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

Wednesday, 14 February 2024

BBC News

• Doncaster-Sheffield Airport reopening moves step closer after voteDoncaster-Sheffield Airport could be a step closer to being reopened, after plans to progress with an outline business case for the move were agreed.
• Work to demolish Exeter's former bus station beginsDemolition work to remove Exeter's former bus station has begun, the city council has confirmed.
• Landslip-blocked train line reopens after repairsEmergency repairs have been completed, but Network Rail warn services will still be affected.

ITV News

• Fresh hopes for Doncaster Sheffield airport reopening after £138m of taxpayers money unlockedThe reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport has taken a "massive step forward" according to South Yorkshire's Mayor, after it was agreed to unlock millions of pounds of taxpayers' money to help pay for it.

Financial Times

• Valentine's Day strike to hit Uber, Deliveroo and Just Eat as workers unite over payIndustrial action expected in the US, Canada and the UK in crucial parts of the gig economy

Times Online

• What went wrong at Boeing and should passengers be worried? [subscription]Two fatal crashes and one blown-off door plug are making holidaymakers skittish. Here’s what the latest revelations mean for your trip — and how to book in confidence
• Bill for unplanned CalMac maintenance up £800k in ’colossal scandal’. [subscription]The ferry operator spent £3.85m on unscheduled work between April and November last year, freedom of information disclosure shows
• Tui bids auf wiedersehen to London. [subscription]Shareholders overwhelmingly back exit as travel company reports record first-quarter revenues and earnings

City AM

• Lyft stock surges over 15 per cent on cost reductions despite forecast error drama Lyft's stock surged over 15% in extended trading as the ride-sharing company projected achieving positive free cash flow for the year. However, enthusiasm waned after Lyft disclosed an error in its press release, injecting drama.

Local Government

• Transport Scotland ferry vouchers going electronicConcessionary travellers who've moved recently are urged to check their address is up to date

Belfast Telegraph

• Transport unions give Department of Infrastructure ’two weeks’ to resolve pay disputeThe Department for Infrastructure and Translink have been “given two weeks” to present a pay rise to unions, otherwise strike action by public transport workers will go ahead at the end of the month.

Birmingham Post

• Cardiff Airport on a return for Qatar Airways, passenger growth and its financial healthThe airport's chief executive Spencer Birns said the target of getting back to its pre-Covid annual passenger number of 1.6 million still stands
• Scrapping HS2's northern leg 'could help bus services', Prime Minister says as he visits depot'Every penny from HS2 in the North, almost £20 billion, is going to stay in the North'
• The Go-Ahead Group snaps up Sussex scenic bus tour operatorIn a separate deal the company has also completed the sale of its German rail business to ÖBB, the Austrian national rail operator

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• £4.2 investment for the Horton-in-Ribblesdale StationA £4.2 million investment has been announced for a Dales station on the Settle to Carlisle line.

Liverpool Echo

• Merseyrail fares to be frozen for six monthsMetro Mayor Steve Rotheram said the move would protect passengers from cost of living pressures

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• North East devolution deal offers opportunities to improve transport systemsGateshead Council leader Martin Gannon outlines his hopes for the new North East mayoral authority

Yorkshire Post

• Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Greens claim 'failed' airport should not reopen during climate emergencyAlmost £140m of taxpayers’ money should not be spent reopening a “failed” airport during a climate emergency, the leader of the Green Party in Sheffield has claimed.
• The future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Interview with Mayor Oliver CoppardThe Local Democracy Reporting Service discusses upcoming funding and political tensions with the Mayor of South Yorkshire amidst the ongoing negotiations to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
• £1bn transport announcement event held by Ben Houchen cost taxpayer £5,500An event held by Ben Houchen to announce his transport policy cost the taxpayer £5,500, a Freedom of Information request by The Yorkshire Post has revealed.
• West Yorkshire mass transit system 'not possible with existing Victorian rail network'A proposed mass transit system for West Yorkshire will provide transport links not possible with the existing “Victorian rail network”.

South Wales Argus

• FlixBus expansion set to create 22 jobs at Newport TransportTHE expansion of an airport bus service run by Newport Transport will create 22 new jobs.

Other Regional Press

• Case for Croydon tram extension to Sutton considered 'weak' so new London bus routes are coming insteadProponents of the scheme say it is vital that Sutton is connected to the wider Tube and tram network
• 'Plan for increased use of public transport is fundamentally flawed' - Sarah Atherton MPLast week marked the one-year anniversary of the Welsh Labour Government’s Roads Review. The Welsh Government’s Road Review scrapped some of the most high-profile road building schemes in Wales. For Wrexham, this meant that the A483 Wrexham Bypass Junctions 3 to 6 scheme to reduce congestion was scrapped in a bid for the Welsh Government to cut car use, get us on our bikes and force us on infrequent bus services.
• Nottingham City Transport Acquires First 12 of 48 Zero-Emission BusesUnited Kingdom-based transit company Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has acquired a total of 48 Yutong E12 and E10 electric zero-emission vehicles, supplied by the Yorkshire company Pelican.
• Doncaster Sheffield Airport to reopen with £138million funding packageDoncaster Sheffield Robin Hood Airport will reopen
• Birmingham Airport inquiry after dozens of staff miss vital trainingAn investigation is under way after it emerged dozens of security staff had missed essential training
• New railway station proposed for Coventry to 'improve public transport' for the regionThere are plans for a new station in Binley and Willenhall to connect the Coventry and Rugby line

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Featuring Surrey's pioneering hydrogen buses and celebrating forgotten WW2 rail heroes [S2,E14]Christian sees for himself the hydrogen-powered bus fleet introduced through the pioneering partnership between Surrey County Council and Metrobus [01:30] before discussing with Mark Walker the findings of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee on the cancellation of the northern sections of HS2 [30:47]. Listeners then receive an update on Christian's new book - 'The Liberation Line' - which reveals the exciting yet forgotten story of the Allied engineers who rebuilt the railways of Normandy and beyond after D-Day to accelerate the defeat of Nazi Germany [30:05]. Finally, Christian notes the failed promises and ultimate demise of hyperloop [39:28].

New Civil Engineer

• Manchester Airport cuts back growth target following HS2 North cancellationManchester Airports Group (MAG) has scaled back its capacity growth target for Manchester Airport in the wake of the cancellation of High Speed 2 (HS2) north of Birmingham.

Rail Advent

• New electric trains begin operating in West MidlandsNew Class 730 trains have begun operating on the Wolverhampton to Walsall via Birmingham route.

Railnews

• New trains enter service on West Midlands Railway The first unit in West Midlands Railway's new fleet of Class 730 electric trains went into service last night. The Class 730s have been built by Alstom at Derby, and consist of 48 three-car sets.

Railway Gazette

• Contactless PAYG launched in South WalesUK: Transport for Wales has launched a contactless card Pay-As-You-Go pilot project covering journeys between Cardiff Central, Newport and Pontyclun.

Other News Sources

• Riding the Green Rails: Electrifying Growth of the Hybrid Train MarketThe hybrid train market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing emphasis on sustainable transportation solutions and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the railway sector. Hybrid trains combine traditional diesel engines with electric propulsion systems, allowing for improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and lower operating costs compared to conventional diesel-powered trains.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.5% during 2022-2030The Global Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train Market 2030 that centers around Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train Market examines the significant components with a top to bottom methodology and empowers the client to survey the drawn-out based interest additionally predicts explicit executions. This report gives subjective investigation, clarifying item scope and expounding Market experiences and standpoint.
• Wabtec Leads the Charge in Rail Decarbonization with Breakthrough Partnerships and InnovationsWabtec Corporation is driving the future of rail transportation with decarbonization initiatives, including partnerships for modernizations and exploration of alternative fuels. The company is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, revolutionizing the mining industry and promoting greener transportation solutions.
• Hybrid Trains: The Future of Sustainable and Efficient Railway TransportationThe hybrid train market is projected to reach US$ 23.4 billion by 2024, driven by government initiatives and a focus on sustainability. Hybrid trains offer improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and lower costs, making them the future of railway transportation.
• Electric Bus Market Hits USD 439,679.5 Million by 2031, with a 29.5% CAGR From 2022 to 2031According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Electric Bus Market," The global electric bus market was valued at $35,291.0 million in 2021, and is projected to reach $439,679.5 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 29.5% from 2022 to 2031.
• Can the Government Create a Green Hydrogen Fuel Industry?World leaders promote hydrogen as a possible low-emissions fuel for transportation and industry. Nations have announced hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies to support development and supply of hydrogen. But will governments be able to create a new green hydrogen fuel industry?
• Unplanned rolling stock procurementIn July, the Railway Industry Association (RIA) published its report ’The UK Rolling Stock Industry – making 2023 the year of opportunity not crisis’. This showed how ’boom and bust’ train procurement resulted in factory closures and downsized the UK’s train upgrade capability. Furthermore, as in any industry, such large variations in demand leads to inefficiency, and higher cost.
• £4.2m project begins at North Yorkshire railway stationEngineers have started on a £4.2m project at Horton-in-Ribblesdale railway station on the Settle and Carlisle line.

News from Europe

• Improve EU passenger rights with more practical bus and coach rulesIRU’s EU passenger transport members have approved the organisation’s position on the EU Passenger Mobility Package.
• Spanish government approves sustainable transport billThe Spanish government has approved a bill that would allow councils to introduce tolls for the first time in order to reduce pollution.
• Deutsche Bahn: Ambitious Plans for ModernizationThe German carrier Deutsche Bahn confirms its ambitious plans for passenger transport modernization, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.