Grant Shapps ‘optimistic’ of TfL bailout deal, but signals potential fare rises May 14, 2020 Transport secretary Grant Shapps has said he is “optimistic” a deal can be struck to rescue struggling Transport for London (TfL), while signalling that fare hikes may be a condition of any bailout. Shapps said at today’s press briefing that a bailout was on its way for TfL, just hours after Sadiq Khan said he [...]
UK government kick starts £2bn transport spending spree May 14, 2020 The government has begun a £2bn spending spree on the UK’s transport infrastructure, according to transport secretary Grant Shapps. Shapps said at today’s press briefing that the government had begun a slew of road and rail projects, which were first announced in the Conservatives’ 2019 election manifesto. Shapps said the government was in the process [...]
Sadiq Khan warns TfL will run out of cash today without government bailout May 14, 2020 London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has given the government an ultimatum saying that if Transport for London does not receive a bailout today the operator will have to cut tube and bus services. Speaking to LBC, Khan said: “Being blunt, today is the last day. Unless the government gives us confirmation of the grant we need, [...]
Boris Johnson urges commuters not to crowd onto public transport May 13, 2020 Boris Johnson has urged commuters not to crowd onto public transport as some workers began returning to their offices today. Speaking in parliament, the Prime Minister said: “I don’t want to see crowding on mass transit or public transport in our capital or anywhere else”. Johnson’s words come after a number of images were released [...]
Coronavirus public transport advice: What do lockdown rules say? May 13, 2020 The government has released new public transport advice for would-be commuters as the UK takes its first tentative steps out of seven weeks of lockdown. Although it once again stresses that people should avoid travelling it is totally necessary, the measures lay out steps people can take to keep themselves and others safe when making [...]
Coronavirus lockdown: Commuters should prepare to queue, government says May 12, 2020 The government has said that commuters using public transport should prepare to queue as more people begin to return to workplaces on Wednesday. In new guidance published today by the Department for Transport (DfT), people are urged to avoid public transport where possible and to prepare for journeys to take longer than normal. “If you [...]
TfL set for £4bn loss as operator seeks government bailout May 12, 2020 Transport for London (TfL) is on track for a £4bn loss this year as the capital’s transport operator continues to seek a bailout from the government. According to papers from TfL’s finance committee, the operator is currently spending £600m a month due to the coronavirus crisis. As a result of the pandemic, usage of London’s [...]
Mayor candidate Shaun Bailey: TfL bailout was ‘inevitable’ May 11, 2020 London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has claimed that Transport for London’s (TfL) bailout bid was “inevitable” and would have happened even without the coronavirus crisis. The Tory candidate told City A.M.’s daily podcast The City View that TfL was “bankrupt, virtually” and that its bid for a £2bn bailout from central government was because of [...]
Life after lockdown: What are the new UK social distancing rules? May 11, 2020 After seven weeks of social distancing, the UK government is beginning to ease its coronavirus lockdown measures. Boris Johnson announced a conditional plan in an address on Sunday night for a partial easing of the UK lockdown. The measures, which have now been outlined in a 60-page document, form the first phase of the government’s [...]
Coronavirus: Government U-turns on face mask advice May 11, 2020 People in England have been told to wear face masks on public transport and in some shops after the government reversed its decision on personal protective equipment (PPE). In a 51-page document published this afternoon, the government said face coverings should be worn in situations where social distancing is not always possible. According to the [...]