Fuel price woe is a boon for bus firms June 29, 2011 YOU might not know it from clapped-out trains that break down in the wrong type of snow or, more recently, heat – but we are living in a golden age for public transport. Higher prices at the petrol pump and the recession have combined to force more and more people to ditch the car and [...]
Stagecoach boosted by move to public transport June 29, 2011 Bus and rail group Stagecoach reported a 27 per cent jump in full-year profit, helped by a shift to public transport as petrol prices keep drivers off the roads. The Scotland-based transport group announced a pre-tax profit of £205.7m on revenue 10 per cent higher at £2.38bn for the year to the end of April. [...]
Go-Ahead ups forecasts on high demand June 23, 2011 BUS and train operator Go-Ahead said yesterday that its profit had been given a further boost as more motorists take public transport because of fuel price rises. Go-Ahead, which has a fleet of 3,800 buses and is part of a joint venture responsible for Southern, Southeastern and London Midland rail services, said its buses represented [...]
Go Ahead raises profit forecast as passengers increase June 23, 2011 Transport group Go-Ahead said it expected its full-year operating profit to be ahead of its previous expectations as passenger numbers increased on its Southern, Southeastern and London Midland rail franchises. “The previous consensus was around £108m and we’re ahead of expectations,” finance director Keith Down told Reuters in an interview. The company, which operates commuter [...]
Upbeat firms boost London jobs market June 22, 2011 JOB opportunities are opening up in London as the capital’s firms shrug off any effects from planned government spending cuts. Over half of London’s businesses (57 per cent) are now hiring as normal, according to a survey from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) – up sharply from a 45 per cent six months ago. [...]
Tube strike action begins June 19, 2011 RMT union tube drivers walked out last night in the first part of a fresh wave of planned strike action. The strike, which started at 9pm, lasted six hours, with drivers back in their cabins by this morning. A Transport for London spokesman said very few passengers were affected by the walkout, with some delays [...]
City honoured in the Queen’s birthday list June 12, 2011 BANK of England governor Mervyn King has topped a list of City figures recognised for their services to British business, banking and finance in the Queen’s birthday honours list. This year’s honours list is weighted heavily towards recognising the contribution of the City. This is partly due to it being seen as politically unpalatable for [...]
Tube workers’ Wimbledon strike June 9, 2011 London Underground drivers will strike during Wimbledon, threatening travel chaos for tennis lovers. The first strike will take place between 8pm on 19 June and 2am on 20 June, said the union. Three more strikes covering 27 June, 30 June and 1 July were also announced by the RMT union. The dispute centres around the [...]
Savvy investors will soon be taking to water June 9, 2011 FORGET yachts, successful City boys and girls will be cruising to work on boats in the years to come. Marinas are springing up alongside London’s Thameside developments. Chelsea’s flashy 1,000-apartment Imperial Wharf has just opened a marina, while Vauxhall’s St. George Wharf is building a river taxi pontoon on its doorstep that will open in [...]
SELL June 9, 2011 MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL LONDON ESTATE AGENCY, KAY & CO Q.I have £500,000 in cash to invest in a buy-to-let flat in central London. What should I buy? A.One-bedroom apartments are always in demand in central London which fits in well with your budget. I would recommend that you look for a property with a low [...]