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

Sunday, 02 August 2009

The Observer

• Don't let the defeatists and cynics talk down Britain's need for speed There are 3,480 miles of railway in operation in Europe where trains can travel at 150 miles an hour or more. Another 2,160 miles are under construction. Yet another 5,280 miles are planned. More than 10,000 miles in all. Britain has just 68 miles and the planning for more began a mere six months ago. It's humiliating. In this key 21st-century capability, Britain is a banana republic.

The Telegraph

• Children escape bus fireball on motorwayMore than 60 daytrippers many of them children had a narrow escape when their packed doubledecker bus burst into flames on the M3 motorway in Hampshire.

Times Online

• Bank of England urged to extend quantitative easingThe Bank of England™s monetary policy committee (MPC), which meets this week, is under pressure from economists and business to extend its policy of œquantitative easing, or creating money.
• The best small cruise ships afloatFollow our cruise news on Twitter
• Flights missed in Ryanair chaos at Stanstead airportTHE host of the BBC™s Question Time, David Dimbleby, was among hundreds of holidaymakers who missed their flights from Stansted airport yesterday after Ryanair, the cut-price airline, failed to open enough check-in desks.

Daily Express

• BA in bid to avert strikeBeleaguered British Airways is set to resume talks with cabin crew, baggage handlers and administrative staff in the next two weeks as it strives to reach a deal with them on pay and job cuts.
• Calls for five new high-speed lines BRITAIN needs a network of five new high-speed rail lines to cope with expected demand, according to the organisation set up to examine the case for superfast rail services.
• When there's trouble in paradise No baggage means that there are problems ahead DonHolidays are rarely without hiccups whether they are minor, like a scratched hire car, or major, such as a cancelled flight. With more of us foregoing package tours to book holidays independently, we can no longer rely on calling the local holiday rep to sort out problems. Many complaints can only be resolved after holidaymakers return home, but it pays to know your rights. HOLLY THOMAS reports

The Mirror

• Plane goes missing over IndonesiaA plane carrying 16 people has disappeared over eastern Indonesia, an airline official said.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• City alliance 'is key to good bus service' LEEDS should form a powerful alliance with other large cities to force the country's major bus companies to improve services and re-instate axed routes.

Washington Post

• 'Cash for clunkers' rebates survive _ for weekend WASHINGTON -- Attention car buyers: There's still time to get in on the

Other News Sources

• Nissan rolls out electric carNissan rolls out electric car
• Low-cost rail travel ’complicated’Britain’s complicated network of rail companies are fares makes it difficult to get hold of low-cost train tickets, an industry watchdog said this week. London TravelWatch, which represents the interests of public transport users in the capital, said many long-distance travelers miss out on the best deals because they have to be booked weeks in advance. “With [...]
• London businesses to pay 2p supplement for CrossrailBusinesses in London will pay a 2p Business Rate Supplement from April 2010 to help fund Crossrail, the Greater London Authority (GLA) proposes.
• Green light Nottingham tram extension - with workplace parking levy to make it payThe government has this morning approved £530M of funding for extensions to the Nottingham tram, and also sanctioned Britain™s first workplace parking levy which will fund the city council™s contribution to the scheme.
• Autoquake.com Reveals Black As The UK's Most Popular Car ColourResearch by Autoquake.com into its website users' behaviour shows black to be the current favoured colour for car buyers
• Working with an Attorney Following a Car AccidentMost adults will be involved in a car accident at least once in their lifetimes. And most people in motor vehicle crashes will make one very critical mistake: they won't contact an attorney.