Uber rule changes: Transport for London to shake up private hire vehicle regulation – but it won’t insist on the five minute wait time January 20, 2016 Transport for London has revealed its plans to shake up private hire vehicles – including Uber – which would include formal English language requirements for drivers – but it won't insist on the controversial five-minute wait time. Other proposals include the introduction of guaranteed fare estimates for customers ahead of their journey, the provision of driver and vehicle details [...]
Former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna slams train group service as a “complete and utter rip off” January 20, 2016 Former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna got to his feet in the House of Commons last night to lament the cost of travelling on Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), branding the service a "rip off". Speaking the MPs, Umunna said that the cost of travelling on the train to and from "my constituency on Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Green Party candidate Sian Berry defends plans to demolish London City Airport January 20, 2016 Sian Berry wants to multiply the number of Londoners walking, cycling and using public transportation – and she has no shortage of suggestions for how to make that happen. The Green Party candidate for mayor of London backs Crossrail, expanding Overground services, building more segregated cycle lanes and extending the so-called Mini-Holland town centre schemes [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith lays out “vision for London” January 19, 2016 Conservative candidate for Mayor of London Zac Goldsmith will today set out his vision for London if elected in May. The Richmond Park MP's plan aims to "build on the city's economic strength" under current mayor Boris Johnson, and will focus on four key areas: housing, transport, living environment and crime. "We can take London’s success and make [...]
Tube strike 2016: Now TSSA union will join Aslef and RMT for January and February strike dates a day after Unite pulls out in light of TfL talks January 19, 2016 A third union will join Aslef and RMT in taking part in Tube strikes, the first of which is due to take place next week if an agreement can't be reached over pay and working conditions connected to the Night Tube. TSSA has said it will also walkout if talks between the unions and Transport [...]
UK house prices: Though it’s currently the economic golden child, Milton Keynes needs to shake off its brand image to become hot property January 19, 2016 Despite being one of the most confusing and maligned cities in the UK, Milton Keynes is managing to outpace London in terms of economic growth, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). With good transport links, a booming property market, and massive employers like Argos and Red Bull based there, on paper this makes sense. But, let’s [...]
This $2m report just killed calls for a limit on Uber driver numbers January 18, 2016 Uber has been delivered a boost in London after a new report concluded the taxi-hailing service has little effect on city congestion. The report, quietly published on a Friday before a public holiday, ended previous attempts by New York mayor Bill de Blasio and City Hall to cap for-hire vehicle numbers in the city. It comes amid similar calls by the London [...]
Tube strike 2016: Unite pulls out of scheduled dates for action as talks continue between Aslef, RMT and TfL January 18, 2016 Unite, one of three unions involved in Tube strikes which are due to begin next week, has pulled out of the industrial action as talks with Transport for London resume to try and avert the walkout. Latest: Now a new union will join the Tube strikes The union, representing 600 Tube engineers and maintenance staff, had joined [...]
London small business confidence booming but UK north-south divide becomes apparent January 18, 2016 London’s small businesses are in a buoyant mood and are expecting a strong start to 2016, new survey figures published today reveal. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) gauge of confidence – compiled from a survey of 144 London firms – climbed to a score of 25 points from [...]
Action for Cabbies turns to crowdfunding to launch a judicial review challenging Transport for London’s licensing of Uber January 17, 2016 A company founded by the wife of a black cab driver will today launch a crowdfunding campaign to try to force Transport for London (TfL) to curb Uber in the capital. Action for Cabbies will use crowdfunder.co.uk to try and raise £600,000 to fund the first phase of a judicial review, arguing that in 2012 TfL [...]