Grant Shapps promises angry commuters ‘big improvements’ in railway timetables February 4, 2022 Transport secretary Grant Shapps has promised angry commuters that ‘big improvements’ in railway timetables are bound to take place within the next two weeks. Shapps said this morning he’s in talks with train operators to bring timetables back to quasi normal levels, as the number of people travelling has increased significantly following the removal of [...]
Lib Dems lambast ‘miserable Monday’ commute following reports of railway cuts January 31, 2022 The Lib Dems have criticised the reduction in railway services across London, following reports that the UK Government will make the cuts permanent. “Today’s miserable Monday morning commute will be the new normal if London’s train timetable isn’t restored,” Lib Dem transport spokesperson and Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney said. “The cuts in services are [...]
Clock is ticking: Govia Thameslink in rush to avoid nationalisation January 25, 2022 Govia Thameslink, one of the UK’s biggest train operators, is reportedly rushing to secure a contract with co-owner Go-Ahead, in an effort to avoid nationalisation. Nationalisation plans were proposed after Go-Ahead failed to file its financial results on Monday – the second time since the Southeastern rail scandal, when the group admitted serious errors and [...]
Rail services affected by worst cancellation period January 17, 2022 Rail services have been affected by the worst cancellation period ever, according to industry data. As a result of Covid-related staff shortages and strike actions, 4.4 per cent of rail services across the UK were cancelled between 12 December and 8 January, PA news agency reported. According to data, since 2014 only two four-week periods [...]
Campaigners fear rail increase will push commuters to cars January 16, 2022 Environmental campaigners believe the increase in rail fares – which is set to go up 3.8 per cent starting from March – will push commuters back to using their cars. “Transport is responsible for more carbon emissions than any other sector,” Paul Tuohy, Campaign for Better Transport’s chief executive, told the Sunday Telegraph. “Considering the [...]
Rail operators scrap hundreds of trains amid Covid-induced staff shortages January 16, 2022 Several railway operators – including Avanti West Coast and South Western Railway (SWR) – were forced to introduce a reduced timetable as a result of Covid-induced staff shortages. SWR announced last week that from Monday 17 journey planners will be adjusted on a weekly basis, with updates being communicated at the end of each week, [...]
Millions of commuters may be hit as national rail strike looms over job cuts and living costs January 4, 2022 A national rail strike looms this week as one of the leading rail workers’ unions is warning it may urge its members to pause work over job cuts. The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) said rail workers faced losing their jobs this year just as the cost of living crisis spirals. The union is calling [...]
From today: Many trains services slashed following staff shortages as strikes and Covid cripple rail networks January 1, 2022 Several train operators – including ScotRail and South Western Railway – said they have no choice but to slash services as a result of Covid-induced staff shortages. From today until 17 January, when the new timetable will be introduced, Southwestern Railway trains will be subject to short notice cancellations. “The onset of the Omicron variant [...]
Covid, closures and strikes impact thousands of Christmas travellers December 27, 2021 Planned closures as well as strikes and Covid have interfered with UK travellers’ Christmas plans, with disruption set to continue this week. Rail operators – including Greater Anglia and ScotRail – were forced to make adjustments to their timetable after staff fell ill with Covid. “The rapid spread of the Omicron variant has seen a recent spike of Covid-related absences [...]
Strikes hit Cross Country trains as people travel home for Christmas December 24, 2021 The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) announced that strike action will go on today on Cross Country trains, creating massive disruption for thousands of travellers on the way to see their families for Christmas. Citing an assault on the “safety critical role of senior conductors and train managers,” Cross Country workers [...]