Public Transport news

• Out now: Issue 293 of Passenger Transport

  13-07-2023 18:29 via passengertransport.co.uk
  Issue 293 of Passenger Transport is published on July 14.Contents include:
   
   LEAD STORY
  ‘Put aside ideological battles and reform rail’New research commissioned by Rail Partners reveals how competition among train companies is delivering results across Britain and Europe
   NEWS EXTRA: Ticket offices
  RDG confirms plans for ticket office cullRail industry launches long-anticipated consultation into proposals that could see the vast majority of railway station ticket offi
  
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• ‘Put aside ideological battles and reform rail’

  13-07-2023 18:18 via passengertransport.co.uk
  New research commissioned by Rail Partners reveals how competition among train companies is delivering results across Britain and Europe
   Lumo introduced competition on the East Coast Main Line
   A reinvigorated public-private partnership is urgently required to get Britain’s railways back on the track to growth. That was the plea this week from Rail Partners, which argues that the railway still needs the independent passenger owning groups that it represents.
  While European railw
  
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• RDG confirms plans for ticket office cull

  13-07-2023 18:06 via passengertransport.co.uk
  Rail industry launches long-anticipated consultation into proposals that could see the vast majority of railway station ticket offices closed
   The public consultation over the proposals will close on July 26
   BY Andrew Garnett
  The Rail Delivery Group (RDG)confirmed perhaps the worst-kept secret in recent industry history on July 5 when it announced that train operators would start a statutory 21-day consultation over the closure of most railway station ticket offices.
  Precise details a
  
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• Why we need the politics of dignity

  13-07-2023 18:01 via passengertransport.co.uk
   
  Public transport can bestow dignity on both a city and its citizens. Politics determines whether it does – and we need more of it
   Rosa Parks became an enduring symbol of the civil rights movement in the US. Pictured is a sculpture of her inside a bus at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis
   December 1, 1955: Montgomery, Alabama, USA. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white man on a bus in Montgomery and was arrested. This led to a year long bus boycott
  
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• Piloting a new way of recruiting drivers

  13-07-2023 17:57 via passengertransport.co.uk
   
  Gimmick or game-changer? Go North West’s driver recruitment campaign divides opinion, but if it succeeds others will follow
   Nigel Featham (centre) and his bus ‘pilots’
   Talk to any bus bigwig and they’ll say that the challenge facing them is driver recruitment.
  Taking an innovative approach to attracting bus drivers is certainly not a recent phenomenon. As far back as the mid-noughties, First Bus were trailblazers in deliberately targeting Polish citize
  
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• ‘Slou-wit’, not ‘Slaithwaite’: Northern Trains to re-record mispronounced station names

  13-07-2023 15:05
  
  Network enlists locals for new onboard announcements to reflect local accents and restore full placenamesThere are many things wrong with the north of England’s railway network: 11th-hour cancellations, dilapidated Victorian infrastructure, two-carriage trains that ought to be six.To this list, we can now add: mispronunciation of stations. It is a problem that Northern Trains has promised to remedy – with passengers’ help. Continue reading...
  
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• ‘Slou-wit’, not ‘Slaithwaite’: Northern Rail vows to re-record mispronounced station names

  13-07-2023 15:05
  
  Network enlists locals as they re-record mispronounced placenames for on-board announcementsThere are many things wrong with the north of England’s railway network: 11th-hour cancellations, dilapidated Victorian infrastructure, two-carriage trains that ought to be six.To this list, we can now add: mispronunciation of stations. It is a problem that operator Northern Rail has promised to remedy – with passengers’ help. Continue reading...
  
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• Lindsay Hoyle says rail minister misinformed on ticket office closures

  13-07-2023 13:42
  
  Commons speaker intervenes as MPs and unions challenge government plans to close offices across EnglandThe government has been challenged in the Commons over plans to close railway ticket offices, including by the speaker, who told the rail minister that he was being misinformed by train operators.Labour described the consultation over the proposals to close most ticket offices in England as a “sham” and Conservative MPs also raised concerns, as unions staged demonstrations around th
  
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• What is the solution to improving Glasgow's public transport network?

  13-07-2023 02:00 via news.stv.tv
  
  STV - Decision by First Bus to axe night services sparks wave of criticism at the standard of transport options in Scotland's biggest city.
  
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• Welcoming party planned for Ozzy the bulls New Street station reveal

  13-07-2023 02:00 via networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
  
  Network Rail - An exciting day of events will take place to welcome Ozzy the bull back to Birmingham when hes officially unveiled at New Street station later this month.
  
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• Watford to Heathrow Airport RailAir coach service launching

  13-07-2023 02:00 via watfordobserver.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - A new coach service is openingtravelling Heathrow Airportand Watford Junction station.
  
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• Update on new Merseyrail trains as roll out progresses

  13-07-2023 02:00 via liverpoolecho.co.uk
  
  North Wales Live - Transition has been hit by problems but transport bosses are confident smoother progress is now being made
  
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• UK Government challenged over allocation of rail infrastructure funding to Wales

  13-07-2023 02:00 via nation.cymru
  
  Nation. Cymru - Plaid Cymru MP for Arfon Hywel Williams has hit out at the UK Government for denying Wales a share of the rail infrastructure funding being spent on major projects in England.
  
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• Train operators propose 32 000 km high speed rail Metropolitan Network

  13-07-2023 02:00 via railwaygazette.com
  
  Railway Gazette - EUROPE: Proposals for a huge expansion of the high rail speed network have been drawn up by Deutsche Bahn working in partnership with nine other major European operators. This would be necessary to achieve the Green Deal targets of doubling high speed rail travel by 2030 and tripling it by ...
  
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• Stirling station roof wins prestigious award

  13-07-2023 02:00 via networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
  
  Network Rail - Official recognition of the craft skills used during Stirling stations roof repairs were acknowledged with a plaque unveiling.
  
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• Staff shortages at Europes air traffic control blamed for unacceptable travel disruption

  13-07-2023 02:00 via ft.com
  Financial Times - Congested skies caused by war in Ukraine add to pressure ahead of peak holiday season
  
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• Scheme to stabilise Settle-Carlisle Railway set to start

  13-07-2023 02:00 via richmondshiretoday.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - A large-scale scheme to avert landslips and further closures of the historic Settle-Carlisle Railway close to Englands highest mainline station looks set to be approved.
  
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• Robotaxis: cost per mile calculations could drive plans off course

  13-07-2023 02:00 via ft.com
  Financial Times - One way to lower rates would be to add entertainment systems to show adverts
  
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• RideTandem raises £2.3m to tackle transport poverty

  13-07-2023 02:00 via uktech.news
  Other News Sources - RideTandem, the mobility startup tackling transport poverty in rural areas, has raised £2.3m as it looks to extend its reach beyond the UK.
  
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• Rail summit hits Treasury with strong message from Cambridgeshire

  13-07-2023 02:00 via fenlandcitizen.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - Sending a clear message from Cambridgeshire to the Treasury, business and transport leaders have urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to agree improvements to the Ely Junction rail bottleneck which notoriously holds back trade and the wide prosperity it should bring.
  
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• Rail chief hails project team behind award-winning Glasgow Queen Street project

  13-07-2023 02:00 via projectscot.com
  
  Other News Sources - THE £120 million redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street has been recognised with the unveiling of a National Railway Heritage Award (NRHA) at the station.
  
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• Rail & HS2 Minister Huw Merriman set to speak at RIAs Annual Conference & Dinner 2023

  13-07-2023 02:00 via railuk.com
  
  Other News Sources - The Railway Industry Association (RIA) can announce that Rail mp; HS2 Minister, Huw Merriman MP, will address its award-winning RIA Annual Conference mp; Dinner 2023, taking place on 1-2 November at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, London.
  
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• Plans submitted for 92,000 sq ft Manchester Airport shed

  13-07-2023 02:00 via placenorthwest.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - Threadneedle Curtis, part of US-based asset management firm Columbia Threadneedle, is eyeing up the five-acre site off Pinfold Lane within the airports World Freight Terminal to deliver the warehouse.
  
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• Park Lane cycle lane to be made permanent, Transport for London decides

  13-07-2023 02:00 via standard.co.uk
  
  London Evening Standard - The Park Lane cycle lane is to be retained and made permanent, Transport for London announced on Wednesday.
  
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• Opponents express concern over second runway

  13-07-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - The airport in West Sussex hopes to double its capacity to 78 million passengers by making use of its existing northern runway.
  
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• Northern seeks passengers' help to correct station pronunciations

  13-07-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - The names of more than a dozen railway stations across northern England are to be re-recorded in a bid to correct years of mispronunciation.
  
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• Nicky Marr: Reliable transport links are vital for the Highlands

  13-07-2023 02:00 via northern-times.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - I CANT remember how many times I have flown to and from Inverness Airport. That wee regional hub of ours is a fantastic resource. Its got me to Stornoway and Kirkwall, Belfast and Birmingham, Manchester, Amsterdam and London, for work and for pleasure, more often than this failing environmentalist is comfortable with.
  
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• New Glasgow night bus services under consideration

  13-07-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - McGill's Buses is examining options to launch late-night services after First Bus axed some routes
  
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• Network Rail seals Postmark brand for its retail portfolio

  13-07-2023 02:00 via networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
  
  Network Rail - Network Rail has welcomed independent greeting card retailer Postmark to five of its 20 managed stations across Britain.
  
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• National Highways fights claims of greenwashing over Lower Thames Crossing hydrogen plans

  13-07-2023 02:00 via newcivilengineer.com
  
  New Civil Engineer - National Highways has refuted climate groups accusations of greenwashing after it revealed plans to build its £9bn Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) using hydrogen power.
  
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• More than £5,500 donated to charities and good causes through Aberdeen Airport fund

  13-07-2023 02:00 via aberdeenlive.news
  
  Other Regional Press - The ABZ Propeller Fund is open to groups in the north-east with links to education, sustainability and regeneration with £25,000 shared among organisations last year
  
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• Mixed reaction to Leicestershire rail corridor freight park plans

  13-07-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - Plans for a new freight park to store container ship cargo have received a mixed response.
  The £750m Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange is being examined by the Planning Inspectorate.
  
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• London-Edinburgh rail success proves grounding flights is possible

  13-07-2023 02:00 via environmentjournal.online
  
  Other News Sources - According to the latest American Express Global Business Travel Ground Monitor survey, key UK intercity train routes are thriving following new services and fare reductions.
  
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• London City Airport to appeal against flying hours block

  13-07-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - Robert Sinclair, London City Airport's CEO, says he is disappointed with Newham Council's decision.
  
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• London City airport to appeal against decision to block expansion

  13-07-2023 02:00 via travelweekly.co.uk
  
  Other News Sources - London City airport will appeal against the decision made by Newham Council to refuse the airports planning application to increase passenger numbers and amend its opening hours.
  
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• KLM Wants Some Passengers To Stop Flying & Start Taking The Train

  13-07-2023 02:00 via simpleflying.com
  Aviation Industry- Passengers traveling the 200 miles between Amsterdam and Brussels are encouraged to take Thalys' rail alternative to cut air emissions.
  
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• 'I'm appalled that 1,000 railway ticket offices will close'

  13-07-2023 02:00 via yorkpress.co.uk
  
  The York Press - Im appalled at the news that the Government and rail industry have formally announced plans to close almost 1,000 ticket offices at stations across the country.
  
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• HS2 chief executive to stand down

  13-07-2023 02:00 via railnews.co.uk
  Railnews -The chief executive of HS2 Ltd Mark Thurston has announced that he will leaving the company in the autumn, after leading it since March 2017. Mark Thurston joined the company shortly after the Act of Parliament authorising Phase 1 between London and Birmingham had received Royal Assent.
  
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• HS2 chief executive resigns as the project is plagued by major delays

  13-07-2023 02:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Mail Online - Mark Thurston, 56, will leave his role in September after six-and-a-half years leading the Government-owned company. He was paid a salary of £617,300 in the 2021/22 financial year.
  
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• HS2 chief executive Mark Thurston to step down

  13-07-2023 02:00 via newcivilengineer.com
  
  New Civil Engineer - High Speed 2 Ltd (HS2 Ltd) chief executive Mark Thurston is to step down from his role at the end of September after six and a half years in the job.
  
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• HS2 chief executive Mark Thurston quits after six years in charge. subscription

  13-07-2023 02:00 via thetimes.co.uk
  
  Times Online - The chief executive of HS2 has resigned amid delays and cost pressures at the £60 billion high-speed railway project.
  
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• HS2 chief executive is stepping down as £61bn scheme moves to defining period

  13-07-2023 02:00 via business-live.co.uk
  
  Birmingham Post - Phase One of the project between London and Birmingham is at peak construction
  
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• HS2 boss quits following major delays for high-speed railway project

  13-07-2023 02:00 via manchestereveningnews.co.uk
  
  Manchester Evening News - HS2 works in Euston have already ballooned to £4.8 billion despite an initial budget of £2.6 billion
  
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• HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail: DfT signals it will look again at options in response to Transport Committee

  13-07-2023 02:00 via committees.parliament.uk
  Transport Committee - The Transport Committee has welcomed the Governments announcement that it will follow its recommendations by revisiting its decision to snub Bradford from plans to develop rail networks in the North and Midlands.
  
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• Heathrow Airport called to act on noise disturbance

  13-07-2023 02:00 via sloughobserver.co.uk
  
  Other News Sources - Neighbours are being asked to respond to a public consultation on how to limit noise disturbance coming from Heathrow Airport.
  
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• Global Airlines to focus on business travel as it muscles in on UK-US route

  13-07-2023 02:00 via cityam.com
  
  City AM - A new airline has said it will focus on business travel, offering more perks and products, as it looks to muscle in on the transatlantic travel market. As far as I see it I dont think that anyones really offering the complete package to a corporate traveller, who would be going across the pond, James ...
  
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• Gatwick has worst punctuality of all European airports. subscription

  13-07-2023 02:00 via thetimes.co.uk
  
  Times Online - Nearly two thirds of arriving flights have landed later than 15 minutes of their scheduled time at start of busiest period
  
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• Gatwick Airport's bid to be second Heathrow 'has bigger local impact than Horse Hill oil drilling

  13-07-2023 02:00 via getsurrey.co.uk
  
  Get Surrey - A crowdfunder to start a legal fight against Gatwick Airport to open a second runway has so far raised £5,000. The airport's CEO Stewart Wingate says the plan is vital to its the long-term future and economic prosperity.
  
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• Gatwick Airport branded worst in Europe for disruption, as easyJet cancels hundreds of summer flights

  13-07-2023 02:00 via standard.co.uk
  
  London Evening Standard - More than half of flights leaving Gatwick in June were cancelled or delayed, new analysis reveals
  
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• Full list of new road and railway closures for HS2 works

  13-07-2023 02:00 via coventrytelegraph.net
  
  Other Regional Press - Phase 1 of the route sweeps through Warwickshire and just south of Coventry
  
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