Public Transport news

• Sunak ‘backs drivers’ with curbs on 20mph limits and bus lanes

  29-09-2023 23:30
  
  Low-traffic neighbourhoods and fines also face clampdown under plans condemned by active travel groupsRishi Sunak has pledged to end “anti-car measures” as he set out a series of ideas to prioritise the needs of drivers at the likely expense of other road users such as bus passengers, cyclists and pedestrians.Outlining what he called a “long-term plan to back drivers”, the prime minister unveiled a clampdown on 20mph limits, bus lanes, low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), a
  
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• ‘It’s torture’: communities left in property limbo by HS2 indecision

  29-09-2023 18:00
  
  While some living in the path of the planned railway sold up, others have stayed put, unsure when or even if they will be forced outIt was 10 years ago that Val Hines first heard of the railway plan that would change her life. A reporter turned up at her house and asked: “How do you feel about this train going through your property?”“This train” was the HS2 project, and Hines learned it was to cut straight through her living room before heading over the M56 to Manchester
  
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• £600m of public money spent buying up property in north of England for HS2

  29-09-2023 18:00
  
  Homes and land purchased to make way for line that now appears to be in doubt, as Rishi Sunak refuses to commit to itAlmost £600m of public money has already been spent buying up land and properties for HS2 in the north of England, despite uncertainty that the train line will ever get beyond Birmingham.Rishi Sunak repeatedly refused to commit to bringing HS2 to Manchester on Thursday, amid concerns that the project’s cost could exceed £100bn, three times the original estimate.
  
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• Train and tube strikes: week of disruption looms for passengers

  29-09-2023 14:39
  
  Action by railway drivers in England and London Underground workers will halt and delay many servicesA week of disruption for rail passengers has begun, with a mix of strikes and overtime bans by train drivers and tube workers set to halt and delay many services until next Friday.Virtually no trains will run in England on Saturday and Wednesday, when members of the Aslef union strike on national rail, targeting the start and end of the Conservative party conference in Manchester. Continue readin
  
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• Rishi Sunak’s plan for motorists would limit travel choices, campaigners say

  29-09-2023 12:29
  
  Active travel groups say proposals would leave people feeling they have no choice but to driveRishi Sunak’s “plan for motorists”, which would limit councils’ powers to impose 20mph speed limits and bus lanes, would simply restrict people’s travel choices and harm net zero ambitions, six walking and cycling organisations have said.The prime minister is expected to set out the new policies, which could also restrict the ability of local authorities to enforce road off
  
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• ‘We are a political project’: how HS2’s costs have spiralled out of control

  29-09-2023 08:00
  
  Placating Conservatives in marginal seats, inflation in construction and a maze of bureaucracy have seen the cost balloon from £32bn to £71bnShould the enormous engineering feat of HS2 become Rishi Sunak’s white elephant, these could be its expensive tusks.At what was once a staging post but now looks like the end of the line, Old Oak Common, two brand new tunnel boring machines are to be buried underground, unused, ready for action – a mere £40m of kit that may nev
  
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• Sunak and Hunt can’t play shocked at HS2’s cost overruns

  29-09-2023 07:00
  
  Yes, the costs of the high-speed rail project are getting ‘totally out of control’ – but it’s hardly lacked political oversightOne piece of political spin about HS2’s spiralling costs is nonsense: the idea that ministers have a right to be shocked by the numbers. HS2 Ltd, the body building the railway and new stations, may be “arm’s length” for shorthand purposes, but it is not some faraway entity operating beyond government scrutiny. Rather, it is
  
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• West Yorkshire buses: Public to be consulted over franchise plans

  29-09-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - A consultation on taking bus services in West Yorkshire back under public control will be held before Christmas.
  
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• West Dorset bus service for the elderly to be scrapped

  29-09-2023 02:00 via dorsetecho.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - A travel service hailed as a vital lifeline for elderly people of West Dorset will be scrapped at the end of the year
  
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• Travel sector risks reality check as summer boom starts to fade

  29-09-2023 02:00 via ft.com
  Financial Times - Executives in Europe remain upbeat but cracks are starting to show in the US market
  
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• Transpennine Express plans questioned by northern mayors

  29-09-2023 02:00 via railway-technology.com
  
  Railway Technology - The rail operator will run a reduced timetable from December to focus on keeping services on time.
  
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• Three bus routes withdrawn as Transport for West Midlands changes to come into effect next month

  29-09-2023 02:00 via expressandstar.com
  
  Wolverhampton Express and Star - Earlier this month it was announced that the regions bus service network would be secured at near current levels and continue to operate without radical change until January 2025, following a £40 million injection of support funding from TfWM.
  
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• 'They need to tread carefully' - your views on ULEZ-style charges and changing more speed limits

  29-09-2023 02:00 via dailypost.co.uk
  Daily Post (North Wales) - First Minister Mark Drakeford said a congestion charge would be a last resort, and said there were 'no plans' to change other limits
  
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• Tesla trial begins over whether experimental autopilot caused drivers death

  29-09-2023 02:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The Guardian - Lawsuit claims company knowingly sold defective car that led to Micah Lees 2019 death while Tesla blames classic human errorThe lawyer representing victims of a fatal Tesla crash blamed the companys autopilot driver assistant system, saying that a car company should never sell consumers experimental vehicles, in the opening statement of a California trial on Thursday.The case stems from a civil lawsuit alleging that the autopilot system caused the owner of a Tesla Model 3 car, Mic
  
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• Summit to discuss HS2 called for by unions

  29-09-2023 02:00 via business-live.co.uk
  Birmingham Post - The statement was signed by the TUC, Aslef, Rail, Maritime and Transport union, Transport Salaried Staffs Association, GMB and Unite
  
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• South Western Railway rethinks ticket office plan after outcry

  29-09-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - A train company that planned to close ticket offices is rethinking the proposal after feedback from visually-impaired passengers.
  
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• Six West Midlands councils to split £7.9m bus service pot

  29-09-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - Six areas of the West Midlands are to split £7.9m of government funding for bus services.
  
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• Show shake-up: Coach and Bus UK scrapped entirely

  29-09-2023 02:00 via busandcoachbuyer.com
  
  Bus and Coach Buyer - Organiser drops show from calendar following significant changes to the industry landscapeTrade show Coach and Bus UK has been cancelled entirely.
  
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• ScotRail confirms services unaffected by upcoming strike

  29-09-2023 02:00 via newsandstar.co.uk
  
  Carlisle News & Star - ASLEF members at a number of companies across the UK are going on strike on September 30 and October 4.The trade unions members will also withdraw from non-contractual overtime on September 29, and from October 2 and 6.However, ScotRail services wont be affected on these dates, as the strike does not involve any ScotRail staff.
  
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• Rishi Sunak says Leeds will be 'treated like London' for transport plans

  29-09-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has addressed Yorkshire's transport concerns after speculation around the future of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.
  
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• Rishi Sunak repeatedly dodges questions over future of HS2 rail

  29-09-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - Speculation is mounting the government could delay or scrap the second leg of the line to Manchester.
  
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• Rishi Sunak: Potholes higher priority for people than HS2

  29-09-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - Prime Minister Rishi Sunak refused to say whether the HS2 rail line would run to Manchester.
  
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• Rishi Sunak hits back at claims he is 'betraying the north' with wavering over HS2 Manchester leg

  29-09-2023 02:00 via manchestereveningnews.co.uk
  
  Manchester Evening News - The Prime Minister has denied that people feel betrayed by his wavering over the future of HS2 as he yet again remained tight-lipped on the future of the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the project.
  
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• Rishi Sunak expected to block new 20mph zones. subscription

  29-09-2023 02:00 via thetimes.co.uk
  
  Times Online - PMs plan for motorists will prioritise drivers over bus passengers
  
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• Portugal puts national airline TAP up for sale

  29-09-2023 02:00 via ft.com
  Financial Times - IAG, Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have all expressed interest in a carrier with links to the growing South American market
  
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• PLS Motus lift brings significant shift for coach accessibility

  29-09-2023 02:00 via route-one.net
  
  Route One (Bus and Coach) - PLS will shortly debut two new passenger lift products, including what it says is a significant advancement for accessibility provision in the coach sector via the Motus cassette unit.
  
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• Opposition grows to scrapping HS2 north of Birmingham

  29-09-2023 02:00 via railnews.co.uk
  Railnews -Reports that the Prime Minister is preparing to scrap HS2 Phases 2A and 2B from Birmingham to Crewe and Manchester are igniting more opposition. Transport for the North has added its voice to the protests, saying that both HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail need to go ahead, and that any further delay will increase the eventual costs still further.
  
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• One bus ticket for the whole of north Wales extended

  29-09-2023 02:00 via nation.cymru
  
  Nation. Cymru - The 1Bws ticket available for bus services across north Wales will now offer a one price weekly ticket as well as daily.
  
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• Martin Gilbert: We really need to sort out our transport infrastructure

  29-09-2023 02:00 via pressandjournal.co.uk
  
  Other News Sources - As a founding director of FirstGroup and a keen historian, I recognise how important transport infrastructure is.
  
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• Mace working on Euston designs to meet HS2 budget

  29-09-2023 02:00 via newcivilengineer.com
  
  New Civil Engineer - The chief executive of Mace has hit out at plans to scrap further parts of HS2, stating that the contractor is working on new designs for Euston which can meet the budget set for the terminus.
  
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• Lies, damned lies and transport plans

  29-09-2023 02:00 via northeastbylines.co.uk
  Other Regional Press - How do the recent announcements about HS2 affect the North East?
  
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• Leeds Bradford Airport accused of breaking night flight rules for second year in a row

  29-09-2023 02:00 via leeds-live.co.uk
  Leeds Live - LBA denies the claims
  
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• How hydrogen could get UK rails decarbonisation efforts back on track

  29-09-2023 02:00 via news.railbusinessdaily.com
  
  Rail Business Daily - Ben Foulser, Partner, Infrastructure Advisory Practice and Head of the Future Mobility Team, KPMG in the UK, discusses the role hydrogen could play in traction decarbonisation.
  
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• Heritage railway to support Network Rail training

  29-09-2023 02:00 via railwaygazette.com
  
  Railway Gazette - UK: Network Rails Central Route has signed a memorandum of understanding with the heritage Severn Valley Railway for support, training and facilities to help its staff operate and maintain traditional technology such as mechanical signalling.
  
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• Gordon Frost named Brighton and Hove, Metrobus Ops Director

  29-09-2023 02:00 via route-one.net
  
  Route One (Bus and Coach) - Gordon Frost has been named Operations Director by Go-Ahead Group subsidiary Brighton and Hove and Metrobus.
  
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• GB Railfreight reveals £5.75m maintenance hub

  29-09-2023 02:00 via railway-technology.com
  
  Railway Technology - UK-based rail freight company GB Railfreight (GBRf) has announced the opening of its state-of-the-art £5.75m maintenance hub, which is set to transform the movement of cargo.
  
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• FlixBus parent sees patronage and revenue up by over 50 in H1

  29-09-2023 02:00 via route-one.net
  
  Route One (Bus and Coach) - FlixBus parent Flix has reported a 53 rise in patronage to 36 million for the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year. Total revenue grew by 54 to 860 million over the same period across the FlixBus, FlixTrain, Greyhound and Kamil Ko businesses.
  
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• First Steps Taken on Sustainable Transport Delivery Plan

  29-09-2023 02:00 via dundeecity.gov.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Convener Cllr Steven Rome visited the Dundee Cycle Hub on Waterfront Place to launch the councils draft Sustainable Transport Delivery Plan 2024-2034.
  
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• First Manchester orders Mellor Strata Plus for Bee Network

  29-09-2023 02:00 via route-one.net
  
  Route One (Bus and Coach) - First Manchester in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester has ordered 17 Mellor Strata Plus coachbuilt minibuses that are mounted on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis cowl. They are for use on two local service contracts in Rochdale that were awarded as part of the second tranche of bus franchising in Greater Manchester.
  
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• Councillors bemoan bus services as whole areas often without buses

  29-09-2023 02:00 via timesandstar.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - COUNCILLORS have criticised bus companies after they said large swathes of both rural and urban areas are left without buses due to frequent cancellations and lack of services.
  
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• Costain appointed to deliver second phase of upgrades to Londons A40 Westway

  29-09-2023 02:00 via newcivilengineer.com
  
  New Civil Engineer - Transport for London (TfL) has appointed Costain to deliver the second phase of upgrades to the A40 Westway in London.
  
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• Claire Miles named Stagecoach Chief Executive Officer

  29-09-2023 02:00 via route-one.net
  
  Route One (Bus and Coach) - Claire Miles has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of Stagecoach. She will officially take on her new role from 2 October, succeeding Martin Griffiths, who stepped down in January.
  
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• Car pollution stops bees finding flowers - researchers

  29-09-2023 02:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - University of Birmingham researchers say the discovery has implications for our food security.
  
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• Can Manchester teach Glasgow a thing or two about buses?

  29-09-2023 02:00 via heraldscotland.com
  
  The Herald - It's easy to be negative. It's the human condition to luxuriate in a right good moan. It's certainly the human condition to direct that moan at politicians.
  
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• Bristol Airport's 'biggest transformation' sparks fury with campaigners

  29-09-2023 02:00 via bristolpost.co.uk
  
  Bristol Live - Critics say the transformation will bring more congestion and increased air and noise pollution
  
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• Bristol Airport to get new car park and transport hub as part of £60 million transformation

  29-09-2023 02:00 via itv.com
  
  ITV News - Bristol Airport has announced plans to invest millions into transforming its transport and parking facilities, in what's said to be the largest single capital investment project since the terminal opened 23 years ago.
  
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• Arriva explains 'extensive' Watford area bus shake-up

  29-09-2023 02:00 via watfordobserver.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - Arriva Bus has explained why it is making extensive changes to Watfords timetables after the move sparked confusion.
  
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• All investment in Rail needs to answer the question Is it adding value to our customer?

  29-09-2023 02:00 via railtechnologymagazine.com
  
  Rail Technology Magazine - Value for money is the constant challenge for many train operating companies.
  This is especially true for Southeastern Railway, according to its managing director, Steve White. Southeastern Railway is the countrys fifth largest operator, covering large parts of Sussex, Kent and Surrey has been under control of the Department for Transport since 2021.
  
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• 80 of passengers satisfied Transport Focus survey

  29-09-2023 02:00 via busandcoachbuyer.com
  
  Bus and Coach Buyer - Eight in ten bus passengers were satisfied with their last journey according to a new survey by independent watchdog, Transport Focus.
  
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• £280m for consultants on the HS2 gravy train. subscription

  29-09-2023 02:00 via thetimes.co.uk
  
  Times Online - HS2 has spent more than £280 million on consultants in the last seven years, despite promises to reduce its reliance on external contractors.
  
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