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

Tuesday, 12 November 2019

BBC News

• Heads of the Valleys road upgrade: Gilwern to Brynmawr delaysThe completion date is pushed back for the second time this year, prompting anger from some locals.
• Climate change: British Airways reviews 'fuel-tankering' over climate concernsA British Airways insider has revealed airlines deliberately fill planes with extra fuel to cut costs.
• Uber CEO calls Jamal Khashoggi murder 'serious mistake'Dara Khosrowshahi compared the journalist's killing to his company's failings with self-driving cars.

Financial Times

• Boeing shares jump after update on 737 Max progressCompany said it was ‘possible’ jet deliveries to airline customers could begin in December
• Uber is treated as a modern utility by regulatorsDebates about intervening against young tech companies are becoming more contentious

The Guardian

• Bristol’s diesel car ban is a step in the right direction - LettersWhile welcoming the news of Bristol city council’s ban on private diesel cars, James Cleeton says more radical measures are needed to tackle the climate crisis. Plus John Loader points out that Bristol’s trains use diesel engines

Times Online

• HS2: What are the main controversies? [subscription]What might be the benefits of HS2?
• Full speed ahead for HS2 or passengers will face rising fares [subscription]The early draft of the HS2 review seen by The Times recommends that ministers proceed with the full Y-shaped line as it stands, connecting London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.
• Taxi drivers used secret remote to overcharge passengers [subscription]Taxi drivers have been secretly using a remote control to increase fares, including one driver who charged 280 passengers an extra €9, a court has been told.
• HS2 is a subject Boris Johnson can no longer tiptoe around [subscription]It is Europe’s biggest infrastructure project and was conceived to increase capacity on Britain’s rail network and help bridge the North-South divide.
• Sadiq Khan should ‘force Uber to comply with employment law’ [subscription]The mayor of London should force Uber to comply with employment law as a condition of renewing its licence, lawyers have said.
• HS2 will boost north despite soaring costs [subscription]The HS2 rail project should go ahead despite costs ballooning to £88 billion and a dramatic drop in the benefit to taxpayers, according to a review of the scheme seen by The Times.

City AM

• Easyjet prepares to take more Thomas Cook market share via package holiday businessEasyjet is gearing up to reveal the details of its upcoming package holiday subsidiary, as the industry scrambles to fill the gap in the market left after the collapse of Thomas Cook.
• Boeing shares soar as it forecasts January return for 737 MaxBoeing shares took off this afternoon after the company said it expected US regulators to approve its grounded 737 Max model to return to service in January.
• HS2 'fundamental' to hitting UK emissions target, says lobby groupThe HS2 rail project is “fundamental” to the UK hitting its net zero emissions target by 2050, according to a report commissioned by rail industry bosses.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Cheaper bus travel with Pink MCardBus travellers in West Yorkshire can save £1.50 on their journeys with MCard by topping up a Pink MCard in advance.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Trains aren't running on the Conwy Valley line again - here's why you'll have to get a busTransport for Wales bosses blame the situation on a shortage of trains

Cambridge News

• Labour likely to scrap Oxford-Cambridge road link in election manifestoThey will however commit to a direct rail line and an A428 upgrade

Lancashire Telegraph

• The Preston City Transport Plan: New Ribble Bridge, more railway stations and moreThe plans are not short term, and they are ambitious, but could be key to move the city away from car dependency

Leeds Live

• Rise of Uber is making it harder to keep taxi passengers safe, meeting hearsRapes in taxis have more than doubled in Leeds between 2015 and 2018

Airportwatch

• Many Black Friday airline deals won’t save you money, tourists warned [subscription]Air passengers have been warned against falling for Black Friday travel deals after an investigation found that many offers were “exaggerated or non-existent”.

Rail Advent

• Transport for Wales accredited as Living Wage EmployerTransport for Wales has announced that it has been accredited as a Living Wage Employer.

Aviation Industry

• Qantas Group aims to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050 Qantas has set ambitious new emission reduction targets and several other measures as it looks to ramp up its sustainability efforts. read more
• AerCap CEO: MAX phased return should not flood marketAirlines will manage the capacity spike that the Boeing 737 MAX’s return will create, helped in part by what is shaping up to be a phased return, AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly said. read more
• MAX approval could still happen this year, Boeing saysBoeing has completed one of three key simulator review sessions required to validate its changes to the 737 MAX, and the US manufacturer maintains that initial regulatory approvals and resumption of deliveries could still happen by year-end 2019. read more

Other News Sources

• Oakervee review backs full HS2 projectThe Oakervee review into HS2 is recommending that the project go ahead in full despite ballooning costs.
• Hundreds take part in consultation over plans to remove Aberdeen bus gateMore than 450 households have responded to a consultation into the potential removal of a bus gate.
• Britain’s rail regions take on more responsibility for project deliveryNetwork Rail’s new geographic regions will now take on accountability for the delivery of projects within their region as part of the company’s transformation.
• Fears rise over Heathrow rail link delayA planned rail link to Heathrow Airport will not be completed until 2030.
• ISLAND LINE SUSPENDED AGAIN AS AGEING TRAIN FAILS Island Line services have been suspended this afternoon (Monday) as a result of a fault with the only train running on the network.
• Cabbies’ anger on first day of their new rankTAXI drivers said they were “furious and helplessâ€� on the first day of a controversial new rank.