Author: Paul Robertson

Seeking value for money on the UK’s railways | Letters
Paul Plummer, CEO of the Rail Delivery Group, says its proposals would enable radical simplification of fares. Plus Alan Whitehouse points out that the taxpayer subsidy has soared since privatisation

Patrick Collinson’s interpretation of our proposals to reform the regulations underpinning Britain’s fares system (New proposal to simplify our crazy rail fares would be like Ryanair on steroids, 19 February) is in stark contrast to those of numerous passenger groups, fares experts and politicians across the spectrum, who welcomed our Easier Fares for All plan.

Our proposals involve a fundamental recasting of the building blocks of the entire fares system to enable radical simplification for passengers. They would support pay-as-you-go and price caps for commuters across the country, potentially saving people money. On long-distance journeys, there would be greater flexibility to change plans at short notice, a wider range of walk-up fares and more comfortable journeys.

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Source: Guardian Transport

<a href="Seeking value for money on the UK’s railways | Letters” target=”_blank”>Seeking value for money on the UK’s railways | Letters

Honda’s closure? It’s down to government failure to champion electric cars | Rosie Rogers
Workers in UK plants like Swindon should be at the forefront of the global shift to building cleaner vehicles

Honda’s announcement that it is closing its Swindon car plant has brought with it a very human tragedy, with thousands of job losses expected, and many more throughout the supply chain. As the rancorous debate about the role that Brexit played lingers, what might be drowned out is that, in an era of climate emergency, these are the workers whose skills and know-how we so desperately need.

Transport emissions remains the UK’s biggest source of greenhouse gases. Unlike other polluting sectors, like energy, which have seen significant drops in emissions, our transport emissions have only dropped 2% since 1990. If we’re to tackle climate change we desperately need to deal with this. And a big part of solution is electric cars.

Related: Carmakers quitting Britain won’t blame Brexit – it’s not in their interest | Phillip Inman

Related: Honda’s exit is based on many factors, but Brexit is certainly one | Larry Elliott

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Source: Guardian Transport

<a href="Honda’s closure? It’s down to government failure to champion electric cars | Rosie Rogers” target=”_blank”>Honda’s closure? It’s down to government failure to champion electric cars | Rosie Rogers

Drone no-fly zone to be widened at airports after Gatwick chaos

Police given powers to stop and search and use warrant to access drone electronic data

Flying drones will be illegal within five kilometres (3.1 miles) of airports after ministers decided to widen the no-fly zone to try to prevent a repeat of the chaos at Gatwick.

The enlarged zone will come into force from 19 March ahead of new drone legislation, which will give police new powers to stop and search those they believe are misusing the devices and a power to access electronic data stored on a drone with a warrant.

Related: Heathrow and Gatwick invest millions in anti-drone technology

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Source: Guardian Transport

<a href="Drone no-fly zone to be widened at airports after Gatwick chaos” target=”_blank”>Drone no-fly zone to be widened at airports after Gatwick chaos

Once-in-a-generation rail fare reform? Ryanair on steroids | Patrick Collinson

The Rail Delivery Group’s so-called new deal is the opposite of fare simplication

The latest attempt to simplify our crazily complex rail ticketing system, hailed as a “once in a generation reform” is nothing of the sort. It is tinkering at the margins, which will see some passengers a little better off, a few a little worse off, and Britain’s railway system still egregiously expensive and unfit for purpose.

The Rail Delivery Group’s (RDG’s) new deal largely consists of part-time season tickets, a guarantee that passengers will get the cheapest prices and smartphone-based ticketing across the UK.

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Source: Guardian Transport

<a href="Once-in-a-generation rail fare reform? Ryanair on steroids | Patrick Collinson” target=”_blank”>Once-in-a-generation rail fare reform? Ryanair on steroids | Patrick Collinson

Flybmi passengers: what rights do they have?

Passengers should be able to get alternative flights or refunds from several different sources, experts say

Hundreds of passengers have had their travel plans disrupted after airline flybmi suspended all flights and said it was filing for administration. Flybmi said it would not be able to purchase, rearrange or reschedule any flights on behalf of customers. Customers of the airline, which had operated 17 regional jet aircraft on routes to 25 European cities, have been told not to come to the airport unless they have rebooked flights with alternative providers.

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Source: Guardian Transport

<a href="Flybmi passengers: what rights do they have?” target=”_blank”>Flybmi passengers: what rights do they have?

UK drink-drive deaths at highest since 2009

Between 240 and 330 people were killed in crashes in 2017 where at least one driver was over limit

The number of drink-drive fatalities has reached its highest level since 2009, according to provisional estimates.

Between 240 and 330 people were killed in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2017 where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, Department for Transport (DfT) figures show. This represents 16% of all road deaths.

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Source: Guardian Transport

<a href="UK drink-drive deaths at highest since 2009” target=”_blank”>UK drink-drive deaths at highest since 2009

Garden bridge charity spent £53.5m with no construction, TfL finds

Review finds £43m of public money went on abandoned Thames bridge scheme

The charity behind a plan to build a garden bridge across the Thames in London spent £53.5m without even beginning full construction on the scheme, final figures for the abandoned scheme have revealed.

Of the total spent by the Garden Bridge Trust, £43m was public money – £24m from Transport for London and £19m from the Department for Transport, TfL said on Wednesday.

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Source: Guardian Transport

<a href="Garden bridge charity spent £53.5m with no construction, TfL finds” target=”_blank”>Garden bridge charity spent £53.5m with no construction, TfL finds

Freight industry fears security check chaos under no-deal Brexit

Transport body warns UK lorries would need counter-terrorism safety certificates

The freight industry has warned of the potential for a fresh Brexit ferry fiasco after it emerged all British truckers will be required to have counter-terrorism safety security certificates to enter the European Union in the event of no deal.

The EU rule was introduced after the 9/11 attack on New York’s twin towers but only applies to third country freight entering the EU.

Related: For lorries queuing at congested Calais, no-deal Brexit looms large

Had another example yesterday of a company that applied for 60 and got 14… the EU contingency measure – if & when approved, will hopefully remove the need for permits in certain cases, but companies that rely on cross trade a lot will need permits anyway

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Source: Guardian Transport

<a href="Freight industry fears security check chaos under no-deal Brexit” target=”_blank”>Freight industry fears security check chaos under no-deal Brexit

Electric cars are already cheaper to own and run, says study

Petrol and diesel vehicles cost more over four years in UK and four other European nations

Electric cars are already cheaper to own and run than petrol or diesel alternatives in five European countries analysed in new research.

The study examined the purchase, fuel and tax costs of Europe’s bestselling car, the VW golf, in its battery electric, hybrid, petrol and diesel versions. Over four years, the pure electric version was the cheapest in all places – UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and Norway – owing to a combination of lower taxes, fuel costs and subsidies on the purchase price.

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Source: Guardian Transport

<a href="Electric cars are already cheaper to own and run, says study” target=”_blank”>Electric cars are already cheaper to own and run, says study

CCTV could be made mandatory in taxis in England and Wales

Licensing law proposals also include more rigorous regime on driver background checks

Taxis and minicab drivers in England and Wales could be forced to install CCTV in their vehicles under government proposals to tighten up licensing laws.

Local authorities might also have to conduct enhanced criminal record and background checks on every driver.

Related: Campaigners call for transport overhaul to tackle pollution

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Source: Guardian Transport

<a href="CCTV could be made mandatory in taxis in England and Wales” target=”_blank”>CCTV could be made mandatory in taxis in England and Wales