Public Transport news

• Reeves: third Heathrow runway would be hard decision but good for growth

  26-01-2025 20:40
  
  Chancellor expected to unveil new building projects and revise planning rules to stimulate UK economyRachel Reeves has given her strongest hint yet that she will back a third runway at Heathrow airport, arguing that she is willing to make difficult decisions while pursuing economic growth.The chancellor is poised to make a significant speech this week where she will outline her plans to boost the British economy by radically altering planning rules and accelerating building projects. Continue re
  
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• Out now: Issue 329 of Passenger Transport

  26-01-2025 15:46 via passengertransport.co.uk
  Issue 329 of Passenger Transport is published on January 24.Contents include:
   
   LEAD STORY
  Great British Railways to unite TOC retailingOnce GBR is established by legislation, individual train operator websites will be replaced, but the private sector ‘will continue to play a key role’
   NEWS
  Wrightbus reports a strong start to 2025Ballymena-based firm delivers 200 buses in first month of 2025
  ‘England’s bus cuts hit the most vulnerable’Environment an
  
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• Great British Railways to unite TOC retailing

  26-01-2025 15:33 via passengertransport.co.uk
  Once GBR is established by legislation, individual train operator websites will be replaced, but the private sector ‘will continue to play a key role’
   Government will rollout a single online retail platform for rail ticketing
   Individual train operator websites across England, Scotland and Wales will be replaced by a single online retail platform after Great British Railways has been established, the Department for Transport announced this week.
  A DfT statement said: &ldqu
  
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• Wrightbus reports a strong start to 2025

  26-01-2025 15:29 via passengertransport.co.uk
  Ballymena-based firm delivers 200 buses in first month of 2025
   1,200 buses expected to leave production lines this year
   Wrightbus, the Ballymena-based bus manufacturer, has announced its strongest start to a year, with nearly 200 buses entering service across the UK and Europe in January alone. The company expects 2025 to be a record year, driven by significant new orders and the launch of initiatives aimed at expanding its footprint in international markets.
  Recent deliveries includ
  
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• South Yorkshire eyes modal shift measures

  26-01-2025 15:22 via passengertransport.co.uk
  CPT welcomes recognition of need to change travel habits
   Route 120 bus in Sheffield
   South Yorkshire is considering bold measures to encourage motorists out of their cars and onto public transport. 
  Road user charging, workplace parking levies and reallocating road space away from private cars to buses are among the ideas put forward in documents published by South Yorkshire’s Mayoral Combined Authority to encourage a shift in travel habits from private motoring to public t
  
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• An agonisingly slow tram renaissance

  26-01-2025 15:15 via passengertransport.co.uk
   
  Over the past three decades trams have been returning to the UK streets – but the process is a protracted and expensive one
   Trams in the French city of Dijon. Across the channel the return of light rail has been much more rapid
   In 1992, Manchester’s city centre once again reverberated to the sound that means public transport is getting serious. The sound of the low rumble of trams. Prior to that every UK tram system (bar Blackpool) had been silenced decades earlie
  
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• Tackling the scourge of crime on buses

  26-01-2025 15:06 via passengertransport.co.uk
   
  Bus-related violence seems to be getting worse. A concerted effort by transport and crime prevention authorities is urgently required Safety officers on patrol to tackle anti-social behaviour on the buses in the West Midlands
   Eight days into 2025 and there were two murders on the UK bus network. On January 7, 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa was stabbed on the 472 bus in Woolwich. The following day, 17-year-old Thomas Taylor was set upon by a group of males and murdered next to Bedf
  
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• Rachel Reeves indicates support for third runway at Heathrow

  26-01-2025 11:53
  
  Chancellor says runway would mean fewer planes circling London, and points to moves towards sustainable flyingRachel Reeves has indicated her support for building a third runway at Heathrow airport, arguing that it would have environmental benefits such as fewer planes circling London.Ahead of a major speech on economic growth this coming week, the chancellor made the case for Heathrow expansion and said there was “huge investment” in more sustainable aviation. Continue reading...
  
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• Reeves thinks big on planning and growth with housebuilding project

  26-01-2025 07:01
  Chancellor to apply ‘zoning scheme’ around commuter train stations to boost fragile UK economy and encourage investmentHousebuilders will be handed swifter access to build new homes around England’s commuter train stations under the latest government plans to foster a building boom.Chancellor Rachel Reeves told the Observer she would ensure a “presumption in favour of building” in areas that would give households easy access to urban centres, and businesses a greate
  
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• Why time, not money, may stall Heathrow's third runway subscription

  26-01-2025 01:00 via thetimes.com
  
  Times Online - After years of political opposition, Rachel Reeves is about to support expansion of the airport - but the project must still clear huge financial hurdles
  
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• UK Chancellor to Fast-Track Housing Approvals Near Rail Stations

  26-01-2025 01:00 via bloomberg.com
  Bloomberg - UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves plans to fast-track planning approvals for housebuilding near big commuter rail stations as part of reforms that aim to deliver 1.5 million new homes over five years.
  
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• The £191bn railway megaproject that will connect six desert countries

  26-01-2025 01:00 via express.co.uk
  
  Daventry Express - A multi-billion pound railway project spanning six countries in Eastern Arabia was announced in 2009, but officials hope it will be completed by 2030.
  
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• The ?191bn railway megaproject that will connect six desert countries

  26-01-2025 01:00 via express.co.uk
  
  Daventry Express - A multi-billion pound railway project spanning six countries in Eastern Arabia was announced in 2009, but officials hope it will be completed by 2030.
  
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• Steve Reed says any Heathrow expansion would see 'proper consultation', and defends past vote against third runway

  26-01-2025 01:00 via labourlist.org
  
  Labour List - Environment secretary Steve Reed has said any revived Heathrow airport expansion plan would be accompanied by a proper consultation, and spoken upabout the reasons for his past vote against a third runway.
  
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• ScotRail spends £4m on buses and taxis since nationalisation

  26-01-2025 01:00 via heraldscotland.com
  
  The Herald - ScotRail has spent over mp;pound;4m on rail replacement services in the nearly three years since it became nationalised, new figures show.
  
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• ScotRail spends ?4m on buses and taxis since nationalisation

  26-01-2025 01:00 via heraldscotland.com
  
  The Herald - ScotRail has spent over ?4m on rail replacement services in the nearly three years since it became nationalised, new figures show.
  
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• Replacement bus service announced for Giffnock commuters

  26-01-2025 01:00 via glasgowtimes.co.uk
  
  Other News Sources - ScotRail has confirmed a replacement bus service for Giffnock and Thornliebank stations.
  
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• Reeves's Heathrow expansion won?t help Britain fly. subscription

  26-01-2025 01:00 via telegraph.co.uk
  The Telegraph - The Chancellor must prioritise lower taxes and smarter regulation if she is to unlock growth
  
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• Reeves's Heathrow expansion won't help Britain fly. subscription

  26-01-2025 01:00 via telegraph.co.uk
  The Telegraph - The Chancellor must prioritise lower taxes and smarter regulation if she is to unlock growth
  
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• Rail: ?This is where we are, but it is definitely not where anybody wants to be?

  26-01-2025 01:00 via independent.co.uk
  
  The Independent - Could this be the end of buck-passing and the start of taking responsibility?
  
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• Rail passengers in South West feel 'second-class', Devon MP says

  26-01-2025 01:00 via creditoncourier.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - TRAIN passengers in Devon and Cornwall are being left out in the cold as billions of pounds are spent on high-speed rail projects elsewhere in the country, it has been claimed.
  
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• Potential solution to axed hospital shuttle bus - MP

  26-01-2025 01:00 via feeds.bbci.co.uk
  
  BBC News - There could be a solution in the coming weeks to the scrapping of a shuttle bus that runs between two Lancashire hospitals, according to the MP for Burnley.
  
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• Northern Trains aims to replace around two-thirds of fleet

  26-01-2025 01:00 via wirralglobe.co.uk
  
  Wirral Globe - UP to 450 new trains could be replaced as part of Northern Trains' 'largest ever' fleet investment.
  
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• ?Northern is the enemy of my life?: Passenger slams train firm

  26-01-2025 01:00 via warringtonguardian.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - PASSENGERS have slammed Northern rail as ?the enemy of my life? after the firm paid out ?2.4 million in delay repay compensation last year.
  
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• New partnership chair outlines plans to transform Worcestershire's railway stations

  26-01-2025 01:00 via redditchstandard.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - THE NEWLY-appointed chair of the Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (WCRP) Tom Painter has set out his plans to transform railway stations.
  
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• New bus timetable changes rolled out

  26-01-2025 01:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - A number of bus service timetable changes have been rolled out in South Tyneside and Sunderland.
  
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• 'Nearly 400 incidents of damage' caused by Storm Eowyn, Network Rail say

  26-01-2025 01:00 via dailyrecord.co.uk
  
  Daily Record - Engineers have discovered the damage as they work to ensure railways lines are safe for trains to run again today.
  
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• Major £5m West Midlands Railway upgrade completed in Coventry

  26-01-2025 01:00 via coventrytelegraph.net
  Other Regional Press - West Midlands Railway has completed a major mp;pound;5m upgrade at a key depot in Coventry. Work has been taking place at the North Yard, where the Class 730 electric fleet is maintained.
  
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• Major ?5m West Midlands Railway upgrade completed in Coventry

  26-01-2025 01:00 via coventrytelegraph.net
  Other Regional Press - West Midlands Railway has completed a major ?5m upgrade at a key depot in Coventry. Work has been taking place at the North Yard, where the Class 730 electric fleet is maintained.
  
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• Longer trains set for popular commuter route

  26-01-2025 01:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - A rail operator is introducing new trains on a popular commuter route in a bid to reduce overcrowding on services.
  
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• Island ferry disruption as works take place

  26-01-2025 01:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - Ferry passengers will face journey disruption as two vessels undergo repair and maintenance work.
  
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• Heathrow is no match for Dubai or Doha. It needs the third runway subscription

  26-01-2025 01:00 via thetimes.com
  
  Times Online - Cathy Adams knows where she would choose to spend a layover? and it isn?t west London. The proposed new development will be a win for travellers, she says
  
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• Growth Over Climate London Heathrow Expected To Get Green Light For Controversial 3rd Runway

  26-01-2025 01:00 via simpleflying.com
  Aviation Industry- In the UKmp;#39;s July 2024 General Election, Labour won a majority of seats in parliament, putting an end to the previous Conservative government in power for over a decade
  
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• Gardens bloom at Greater Anglia railway stations

  26-01-2025 01:00 via railadvent.co.uk
  
  Rail Advent - Last year, volunteer station adopters added over 1,000 square metres to the areas set aside for gardens and wildlife areas at Greater Anglia stations.
  
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• EXCLUSIVE: Rachel Reeves hints at Heathrow expansion support - 'travel is important to Brits'

  26-01-2025 01:00 via mirror.co.uk
  The Mirror - Chancellor Rachel Reeves refused to comment on 'speculation' about a third runway at Heathrow - but pointed to the fact the Government backed expanding Stansted and City Airports
  
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• EasyJet welcome talk of Heathrow expansion

  26-01-2025 01:00 via businessplus.ie
  
  Other News Sources - EasyJet has welcomed reports that the Government plans to back the expansion of Heathrow Airport, saying that it offered the chance to provide lower fares to more passengers, writes David Connett.
  
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• David Knight: Legal row exposes shambles of Aberdeen?s bus gates ? but there?s still time for peace talks

  26-01-2025 01:00 via pressandjournal.co.uk
  
  The Press and Journal (Aberdeen) - I fear the council has already tied itself in a legal straitjacket; another fundamental issue worthy of independent judicial scrutiny.
  
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• David Knight: Legal row exposes shambles of Aberdeen's bus gates but there's still time for peace talks

  26-01-2025 01:00 via pressandjournal.co.uk
  
  The Press and Journal (Aberdeen) - I fear the council has already tied itself in a legal straitjacket; another fundamental issue worthy of independent judicial scrutiny.
  
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• Closures on Portswood Road 'will boost public transport' says bus boss

  26-01-2025 01:00 via dailyecho.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - THE introduction of new restrictions on Portswood Broadway will speed up public transport - and stop bad parking at bus stops.
  
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• Cambridgeshire Mayor recommended to go ahead with bus franchising scheme

  26-01-2025 01:00 via fenlandcitizen.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - Bus franchising in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has moved a step closer after Mayor Dr Nik Johnson was recommended to go-ahead with the scheme.
  
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• Bus route to serve new Plymouth crematorium

  26-01-2025 01:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - Plymouth City Council has announced new bus links between Plympton and Plymstock including a route that will serve the new crematorium, The Park.
  
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• Any plans to expand Heathrow would look at mitigations - Cabinet minister

  26-01-2025 01:00 via standard.co.uk
  
  London Evening Standard - Steve Reed suggested mitigations would be considered in order to make the project work.
  
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• Amazing 73-mile UK railway where locomotives pass through stunning countryside

  26-01-2025 01:00 via mirror.co.uk
  
  Other News Sources - Marvel at Britain's untouched countryside with this epic train journey that's been branded one of the 'most scenic' in Europe. Featuring a whopping 20 viaducts, 14 tunnels, and a breathtaking vista that comes out rain or shine - the Settle to Carlisle Railway attracts visitors from around the globe, and it's easy to see why.
  
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