Public Transport news

• Out now: Issue 294 of Passenger Transport

  27-07-2023 18:40 via passengertransport.co.uk
  Issue 294 of Passenger Transport is published on July 28.Contents include:
   
   LEAD STORY
  ‘Train beats plane on key domestic routes’‘Majority’ of popular domestic air trips could be completed by train more quickly and cheaply, new Campaign for Better Transport report reveals
   NEWS
  DfT pauses bus retrofit funding amid doubtsDepartment investigates variable performance but Transport Scotland backs technology and continues to fund conversions. Rhodri Clark repo
  
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• ‘Train beats plane on key domestic routes’

  27-07-2023 17:52 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
   The majority of the most popular domestic and near Europe flights can be completed more quickly and cheaply by rail, a new report from Campaign for Better Transport has found.
  Plane speaking: moving journeys from air to rail, compared the top 23 domestic and UK to Europe flights which all have
  
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• Flights of fancy are fanning the flames

  27-07-2023 17:03 via passengertransport.co.uk
   
  Aviation is becoming a real climate change problem but the government clings to the ‘jet zero’ fantasy. We need fewer flights
   A forest fire in Rhodes. Scientists predict that if the world heats by 2C, these brutal heatwaves and wildfires will happen every two to five years
   Many roams lead to Rhodes, and nobody is happier to facilitate these than the aviation industry. As Rhodes and much of the rest of Greece burns, holidaymakers were still blithely being jetted in
  
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• Closing ticket offices creates challenges

  27-07-2023 16:47 via passengertransport.co.uk
   
  It’s seen as a quick financial fix, but the experience of the London Underground reveals the true cost of closing down ticket offices
   We would be better off re-designing ticket offices so that they become beacons not just of the station but of the wider area
   A fortnight ago it was revealed that between December 2022 and May 2023, crime on London Underground had soared by almost 40% compared to pre-pandemic levels, despite there being 18% fewer customers. Fare dodging al
  
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• DfT pauses bus retrofit funding amid doubts

  27-07-2023 16:40 via passengertransport.co.uk
  Department investigates variable performance but Transport Scotland backs technology and continues to fund conversions. Rhodri Clark reports
   A bus in Glasgow. Transport Scotland is continuing to fund retrofitting through its Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) programme
   The DfT has defended pausing England’s bus retrofitting programme while it investigates variable performance. Faced with the same evidence on performance, Scotland is continuing to fund conversions to bring
  
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• Advancing uptake of MaaS across Europe

  27-07-2023 13:57 via passengertransport.co.uk
  Under the helm of UITP, the IP4Maas project tested intelligent mobility solutions for better mobility in cities across Europe
   The project started with an analysis of the landscape from the travellers’ point of view
   Creating a more sustainable, seamless and inclusive mobility system with digital tools: over the last two and a half years, this has been the mission of the IP4MaaS project.
  Under the helm of UITP (the International Association of Public Transport), the IP4MaaS proje
  
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• It’s time to collectively talk about transport

  27-07-2023 13:50 via passengertransport.co.uk
  The Great Transport Debate is a unique event designed to bring together leaders, experts, innovators and 200 informed professionals from every sector of the industry to debate the most pressing issues and challenges facing UK passenger transport networks today – and in the future
   
   BY Neil Micklethwaite
  DATE: Thursday 28 September 2023TIME: 10am- 5:30pmVENUE: Concorde Conference Centre, Manchester AirportWEBSITE: greattransportdebate.comThe Great Transport Debate is being held a
  
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• Croydon tram operator and TfL fined £14m over deadly 2016 crash

  27-07-2023 13:37
  
  Both companies pleaded guilty to health and safety offences leading up to crash that killed seven peopleTransport for London and the operator of the Croydon tram have been fined a total of £14m for safety failings leading up to the 2016 crash in which seven people died.Both TfL, which was responsible for the track network, and Tram Operations Limited, a subsidiary of FirstGroup, pleaded guilty to health and safety offences. Continue reading...
  
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• National Highways accused of ‘systemic failure’ on cycling provision in England

  27-07-2023 12:52
  
  Freedom of information responses on design standards suggest cyclists being ‘endangered’ on shared use pathsNational Highways has been accused of a “systemic failure” on cycling provision after freedom of information requests revealed it did not know whether its infrastructure meets its own design standards.The Department for Transport also admitted the government-owned body in charge of trunk roads was using a loophole to deliver substandard shared use paths in rural are
  
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• Whatever Happened To Sorting Out Bus Regulation?

  27-07-2023 02:00 via politicshome.com
  
  Other News Sources - A man who, beyond the age of 26, finds himself on a bus can count himself as a failure, Margaret Thatcher is reputed to have once said.
  
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• Using older taxis could help reduce disability discrimination

  27-07-2023 02:00 via dailypost.co.uk
  
  Daily Post (North Wales) - A public consultation will be held over whether older cars should be used
  
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• University students to benefit from improved bus service thanks to Lanarkshire group

  27-07-2023 02:00 via dailyrecord.co.uk
  
  Daily Record - Climate Action Strathaven (CAS) has announced the expansion of its 3C bus service which will see even more journeys to and from Scotlands largest cities.
  
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• Train companies delay plan to shut almost every ticket office in win for campaigners

  27-07-2023 02:00 via mirror.co.uk
  
  The Mirror - Passengers have been given an extra five weeks to have their say on devastating plans to close ticket offices at 974 railway stations across England as the consultation is extended until September 1
  
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• Ticket office closures consultation extended by five weeks after public backlash

  27-07-2023 02:00 via independent.co.uk
  
  The Independent - The deadline of a public consultation on plans to close nearly all railway station ticket offices in England has been extended until September, the Rail Delivery Group has confirmed.
  
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• Ticket office closures consultation extended

  27-07-2023 02:00 via railnews.co.uk
  Railnews -The Rail Delivery Group has confirmed reports this morning that the consultation period for proposed ticket office closures has been extended from today until 1 September. The RDG said train operators had been listening to feedback and hope that more people will have the opportunity to have their say in to changes to how tickets are sold at stations.
  
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• Swedish company buys SBB Cargo diesel locomotives

  27-07-2023 02:00 via railwaygazette.com
  
  Railway Gazette - EUROPE: Nordic Re-Finance has bought 44 Am843 diesel locomotives from Switzerlands SBB Cargo, saying this will enable it to offer future-proof locomotives for lease in the Swedish market.
  
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• Stellantis to deepen cost cuts to fend off Chinese carmakers invasion in Europe

  27-07-2023 02:00 via ft.com
  Financial Times - Fiat owner posts record first-half revenues but chief executive warns Chinese EVs are 25 cheaper
  
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• SNP ignored advice to relax alcohol ban on ScotRail trains. subscription

  27-07-2023 02:00 via thetimes.co.uk
  
  Times Online - SNP ministers ignored police advice to relax the alcohol prohibition on Scotlands rail network after a total ban was introduced during the pandemic.
  
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• Siemens Mobility receive order from MSC for 15 Vectron locomotives

  27-07-2023 02:00 via globalrailwayreview.com
  
  Other News Sources - Siemens Mobility has received an order from MSC subsidiary MEDWAY Belgium NV for 15 Vectron MS locomotives. MEDWAY plans to use the locomotives for cross-border freight transport in Europe and also for supplementing container transport by ship in serving the eastern hinterland of Antwerp.
  
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• Shell profits cut by half due to plunging energy prices

  27-07-2023 02:00 via news.sky.com
  
  Sky News - Shell has revealed a big fall in the second quarter of its financial year, largely due to energy prices plunging from their Russia-Ukraine war peak.
  
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• Rolls Royce raises profit forecast after turnaround strategy

  27-07-2023 02:00 via business-live.co.uk
  
  Birmingham Post - The aerospace giant, which has UK bases in Bristol and Derby has raised its full-year operating profit forecast
  
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• Rolls-Royce hails start of its transformation. subscription

  27-07-2023 02:00 via thetimes.co.uk
  
  Times Online - Gains in production, an improved profit outlook and claims from its new chief executive that we are starting to see the early impact of our transformation in all our divisions put a rocket under Rolls-Royce yesterday.
  
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• Rail consultation extended after criticism from North East leaders

  27-07-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - A consultation into plans to close railway ticket offices has been extended after it was branded unfair, confusing and "unduly short".
  
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• Prue Leith: Dire Caledonian Sleeper train serves miserable food. subscription

  27-07-2023 02:00 via thetimes.co.uk
  
  Times Online - It is billed as an idyllic, relaxing and sophisticated way to travel between London and the highlands of Scotland.But for Prue Leith and her husband their trip on the Caledonian Sleeper couldnt have been more different as she complained of a litany of calamities.
  
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• Plans to bring railway ticket offices to a halt delayed. subscription

  27-07-2023 02:00 via telegraph.co.uk
  
  The Telegraph - Ticket offices across the country have received a reprieve after rail firms extended the consultation period over proposals to close them.
  
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• Painfully slow grid holding up UK electric car shift, says trade body

  27-07-2023 02:00 via ft.com
  Financial Times - Warning from SMMT amid record production figures for battery and hybrid models
  
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• Now union challenges lawfulness of ticket office closures consultation

  27-07-2023 02:00 via railnews.co.uk
  Railnews -The legality of the consultation about closing the ticket offices at most stations in England has been challenged by the RMT union, which has called for the whole disastrous closure programme to be abandoned. The union was reacting to the news that the original 21-day consultation period, which would have ended last night, is being extended to 1 September. The Rail Delivery Group said it had listened to feedback.
  
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• North East council leaders slam closure of ticket offices

  27-07-2023 02:00 via thenorthernecho.co.uk
  
  Northern Echo - North East council leaders have called for the plans to close ticket offices to be halted, saying that they will have a detrimental impact on passengers, particularly elderly people and those with disabilities.
  
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• Network Rail signs with Swiss national railway operator to share AI asset inspection technology

  27-07-2023 02:00 via newcivilengineer.com
  
  New Civil Engineer - Network Rail will work with SBB, the operator of Switzerlands national railways, to look at using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to inspect steel bridges and track on the UK network.
  
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• Network Rail and Natural Resource Wales partnership on track to securing a greener future, combating climate change and improving rail links for passengers

  27-07-2023 02:00 via networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
  
  Network Rail - The two organisations have solidified their commitment to working more closely together following the renewal of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
  
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• Morgan Sindall to start construction of three more stations on restored Northumberland line

  27-07-2023 02:00 via newcivilengineer.com
  
  New Civil Engineer - Northumberland Country Council has announced that construction of three more stations as part of the Northumberland line restoration project will begin as Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has now signed the main construction contract.
  
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• McGill's boss hits back at Paul Sweeney over Glasgow night buses

  27-07-2023 02:00 via heraldscotland.com
  
  The Herald - The boss of the UKs largest independent bus operator has hit back at calls to franchise Glasgow's buses - but admits passengers are being failed by a dearth of routes in some communities.
  
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• Mayors to continue legal action over rail ticket office closures despite consultation delay

  27-07-2023 02:00 via itv.com
  
  ITV News - Metro Mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram have said they will continue with their legal action against proposals to close rail ticket offices.
  
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• Masterplan for improving Dumfries and Galloway transport links signed off

  27-07-2023 02:00 via dailyrecord.co.uk
  
  Daily Record - A 20-year masterplan for improving transport links across the region has been signed off by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
  
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• Local MP urges take up of £12 Devon and Cornwall Digital Railcard

  27-07-2023 02:00 via creditoncourier.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - CENTRAL Devon MP and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride has urged his constituents to take advantage of Devon and Cornwalls new digital railcardthe first regional railcard in the UK to go digital.
  
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• Knowsley Council throws spanner in works of Steve Rotheram's landmark bus plans

  27-07-2023 02:00 via liverpoolecho.co.uk
  
  Liverpool Echo - Council leader submits motion that could provide major headache to city region leader and his signature bus reform policy
  
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• 'It's vital for disabled people that you oppose train station ticket office closures'

  27-07-2023 02:00 via mirror.co.uk
  
  The Mirror - Its been announced at the eleventh hour that consultation on the closures of train station ticket offices has been extended until 1st September, this means we have slightly longer to try and stop this.
  
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• How Does London Heathrow Airport Manage Its Runway Usage?

  27-07-2023 02:00 via simpleflying.com
  Aviation Industry- The facility has to consider the impact of noise pollution on local residents when it comes to its operations.
  
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• Heathrow told to improve safety after worker death

  27-07-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - A coroner has written to the airport's operator after the death of a worker in a van crash.
  
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• Government must reconsider portfolio of expensive, complex road enhancement projects

  27-07-2023 02:00 via newcivilengineer.com
  
  New Civil Engineer - Cross-party MPs have called for a reconsideration of the planned enhancements to the strategic road network (SRN) as they are expensive and complex, leading to delays that cause confusion and uncertainty.
  
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• First Bus announces closure of Bridgwater bus depot as changes revealed

  27-07-2023 02:00 via somersetlive.co.uk
  
  Other News Sources - The "difficult" decision was made due to "extremely challenging circumstances"
  
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• Exeter needs improved transport to help people get around city

  27-07-2023 02:00 via devonlive.com
  
  Other News Sources - If we are to realise our ambition to improve our communities locally and improve our air quality, we need to start with the basics, and that is the need for people to move around the city in a sustainable way, and public transport is key to that.
  
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• E-bike battery fires spark call to regulate like fireworks

  27-07-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - A charity says batteries for e-bikes should require third-party approval before being sold in the UK.
  
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• DB Cargo pulls the plug as energy costs signal red for electrified rail freight

  27-07-2023 02:00 via theloadstar.com
  
  Other News Sources - Escalating energy costs are holding back electrification of European rail freight, which supply chain insiders warned could force more freight back onto roads.
  
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• Cycle lanes and bus lanes are scrapped by BCP Council

  27-07-2023 02:00 via bournemouthecho.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - A LARGE portion of planned active and sustainable travel in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has been cut.
  
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• Council work with First Bus to improve transport services in Weston

  27-07-2023 02:00 via thewestonmercury.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - BUS services in and around Weston are set to see major changes from September 3.
  
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• Campaign launched to bring back Stoke train services slashed during pandemic

  27-07-2023 02:00 via stokesentinel.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - People are being asked to get behind a campaign to reinstate lost train services linking Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire to Crewe and Derby. North Staffs Community Rail Partnership is campaigning to bring back an hourly service on the route - which would also pass through Alsager, Kidsgrove, Longport, Stoke, Longton, Blythe Bridge, Uttoxeter, and Tutbury mp; Hatton.
  
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• British car production rebounds thanks to record electric vehicle boost

  27-07-2023 02:00 via cityam.com
  
  City AM - UK car production jumped 11.7 per cent in the first six months of the year, industry figures show, marking a major rebound from the pandemic-induced lows of 2022. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 450,168 units were made in the six months from January, with June the fifth consecutive month of ...
  
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• Another delay on the railways! Plot to axe station ticket offices hits the buffers as consultation period over their closure is extended after outcry from campaigners

  27-07-2023 02:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Mail Online - Campaigners trying to save railway station ticket offices were thrown a lifeline yesterday as a consultation period over their closure was extended.
  
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• Andy Burnham says railway ticket office closure consultation extension not enough

  27-07-2023 02:00 via manchestereveningnews.co.uk
  
  Manchester Evening News - 'Mayors across England, including myself, will continue to pursue legal action if they do not completely stop this flawed consultation'
  
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