All Bar One owner still feeling the pinch from inflation May 17, 2023 Mitchells and Butlers, the UK’s largest listed pub group, saw a drop in profits this morning, but said that its cost outlook was improving amid ongoing inflationary pressure. The All Bar One and Toby Carvery owner made £100m in adjusted operating profit for the half year ending on April 8, down from £120m a year [...]
Rail strikes this weekend: All you need to know – how will London be affected? May 12, 2023 Train services are being hit by more strike action this weekend, with London set to be hit by industrial action on routes to major airports and transport hubs. Members of Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at train operators will walk out in long-running disputes on Friday and Saturday respectively. Further strikes [...]
Rail strikes: Walk out today to cripple services across UK disrupting Eurovision celebrations May 12, 2023 Rail passengers face fresh travel disruption over the next few days because of strikes by train drivers and other workers in long-running disputes over pay. Members of the drivers’ union Aslef will walk out on Friday at more than a dozen train operators, crippling services across the country. Further strikes will be held on May [...]
FA Cup could be SAVED for fans as coaches secured amid rail strikes May 11, 2023 The FA has secured 120 extra coaches to help fans reach the FA Cup final next month amid worries strikes could scupper supporter hopes of reaching Wembley. The FA Cup final is scheduled to take place between Manchester United and Manchester City on 3 June, the same day as one of three 24-hour strikes set [...]
Explainer: TransPennine Express joins the club of nationalised railway services May 11, 2023 And just like this, another railway service gets nationalised. Say goodbye to TransPennine Express, which is now going to be run by the state. TransPennine had been long criticised by customers, who complained of cancellations and delays making commuting a nightmare. Now trains in Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh will be managed through the Operator [...]
‘Come take a train journey with me’: Union boss challenges Sunak’s private jet-setting May 11, 2023 TSSA President Marios Alexandrou took aim at Rishi Sunak’s rail policy and private jet-setting this morning, inviting the Prime Minister to “come take a train journey with me” amid continued industrial action. According to Alexandrou, Sunak is “more familiar with the interior of an RAF Chinook than Waterloo in rush hour”. The PM has come [...]
TransPennine Express to be nationalised after months of disruption – but transport sec warns it’s ‘not a silver bullet’ May 11, 2023 Train services run by TransPennine Express will be nationalised after months of delays and cancellations. Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced the decision to bring the operator’s services under Government control, but warned it is “not a silver bullet”. Graham Sutherland, chief executive of TransPennine Express owner FirstGroup, said the company has “worked extremely hard to [...]
Elizabeth line sees hybrid workers flock back to the office May 11, 2023 London’s popular Elizabeth Line has prompted a surge in workers heading into the office, new research released on the eve of its one year anniversary shows. Footfall data from the workspace operator IWG has today revealed a 23 per cent increase in the number of visits, to offices across nine Elizabeth Line stops, since the [...]
National Express ditches name as coach firm goes ‘Mobico’ May 10, 2023 National Express is to change its parent company name to Mobico Group PLC, from June 2023. The coach operator said it believes the name ‘Mobico’ “better reflects” the “international nature” of the group, as it continues a shift to mass transit. Ignacio Garat, group chief executive at National Express said: “Whilst National Express is a [...]
60 business leaders warn Sunak to bring Great British Railway plans forward – or jobs and investment will be on the line May 9, 2023 Sixty business leaders have written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today, urging him not to delay legislation that would establish Great British Railways (GBR) beyond the current parliament. The letter, which was also addressed to Transport Secretary Mark Harper and Rail and HS2 Minister Huw Merriman, argued that pushing the reforms into the long grass [...]