Nat Exp east coast to be nationalised July 1, 2009 THE loss-making east coast rail line is set to be renationalised after National Express, which currently operates the franchise, failed to renegotiate its funding contract with the Department for Transport (DfT). National Express currently runs services on the line between London and Edinburgh. But the firm is walking away from the line after it failed [...]
FirstGroup’s bid rejected June 29, 2009 BUS and rail operator National Express has rejected a bid approach from larger rival FirstGroup to create a global giant ferrying millions of American school children and British commuters each day. Britain’s FirstGroup, which operates Greyhound buses in the US and ranks itself as the world’s leading transport company moving more than 2.5bn passengers a [...]
OTHER HOT SUMMER MOROCCO IDEAS June 28, 2009 VINEYARD TRIPMorocco is an Islamic country, but away from the major northern cities it is fairly relaxed about most things, wine included. In the hills of Meknes in northern Morocco there are acres upon acres of vineyards, and 35m bottles of wine are produced a year. Wine-lovers can now take a four-day tour, which includes [...]
How London City Airport’s veteran boss is keeping his sights set high June 28, 2009 Whenever you meet Richard Gooding, London City Airport’s relaxed-looking chief executive, you can’t help feeling he has seen it all before – and after clocking up 42 years in the airline business, he probably has. Aged just 18, Gooding left rural Suffolk to work as an apprentice for British European Airways – which later became [...]
Regeneration is taking off in the Olympic quarters June 25, 2009 STRATFORD has long been one of those London areas that is supposedly on the verge of gentrification. The coming of the DLR, then the Jubilee Line, were meant to turn it into an up-and-coming area attractive to thrusting young professionals. It never quite happened. But last week, two things took place which mean that Stratford [...]
Bishop to exit BMI on a high June 22, 2009 GERMAN flag carrier Lufthansa yesterday made headway on wrapping up its acquisitions of BMI British Midland and Brussels Airlines after it addressed competition concerns voiced by the European Commission. Lufthansa also said yesterday it had struck a deal with Sir Michael Bishop to acquire his stake of 50 per cent plus one share in BMI [...]
TfL minds the funds gap June 21, 2009 TRANSPORT for London has narrowed the tube funding gap by £2.5bn with a massive cost cutting drive. The new budget plan for three quarters of the tube network includes deferring upgrades, axing 1,000 jobs and rewriting engineering contracts. Under the plan, set to be announced on Wednesday, £800m will be saved by postponing work on [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING June 21, 2009 THE SUNDAYSThe Sunday TelegraphBA CHIEF SNUBS SELECT COMMITTEEWillie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways, has refused to go before the House of Commons transport committee to give evidence on the future of aviation. The hearing, os scheduled for Wednesday next week – coincidentally the first day of the month that Walsh will work without pay [...]
Recovery hopes are pushing smart traders towards metals contracts June 17, 2009 BELOW me, dozens of men in dark suits are standing in a ring, yelling at each other and making special hand signals. Around the ring clerks are sitting, often with a telephone held to each ear and giving a running commentary down the line on the events unfolding in front of them. In the cacophony [...]
Boris plans RMT talks June 17, 2009 TALKS between warring London Underground (LU) and the Rail and Maritime (RMT) union will resume tomorrow, London mayor Boris Johnson said yesterday, as fears of further tube strikes grow in the capital. Discussions between the two parties collapsed last week, leading to a 48 hour strike London’s 3.5m commuters, and a slanging match between both [...]