Planes, trains and automobiles – how is Europe’s transport sector curbing its emissions? September 24, 2021 Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by 3.8% in 2019, according to the European Environment Agency, bringing them to 24.0% below the levels seen in 1990. However, the EU is targeting a 55% reduction by 2030 (compared to 1990) with the aim of reaching net zero by 2050. There is still a long way to [...]
Lucrative Covid-19 contracts drive profits at outsourcer Mitie September 24, 2021 Outsourcer Mitie has lifted its profit guidance due to a string of Covid-linked contracts, which saw it clean Heathrow and Manchester airport, alongside Transport for London (TfL). It now expects operating profit before other items to hit between £145m and £155m, the company said in its half year update. “In our first quarter trading update [...]
Exclusive: Business bookings up two-thirds as Eurostar gears up for recovery September 24, 2021 Eurostar’s boss hailed the return of the business market as new figures showed a significant uptick in September bookings. Business travel was up 62 per cent in the first two weeks of September on the fortnight before, as a gradual loosening of travel restrictions and the return of in-person meetings drove increased passenger numbers. Jacques [...]
Government denies there is shortage of fuel amid BP and Esso closing gas stations September 24, 2021 The government is urging Brits “buy fuel as normal”, after the ongoing lorry driver shortage issue reached gas stations yesterday. BP said a number of its filling stations are closed due to a lack of fuel available, while Esso owner ExxonMobil also said a “small number” of its Tesco Alliance petrol forecourts have been impacted. [...]
City of London exec: Hybrid working is here to stay and the Square Mile will adapt September 23, 2021 The new flexible ways of working are here to stay – and the City will adapt, the chair of City of London Corporation’s planning and transportation committee, Alastair Moss, has said. Championing the fresh approach to working life in the capital, Moss urged that although employees are seeking a better work-life balance, City office spaces [...]
TfL sanctions for bare-faced commuters slump September 23, 2021 Transport for London (TfL) slapped six non-mask wearing commuters per day with fines in July in the run-up to “Freedom Day” as policing of Covid-19 prevention measures on the capital’s transport network waned. TfL imposed 123 fines on commuters for not wearing a mask in July, a 79 per cent drop from June’s 590 fines. [...]
Legalise it: e-scooters could help to reduce London car use, says study September 23, 2021 A London think tank is calling on the government to legalise e-scooters in a bid to make transport in the Capital greener. A report by the Centre for London wants e-scooters, which produce 34 per cent less carbon emissions than cars and far less air pollution, to be introduced alongside a raft of new legislation [...]
Suburban takeover: Pret sets out plans for more than 200 new shops September 22, 2021 Sandwich chain Pret a Manger has announced plans to open more than 200 UK shops in the next two years, as it aims to become more than a “white collar worker’s staple”. The business hopes to double its size within five years, with a £100m net investment by JAB and Pret founder Sinclair Beecham to [...]
West Midlands’ transport system will follow London’s lead September 22, 2021 While Westminster was abuzz with all the reshuffle gossip last week, my eyes were immediately drawn to the renewed focus on the levelling up agenda. With a new high-profile cabinet minister in place and a re-named department, it is clear the Prime Minister is intent on delivering the vision he laid out in his speech [...]
“It’s existential”: TfL boss says Government failure on long-term funding deal would be “betrayal” of London September 22, 2021 THE man in charge of the capital’s creaking transport network has said that it will be a “betrayal” of London if TfL does not get a long-term funding deal this year. Commissioner Andy Byford warned that if the government did not agree a multi-year package with the operator it would set back the UK’s recovery [...]