Our monthly Transport Update, brings you links to the major developments relevant to the transport industry.

Aviation

European passenger airport traffic soars in Q1

The Airports Council International (ACI) has released its air traffic report for March and Q1 finding passenger traffic at Europe's airports grew by an average 6.9%. Freight traffic also rose 8%.

Second Gatwick runway called for as part of "megacity" London plan

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for a boost to short-term airport capacity through airfield, terminal and rail-link enhancements by enabling a new runway at Gatwick, after the construction of Heathrow.

Buses

Bus Services Act 2017

The Bus Services Act was given Royal Assent on 27 April 2017. In the first in a series of briefings looking at the various powers that the Bus Services Act gives local authorities, we start with an overview of the Act as a whole. 

Funding

DfT confirms £173.5m transport package for Leeds

The Department for Transport has announced that Leeds will get high frequency ‘busways’, improved park and ride facilities and better stops and signs through a £173.5m funding package.

Autonomous Vehicles

RACE to support driverless cars

RACE – UKAEA’s state of the art robotics technology centre at Culham Science Centre is to be a test site for driverless cars as a number of major investments in this area are announced.

Local Government

Transport Levying Bodies (Amendment) Regulations 2017

Further amendments have been made to the Transport Levying Bodies Regulations 1992 in consequence of the establishment of the new Tees Valley and the West Midlands Combined Authorities.

Rolling stock

Hitachi unveils ‘British Bullet Train’ concept

Hitachi has unveiled a model of its AT400 'British Bullet Train' concept at Railtex 2017. 

Rail franchises

Publication of DfT report on Southern rail troubles delayed until after the election

City AM reports that the publication of a report into Southern rail troubles has been delayed until after the General Election, leading to some MP criticism.

Virgin and Stagecoach team up with SNCF in bid for new HS2 franchise

CITY AM reports that Virgin and Stagecoach have partnered with French state-owned rail operator SNCF in a bid to run the first trains on HS2.

A report has warned there are significant risks' in current rail franchising system

A report published by Credo Business Consulting for think tank, Tracks suggests the current franchising system is becoming increasingly vulnerable to economic slowdown.

Vehicle safety

Industry calls for urgent action on vehicle safety standards

In a letter to the European Commission, groups including the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), the European Cyclists Federation (ECF), POLIS, the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) and Transport & Environment (T&E) have urgently called on the Commission to bring forward new minimum safety standards for new cars, vans and trucks, after years of delays.