An embarrassment, a bailout and a failing franchise: Politicians blast Southern’s £20m funding deal September 1, 2016 Politicians from City Hall, the House of Commons and the House of Lords have blasted £20m of new funding for Southern Rail, announced earlier today. The Department for Transport (DfT) revealed the cash as part of a package of measures to improve performance on the lines. It will also see the appointment of a new project [...]
Uber wins judicial review of English tests for drivers and other new rules September 1, 2016 Uber has succeeded in the first stage of its legal challenge against new rules on English language tests for drivers in London after the high court today approved a judicial review. The billion dollar startup argues the English exam, which it claims is tougher than the test for British citizenship, is discriminatory and contravenes the Equality Act. Morning Wire exclusively revealed in August that [...]
The Govia Thameslink strike set for 7 September has been called off September 1, 2016 It looks like a 24-hour strike by Southern railway workers next Wednesday in a row over ticket office closures will not be going ahead. Rail union RMT confirmed today that it has suspended strike action involving Southern operator Govia Thameslink's station staff, scheduled for 7 September, after "significant progress" was made in talks held at ACAS yesterday. The union [...]
Department of Transport £20m Southern Rail investment criticised by Umunna and RMT September 1, 2016 A package of measures unveiled this morning to improve the performance of Britain’s worst performing rail network was blasted by both Labour politicians and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union. Transport secretary Chris Grayling announced a £20m investment to improve performance on the Southern Rail network. Read more: Department for Transport offers up £20m to [...]
Department for Transport unveils £20m plan to get Southern back on track September 1, 2016 Transport secretary Chris Grayling has unveiled a package of measures aimed at improving the performance of the Southern rail network and restoring passenger confidence. The new measures include a £20m fund and the appointment of one of Britain’s most experienced rail industry figures, Chris Gibb, to help get the service back "running as it should". London [...]
Here’s where London’s next cycle superhighway will be September 1, 2016 Cyclists, rejoice (and drivers, commiserate): there's going to be a new extension to London's cycle superhighway network, running from South to North London. Transport for London (TfL) said today it is going ahead with plans to construct Cycle Superhighway 6, running between Elephant & Castle and King's Cross. The plans involve widening pavements and creating more crossing points, it [...]
First US commercial flight to Cuba in more than 50 years lands August 31, 2016 The first US commercial flight to Cuba in more than 50 years has landed in Santa Clara, in a symbol of improving relations between the two nations. JetBlue Flight 387 landed in Santa Clara after taking off from Fort Lauderdale, half a century after the last commercial flight as tension arose during the Cold War. Diplomatic [...]
Toast at 300ft? The Emirates Line Thames cable car has applied to serve booze August 31, 2016 If you're the sort who is comfortable quaffing champagne 300ft above the swirling waters of the Thames, we have good news: the Emirates Air Line cable car may be about to serve alcohol. Bottoms up. Yep: transport bosses have applied for a licence to sell booze to passengers in an effort to make the struggling cable car more popular. [...]
Uber’s going electric in London August 31, 2016 Uber is launching a fleet of fully electric cars across London in a bid to reduce levels of pollution in the capital ahead of another potential clash with the city's transport regulators. Already well-known for its hybrid Toyota Priuses, 50 electric powered cars will hit the city's roads over the next month with potential plans for hundreds more [...]
London transport disruption: Tower Bridge is closing to traffic for three months August 31, 2016 Travelling from the City to the south side of the river is about to get a whole lot more fun – Tower Bridge is set to close to all traffic for three months. No vehicles will be allowed access to the London landmark from Saturday 1 October to Friday 30 December, while Canada [...]