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

Saturday, 15 June 2024

BBC News

• Boeing plane investigated after 'Dutch roll'Air regulators are investigating new issues with Boeing planes.
• Rail and tram works to cause summer disruptionCommuters are urged to check travel information as major summer works start in the city centre.
• More regular and low-emission buses plannedMore frequent bus services and zero-emission vehicles have been promised by a council.
• Why are free bus passes hitting the headlines in NI?Free bus and train passes for over-60s are staying in Northern Ireland - but there is concern about a new fee for first-time applicants.
• Train-maker Alstom wins £370m Elizabeth line orderTrain-maker Alstom has signed a contract worth £370m to build trains for London's Elizabeth line.

Department for Transport

• Government confirms funding for TfL to procure new Elizabeth Line trainsThe new trains will allow TfL to increase capacity on the network in the coming years.

Financial Times

• Boeing and Airbus bought plane sections with falsely certified metal US air safety regulators are investigating scope and impact of issue that started with titanium originating in China
• Shipping boss stands down after Singapore refuses visa over Russia sanctionsMove by CEO of Red Box Energy Services comes after company was designated by US Treasury

The Telegraph

• Richard Branson doubles down on luxury travel as he expands business empire. [subscription]Sir Richard Branson is planning to open a rooftop gym at Heathrow and launch new hotels, cruises and flights as his Virgin Group bets on the luxury leisure sector to drive growth.

Times Online

• Ferrovial reaches deal to reduce stake in HeathrowThe Spanish construction company has signed an agreement with Ardian and the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia but retains a residual stake
• Alstom’s Derby factory saved with £370m train contract. [subscription]Government confirms deal for ten more trains for London’s Elizabeth line

Local Government

• A breath of fresh air, get the bus for FREE on 20 June for Clean Air Day!Anyone starting their bus journey in Portsmouth can catch the bus for free on Thursday 20 June 2024 for Clean Air Day.

Derby Telegraph

• Alstom signs £370m deal and train making in Derby is savedThere has been a collective sigh of relief from all those campaigning to save the city's rail heritage

London Evening Standard

• The Standard View: Should Transport for London's gravy train hit the buffers?Statutory corporation or gravy train? Transport for London paid an astonishing 1,319 staff £100,000 or more in the last financial year, nearly twice the figure in the previous 12 months.

Carlisle News & Star

• How a bys scheme in Cumbria gets elderly residents exploringThe latest Grand Day Out, hosted by Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, was a success in spite of the dreary weather on the day.

Other Regional Press

• Powys company adds new buses to its fleet of vehiclesMachynlleth based bus company, Lloyds Coaches, have added some new vehicles to their fleet that will entering their service in the next few weeks.
• Transport for Wales adds extra train on Powys' Cambrian lineAn extra train will be run on the Cambrian Line in Powys year-round after public feedback to Transport for Wales' last set of plans..
• Work on new Greater Manchester train station will 'begin soon' - where and when it will be builtIt follows a recent council report which shared that ’the project team achieved planning permission for Cheadle Rail Station in 2023/24’ and are ’progressing towards construction on-site.’ The work will mark the beginning of a major infrastructure upgrade in Cheadle, and one which is set to help transform the area by improving transport links to Stockport town centre and beyond.

Bikebiz

• Cycling UK calls on political candidates to pledge support to safer, greener transportCycling UK has written to all main prospective party candidates asking them to commit to six manifesto asks to enable people to live happier, healthier and greener lives through cycling.

British Trams Online

• More Metrocars scrappedThe wait for the new Stadler bult trains to enter service on the Tyne and Wear Metro may be continuing (although we have at least seen daylight testing get underway) but that has not stopped more of the original Metrocars head away from Gosforth Depot to be scrapped. Since we last reported on scrappings a further three have now gone.

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Transport manifestos for General Election and how to boost UK merchant shipping, S2, Ep 22Christian and Mark Walker look at the main UK parties' General Election manifesto pledges on transport with Labour's hot off the press [1:35]. Nautilus International General Secretary Mark Dickinson speaks to Christian about his union's manifesto for a thriving merchant shipping industry in the UK [15:17]. Christian recounts his cycling tour of the Normandy liberation sites raising funds for veterans' charity SSAFA [48:29].

Other News Sources

• Ardian, Saudi's PIF to buy 37.6% stake in Heathrow, Ferrovial keeps 5% Infrastructure giant Ferrovial said on Friday it had reached a new agreement with French private equity fund Ardian and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) to sell the bulk of its 25% stake in Heathrow airport while keeping 5.25%.
• Unite welcomes Alstom new train announcement in DerbyUnite, the UK’s leading union, has welcomed the long awaited announcement of a major new order that will preserve jobs at the Derby train maker Alstom.
• Sadiq Khan eyes boost in Night Tube services for peak hoursThe number of Night Tube services during the ’peak’ period after midnight could be boosted, Sadiq Khan has revealed.
• Night Tube could have more trains at 'busiest' hour post-midnight, Sadiq Khan revealsThe number of Night Tube services during the ’peak’ period after midnight could be boosted, Sadiq Khan has revealed.
• What transport policies could improve the UK’s productivity?Towns and cities with effective transport within and between them host more productive businesses, which can pay higher wages. But with too few of such places, the UK suffers from low productivity. Making the transport investments we need locally instead of according to national plans would help.