sorry about the lack of updating - combination of problems relating to IT at work and illness - full review of last few weeks to be posted on fri 13th

Transport 2000 predicts summer of discontent over rail

Service cuts imposed by the SRA arepredicted to cause much suffering on the railways according to Transport 2000

"AS NEW fares and timetables come into force on Sunday, Transport 2000 warns passengers to make the most of the railways while they can. Campaigners say that this summer could see further cuts in services, plans for a massive fares hike and new franchising that revolves around fewer trains and lower standards.

This Sunday the new summer timetable comes into effect on Britain’s railways. It sees the first round of service cuts imposed by the Strategic Rail Authority to “improve performance” and the regular round of fares increases. But much worse may be just around the corner, say rail campaigners."

DfT's annual report

the DfT has released its annual report. It would cost over £36 to buy but it's free over the internet. It's also 163 pages long and gives details on how money has been spent and the achievements of the DfT over the past year.

Alistair Darling says: "This Annual Report shows that good progress has been made since the Department for Transport was set up in May 2002. However, there is still a lot
to do to build the transport system the public expects and deserves. It is bound to be a long haul. But there is a strategy in place, and across the country people are getting on with delivering it."

and I'll let you be the judge of the accuracy of that statement

congestion changing

the govt has made its response to the Transport Committee's Report on Urban Charging Schemes

"The Transport Select Committee issued its report on Urban Charging Schemes on 9 February 2003 in which it makes twenty-five recommendations.Much of the report
focuses on the Mayor’s road user charging (RUC) scheme for central London, which at the time of the Select Committee (October 2002) had yet to start. It is now running and although it will take time to evaluate the effectiveness of the scheme, it appears to be working well."

The document sets out the Government’s response to each of the committee’s specific recommendations.

rew high speed rail link

A HIGH speed rail network could cut journeys from Manchester to London to just one hour.

my favourite quote from the peice is: "But the SRA warned that such details had yet to be worked out for the project, which industry experts say could cost £36 billion - equivalent to the price of an international space station - over 30 to 40 years."

does this mean that running the railways IS rocket science after all?

Toll road bad for business?

A Cheshire-based haulage firm fears tolls on the new M6 Midland Expressway next year will cost his business up to £80,000 a month.

burying bad news

ithe independent reports that Alistair Darling has been ecouraging the use of gagging clauses that stop rail operators from reporting negative information to the press.

One source said: "Operators really do have to watch what they say and not attempt to give any in-depth information to journalists. The SRA is trying to bury bad news. Some of these companies are in effect employees of the authority."

toll road charges released

The company which has built and will be maintaining britain's first tolled motorway has just released its pricing structures. At peak time it will cost £3 to take a car on the road and £11 for a lorry. There are concerns that this will encourage freight to use existing roads in order to save on maintenance cost on the new road

back again

posting slowed a little due to the coverage of the local election and the bank holiday. also the number of newspaper articles may be reduced. a number of newspaper websites now charge for their content, previously only the independent and guardian allowed free access to everything they produced. now the independent charges for opinion peices and for any new article that's over a week old.

Darling to open the hard shoulder for use

Alistair Darling, the Transport Secretary, is planning to tackle Britain's chronic motorway congestion by opening the hard shoulder of the busiest routes to motorists.

But the RAC and AA claimed safety would be jeopardised if hard shoulders were used at busy times of the day to cut jams on major routes, especially around London and in the North-west

rural roads require repair

Britain's rural roads have suffered their worst deterioration since 1977, the government admitted yesterday, as an epidemic of wheel ruts, weeds and cracked surfaces spreads across the country.

How am I driving?

A sign I've often seen on delivery vans as they weave along the road, cutting up other motorists with gay abandon. I've often been tempted to call the number and complain, unfortunately when driving one should not try to note down phone numbers and license plates but concentrate on driving.

Now I find that there's a better reason for ignoring these signs. the person on the end of the phone will probably ignore you unless you are complementing them. The Independent runs a story about this haphazard approach to customer care

"Figures released by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) reveal that nearly half of the calls received by the "Well Driven?" scheme, which organises the stickers on the back of lorries, are complaints about being cut up.

But the FTA admitted that only a third of calls ever lead to reports being forwarded to the companies whose vehicles are complained about.

One group of comments that it does pass on, however, are the complimentary ones – which make up 13 per cent of calls."

rail strikes.... again

More rail strikes have been planned for May 6th-7th and May 27th-28th.

the strike is about the RMT's view that the role of guards is being downgraded and will affect Virgin trains in this part of the world

bobbies on the bus

in order to make bus travel safer police officers in Greater Manchester will be given free bus travel.

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Michael Todd, added: "I am extremely pleased with the travel concession which is being introduced between GMP and participating local bus companies. This is a great step towards the fight against crime, developing more partnership working. If any criminal still thinks that they can use public transport to carry out their crimes-think again! From now on they will not know if they are sat next to a police officer. Increasing the number of police officers travelling on public transport, in both uniform and plain clothes, will give greater public reassurance towards their safety and help make a safer Greater Manchester transport system."

LPG not green?

the Financial times reports that the government will face the embarrassing prospect of having to withdraw a tax break for liquid petroleum gas if it is proved that the "green gas" does not have the environmental credentials the government has claimed. (unable to provide a link - it's a subscription site)

threat to free tram travel

The Strategic Rail Authority has decided to withdraw funding for free tram travel in Manchester. currently rail tickets to a manchester station will allow you to travel within the city centre on a tram for free. originally this was to allow commutters to travel to other manchester stations for free in order to change train and was supposed to encourage people to use rail

However the SRA no longer feel this funding is appropriate - with their budgets being squeezed they're looking for savings and have targetted this funding as a possible cut, their view being that it is not being used in the way intended and is subsidising people who's main destination is the city centre itself.

the GMPTE is making its views heard with government so the battle isn't over yet.

railcard info

more information on the national railcard from Railfuture to balance out the rather gloomy peice I posted last week

easter buses

there are changes to bus services over easter most bus services will be running sunday timetables on bank holidays but there will be some reductions by some operators. If in doubt contact Greater Manchester's Public Transport Information Line on 0161-228 7811.

Airport cuts charges

manchester airport is cutting its landing charges in an attempt to bring in more budget airlines to the airport.The airport has been hit by a loss of business due to the Iraq conflict and the SARS virus in Hong Kong - and with Liverpool airport growing through the custom of budget airlines it seems that Manchester Airport is stepping up its ability to compete.

no future for a national railcard?

the independent reports on the 'cautious welcome' given to a proposed national railcard. the treasury doesn't see a direct financial benefit and with the industry so fragmented, train operating compainies are wary of getting involved. One might suggest that both organisations look at the benefit to the customer... maybe one day, eh?