Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Friday, 15th January 2021
The latest rail news on Friday, 15th January 2021
Eight former board members of Carillion, the collapsed construction and building management company, face being banned as company directors for up to 15 years each.
That is according to an article in The Times that says among them are ex-chief executives and senior directors of FTSE 100 companies.
The article says the implosion of the group cost the taxpayer more than £150 million and was the largest corporate failure dealt with by the Official Receiver.
Passengers in the North are up in arms after planned ‘smart’ train and bus payment cards were torn up by Government funding cuts.
An article in the Daily Express says the Transport for the North had aimed to roll out the technology on trains, buses and trams – but regional leaders said the “levelling-up” idea is in disarray after the Department for Transport announced plans to cut funding to the Integrated and Smart Travel programme as part of 40 per cent cost-cutting.
They said the decision “makes a mockery” of promises to level up northern cities with the capital.
A DfT spokesman told the paper that they are focused on delivering more modern journeys for passengers so are now considering how to deliver a more rapid and effective rollout.
Innovate UK, KTN, the Department for Transport and the Railway Industry Association are partnering to hold a four-day Rail Innovation Exhibition, showcasing the best in rail innovation.
The joint virtual exhibition will take place from the 9th to 12th of February this year and is supported by Network Rail and the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network.
It will showcase some of the most exciting innovations and projects the rail sector has to offer.
Finally, and the Women in Rail team has called for everyone in the UK rail industry to help tackle “technology poverty” and support national schemes put in place to enable schools and children to gain access to technology.
The organisation is calling on everyone to support schemes by the BBC, Business2School and Railway Benefit Fund to donate unused or old laptops, tablets or mobiles for children and families who need them to continue being educated during lockdown.
