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

Wednesday, 24 April 2024

BBC News

• Electric bus and river taxi schemes to launchAn electric bus service and a river taxi are set to launch this summer in a bid to improve a town’s transport links.
• Wales' 20mph overhaul to start in SeptemberProcess to revert some roads from 20mph to 30 to begin in the autumn, minister says.
• Heathrow staff to strike over outsourcing disputeSome 800 workers, including trolley staff and security guards, plan to walk out from 7 to 13 May.

Financial Times

• Tesla shares rise on plans to accelerate launch of 'more affordable' modelsElon Musk-led electric vehicle maker’s stock jumps after-hours despite reporting a fall in quarterly revenue

The Guardian

• Rail route of the month: vines on the line from Avignon to Lyon, FranceOur slow travel expert takes the train through the Rhône’s wine country, hoping for grand cru views and a glass of Condrieu

The Scotsman

• Edinburgh Airport installs first of new 3D scanners that will mean passengers can leave liquids, laptops and tablets in hand luggageThe 3D scanners will mean passengers no longer need to remove liquids and electronic devices from their hand luggage at Edinburgh Airport
• Why SNP's national integrated ticketing system for public transport looks likely to end in total failure – Dr Richard DixonScotland has tried for years to bring in tickets that allow people to travel by multiple trains, trams and buses but, for some reason, it seems to be too difficult

The Telegraph

• Heathrow urges Jeremy Hunt to rethink ‘anti-growth’ tourist tax [subscription]Heathrow airport bosses have urged the Chancellor to rethink the “anti-growth” tourist tax to boost Britain’s economy after the winter recession.

City AM

• Heathrow Airport hits historic footfall but urges UK to ‘rethink anti-growth policies’ like tourist taxThe busiest start to a year in its history has seen London’s Heathrow Airport turn a £83m profit through the first three months of 2024.
• Buzzbike completes funding round after e-bike subscription demand soars sevenfold Buzzbike has announced the completion of its latest funding round after it saw a sevenfold rise in demand for its e-bike subscription service.
• Have we passed peak electric car? Electric cars have not become better or cheaper fast enough, and without rapid improvements the market will run out of road, says Paul Ormerod This week I got rid of my electric car.  As a car, it was a pleasure to drive.  I also enjoyed the fact that it disconcerted at least some of my [...]
• Tesla’s stock skyrockets 13 per cent after announcing speedier launch of ‘more affordable’ models Tesla's stock soared by over 13 per cent in after-hours trading, marking a significant rebound from its lowest point in 15 months.

Birmingham Mail

• 'Tension' in Kings Heath as 'vandals' target LTN bollards and locals say 'I'd rather you didn't'The LTN scheme has divided opinion since it was implemented in 2020 - but locals say their roads have been made unsafe by 'vandals' removing bollards

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Scale of passenger delays at Leeds Bradford Airport revealedThe average flight from Leeds Bradford Airport was delayed by more than 15 minutes last year, new figures show.

Bristol Live

• How cycling around Bristol could become safer after upcoming local electionsPlans include new bike lanes along bridges over the River Avon, and 20mph speed limits in many parts of the city

Daily Post (North Wales)

• New options being developed for A494 River Dee crossingTransport secretary Ken Skates confirmed the scheme will go ahead but with a new timeline and possibly a new design
• Wales' 20mph overhaul to start in September but critics complain 'nothing has changed'Transport secretary Ken Skates said the public will be encouraged to lobby their councils for change

Liverpool Echo

• 20mph roll out on 949 roads continues despite pleas to stopStudies suggest someone is five times more likely to be killed when hit by a car travelling at 30mph than one travelling at 20mph

Wales Online

• We put the big questions on changes to the 20mph law to Wales' new transport minister Ken SkatesWales' new transport minister Ken Skates is promising changes to Wales' controversial 20mph default speed limit in residential areas

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Mayoral candidates clash over police stations, transport and pledges at Express & Star hustingsThe two front runners in the race to be West Midlands Mayor clashed over controversial police station closures.

Other Regional Press

• Concerns over Heart of Wales Line reductionsJames Evans has voiced his concerns at Transport for Wales’ (TFW) plans to cut the amount of services on the Heart of Wales Line.

Coach and Bus Week

• Labour sets out plans for busesAhead of a general election, the Labour Party has set out how it sees the future for bus services across England
• Transport UK celebrates new EV routeTransport UK London Bus (formerly Abellio) celebrated the mobilisation of a new fully electric fleet on its Transport for London route 30

Rail Advent

• South Wales railway line welcomes new trainsMonday 22 April 2024 saw new Class 197 DMUs enter service on the Ebbw Vale Line, offering customers more comfortable seating and longer trains.

Aviation Industry

• Edinburgh Airport – VINCI to take a controlling interest; becomes second largest UK airport operatorQuietly and stealthily, the French airports operator VINCI - with more than 70 assets worldwide, the leading private sector operator - has been building its portfolio in the UK, while all eyes have been on its acquisitions elsewhere.

Other News Sources

• Heathrow Airport retail performance outstrips passenger growth in first quarterUK. London Heathrow Airport today posted first-quarter results with retail income climbing +12.8% year-on-year to £168 million (US$209 million). The performance outstripped passenger growth of +9.5% to 18.5 million.
• Heathrow upgrades annual passenger forecast despite strike warningsHeathrow has upgraded its annual passenger forecast to 82.4 million ahead of a predicted record summer.
• First battery hybrid trains by Siemens used in GermanyThe first four battery-powered trains from Siemens Mobility begin regular service, marking an important milestone in Germany.
• Nats chief assures transport committee ‘We are ready now’The head of National Air Traffic Services (Nats) has told MPs that the interim report on the air traffic control meltdown last August Bank Holiday “broadly concurred” with Nats own findings.
• This major UK city could trial free public transportGlaswegians aged 22 to 59 could be getting bus and subway travel on the house
• Self-driving shuttles, very light rail, and the future of local transportProjects in Sunderland and Shrewsbury are signs of a growing focus on developing new clean and cost-effective travel modes.

News from Europe

• Luxembourg’s free public transport to be extended across French border with new commuter schemeA new scheme will see French commuters able to get to their offices in Luxembourg without charge - and it offers environmental benefits too.