Now the RMT’s balloting London Midland conductors for strike action January 20, 2017 Conductors on London Midland will be balloted for strike action and action short of a strike, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union announced today. The RMT said it was balloting its 523 London Midland conductor members over a decision to place security contractors on trains within the network without agreement. RMT general secretary Mick [...]
Government starts hunt for company to build HS2 trains in £2.75bn contract January 20, 2017 It's full steam ahead for HS2: the government's now after a company to sign a £2.75bn contract to make a fleet of high speed trains for the project. Up to 60 high specification trains to transport passengers at around 225mph on the new rail service, will be needed. The government said hundreds of jobs will be [...]
Tesla’s fatal autopilot crash investigation has concluded: Here’s what it said January 19, 2017 A US government investigation into Tesla's autopilot system following a fatal crash, has found that the tech company gave drivers enough warning around the system and identified no defects, avoiding a recall of the Model S cars. The report by the US department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said: "Although perhaps not as [...]
RMT says Southern strikes will go ahead next week January 19, 2017 The RMT said Southern rail strikes will go ahead next week, after the union said it was "excluded" from talks between Aslef and rail bosses. Southern drivers and guards who are members of the RMT union will strike on Monday 23 January. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT demands again today that this union be [...]
Full steam ahead for new HS2 West Coast Partnership franchise: Government unveils checklist for prospective bidders January 19, 2017 The government has laid out details for prospective bidders on the new franchise that will run the InterCity West Coast and HS2 services, with the winner set to be announced in November next year. The new franchise – the West Coast Partnership – is scheduled to start on 1 April 2019, and the operator will be [...]
French aircraft engine maker Safran launches €8.5bn takeover of aircraft seat maker Zodiac Aerospace January 19, 2017 Safran has launched an agreed €8.5bn (£7.4bn) bid for aeroplane seat maker Zodiac Aerospace, creating the world's third-largest aerospace supplier by revenue. Philippe Petitcolin, Safran's chief executive said the acquisition represents "a unique opportunity" and said his company's industrial expertise will "accelerate the return to their historical levels of profitability in the seats and cabin activities". He [...]
Who flies by private jet? A look at today’s typical customer January 19, 2017 Who flies private jet? Well, according to PrivateFly’s bookings, the average jet user is a 41-year-old male, who opts for a small “air taxi” jet from London to Paris. The private jet booking platform has unveiled the characteristics of the typical private jet frequenter, using data from users over the past 12 months. Read more: [...]
Ditch the congestion charge for road pricing, London Assembly Transport Committee tells Sadiq Khan January 19, 2017 The current congestion charge is "no longer fit for purpose" and road pricing should be rolled out instead, says the London Assembly Transport Committee. In London Stalling, a report released today, the committee urges the mayor to change the current system and bring in a way of charging people for road usage that is targeted at [...]
John McDonnell will join striking British Airways cabin crew at Heathrow January 18, 2017 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell is joining members of British Airways' cabin crew who are starting a three-day walkout tomorrow. Unite the union said its general secretary Len McCluskey and the shadow chancellor will be joining the picket lines at Heathrow tomorrow in a dispute over pay. McDonnell, whose Hayes & Harlington constituency covers Heathrow Airport, said: [...]
£49k a year, four days a week: Southern rail’s hiring drivers January 18, 2017 Want to earn £49,000 a year for a four-day week? Southern rail wants you: the company is ramping up its efforts to recruit more drivers to cut down on disruption on its network. Southern owner Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said earlier this week it was after new drivers as it seeks to cut down its reliance on rest-day working [...]