Category Archives: Transport

Many of Australia’s top car sellers are collecting and sharing driver data, Choice investigation finds

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Consumer group analysed carmakers’ privacy policies to determine the extent to which modern, more digital vehicles collect data

A Choice analysis of carmaker privacy policies has found some of the biggest car sellers in Australia collect and share a range of driver data, including in some cases video and biometric data, with third parties.

The consumer group analysed the privacy policies of Toyota, Ford, MG, Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, Tesla, Subaru, Isuzu and Mitsubishi to determine the extent that modern vehicles are collecting data on their customers, as vehicles become more and more digital.

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Families lay wreaths to mark 25 years since Ladbroke Grove rail crash

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Collision of two trains in west London killed 31 people and was one of worst rail disasters in recent UK history

Families bereaved by the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster have laid flowers to remember those killed, and to recognise those who came to their aid, 25 years since the crash that killed 31 people.

The disaster, one of the most catastrophic rail incidents in recent UK history, also left more than 220 injured. A rush-hour train collided almost head-on with a high-speed train about 2 miles from Paddington station in west London, shortly after 8am on 5 October 1999.

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Gap in Albanese government’s new fuel efficiency rules means ‘biggest, dirtiest polluters’ exempt

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New vehicle efficiency standards (NVES) will not apply to at least four large vehicles, source says

New fuel efficiency standards due to come into force from January will not apply to at least four large vehicle models because of a gap within the legislation, the motor industry has been told.

The Albanese government said earlier this year its new vehicle efficiency standards (NVES) would save motorists about $1,000 a year while cutting fuel use and carbon emissions.

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Police allegedly pepper-sprayed 13-year-old at Sydney rally, legal observers say – as it happened

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Treasurer raised trade restrictions on lobsters with Chinese leaders

Asked about the trade restrictions on Australian lobsters by China, Jim Chalmers said:

We’ve got a bit more work to do on lobster, but I was able to convey directly to Chinese leaders that we want to see the speedy resolution of those issues.

It’s a really important part of stabilising the relationship, which is full of complexity and full of economic opportunity. And while I was there, the Chinese authorities announced some quite substantial steps when it comes to supporting growth in the Chinese economy. We’ve made it really clear that weakness in the Chinese economy has been a big concern for us. It’s a big part of the global economic uncertainty that we’re dealing with …

If you look at our Treasury forecasts in the budget, we’re anticipating the weakest few years of Chinese growth, really, since that economy opened up in the late 1970s [and] that’s been a big concern for us. We’ve been upfront about that, so any efforts to try and turn that around in China is a good thing for us.

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UK weather: strong wind warning issued as England and Wales cope with floods

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Transport disrupted and more than 60 flood warnings still in place, with more downpours to come

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for strong winds on Sunday as parts of the country recovered from heavy rain and flooding. Flooding disrupted rail services in England and Wales on Friday morning and led to the closure of the M5 motorway in both directions in Gloucestershire.

The Environment Agency told drivers their cars could be swept away in as little as 30cm (12in) of water as more than 60 flood warnings were issued in England after heavy rain overnight, with further downpours to come.

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Perth airport runway undergoes emergency repairs after Qantas plane takeoff

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Video of QF71 taking off on Sunday shows parts of airport’s damaged main runway lifting up as plane accelerates

An accelerating Qantas plane has caused extensive damage to a Perth runway, forcing its closure and emergency repairs.

Video of Singapore-bound QF71’s takeoff at about midday on Sunday shows the plane increasing speed as a large part of Perth airport’s main runway lifts up behind the plane.

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‘There’s something in the air’: UK airport expansion gears up for takeoff

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Lobbyists are increasingly confident about expansion plans as concerns for the economy start to deepen

The younger, tormented minister mulling his position before the Labour government granted Heathrow’s third runway in 2009 might have been greatly relieved to know that, 15 years later, not a shovel would have touched the ground.

But now, returning to power with a revamped energy and climate brief, Ed Miliband again finds himself in a cabinet which, many in aviation hope, may usher in bigger airports and more flights – as well as enough CO2 emissions to outweigh any new solar farms.

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Queensland’s 50c public transport fares to remain with support of both major parties

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Premier Steven Miles says scheme saves money and ‘takes cars off the road, gets people home sooner and is great for the environment’

The Queensland opposition says it will match the state government’s commitment to keep 50c public transport fares in place beyond the October election.

The cut-price bus, train and ferry tickets were initially slated as a trial – to run three months before and after election day – and had been criticised as a “desperate political gimmick” from a government struggling in the polls.

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TfL to refund drivers wrongly issued with Ulez fines after cameras vandalised

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Two cameras in Chingford were twisted around to face roads outside the low-emission zone boundary

Transport for London (TfL) has said it will refund drivers wrongly issued with ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) charges because of vandalised enforcement cameras.

The transport body confirmed two cameras in Chingford, north-east London, “became misaligned” for a short period and many fines were issued incorrectly. It is understood the cameras were twisted the wrong way so that they were facing roads outside the Ulez boundary.

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Airport parking: £100 fines in Bristol ‘could be unenforceable’

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Eagle-eyed reader and consumer solicitor say local bylaws are key to question of enforcement

Are private fines sent by Bristol airport’s contractor to motorists who pick up passengers outside its designated, paid-for, drop-off and pickup zone unenforceable?

It looks as though they may be, if an eagle-eyed Guardian reader and a leading consumer solicitor are correctly interpreting the bylaws that govern the airport.

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Delayed air travellers may get compensation under rules Albanese government proposes

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Catherine King says new charter may force airlines to compensate you if they bump you off a flight, delay your flight, or cancel it

Airlines in Australia may yet be forced to compensate passengers for bumping them to other services because of overbooking, delaying or cancelling their flights, under the charter of aviation rights proposed by the Albanese government.

The transport minister, Catherine King, told Guardian Australia that, despite the aviation white paper not endorsing a standalone compensation provision, the government aims to have legally enforceable penalties included in the charter. It also wants powers granted to the proposed new aviation ombudsman to deal with how airlines treat passengers.

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Federal government approves third runway for Melbourne airport

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Approval requires the establishment of a noise amelioration program for nearby communities

The federal government has approved a third runway for Melbourne airport, with conditions set to share and minimise the effects of aircraft noise on surrounding communities.

The transport minister, Catherine King, announced the go-ahead for the runway construction on Friday, saying it would allow the airport to cater for the demand of a growing city and provide better access for freight and passengers.

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Families to launch class action after Hunter Valley bus crash driver jailed for decades

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Legal case targets Transport for NSW for alleged safety failings on road where 10 passengers were killed and company that employed Brett Button

Families who lost loved ones in a deadly New South Wales bus crash say they will launch a class-action lawsuit as the driver responsible was sent to prison for decades.

Brett Button, 59, was sentenced on Wednesday to 32 years in jail, with a non-parole period of 24 years, for killing 10 passengers and injuring 25 who had been celebrating a young couple’s wedding in the Hunter Valley.

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Brisbane e-scooter operator Beam loses licence over alleged breach of daily cap

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City council alleges cap on scooter numbers ‘systematically exceeded’ by 500 a day but company ‘disagrees’ with claims, saying it is ‘reviewing options’

Brisbane has become the first Australian city to kick out an e-scooter operator, after the council cancelled the licence for Beam to operate over allegations it regularly breached its caps.

The Brisbane city council said it would now seek a replacement e-scooter operator for the city, after an investigation found Beam had “systematically exceeded” its cap on numbers by about 500 a day. The company has denied “assertions” made by council.

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LNER train driver strikes called off after successful union talks

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Planned 22 days of disrupted weekend services suspended with Aslef stating it has resolved a longstanding dispute

A series of weekend strikes by train drivers on LNER from Saturday has been called off, their trade union Aslef has announced.

Passengers travelling between London and Edinburgh had faced the prospect of months of disruption after LNER drivers earlier this month announced 22 days of industrial action from the start of September until early November.

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Thrush hour: study suggests birdsong can ease commuter stress

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Research for South Western Railway finds passengers who listened to natural soundscapes reported 35% reduction in stress levels

At the end of summer even adults suffer that “back to school” feeling as they resume stressful commutes on packed trains. But instead of listening to a podcast or music, opting for a nature soundtrack of birdsong or waterfalls could be the key to a “zen” commute, according to a study.

The research, undertaken by South Western Railway (SWR) on one of its trains and analysed by Charles Spence, a professor of experimental psychology at the University of Oxford, measured the impact of listening to nature soundscapes on passengers’ stress levels and relaxation.

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Qantas profit down 16% to $2.1bn as surging demand for cheap fares helps Jetstar

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International business revenues fell significantly on last year’s result, while budget carrier’s earnings rose 23%

Qantas Airways has posted a $2.1bn annual underlying profit – down 16% from last year’s record result – amid a surge in demand for budget Jetstar fares and mounting public anger at its service and ticket policies.

Australia’s biggest airline said bookings and travel demand remained stable across its flying brands, although moderating air fares had eroded profits, especially on international flights.

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People in England driving more, cycling less and walking further, survey shows

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Department for Transport’s annual travel poll shows car or van trips up 8% as Covid-era shift to cycling fizzles away

People in England are walking record distances, official figures show – but charities have said more needs to be done to get individuals on their feet.

According to government data, the average walking journey increased in length last year, even as most other forms of day-to-day travel continued to lag behind pre-pandemic levels.

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Brisbane’s bus rapid transit service to expand to outer suburbs in time for 2032 Olympics

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The city’s LNP mayor and the state Labor government have agreed to work together on 22 new stations, including the airport

Brisbane’s Metro bus rapid transit service is set to expand to the outer suburbs of the city in time for the 2032 Olympics in a plan which now has the backing of the Labor state government.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and premier Steven Miles will on Wednesday jointly announce a “long-term” plan for 22 new stations, expanding the service to Springwood, Capalaba, Carseldine, and the Brisbane airport.

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Australia urged to show ‘true climate leadership’ as Pacific Islands Forum begins – as it happened

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Investigations under way after alleged theft of non-fuctional guns from museum

An investigation is under way after a museum in Lithgow, in the NSW Central Tablelands, was allegedly broken into overnight.

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