US car giant General Motors sues Fiat Chrysler over union ‘bribes’ November 20, 2019 Two giants of the global automotive industry have come to blows this afternoon, with General Motors suing Fiat Chrysler of bribing US automotive workers to get better terms in strike negotiations. The US firm has filed a racketeering lawsuit against Fiat and its former executives, “intended to hold FCA accountable for the harm its actions [...]
Ryanair’s ‘abusive’ hand luggage fee banned by Spanish court November 20, 2019 Ryanair’s policy of charging customers for hand luggage has been ruled “abusive” by a Spanish court, and subsequently banned in the country. The charge, introduced last year, forces passengers to pay an extra fee if they want to bring anything more than one personal item into the cabin. Read more: Ryanair ‘saving millions’ in unclaimed [...]
TfL deficit shrinks thanks to Ulez and increased Tube numbers November 20, 2019 Transport for London’s (TfL) first half revenues beat budget expectations by £260m, but the body still recorded a nine-figure deficit for the period. TfL’s second quarter results, released today, revealed a £111m operating loss for the first half of 2019-20 – a deficit reduction of 40 per cent compared to the same period in 2018-19. [...]
Hammersmith Bridge won’t be able to cope with electric double decker buses in ‘strange oversight’ November 20, 2019 An upgraded Hammersmith Bridge will not be sturdy enough for London’s current fleet of electric double decker buses in what’s been described as a “strange oversight”. The bridge has been closed indefinitely to vehicles since 10 April, with the Hammersmith and Fulham council seeking government funding for restorations. Read more: Hammersmith Bridge repairs could cost [...]
Emirates orders $9bn worth of Boeing jets despite safety concerns November 20, 2019 Gulf airline Emirates has unveiled a $9bn order for 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, while reducing its deal for the delayed 777x plane from 150 to 126. The order was struck after 11th hour talks at the Dubai air show, which has been taking place this week. It follows comments from Emirates president Tim Clark that [...]
Uber partly to blame for driverless car death, says US watchdog November 20, 2019 Uber’s safety policies have been deemed as partly to blame for the death of a woman last year, according to America’s safety watchdog. Elaine Herzberg was killed in Arizona last year, after she was hit by a driverless Uber car. Read more: Uber launches new safety measures in attempt to secure long-term London licence The [...]
TfL nets an extra £51m from London commuters despite fare freeze November 20, 2019 London commuters will pay an extra £51m in fares next year, despite Sadiq Khan’s fare freeze. Figures from the mayor of London show that daily, weekly, monthly and annual travel cards will rise 2.8 per cent over the next year, raising £51m in revenue for TfL. Read more: Sadiq Khan confirms 2020 TfL fare freeze [...]
Aston Martin reveals move into SUV market with critical DBX model November 20, 2019 Aston Martin has lifted the bonnet on its long-awaited DBX sports utility vehicle (SUV), as the luxury car maker fights to get back on track after a massive devaluation in its market value after its 2018 stock market float. The car, valued at £158,000 at list prices, is the company’s first foray into the SUV [...]
Green infrastructure funding ‘must be unlocked’ to meet climate change targets November 20, 2019 The global infrastructure system is in need of an “unprecedented” overhaul if governments are to meet global climate change targets, a new report has warned. Research by TheCityUK and Imperial College Business School today revealed that current investment in low-carbon infrastructure is well below the required level. Read more: Labour mulls carbon finance crackdown as [...]
Talks continue between RMT and South Western Railway over December strikes November 19, 2019 Crunch negotiations between RMT union and South Western Railway took place today, in a bid to avert 27 days of strikes over the Christmas period. Union bosses and the rail franchise are still clashing over a dispute involving the role of guards on trains. Drivers and guards will strike from 2 December until the New [...]