Rail passenger journeys soared to a record 1.8bn over past year June 13, 2019 Rail passengers travelled 67.7 billion kilometres during the course of last year, equivalent to flying to the moon and back almost 88,000 times. There were a record 1.8bn passenger journeys in 2018-19, generating over £10bn in revenue, the highest rate in four years. Read more: Heathrow may allow passengers to keep liquids in bags The [...]
Train giant Govia awarded extension to Southeastern franchise June 13, 2019 Train giant Govia has been awarded an extension to the Southeastern franchise until November, giving the government more time to consider who the new winner will be. The Southeastern franchise, which serves routes in and out of London, Kent and East Sussex, was due to expire on June 22, but will now continue under current [...]
Getlink blames Brexit for slump in traffic numbers June 12, 2019 Channel Tunnel operator Getlink has blamed dwindling passenger traffic numbers on the political uncertainty caused by Brexit. Getlink, which used to be called Eurotunnel, transports passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles across the Channel. It reported an 11 per cent drop in truck traffic in May after British businesses de-stocked the items they had initially build [...]
Connect Airways appoints new CEO as it awaits EU approval for Flybe deal June 12, 2019 Connect Airways, the consortium that has purchased Flybe, has appointed former Virgin Atlantic’s customer chief Mark Anderson as its chief executive. Connect Airways, which is made up of Virgin Atlantic, Stobart and hedge fund Cyrus Capital, is currently waiting for the merger clearance from the EU commission, which is expected in July. Read more: Flybe [...]
Tinkler says it’s time to move on from Stobart court clash after appeal refused June 11, 2019 Former Stobart boss Andrew Tinkler said he was putting his courtroom battle with the company behind him after a court refused him permission appeal today. Tinkler told City PM: “I’ve always said I was about to move on, I thought it was only right trying to go for the appeal, all I was trying to [...]
Heavy rain causes travel chaos for Southern and Thameslink commuters June 11, 2019 Heavy rain across England is causing chaos for passengers in the south east, especially on the routes run by Southern and Thameslink. There are major delays across the Southern network, which operates between London and the south of England, including Brighton, and on Thameslink, which runs from Bedford via central London to Kent. Read more: [...]
Virgin launches bid to stay in UK railways with plans for open-access service June 11, 2019 Virgin Trains will attempt to stay in Britain’s railways by applying for an open access service on the West Coast mainline to get around the government’s controversial snub of its franchise bid two months ago. Virgin has applied with Stagecoach, French state-owned rail company SNCF and rolling stock company Alstom to run an hourly service [...]
Taxify relaunches in London under Bolt branding in challenge to Uber June 11, 2019 The European ride-hailing firm formerly known as Taxify is today relaunching its services in London, two years on from being forced to halt rides in the capital. The firm, which first entered the UK market in 2017 via the purchase of an existing private hire business, had its third-party licence suspended by Transport for London [...]
HS2 bulldozes BHS warehouse to make way for new Euston station June 10, 2019 High Speed Two has released images of its progress at Euston station, where it has demolished BHS’ flagship warehouse. Euston station marks the starting point of the £56bn railway, which will connect London to Birmingham in the first phase, and the West Midlands to Leeds and Manchester in the second. Read more: Transport giants unveil [...]
Crossrail contractors could ask for more money to meet opening deadline, EY warns June 10, 2019 Crossrail’s contractors are likely to demand more money if they are rushed towards the new 2019/2020 opening date, auditor EY has warned. The big four auditor has warned Transport for London (TfL) that such an outcome could increase pressure on the transport body, which is already battling the costs of the Crossrail delay. Read more: [...]
