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

Sunday, 07 December 2008

BBC News

• BMW sales dip more than a quarterCarmaker BMW says global sales fell 26.2% in November, as consumers tighten their belts amid the economic slowdown.
• Aid for US carmakers now 'urgent'The latest bleak US jobless figures make helping the big three car firms even more urgent, warns a leading politician.
• Vauxhall future 'depends on help'The UK's largest car manufacturer admits its future depends on the US government bailing out its parent company General Motors.

Financial Times

• Four consortia stack above GatwickInitial expressions of interest in Gatwick have come from many quarters, ranging from Manchester airport to Singapore's Changi airport and Hochtief, the German construction group and airports operator
• Congressional Democrats set to offer short-term loan to US car manufacturersCongressional Democrats are set to offer US car manufacturers a short term emergency loan to survive the next three months, in a move likely to win backing from the White House

The Telegraph

• Britain's motorways celebrate 50th birthday.When Harold Macmillan led a small motorcade along an eight mile stretch of road outside Preston Brtain's landscape was about to change dramatically.

Times Online

• First report from the Emirates A380 Singapore Airlines was the first to get its hands on the A380 “superjumbo”, but last week, Emirates launched a rival version. Singapore’s headline-grabber was “double beds in first class”. Yes, showers. So the pampered premiums don’t have to wait until they reach the airport to wash.
• Cycle Girl: There’s a new fixture in my lifeAfter months of messing about, I have settled on the bike I want to spend the foreseeable future with. Like Peaches Geldof I know this marriage will not be for life and I’ll still ride other bikes, including my former paramour, my racer, for fun. For day-to-day living, though, I’ve finally found my wife bike.
• The brightest spark in town Gordon Brown wants to be the first public figure to be photographed with it. Geoff Hoon, the transport secretary, wants to be first behind the wheel (Hoon has the advantage over Brown of being a car driver).
• My trip down Electric Avenue Our Mini E is switched on, but silent and stationary. A BMW engineer hands me a small piece of paper translating speed limits from kilometres to miles per hour. But this is a joke, right? After all, I’m seated in an electric car, under the “petrol” flap is a plug socket, and behind my seat is a battery. If there’s one thing I’m not expecting, it’s for this eco-special to provoke the local constabulary.
• Detroit’s big three secure $17 billion rescue package AMERICA’s beleaguered carmakers were given a breathing space this weekend after lawmakers signalled they would approve an interim $17 billion ($£11.6 billion) loan package.
• Bob Ayling joins Citigroup bid for Gatwick BOB AYLING, the former chief executive of British Airways, has entered the race for Gatwick by joining a Citigroup-led consortium that will bid for the UK’s second-largest airport.
• 4,500 jobs on the line at car firm ONE of Britain’s largest car-parts groups, Wagon Automotive, is on the brink of collapse this weekend, threatening 4,500 jobs across Europe.
• BA woos Spanish bank to keep Iberia in Qantas deal BRITISH AIRWAYS is to woo Caja Madrid, the savings bank that is a key Iberia shareholder, in an effort to convince the Spanish airline to join a three-way merger with Qantas.

Daily Record

• Cabin crew staff blast 'bullying' British Airways over axe threatBRITISH Airways have been accused of bullying in their bid to axe Scots cabin crew operations.

Mail Online

• Trainspotters on rampage: Vintage rail enthusiasts are facing a ban over claims of yobbish behaviour Train enthusiasts who charter vintage rolling stock for day trips are being warned their hobby could be banned because of yobbish behaviour. Enthusiasts have been spotted yelling at people.

Liverpool Echo

• Vauxhall look to Government to save Merseyside jobsCAR giant Vauxhall has held talks with Downing Street about a cash plan to save thousands of Merseyside jobs, it was reported today.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Road crash victim inspires supportA BIKER who lost her leg in a road accident is inspiring people all over the country to help the charity that saved her.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Aberdeen braces for chaos as bus strike hits shoppersA day of chaos in Aberdeen city centre was predicted last night as thousands of Christmas shoppers face traffic gridlock as a result of today™s bus strike.
• Early-morning Heathrow link ˜safe™British Airways has insisted that its early-morning flight between Aberdeen and Heathrow is safe, despite similar services from Edinburgh and Glasgow being axed.
• Transport disruption threatens to upset festive season™s travel plansWith its icy roads, congestion and queues outside car parks, the festive season is one of the few occasions when committed motorists can be persuaded to use public transport instead.
• Call for cameras at city swing bridgesA SENIOR council official is calling for cameras to be fitted near the Caledonian Canal swing bridges in Inverness following a rise in the number of drivers jumping traffic lights.
• Honour your election vows on transport, Salmond toldFirst Minister Alex Salmond is under pressure to honour election pledges made to the north and north-east.
• Campaign for improved school bus safety goes to HolyroodThe campaign to stop children being killed and injured as they get off school buses is being stepped up in the Scottish Parliament.

Wales Online

• So you want to be a train driver?What does a career as a train driver involve?

Blackpool Gazette

• New service delight for train travellersRAIL services on the Fylde are to get a boost with a new service to Manchester Victoria.

Doncaster Free Press

• BREAKING NEWS: Doncaster rail firm 'axes 500 jobs'A DONCASTER-based rail company is to axe 500 jobs according to trade unions.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Airline to axe routeBudget airline Flybe is to close its ground base at Norwich International Airport and axe flights to Dublin next year, putting 45 jobs at risk.

The Shields Gazette

• Government bid to save Nissan jobsTHE Government is working with car manufacturer Nissan to save South Tyneside workers' jobs after the plant partially suspended work.

International Herald Tribune

• Danish warship rescues piratesA Danish warship on patrol to thwart piracy in the Gulf of Aden ended up rescuing seven of its presumed prey when its crew found suspected Somali pirates adrift this week with a broken motor on their speedboat, the Danish Navy said Friday.
• Lufthansa clears hurdle in bid for Austria AirlinesThe Austrian government said it would sell its stake in its flag carrier in a deal that would make Lufthansa the biggest airline in Europe.
• Cruise ship adrift in AntarcticaThe Argentine Navy said Thursday that a cruise ship carrying 122 people was adrift and taking on water in Antarctica, but was no danger of sinking.

Washington Post

• Reluctance to Help Detroit Reeks of Class Bias It has happened repeatedly in the last several weeks -- well-paid, well-known journalists questioning the wisdom of
• White House, Democrats Haggle Over Automaker Aid Talks continued yesterday between the White House and congressional Democrats over a plan to speed at least $15 billion in emergency loans to ailing Detroit automakers, with the two sides haggling over what conditions the car companies must meet before they get the money.
• Automakers Face Costly Road to Cut Unpopular Brands The Frank Kent Hummer dealership -- complete with an indoor waterfall and a massive curved roof reminiscent of an aircraft hanger -- opened in Fort Worth in the spring of 2005 with hopes as high as the giant
• With time short, Congress tries to seal auto deal WASHINGTON -- Racing to seal a deal with the White House, Democratic congressional leaders dispatched aides Saturday to draft an emergency $15 billion aid package to pull Detroit's Big Three automakers from the brink of collapse.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Congestion on urban roads 'remains steady'Average person journey times on urban roads in England remained steady in 2007-08 compared with the previous year, official figures show.Government data on congestion on urban roads reveals that statistics for 2007-08 shows that the average person journey time was four minutes ten seconds per mile last year, similar to 2006-07.According to the Department for Transport report, average journey times were six second per mile (2.2 per cent) faster when compared to the baseline, while on aggregate the number of person miles travelled decreased three per cent since the baseline.Personal journey time...

Railnews

• News: Rail freight set to overtake road freight in France LEGISLATION proposed by the French government will increase the percentage of freight that is not transported by road from 14 per cent to 25 per cent by 2012 — and will also reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2020.

Aviation Industry

• Texas Airport Offers KaraokeHouston's Bush International Airport is offering karaoke for travelers.
• Ryanair attempts to win over merger opposition Airline meets with Irish transport minister read more
• Continental Airlines announces daily non-stop service between Frankfurt and Houston (press release) Continental Airlines today announced that it will launch a daily nonstop service between Frankfurt and its Houston, Texas hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport effective from 2 November, 2009 (westbound), subject to government approval read more
• ANALYSIS: Mergers loom large again ABTN editor Stanley Slaughter takes a closer look at airline consolidation read more

Other News Sources

• Youngsters choose cars above eco-friendly transport optionsWashington, Dec 7 : A new research has determined that young people find the prospect of driving cars more attractive than other modes of travel that are more environment friendly.
• Government's motorway plans slammed on network's 50th anniversaryPlans to boost Britain's motorway capacity through hard shoulder running were criticised today on the fiftieth anniversary of the motorway network.
• Maersk Line lays up eight containershipsMaersk Line has announced plans to lay up eight containerships in response to a downturn in volumes.
• TNT cuts fleet to stave off slumpTNT is taking
• Airbus poised to rethink A350 galley design after customer backlash Airbus could be set for a major design U-turn in a key area of the A350...
• EU agrees 10% 'green fuel' target in renewables dealThe EU has struck a deal to satisfy 10% of its transport fuel needs from renewable sources, including biofuels, hydrogen and green electricity, as part of ongoing negotiations on its energy and climate package. The move represents a step back from the original aim of sourcing 10% of the bloc's transport fuels from biofuels alone.
• Car-free West End lures shoppersCar-free West End lures shoppers
• Gatwick Express launches extension to Brighton (press release) On 15 December 2008 a new service for Gatwick Express will be introduced, which extends the service to Brighton. This new service will comprise of six extended services in the morning and evening read more

EIN News Subscription

• Eurotunnel wants firefighting change ... rules that stipulate that any cross-Channel passenger train must be capable of being divided in ... tunnels capacity for car and truck shuttles, Eurostar passenger trains and cross-Channel freight trains are ... to the service tunnel between the two rail-running tunnels within five minutes. The air then ...
• TEN-Ts: Commission finances over €1.7 billion in railway projects ... TEN-Ts: Commission finances over 1.7 billion in railway projects Vice-President Antonio Tajani responsible for Transport signed today 11 financing decisions under the ... the medium term by creating the core rail network that will sustain Europe's competitiveness and ...
• European Parliament capitulates on biofuel deal ... source securing almost complete victory. Representatives of EU members states, the European Parliament and the ... of 10 percent of the EU's road transport fuel from renewable forms of energy by ... would provide a general incentive to electrify railways, the negotiator's maths was optimistic. When proposing ...
• Aer Lingus says investors will back it vs Ryanair ... before giving its opinion. Ryanair, which is Europe's biggest budget airline and already owns nearly 30 percent of ... in 2006 but was thwarted by an EU ruling that it would create a near ...
• Private jet market bucking economic head winds ... is Breeze of the market for private jet travel that his Portugal-based company has placed ... will travel to more than 1,000 European airports. Breeze said his customers don't care about ... growth in business jet travel? "Executive productivity, security, and reliability of service vis-a-vis airlines," Arvai ...
• Brown gets ready for triple whammy in June ... the level of Britain's commitment to the EU. Some are contending that the anti-government vote ... for a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport. Given that all trans-Atlantic flights to and ... the negative response of Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary. "The last time I looked, I ...
• One Flight in Two will Risk Delays or Cancellation by 2030 ... 2030, climate change and a lack of airport capacity will mean that one flight in ... in the future - because of maturing European markets and higher fuel-related costs - demand ... of people and goods, and the air transport industry has a key role to play ...
• Much must change if drivers are to give up their cars ... mobility represents a way of thinking most European and North American cities consider antiquated and ... who do need to drive. Extensive public transport is important, but equally necessary is the ... cent, travel on public transport increased and air quality improved. The Salik system in Dubai ...
• BA's global ambitions prepared for take off ... Walsh in May, telling MPs on the Transport Committee why he had pressed ahead with ... and the former pilot now running British Airways is once again playing the percentages game. ... lagging both Air France and Lufthansa in European consolidation." Mr Walsh is adamant he can ...
• There's turbulence ahead ... A jumbo-sized deal is in the air as the industry turns sour, so what ... guests in the giant showroom of the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus sat their prize. After ... first- and business-class travellers. The International Air Transport Association predicts combined losses of more than ...
• Downturn keeping travelers at home ... with the same month last year. Global air travel also has fallen off as the ... economies around the world. The International Air Transport Association says international passenger traffic declined 1.3 ... the U.S. and any point in the EU. "There's more capacity now with Open Skies ...