Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Thursday, 24th February 2022
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Thursday, 24th February 2022
Go-Ahead group’s stripping of the London Southeastern rail franchise is to cost the business around £81.3 million, the company said.
An article in City A.M. said bosses revealed they expect to pay the Government £51.3 million over its failures in running the service, which it lost last year, and has put aside £30 million for a possible fine. Around £49.2 million has already been paid.
The chief executive apologised for the problems, as the company identified “serious errors” in the way the franchise was run and over the way it dealt with the Department for Transport.
Strikes by London Underground (LU) workers are to go ahead next week after talks failed to resolve a dispute over jobs, pensions and conditions.
An article in the Evening Standard says members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will walk out next Tuesday and Thursday (March 1 and 3), threatening disruption to Tube services across the capital.
The RMT said during talks at conciliation service Acas that it set out a framework which could have enabled the union’s executive to consider a suspension of the action.
Andy Lord, Transport for London’s chief operating officer, said: “It is extremely disappointing that the RMT is planning to go ahead with this action. TfL haven’t proposed any changes to pensions or terms and conditions, and nobody has or will lose their jobs because of the proposals set out.”
Virgin Hyperloop, a futuristic train service that promised a new era of travel for passengers, will be focusing on cargo instead, it has revealed.
The company told BBC News the change in direction was due to global supply-chain issues and COVID.
The Financial Times, which first reported the story, said it had also laid off more than 100 staff members.
Specially trained sniffer dogs are now being used to track down metal thieves who cause major delays to passengers and freight on several routes.
Network Rail has enlisted the canine recruits, provided by Search Dogs UK, to crack down on criminals who steal vital cables and materials from the railway and catch those who illegally sell those items on.
They are being used on the Chiltern main line and key West Midlands routes, North West, and the West Coast main line between London Euston and Crewe.
Photo credit: Network Rail
