A new rail franchise will combine HS2 with InterCity West Coast services November 4, 2016 The government has confirmed a new rail franchise will combine the current InterCity West Coast services with the development and introduction of High Speed 2 (HS2) services. The new franchise, West Coast Partnership, will be responsible for services on both the West Coast main line from 2019, and designing and running the initial high speed [...]
Businesses don’t think the UK will become more competitive in 2050 than it is now as infrastructure’s stalling November 4, 2016 Nearly two thirds of businesses don't think the UK will be any more internationally competitive by 2050 than it is now. That'll be because of infrastructure stalling over the coming years, according to the 2016 CBI and Aecom infrastructure survey. CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn said the results were "a concern", particularly in the wake of the Brexit vote, when the [...]
RMT announces fresh Christmas strike dates in Southern Rail row November 3, 2016 The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced more industrial action by Southern Rail guards in the dispute over the role of the guard. Members will take strike action by not booking for any shifts between: 0001 on Thursday 22nd December and 2359 on Saturday 24th December 0001 on Saturday 31st December 2016 and [...]
Southern Rail strikes set to cause Christmas chaos November 3, 2016 Southern Rail workers have announced they will strike for three days in December, certain to cause Christmas chaos for travellers and commuters. Strikers from the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said they would stage industrial action for three days from 22 December, and three more days from New Year's Eve as part of the long-running [...]
Mayor of London calls on government and train operators to freeze rail fares across London November 3, 2016 The Mayor of London wants the government to freeze fares across the capital's suburban rail services. Sadiq Khan said that a potential rise of up to five per cent on some lines will be a "kick in the teeth" for long-suffering passengers. Transport for London's pay as you go fares have been frozen for the next four years, [...]
Monarch has cancelled all UK flights to Sharm el-Sheikh as British Airways and easyJet flights stay suspended November 3, 2016 Monarch has suspended all flights between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh indefinitely as security concerns continue. Monarch said it was cancelling flights and holiday bookings “for the foreseeable future”. “With no indication from the government as to when the airport will re-open flights from the UK, the airline is cancelling all flight and bookings for winter 2016-17 [...]
Uber’s app is about to get a serious makeover November 2, 2016 The Uber app is about to get a serious makeover, integrating with other apps such as Snapchat and your calendar to better fit into your life. It will add a shortcut button to rides that you take often, and integrating with your calendar, will suggest a ride to scheduled meetings automatically without having to find the address [...]
RMT has kicked off balloting for two sets of London Underground strikes November 2, 2016 Balloting has begun this week for two separate disputes on the London Underground, ahead of possible strike action. Around 4,000 members of station staff are being balloted by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union over the impact on safety from the axing of nearly 900 front line workers alongside the closure of Tube ticket offices. [...]
Ryanair sticks to post-Brexit plans of non-UK expansion: It’s now flying from Frankfurt November 2, 2016 Ryanair's branching out (but not in the UK). The no-frills airline is spreading its wings and opening a base at Frankfurt airport. That makes it the first of the low fare airlines to open a base at Germany's biggest airport as the rise of the budget carriers continues. Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's chief executive, has said the [...]
A comprehensive list of all the central London journeys that could be quicker to walk November 2, 2016 You may have seen these handy Transport for London (TfL) walking maps showing you the specific steps it takes to walk between stations on the same line and how long it would take. But have you seen there's a comprehensive list of all the central journeys that could be quicker to walk, rather than take public transport? [...]