General Election 2019: The rail industry’s Christmas wishlist December 10, 2019 The rail industry is on the verge of the most precipitous change since John Major took it private 28 years ago – whether it likes it or not. On the one hand, the Conservatives are likely to tear apart the system which decides who runs each line – known as franchising – having grown impatient [...]
Jaguar Land Rover sales fall despite hopes for Chinese recovery December 9, 2019 Jaguar Land Rover sales fell last month, despite the car maker seeing “green shoots” of a recovery in the all-important struggling Chinese market. The manufacturer, which is owned by Indian conglomerate Tata, saw retail sales drop 3.4 per cent year-on-year in November. Read more: British car industry troubles run far deeper than Brexit But in [...]
Watch Tesla boss Elon Musk take his Cybertruck out for a spin December 9, 2019 Outspoken Tesla boss Elon Musk has yet again used his celebrity status to promote his latest product, taking the controversial Cybertruck out for a night on the town in Malibu. The eccentric billionaire, who was last week cleared of defamation for calling a British cave diver a “pedo guy” on Twitter, arrived at paparazzi hotspot [...]
New era as Avanti begins running West Coast Main Line services December 8, 2019 A new era began for West Coast Main Line train services this morning as Avanti completed its first journey from London Euston to Manchester. Avanti, the franchise managed by the partnership of Aberdee’s FirstGroup and Italy’s Trenitalia, has taken over from Virgin Trains, which has run the line since 1997. Read more: Virgin Trains’ manager [...]
Ex-Addison Lee chief races to secure rescue deal December 8, 2019 The former chief executive of minicab operator Addison Lee is scrambling to secure a rescue deal for the firm. Liam Griffin, who stepped down as chief executive in 2015 but remained on the board as vice-chairman, has approached investment funds to back his £125m takeover of the firm, Sky News reported. Read more: Cerberus mulls [...]
Elon Musk defamation trial: Tesla founder wins case over ‘pedo guy’ remark December 7, 2019 A US jury has ruled that Elon Musk did not defame a British caver who helped in last year’s rescue of trapped Thai schoolboys by calling him a “pedo guy”. Vernon Unsworth sought $190m (£145m) in damages from the billionaire on the grounds that the tweet had damaged his reputation. It came amid a public [...]
Eddie Stobart secures £55m Dbay lifeline December 6, 2019 Eddie Stobart shareholders today backed a £55m rescue deal from a major investor to save the company’s future. Under the terms of the deal, Dbay will take control of the company and inject enough money to secure the company’s immediate future over Christmas. Dbay said: “We would like to thank shareholders for supporting our transaction [...]
Uber says it received 6,000 reports of sexual assault over two-year period in United States December 6, 2019 Uber has revealed it received almost 6,000 reports of sexual assault in the United States in 2017 and 2018. It said that although there had been more cases in 2018, the incidence had dropped by 16 per cent due to there being more trips undertaken. The ride-hailing firm has come under increased scrutiny of late [...]
West Coast Rail franchise: CMA accepts First Group price cap proposal December 6, 2019 The competition watchdog has accepted First Group’s remedies for competition problems on the West Coast Rail franchise. The deal ensures First Group and Trenitalia can run the franchise after the watchdog initially barred the government’s contract award to them over concerns about price hikes. Read more: CMA flags competition concerns on West Coast Rail routes [...]
Eddie Stobart prepares for crucial vote on future over £55m Dbay bid December 6, 2019 Struggling trucking firm Eddie Stobart is facing a key shareholder vote on its future today as it struggles with bank debts of £200m. Shareholders are set to vote on whether to accept a £55m high-interest loan from former owner Dbay, which would take 51 per cent of the company in exchange. The company has warned [...]
