Toyota profits driven off track by strong yen but it lifts full-year forecast after cost-cutting November 8, 2016 Toyota looks to have set its sights on long-range electric cars for 2020, and in its latest results, the car firm dropped a heavy hint that's the direction it's going in. But first, it needs to fend off a strong yen that's impacting profit. The figures For the July-September period operating profit fell 43 per cent to [...]
DfT will publish rail franchises’ performance against benchmarks after Southern chaos November 8, 2016 The department for transport (DfT) has said it now intends to publish actual performance against the contractual benchmarks for each rail franchise. Performance figures against contractual obligations will be published for every franchise every four weeks to provide frequent updates on performance to "give commuters real insight into the quality of the service they pay [...]
Great Western electrification delayed across four routes including Oxford to Didcot Parkway November 8, 2016 Part of the £2.8bn project to electrify the Great Western route has been delayed, rail minister Paul Maynard has confirmed. In a written statement to Parliament to provide an update on rail investment for the Great Western route, Maynard said part of the project had been "deferred". Four electrification routes have been deferred: Between Oxford [...]
Do you want the “worst job in Ireland”? Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary’s after an assistant November 8, 2016 Renowned for his outspokenness, Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary, may not be the easiest boss to work for. Well, so says a job advertisement searching for an assistant to the Ryanair boss. Described as "worst job in Ireland?????", essential attributes include a thick skin, "saint-like" patience and ability to "operate without sleep or contact with [...]
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary predicts airline fares will fall up to 15 per cent this winter November 8, 2016 Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has predicted that air fares will fall by as much as 15 per cent over the winter, as airlines compete to win passengers in a slow economy. O'Leary said there would be "extraordinary fare declines" over the year, after reporting results for the first half of the year. The budget airline's [...]
DfT says the requirement for driver-only operated trains wasn’t consulted on before the letting of Southern Rail franchise November 7, 2016 The department for transport (DfT) has confirmed the requirement for driver-only operated (DOO) trains was not consulted on prior to the letting of the Southern Rail franchise. Facing a grilling by the transport select committee as it met to discuss the subject of rail franchising, Peter Wilkinson, managing director of passenger services at the DfT [...]
Sadiq Khan doesn’t want the government to “pass the buck” to him on air pollution November 7, 2016 Sadiq Khan's not best pleased with the government's perceived inaction on air pollution. He said the government "has been seriously complacent about this health emergency for the last six years and now is the time for them to stop gambling with our health and show real leadership". Following the high court ruling (in which the [...]
Ferrari shares race ahead on improved full-year guidance November 7, 2016 Ferrari purred to a 20 per cent jump in third quarter profit, bumping up its 2016 financial forecasts for the second time this year. The figures Net revenues grew 8.3 per cent, or 7.9 per cent on constant currencies, to €783m (£697.6m). That was above expectations of €763m, while shipments were up one per cent to 1,978 vehicles. [...]
Black cab drivers are holding a fresh protest in London November 7, 2016 London's black cab drivers will hold a protest in Westminster on Tuesday as they call on the government to battle traffic congestion and pollution in the capital. Cabbies represented by the United Cabbies Group (UCG), London Cab Drivers Club and RMT are expected to bring Whitehall to a standstill at 2pm. Drivers are calling on [...]
Aslef’s not happy with Southern over “misleading” claims it cancelled a strike ballot November 7, 2016 Train drivers' union Aslef is not happy over a press release sent out by Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) over the weekend. A press release from GTR said Aslef "cancels ballot 24 hours after launch", calling it off for technical reasons. Aslef said it had simply been postponed. Angie Doll, Southern's passenger services director, [...]