Breaking News
UK train operator FirstGroup considering £1.2bn takeover
Aberdeen-based firm considering approach by US private equity firm I Squared Capital Advisors
Gatwick to consult public on northern runway plans
Gatwick will launch a new public consultation next month on its plans to bring the airports existing northern runway into routine use alongside its main runway.
Friday, 27 May 2022
BBC News
- FirstGroup considers renewed takeover bidShares in transport giant FirstGroup have risen sharply after its board confirmed it was considering a renewed takeover bid.
- Tether device aims to detect risky routes for cyclistsThe Tether box collects data of cars passing too close to cyclists, creating a map of hazardous areas.
- Shawlands Primary pupils cycle to school in bike busThe scheme is organised by parents, who provide a wall of protection between children and traffic.
- New 4.2% pay offer for ScotRail driversThe increased offer comes after ScotRail had to reduce its timetable to cope with driver shortages.
- Easyjet cancels about 200 flights due to IT issuesIT issues have led to about 200 cancellations, including 12 flights cancelled to and from Belfast.
- London Underground: Investigation into Metropolitan line wheel faultsA special timetable ran on the Metropolitan line for weeks after a problem was identified in April.
- Electric car rapid charging costs soar, says RACEnergy prices are soaring, but electric car charging is still much cheaper than petrol, says RAC.
Department for Transport
- Union Connectivity Review updateGovernment response to the Union Connectivity Review expected to be published later in 2022.
Financial Times
- FirstGroup evaluates PE offer valuing shares at up to £1.23bnAberdeen-based bus and train operator’s stock rises 8% after unsolicited bid from I Squared Capital
The Guardian
- UK train operator FirstGroup considering £1.2bn takeoverAberdeen-based firm considering approach by US private equity firm I Squared Capital Advisors
The Telegraph
- Boris Johnson revives hopes for Heathrows third runway [subscription]Boris Johnson has opened the door for Heathrow to build its third runway as ministers commit to support necessary airport expansion.
- EasyJet passengers face travel chaos as IT glitch forces 200 cancellations
Times Online
- Pay offer raises hopes for end to ScotRail dispute [subscription]The rail dispute which has seen 700 train services cut every day this week may soon be resolved after ScotRail doubled its pay offer to drivers.
- Minister didnt ask questions about ferries contract [subscription]Derek Mackay, the minister who signed off the botched ferries deal, failed to ask any questions about the contract which offered none of the usual financial safeguards, it has been claimed.
- FirstGroup takeover bid from US private equity company I Squared [subscription]Britains largest train operator has received a takeover approach valuing the company at £1.22 billion.
City AM
- FirstGroup considers £1.2bn takeover bid from private equity I SquaredTransport giant FirstGroup has announced it was considering a £1.2bn takeover bid from US private equity I Squared.
The Mirror
- Uber driver fuming at Leeds Bradford Airport £39 'scam' fee for dropping off passengersFaraz Khan, an Uber driver since 2015, says LBA are wrong to penalise taxi drivers with a recirculation charge and says it will have damaging consequences for their industry in the area
Sky News
- Birmingham Airport braced for half-term passenger surge as boss warns staffing issues may last until autumnThe boss of one of Britain's biggest airports says staffing levels may not fully recover until the autumn, and has predicted a busy summer ahead.
Birmingham Mail
- British Transport Police to arm special constabulary officers with tasersBritish Transport Police (BTP) will become the first police force in the UK to deploy special constabulary officers with tasers
Edinburgh Evening News
- Edinburgh council: Interim transport convener Scott Arthur of Labour vows to deliver where previous administration failedNewly appointed transport and environment convener Scott Arthur has said that he will strive to deliver in the role where the previous administration failed – despite saying he will only be in the position until someone “more able” takes over.
Wales Online
- Two hundred Cardiff Airport bound passengers stuck at airport in Spain after ‘baggage handler gaffe’Passengers boarded the plane twice on separate days only to be told to get off again
Yorkshire Post
- Derailed North transport projects suggest levelling up is empty slogan - Bill CarmichaelLondon Mayor Sadiq Khan admitted he felt like a “little boy before Christmas” as he boarded a train at Paddington station on the new Elizabeth Line, which opened this week.
Coach and Bus Week
- DWS offer for Stagecoach becomes unconditionalStagecoach has moved a step closer to gaining a new owner, with DWS Infrastructure now the only company in the running
- Switch to supply 12 Metrocity electric buses to Tower TransitSwitch Mobility is to supply a fleet of 12 Metrocity electric buses to London operator Tower Transit. The fleet of Metrocitys will be deployed on route 339, operating out of Lea Interchange and running between Shadwell and Leytonstone. It will be the first full electric bus route run out of Lea Interchange.
- Government cracks down on plague of potholesIn a move which will please commercial drivers who spend hours on the road each day, the Government has introduced new measures to penalise companies responsible for leaving potholes on the countrys roads after carrying out street works.
- First Bus completes new executive team with latest appointmentA new executive team at First Bus has been finalised with the appointment of the companys new Chief Sustainability and Compliance Officer
- Stagecoach goes back to roots for new call centreJonathan Welch attended the recent opening of Stagecoachs new UK customer contact centre in Perth
New Civil Engineer
- What are the benefits of through station versus terminal stations?Through stations, as favoured by the National Infrastructure Commission, sound attractive for many reasons, but the reality is not so clear.
- HS2 | Curzon Street station restoration paused as cash runs outWork has ground to a halt on HS2 Ltd's Curzon Street station restoration in Birmingham. A HS2 spokesperson confirmed that contractors working on the project have "identified serious unforeseen structural issues with the Grade 1 listed building".
Route One (Bus and Coach)
- Sir Brian Souter to leave Stagecoach as DWS sale progressesSir Brian Souter will leave his position as a Stagecoach non-executive Director once the groups purchaser DWS Infrastructure, via its Inframobility UK Bidco subsidiary, secures a cancellation of the listing and trading of Stagecoach shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
- CTA South Wales event delivers strong political engagementThe Coach Tourism Association (CTA) has hailed what it describes as a positive networking event held recently in Newport that saw strong political engagement and support for the coach as a facilitator of tourism in South Wales.
- FlixBus UK agrees partnership with Bella Road ServicesFlixBus UK has said that it sees services to and from Wales as “a key growth area” after it agreed its first partnership with a coach operator from the country in Bella Road Services. The Pontyclun firm will join FlixBuss existing provision in Wales via the operation of scheduled services between London, Heathrow Airport and Cardiff, with a new stop in Newport, from 27 May.
- CPT highlights lack of clarity over ICE end sale date consultationsThe Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has responded to the end sale date consultations for internal combustion engine (ICE) coaches and buses, highlighting a lack of clarity over technological solutions and the need for nationwide charging infrastructure.
- First Bus launches eco fund for small businesses in York and BradfordFirst Bus has launched two funds that are supporting small businesses in York and Bradford.
- DfT to fund West Midlands Lets Chat bus campaignThe Department for Transport has confirmed it is to fund a 12-month pilot scheme which will use buses to tackle loneliness in the West Midlands. Called Lets Chat, it will offer people at risk from loneliness opportunities for social interaction.
Aviation Industry
- What's The Latest With London Heathrow Airport's Third Runway?Is London's primary airport about to get the green light for its expansion plans?
Other News Sources
- First Group installs 160 charging points at Caledonia bus depotFirst Group has completed work at the Caledonia depot to make it the UKs largest electric vehicle rapid-charging centre.
- Rail experts look further down the track for West Highland Line futureModest levels of investment could see significant improvements to local rail services on the Glenfinnan/Mallaig stretch of the West Highland Line, as well as the line out to Spean Bridge/Bridge of Orchy.
- I dont drive the trains! SNP transport minister Jenny Gilruth faces barrage of angry questions in Holyrood about ScotRailTransport Minister Jenny Gilruth hits back at criticism over the ScotRail train disruption. Conservative Graham Simpson MSP pressed her on when new additional train services would be introduced, and Ms Gilruth hit back by saying "I don't drive the trains".
- Traffic restrictions and zebra crossing agreed as part of £4.8m Flitwick transport interchangeThe project will provide a transport hub for buses next to the railway station
- Former Transport Scotland chief denies ferries contract was rushedThe issue of the ferry building contract awarded to Ferguson Marine has been raised at the Scottish Parliament.
- Gatwick to consult public on northern runway plansGatwick will launch a new public consultation next month on its plans to bring the airports existing northern runway into routine use alongside its main runway.
- Gatwick Airport launches consultation on second runwayGATWICK Airport has announced another public consultation on its plans to open a second runway for commercial flights.
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