A fifth of Brits are resigned to poor rail service as more than two million complaints were made in 2016 February 15, 2017 One in five Brits are resigned to poor rail service, with complaints up nearly half a million on last year. There were 2.04m complaints made regarding trains in 2016, according to Ombudsman Services' annual Consumer Action Monitor. The rail sector was responsible for 3.7 per cent of complaints last year, making up more than half of those [...]
Hitachi trains for Great Western Railway’s Devon and Cornwall route take shape February 15, 2017 The wheels are in motion for new intercity trains connecting London to Devon and Cornwall – well, in a manner of speaking. Hitachi Rail's Italian factory has just started work on the bodyshells for new trains which will begin running as far south as Penzance along coastal routes in Devon and Cornwall from next year. Karen [...]
RMT and Southern Rail talks break down February 14, 2017 Talks between Southern Rail and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union have broken down. The two groups have been in disagreement about the role of the guard on Southern Rail services, and the dispute has led to days of strike action, over several months. Southern had come to an agreement with Aslef, the union [...]
British Airways cabin crew announce four fresh days of strikes will go ahead from 22 February February 14, 2017 British Airways cabin crew will stage yet another batch of strikes in an ongoing pay dispute with the airline, Unite union announced today. Four strikes will be held from 22 February, after Unite warned more walkouts would occur should BA not settle the row over "poverty pay". There have been 11 days of strikes since the [...]
Russia’s Aeroflot trumps American heavyweights as the world’s most powerful airline brand February 14, 2017 Forget Emirates, American Airlines and British Airways. When it comes to the world's most powerful airline brand, another name has taken the crown. According to Brand Finance, which recently announced its annual Global 500 list featuring Lego, Google and co., Russian carrier Aeroflot is the world's most powerful airline brand. It carries an AAA brand rating [...]
Peugeot-maker PSA confirms it’s in talks to buy rival Opel from General Motors February 14, 2017 French car firm PSA has confirmed it's in talks to acquire rival European carmaker Opel from General Motors. Any new combined company would overtake Renault to become the second largest European carmaker after Volkswagen. In a statement, the company, which controls Peugeot, DS and Citroen, confirmed that "it is exploring numerous strategic initiatives aiming at improving its [...]
Car prices have surged five per cent since the Brexit vote – with large SUVs up 12.3 per cent February 14, 2017 Average new car prices have risen 5.2 per cent since the Brexit vote on 23 June last year, according to industry research. What Car? magazine said the price changes have cost the consumer nearly £2bn in just seven months, after a "perfect storm of rising inflation and the car industry's efforts to increase dealer profitability". [...]
It’s full steam ahead for Tornado’s timetabled services on the Settle-Carlisle line February 14, 2017 For the first time in nearly 50 years, a steam train is to run a timetabled passenger service in England. The A1 Pacific Tornado will pull 12 Northern services on the line over the next three days, replacing diesel trains on the Settle to Carlisle line. The line crosses the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines, [...]
EasyJet and Founders Factory announce Flio and LuckyTrip as the first travel startups for their accelerator programme February 14, 2017 EasyJet has announced the first startups chosen to be part of its Travel Tech accelerator programme with London-based startup accelerator and incubator Founders Factory. The successful startups are Flio, the global airport app and LuckyTrip app. As part of the programme the firms will receive hands on support from both Founders Factory and EasyJet for six months [...]
Triple the average number of roses will be imported this month from the likes of Kenya and Colombia as the UK gets romantic February 13, 2017 Romance isn't dead, at least according to new cargo statistics from Heathrow Airport. Around 8m stems of fresh cut roses are due to be imported this month; about 570 tonnes and triple what is seen for an average month. The Valentine's Day staple is due to be flown in in bulk and Heathrow notes most flowers purchased [...]