Putting Passengers First: Disruption at Gatwick, Christmas Eve 2013 -HC 956

Putting Passengers First: Disruption at Gatwick, Christmas Eve 2013 -HC 956
Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Transport Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2014-04-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0215070828

Far better contingency planning and preparedness must be put in place by UK airports, and by the airlines that use them, to prevent the kind of chaos that unfolded at Gatwick Airport on Christmas Eve 2013. The problems that unfolded were not new and the whole event should be a wake-up call for airports across the UK to improve their operational resilience. Airports must ensure that their contingency planning is good enough to ensure that future disruption will be met with well-drilled arrangements that are familiar to airport operators, airlines, and other contractors, and which put passenger interests first. If our largest airports cannot demonstrate they can do this then the Civil Aviation Authority must act. Passengers must also be promptly reimbursed for the extra costs they face as a consequence of disruption. The Committee welcomed a key conclusion from Gatwick's own review of the events on Christmas Eve that the airport should appoint passenger champions at each of its terminals. Similar arrangements should also be put in place at other major UK airports. Further recommendations include that airports should: develop (in consultation with airlines) much clearer operational protocols and guidance on the threshold conditions that will trigger the cancellation or postponement of flights; negotiate robust agreements with airlines (which carry formal responsibility for passenger welfare) for reclaiming the costs of looking after passengers during periods of disruption. Government should also push for amendments to a proposed new EU regulation on passenger compensation to include electronic means of alert and information dissemination

The draft Local Transport Bill and the Transport Innovation Fund

The draft Local Transport Bill and the Transport Innovation Fund
Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Transport Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 136
Release: 2007-08-03
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780215035813

The draft Local Transport Bill consists of a package of measures intended to promote stronger joint working between local authorities and bus operators, to support the introduction of local road pricing schemes and to enable changes to be made to local transport governance. This report follows the structure of the draft Bill. Although the remarks are related to specific clauses some of the recommendations have a more general application. Included with the report is consideration of the Transport Innovation Fund, which is closely linked to congestion and the draft Bill. The Committee is however unhappy that at the end of their inquiry the Secretary of State announced further consultation on parts of the Bill related to the powers and status of the traffic commissioners on reform of the Bus Service Operators' Grant and transitional arrangements for quality contract schemes.

Off The Rails

Off The Rails
Author: Andrew Murray
Publisher: Verso Books
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2020-09-22
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1788739582

The train derailment at Hatfield in October 2000, which cost four lives, prompted a national rethink about the state of Britain's railways. The crash has been followed by months of near-paralysis on the system, and has put privatization under the spotlight as never before. Off the Rails looks at the disastrous consequences of private ownership for Britain's railway network and makes the case for the restoration of the system to public control. It traces the history of the privatization process from think-tanks to legislation, and how British Rail came to be sold off in a hurry in one hundred different pieces by the Major government, despite public hostility. It looks at the complex structure of the privately-owned rail industry and identifies the main players, showing how they have failed to work in the public interest. It explains the conflicting roles of the various regulators, and adds up money made for shareholders at the taxpayers' expense in an industry which combines public subsidy with private profit. Written by an author deeply involved in the industry, Off the Rails draws extensively on the testimony of those who work on the railways-the train drivers, maintenance workers, signalers, station staff and passengers' representatives. The Hatfield crash was the final straw for the public reputation of the fragmented railway. The run-up to the disaster and the chaos afterward are examined in detail, as are the limitations of the political response from New Labour. Off the Rails is also a call for change. The book looks at how public ownership could be reintroduced and considers other alternatives for renewing the railways. It also draws on experience in other parts of the world to make the case that only the restoration of the railways as a public service can guarantee the safe and reliable service which passengers expect.

British Rail

British Rail
Author: Christian Wolmar
Publisher: Penguin UK
Total Pages: 261
Release: 2022-06-09
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 0241456215

The authoritative and fascinating history of the rise and fall of the state-owned British Rail 'Wolmar's book is impeccably organised and makes a fast, enjoyable read' THE TIMES Literary Supplement________ British Rail wasn't how we're asked to remember it . . . From ancient rolling stock to patchy service, stale sandwiches to the wrong kind of snow, British Rail - our last great state-owned organisation to be privatised - has received a terrible press. But after its controversial 1948 creation, British Rail was actually an innovative powerhouse that over five decades transformed the UK, creating one of the fastest regular rail services in the world. Award-winning journalist Christian Wolmar takes us from promise to punchline, exploring British Rail's birth into post-war austerity, the many battles and struggles to evolve what many considered to be a dinosaur, and how, at the height of its success, the service was misunderstood and unfairly maligned, ruthlessly broken up and privatised._______ Praise for Christian Wolmar 'Wolmar is the high priest of railway studies' Literary Review 'The greatest expert on British trains' Guardian 'Our most eminent transport journalist' Spectator 'If the world's railways have a laureate, it is surely Christian Wolmar' Boston Globe 'Christian Wolmar is in love with the railways. He writes constantly and passionately about them. He is their wisest, most detailed historian and a constant prophet of their rebirth . . . if you love the hum of the wheels and of history, then Christian Wolmar is your man' Observer

Transport Policy and Planning in Great Britain

Transport Policy and Planning in Great Britain
Author: Peter Headicar
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 495
Release: 2009-04-08
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1134104979

A critical overview of the nature, evolution and contemporary challenges of transport policy and planning at the national and local scale while expanding on procedural mechanisms and forging much-needed links with the related discipline of spatial planning.

Ticketing and Concessionary Travel on Public Transport

Ticketing and Concessionary Travel on Public Transport
Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Transport Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 254
Release: 2008
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780215514493

Ticketing and concessionary travel on public transport, is the 5th report from the Transport Committee in 2007-08 session (HCP 84, ISBN 9780215514493). It examines the the aim of producing an integrated ticketing system across England, with the introduction of smartcard concessionary travel passes.The report inquires into the extent to which integrated ticketing on public transport has been achieved for all users; the issues regarding smartcards; arrangements for revenue protection (stopping fare-evasion) which will be affected by new forms of ticket; the impact of concessionary travel in England which is costing £1 billion per annum. The Committee has set out a number of recommendations, including: the Committee believes that the Government in terms of promoting integrated bus ticketing has achieved too little of practical value; it recommends that Traffic Commissioners be given powers to arbitrate where bus companies and local transport authorities disagree; that coach travel should be given greater consideration in future statements of public transport policy; it is imperative that the full range of tickets, including multi-modal options be available at all main outlets so that the Government's aim of fare simplification can be better acheived (see The Future of Rail, Cm. 6233, ISBN 9780101623322); that the Government needs to ensure suitable guidelines on differential pricing is included in decisions on rail fares and rail franchises with particular reference to smartcards; that the Government needs to articulate a clearer strategy for the development of integrated ticketing in general and smartcards in particular; that the Government should move towards a unified system of public transport revenue protection; that the Department of Transport should commission an evaluation of the benefits of the national scheme for free local bus travel and that national concessionary travel is properly funded. For a related title see, How Fair are the Fairs (HCP 700-I, session 2005-06, ISBN 9780215028853).

International Conference on Building Competitiveness through Technology Enabled Business, Management & Leadership

International Conference on Building Competitiveness through Technology Enabled Business, Management & Leadership
Author: C. Samuel Joseph
Publisher: Shanlax Publications
Total Pages: 240
Release:
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 8119337387

This book contains the collection of articles from the International Conference on “Building Competitiveness through Technology Enabled Business, Management and Leadership” held on February 9 & 10, 2024. This Distinguished Event was Meticulously Organized by The American School of Business Administration, The American College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Bus services after the Spending Review

Bus services after the Spending Review
Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Transport Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2011-08-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780215561176

The Transport Committee reports that extensive cuts to rural, evening and weekend bus services are damaging the ability of many people - especially the old, young or disabled - to participate in employment, education or voluntary work and to access vital services such as healthcare and retail facilities. In a review of England's bus services (outside London) after the Spending Review, the Committee warns that even deeper cuts in bus services are likely in 2012-13, as local authorities struggle to deal with budgetary reductions, and calls for the concessionary travel scheme to be preserved so that the elderly and disabled continue to enjoy free bus travel. The Committee also concludes that the concessionary fares scheme was 'discriminatory' because it did not apply to most community transport providers - usually independent charities that provide transport such as dial-a-ride bus services. It calls on the Department for Transport to monitor the extent of service cutbacks made this year and to review service provision again after BSOG (Bus Service Operator Grant) grant cuts take effect in 2012 - 13 so that it can analyse and draw conclusions about the wider costs and benefits of its policy changes to the country as a whole. The Local Government Association should identify and disseminate information about good and bad practice in the delivery of cost effective, flexible services including community transport and/or area-based transport integration. And local authorities and commercial operators must consult more widely where services are being changed

Aircrew Security

Aircrew Security
Author: Clois Williams
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 539
Release: 2017-03-02
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 1351959832

The events of 11 September 2001 changed the world, and in particular the aviation community, forever. Since then, the terrorist threat continues to dominate international air travel and pose a real and present danger to airline passengers and aircrew across the globe. In line with this, expectations of renewed commitments to aircrew security training increased, however the practical reality of the standard of information and effective training often fell short. This book aims to help redress this problem. Intended to help flight crews' deal with the new complexities they face in the skies, it is designed to inform and enlighten crewmembers on the issues posed by air rage and terrorist activities, using techniques for conflict resolution, assessment of threat, mental and physical preparation and post-incident considerations. The culmination of work accomplished from a lifetime of employment in aviation, security and training, the authors use a progressive approach to explain security issues from a flight crewmember's perspective. Using detailed studies of current airline security practice, verified by interviews with crewmembers worldwide, the book uncovers many of the shortcomings of international aviation security and presents plausible and innovative solutions to the problems crewmembers face. Having worked with aviation industry leaders, regulatory authorities, major airlines and flight training organizations, the authors provide a unique blend of guidance, useful to the development of security programs for crewmembers by airlines, corporations and air charter companies. Government agencies commissioned with overseeing and developing aircrew security can also use the book when seeking a better understanding of the needs of crewmembers and airlines. Readership includes: Airline flight crewmembers (pilots, flight engineers and flight attendants); major universities and colleges with aviation programs; members of organizations such as the Airline Transport Association, International Airline Transport Association, World Airline Transport Association, Flight Safety Foundation, Pilot and Flight Attendant labor unions as well as government agencies.