We spoke too soon: Now maintenance and engineering workers are striking over Night Tube May 24, 2016 Thought a deal had finally been reached to launch Night Tube? Think again: the RMT union has confirmed that there's going to be a strike over the new 24-hour service – by maintenance and engineering workers. The much-maligned service was finally given a launch date of 19 August yesterday following months of delays while drivers' unions [...]
Here’s how Uber wants to solve commuting May 24, 2016 Uber has already revolutionised our late night trips after a night out, but now Uber wants to do the same for your daily commute to work. The boss of the billion dollar startup Travis Kalanick has spoken about one of the bigger plans for the company and the future of commuting – carpooling. "Is there a way that someone could pick [...]
Ryanair pledges to cut fares as it misses profit expectations following the affects of terrorist incidents and union strikes May 23, 2016 Budget airline Ryanair missed expectations in its full-year profits today as the impact of terrorist attacks on bookings and low oil prices began to take their toll. The figures Adjusted net profits came in at €1.24bn (£961m) for the 52 weeks to 31 March, a 43 per cent increase on the previous year, although this missed analysts' estimate of €1.3bn. [...]
Larger private jet sales soar across the UK in buyers market May 23, 2016 Europe's demand for bigger private jets is growing, new research has revealed. Deliveries of mid to heavy business jets to Europe are up by 18 per cent between 2006-2010 and 2011-2015. There are around 1,691 mid to large private jets in Europe with 15 per cent in the UK, more than any other country in [...]
Gibbs’ river taxis take to the Thames May 23, 2016 The days of congested London bridges could be numbered after a technology company showed off its amphibious cars on the Thames this weekend. Gibbs Technologies demoed its range of hybrid cars to potential investors around Canary Wharf. Gibbs claims its vehicles are the first in the world to be able to exceed 30 miles per hour [...]
Addison Lee drivers to gridlock Mayfair on Tuesday May 22, 2016 Over 100 Addison Lee drivers are set to gridlock Mayfair’s Berkeley Square tomorrow during a major protest over a fall in pay rates. Members of GMB, the union for private hire drivers, will block the road outside the office of Carlyle Group, that bought Addison Lee for £300m in 2013. The union claims that Addison Lee, [...]
Liverpool Airport wasn’t technically evacuated – but passengers have been removed from departure lounge due to problem with scanning machine May 20, 2016 Liverpool Airport was not technically "evacuated", but passengers have been asked to leave the departure lounge after a technical problem with scanning machines. The airport said passengers are currently being re-screened and there is no threat to passenger safety. Large numbers of holidaymakers had to leave the main airport building after the glitch. Manchester Evening News [...]
Dog lovers, look away now: Cat pictures may soon be coming to a Tube near you May 20, 2016 Hot on the tail of the city's emerging cat café culture, Londoners may soon be able to see cats during their daily commute. A cuddly Kickstarter fund aims to replace all the ads at a Tube station with pictures of cats, and it is coming within a whisker of its target. Although it was initially dismissed [...]
Transport for London’s contactless drive takes another stride forward May 20, 2016 Londoners are now able to use contactless on the Thames. Transport for London today announced that customers travelling on the MBNA Thames Clippers River Bus will be able to pay using contactless payment cards. Using contactless is the same cost as using an Oyster Card, which TfL says is up to 19 per cent cheaper than [...]
London’s iconic black cabs to come clean as Chinese owner raises $400m to electrify taxi fleet May 19, 2016 The Chinese owner of London’s iconic black cab has raised $400m (£273.8m) in a bid to introduce "clean taxis" on London roads. Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. secured the funds to electrify black cabs through a green bond sale that is rumoured to have been oversubscribed by eight times. The company intends to use the funds for developing [...]