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

Wednesday, 21 August 2024

BBC News

• Driverless passenger vehicles begin Highland trialsA four-seater vehicle is at Inverness Airport while a larger shuttle is to travel around a UHI campus.
• Peak-time fare scheme scrapped over passenger numbersPeak-time fares will return and increase from the end of September following a pilot project.
• UK holidaymakers face €7 EU visa waiver next summerThe EU is planning to introduce its €7 EU visa waiver for British holidaymakers by next summer.
• No date for trains running at Grand CentralThe station will open to bus passengers next month but train disruption will continue for longer.
• Bogus QR codes found on council car park machinesTrafford Council has warned drivers about scammers determined
• City centre tram services to pause for tracks upgradeEssential track replacement work will affect services between two stops in Manchester city centre.

Financial Times

• The US-backed railway sparking a battle for African copperWashington's support for a minerals train connecting the DRC to the Atlantic illustrates its desire to compete with China

The Guardian

• Scottish government under fire as it brings back peak rail faresDecision to end year-long pilot scheme for financial reasons condemned by trade unions and opposition parties

The Herald

• “Entirely out of reach" passengers react to rail price hikeThe Scottish Government’s scheme to subsidise ScotRail fares is coming to an end after 12 months of no peak fares, and passenger numbers only increasing by 6.8%, rather than the 10% the government aimed for. The Herald spoke with commuters at Glasgow Queen Street on Tuesday about the end to the scheme.

The Independent

• Fare-dodging: Simon Calder reveals the inside story on the rules on rail tickets and how they are enforcedChief magistrate insists 74,000 fines for alleged fare-dodging on the railway should be quashed – but efforts continue to catch passengers without valid tickets

The Telegraph

• Why the Tories should not be attacking SNP for scrapping off-peak rail fare ’freebie’ [subscription]Anybody who thinks subsidy is coming back also probably thinks there really is a Santa Claus
• Rail union requests 38 days’ holiday and 35-hour week for its members [subscription]Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association asks for increase in number of days off after 14pc pay rise for drivers approved by DfT
• Hire more of our members to avert strikes, union chiefs tell rail bosses [subscription]Aslef says LNER could avoid industrial action by hiring drivers being let go by Royal Mail

Times Online

• Warning over economy as peak rail fares to return [subscription]SNP ministers criticised for decision to scrap pilot scheme which saw an increase in rail passengers
• Warning over economy as peak rail fares to return [subscription]SNP ministers criticised for decision to scrap pilot scheme which saw an increase in rail passengers
• City airport may help others to take flight. [subscription]The government’s decision to lift the cap on permitted passengers at London City airport is a compromise that could be a template for future growth

i News

• You’re not imagining it, train Wi-Fi really is badA perfect storm of factors makes getting connected to online spreadsheets and websites tricky while hurtling through the countryside

Network Rail

• Deer-oh-deer: trespassing on our railwayDid you know that the deer is the most common type of animal to trespass on our railway? Well, trespassing – by animals or humans – causes countless minutes of delays and disruptions to your journeys.

Birmingham Mail

• I visited the place with the most complaints about HS2 but found baffled residentsMeriden villagers baffled by number of complaints about HS2 construction

Birmingham Post

• Locals to have their say on MIX MANCHESTER science and manufacturing campus next to Manchester AirportPlan for 'UK's first airport-based science, innovation, and manufacturing campus'

Cambridge News

• Locals say they have 'zero faith' in Cambridge light rail plansProposals for a £700 million light rail route in Cambridge have inspired incredulity and alternative suggestions among locals. The ’Isaac Newton Line’ was put forward by Cambridge Connect earlier this month.

Other Regional Press

• Sam Rowlands MS is urging people to share their views on public transport in North WalesSAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is asking his constituents to take part in his online North Wales Transport Survey.
• How to get to Heathrow Airport as rail link is put on holdHolidaymakers and those going away for business trips who don't have a car can still get to Heathrow from Slough and other towns in Berkshire, despite the lack of a direct train to the airport.

Railway Gazette

• Welsh government sets out rail reform prioritiesUK: The Welsh government’s priorities for rail reform have been discussed in a meeting between Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Transport & North Wales Ken Skates and UK government Rail Minister Lord Hendy.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Bus sector seen to be making more of leisure marketBus operators are better grasping the role of tourism in attracting more passengers, believes the Chief Executive of transport portal Great Scenic Journeys.
• Growing Euro Bus Expo momentum illustrates trade show appetiteEuro Bus Expo is back at the NEC Birmingham in November. The three-day flagship event will represent a return for the UK’s only coach and bus trade show on the biennial frequency that was adopted after extensive engagement with the industry.

Other News Sources

• Rail safety challenges for the new governmentThe Rail Accident and Incident Board (RAIB) has issued its annual report for the calendar year 2023.
• Councils accused of ’penny pinching’ over transportA think-tank has accused councils of ’penny pinching at the cost of older people’s wellbeing’ over public transport.