Public Transport news

• Pilots' union calls for laser pointers to be classed as offensive weapons

  15-02-2016 19:12
  
  British Airline Pilots Association says need to deal with handheld lasers being pointed at planes becoming ‘more and more urgent’ The body that represents airline pilots in the UK has called for handheld laser pointers to be classed as offensive weapons, after a Virgin Atlantic flight to the US was forced to return to Heathrow when its co-pilot was dazzled by a laser during takeoff.The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) said aircraft were being “attacked” by the d
  
  Read more

• London mayor: 'Boris' show rolls on amid press smears and fares fights

  15-02-2016 18:54
  
  As Boris Johnson’s mayoralty approaches its end he and his media allies have been doing their bit to help a fellow Tory succeed him
  Only 12 weeks of Boris Johnson’s mayoralty remain, but he’s flanneling just as strongly as his eight years of averageness idle to an end as he did when they began. On Sunday, he gave what may turn out to be his final testing interview before formally stepping down from the job he’s been giving such glancing attention to in recent months. &ldq
  
  Read more

• Virgin Atlantic laser incident: pilots' union demands action

  15-02-2016 13:52
  
  Balpa says lasers should be classified as offensive weapons after jet had to return to Heathrow, with co-pilot receiving treatmentA pilots’ union has called for more to be done to tackle the growing use of lasers against aircraft as it emerged a paramedic was called to examine the co-pilot of a Virgin Atlantic flight that was forced to turn back to Heathrow.The New York-bound flight returned to the airport in London as a precaution shortly after 8pm on Sunday, after it had passed over the
  
  Read more

• Lasers targeting planes: what we know about the growing problem

  15-02-2016 12:16
  
  After a laser beam forced a Virgin flight to return to Heathrow we look at the impact of previous incidentsThey are handheld and can be used on the move. They vary from the size of a small torch to as big as a pair of binoculars, and are more powerful than the typical laser used in a conference presentation. Related: Virgin Atlantic: pilots' union demands action after laser incident Shining a laser at an aircraft in flight could pose a serious safety risk and it is a criminal offence to do so. W
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Virgin Atlantic pilot informs air traffic control about laser incident – audio

  15-02-2016 11:40
  
  A Virgin Atlantic pilot communicates with air traffic control to inform him that the flight would return to Heathrow after another pilot fell ill following a laser incident on Sunday night. The flight, which left London bound for New York, had to turn back soon after it passed over the west coast of Ireland. Police are investigating reports that a laser was shone at the aircraftVirgin Atlantic: pilots’ union demands action after laser incident Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Virgin Atlantic: pilots' union demands action after laser incident

  15-02-2016 10:33
  
  British Airline Pilots Association says lasers should be classified as offensive weapon after beam forced jet’s return to HeathrowA pilots’ union has called for more to be done to tackle the growing use of lasers against aircraft after a New York-bound plane had to turn back to Heathrow.The Virgin Atlantic flight returned to the west London airport as a precaution after the co-pilot reported feeling unwell following the incident on Sunday.Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Virgin trains to increase Newcastle to London train services by four a day

  15-02-2016 01:00 via chroniclelive.co.uk
  
  Newcastle Evening Chronicle - North East commuters can expect a train every half hour between London and Edinburgh
  
  Read more

• Virgin flight returns to Heathrow after pilot dazzled by laser

  15-02-2016 01:00 via telegraph.feedsportal.com
  
  The Telegraph - Plane was a few minutes into flight to New York when it reported a medical issue and asked for permission to return before landing safely
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Virgin flight forced to return to Heathrow after laser beam incident

  15-02-2016 01:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The Guardian - The Virgin Atlantic flight bound for New York turned back soon after passing over the west coast of IrelandPolice are investigating reports that a laser was shone at an aircraft that was forced to return to Heathrow airport on Sunday night when one of the crew fell ill. Related: BA pilot's eye damaged by 'military' laser shone into cockpit at HeathrowContinue reading...
  
  Read more

• Virgin Atlantic flight forced to turn back to London after 'laser shone in pilot's eyes'

  15-02-2016 01:00 via mirror.co.uk
  
  The Mirror - The Virgin Atlantic flight doubled back as a "precautionary measure" after the co-pilot reported feeling unwell following the incident, the airline said
  
  Read more

• VIDEO: EasyJet boss: 'Get to know people'

  15-02-2016 01:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - EasyJet boss Carolyn McCall offers the business advice she wishes she'd been given when she started out, as part of the BBC News series, CEO Secrets.
  
  Read more

• Tube bosses condemn 'dangerous' prank after man slides down station escalator

  15-02-2016 01:00 via standard.co.uk
  
  London Evening Standard - Transport bosses have slammed a prankster who slid down a Tube station escalator in a dangerous stunt.
  
  Read more

• Torfaen tram road to get 5,000 Welsh Government grant

  15-02-2016 01:00 via southwalesargus.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press -A 19th-century tram road in Torfaen is to benefit from a share of more than 100,000 of Welsh Government cash to protect historic sites across Wales.
  
  Read more

• The best seat in the house! Pilot captures stunning footage of 'world's greatest city' as he lands plane at Heathrow (and he even tipped his hat to the Queen over Windsor)

  15-02-2016 01:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Mail Online - A pilot has recorded a stunning video landing at Heathrow Airport, expressing the delight that his 'office' has the best view of 'the world's greatest city.'
  
  Read more

• Runaway rail costs face probe subscription

  15-02-2016 01:00 via thesundaytimes.co.uk
  Airportwatch - WHITEHALLS spending watchdog is to investigate ballooning costs and delays on Network Rails overhaul of the Great Western mainline.
  
  Read more

• Railway work to be carried out 3,600ft up Glencoe mountain

  15-02-2016 01:00 via scotsman.com
  
  The Scotsman - ENGINEERS will this weekend complete an epic task to upgrade Britains highest railway signalling equipment3,600ft up a mountain in Glencoe.
  
  Read more

• Planning for transport is great but delivery is another thing

  15-02-2016 01:00 via birminghampost.co.uk
  
  Birmingham Post - Public transport improvements are years away, meanwhile Birmingham and the region are being gridlocked on a regular basis
  
  Read more

• New York-bound plane forced to turn back to Heathrow after laser attack

  15-02-2016 01:00 via standard.co.uk
  
  London Evening Standard - A plane bound for New York had to return to Heathrow Airport after a laser was shone at the cockpit.
  
  Read more

• New bus fares come into force today

  15-02-2016 01:00 via dorsetecho.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press -REVISIONS in bus fares in Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland and along the Jurassic Coast are to come into place this week.
  
  Read more

• Merseyrail trains cancelled and suspended in Monday rush hour

  15-02-2016 01:00 via liverpoolecho.co.uk
  
  Liverpool Post -Trains travelling to and from Liverpool Central, Kirby, Ormskirk and Southport have been affected
  
  Read more

• Major HS2 debate in Sheffield this week

  15-02-2016 01:00 via thestar.co.uk
  Sheffield Star - A major summit to debate which location Sheffields high speed HS2 station should be built at will take place this week.
  
  Read more

• London's mayoral candidates urged to mine data on behaviour to improve transport

  15-02-2016 01:00 via transportxtra.com
  Transportxtra - London's mayoral candidates have been urged to go beyond appointing a chief data officer and ensure that private data is exploited to cut congestion and improve parking.
  
  Read more

• 'It's mindless. There's no need for it.' - Blackburn Railway Station toilets set on fire

  15-02-2016 01:00 via lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
  
  Other News Sources -FIREFIGHTERS were called to Blackburn Railway Station after 'mindless' vandals started a fire in the toilets.
  
  Read more

• Is this the end of overhead bins? Airbus files patent for an airplane seat with a storage compartment for hand luggage UNDER the cushion

  15-02-2016 01:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Mail Online - One of the worlds leading aeroplane manufacturers has designed an aeroplane seat with a storage compartment for hand luggage.
  
  Read more

• Indias first railway university aims to put train network on right track

  15-02-2016 01:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The Guardian - Scheme is billed as an attempt to upgrade much-criticised rail system and turn India into a global centre for Rmp;amp;D, but some say it is a waste of moneyWith 40,000 miles of tracks and 17,000 trains, Indias vast railway network stretches across the subcontinent, connecting remote villages to heaving metropolises. Set up under the Raj, the system provides a crucial lifeline for the 18 million people a day who use it and for the 1.4 million people it employs. But perfect it is no
  
  Read more

• Goldmith claims Khan would pay for transport cost freeze with council tax hike

  15-02-2016 01:00 via getwestlondon.co.uk
  
  Get West London - The Labour Party Mayoral Candidate said tube fairs freeze will cost £450 million, but TfL said it would be £1.9 billion
  
  Read more

• Garden bridge: a project promoted and sold with halftruths, deceptions and evasions

  15-02-2016 01:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The Guardian - Dissenting voices have been drowned out by relentless cheerleading for Londons proposed Thames crossingIn a gushing article on the designer Thomas Heatherwick, published soon after it was announced that Sky TV would sponsor his proposed garden bridge, Richard Morrison of the Times wondered why the project attracts opponents whose hostility seems implacable. Why indeed? Why should so much anger be stirred by a project that started with Joanna Lumleys innocent and benign dream of co
  
  Read more

• Flybe keen to introduce direct London link for Liverpool John Lennon Airport

  15-02-2016 01:00 via liverpoolecho.co.uk
  
  Liverpool Echo -Carrier to step up pressure on Government to open RAF Northolt to commercial flights
  
  Read more

• Five bidders eye £2bn London City Airport deal

  15-02-2016 01:00 via telegraph.co.uk
  
  The Telegraph - An infrastructure vehicle backed by Asia's richest man is among five short-listed bidders expected to make offers for London City Airport this week
  
  Read more

• Ex-VW boss 'aware of emissions cheating for a year' but did nothing, leaked report suggests

  15-02-2016 01:00 via telegraph.feedsportal.com
  
  The Telegraph - Martin Winterkorn, former Volkswagen chief, was told millions of vehicles had cheated emissions tests - more than a year before the scandal emerged
  
  Read more

• Everything from jobs to rosebeds face the axe as council struggles to cut costs

  15-02-2016 01:00 via yorkshirepost.co.uk
  
  Yorkshire Post - TWO more childrens homes face closure and subsidies for some bus routes could be slashed as a Yorkshire council tries to save £11m.
  
  Read more

• Couple win coach compensation battle

  15-02-2016 01:00 via blackpoolgazette.co.uk
  
  Blackpool Gazette - A pensioner was celebrating today after a travel firm backtracked on its refusal to refund their holidaywhich he cancelled when his wife lost her sight.
  
  Read more

• County council announces new interim chief executive

  15-02-2016 01:00 via bucksfreepress.co.uk
  
  Bucks Free Press -An executive who has overseen some of the biggest transport changes in the county has been announced as the temporary replacement for the county councils chief executive, who retires next month.
  
  Read more

• Con artist commuters caught out in 6,000 Southern Railway delay repay fraud

  15-02-2016 01:00 via theargus.co.uk
  
  Other News Sources -TWO con artist commuters have been convicted for defrauded Southern Railway's delay repay scheme in what is thought to be one of the first cases of its kind.
  
  Read more

• Cleaning up at InnoTrans 2016

  15-02-2016 01:00 via railwaygazette.com
  
  Other News Sources - INNOTRANS: Exhibitors in the cleaning technology hall at InnoTrans 2016 will be showing the latest...
  
  Read more

• Campaigners call for new breathalyser law to be introduced

  15-02-2016 01:00 via blackpoolgazette.co.uk
  
  Blackpool Gazette - Campaigners calling for new breathalyser laws say it is time to follow the French example and keep a breathalyser in every car.
  
  Read more

• Bridge and tunnel plan for Morecambe Bay

  15-02-2016 01:00 via blackpoolgazette.co.uk
  
  Blackpool Gazette - AN £8.6bn project for a multi-billion pound tidal gateway across Morecambe Bay could be combined with National Grid plans for a tunnel under the bay.
  
  Read more

• Bombardier completes sale of 30 stake in Transportation business

  15-02-2016 01:00 via railwaygazette.com
  
  Other News Sources - BOMBARDIER: Pension and insurance investor Caisse de Dpt et Placement du Qubecs US$15bn...
  
  Read more

• Authorities pedal new rules in bid to pull rickshaws subscription

  15-02-2016 01:00 via thesundaytimes.co.uk
  Times Online - THERE will be no more going to hell in a handcart. The National Transport Authority (NTA), the Department of Transport and Dublin city council are in discussions to introduce licences, insurance and new safety rules for pedal passenger bikes in the capital.
  
  Read more

• An end to shrinking airline seats? US congressman is fighting to set a MINIMUM standard seat size on planes

  15-02-2016 01:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Mail Online - Flyers who are sick of ever-shrinking aeroplane seats may have their prayers answered, if a new law that has been proposed gets approval.
  
  Read more

• Airbus Beluga makes emergency landing at Liverpool Airport after 'problem with its flaps'

  15-02-2016 01:00 via liverpoolecho.co.uk
  
  Liverpool Post -An aviation enthusiast has posted a video of the landing online
  
  Read more

• A fascinating behind the scenes look at Cardiff Central train station on a Six Nations match day

  15-02-2016 01:00 via walesonline.co.uk
  
  Wales Online -'One passenger is adamant she should have a seat on the train home. Another wants to know whether a train has been named George North'
  
  Read more

Follow @PublicTrnsprtUK on Twitter!