertainment option for the children: Wi-Fi and Internet connectivity. The problem is that the entire car becomes a hot spot.

Railnews

• News: New Proposals Could Switch 320 Services To Electrification A REVISED programme for ’cascading’ rolling stock, coupled with185 route miles of ’in-fill’ electrification, could enable more than 320 diesel-powered services a day to be operated by electric trains instead — and reduce the need for more new diesel trains.
• News: NX Shortlisted For Community Rail Awards NATIONAL Express East Anglia has been shortlisted in seven categories of the Community Rail Awards 2008, which celebrate outstanding achievement in community rail development.

Aviation Industry

• IT’S QUITE SIMPLE - PUSH YOUR BICYCLE OR PUSH OFFFrom Wednesday September 3rd, anyone cycling on pedestrian zones in Grimsby will have to pay a £30 penalty. The on-the-spot fines can be issued by either PCSOs or police officers.

Green Miscellany

• Environmental campaign fury as demands on flight pollution watered downTHE head of a leading environmental campaign group has accused the Scottish Government of ignoring 21,000 people who responded to the consultation into its climate change bill.
• North is 'better than south' at going greenThe north of England has been championed as ahead of other areas in its greener transport approach.
• Do electric cars pose a risk to pedestrians?With the growing popularity of electric cars, the U.S. Congress is considering a so-called Quiet Car Bill in order to stipulate a minimum sound level for all vehicles. Although no one has yet been killed by a car because it was too quiet, there is concern that near-silent electric cars pose a threat to pedestrians.
• British drivers 'want to go green'More than half of all car owners in the UK are concerned about the impact their vehicle has on the environment, it has been revealed.

Other News Sources

• Drivers seek free transportOffering free public transport is the only way to get most Britons out of their cars, a survey has revealed.
• Electric delivery truck unveiledElectric delivery truck unveiled