Date set for Night Tube restart
All-night services will return on two London Underground lines next month, said Transport for London. All 24-hour services were suspended in March last year as a result of the pandemic, but TfL said restoring night running on the Central and Victoria Lines on Fridays and Saturdays ‘will help businesses like bars, clubs and restaurants as London’s night-time economy continues to recover’. TfL is also continuing its discussions with government about its longer-term funding. Labour’s London Assembly transport spokesperson Elly Baker said: ‘This is great news and it opens up safer options for women trying to get back home at night, supplementing London’s extensive night bus network.’ RMT general secretary Mick Lynch responded: ‘RMT supports the reintroduction of the Night Tube but we know full well that prior to its suspension during the pandemic it was a magnet for violent, abusive and anti-social behaviour. The Mayor and his officials cannot ignore that fact. The reintroduction of the service must be thoroughly risk assessed with the involvement of our reps and it is also important that rosters are agreed which don’t leave staff burnt out and exposed to intolerable pressures.’
New Southeastern md is aiming at ‘smooth transition’
Southeastern’s new managing director Steve White is preparing for the operator to be nationalised in a few days from now. He has taken over from David Statham, whose move to a new position within Go-Ahead Group had been announced several weeks before the Department for Transport terminated the contract and accused Southeastern of a ‘breach of trust’ over £25 million of taxpayers’ money which should have been refunded. Go-Ahead apologised immediately and repaid the cash, but the DfT’s Operator of Last Resort will take control at 02.00 on Sunday. Steve White said: ‘Southeastern is a well-regarded railway with a proud history and a bright future. Our immediate priorities are to ensure a smooth transition to our new owners and a relentless focus on winning back our customers.’
Northern engineer celebrates first 50 years
A Northern engineer is celebrating half a century of working in the rail industry. Craig Neild joined British Rail as an apprentice in 1971, working at Longsight depot in Manchester. He then transferred to the deport at Newton Heath, where he worked for the next 25 years. In his current job as an outstation fitter based at Manchester Piccadilly, Craig is called out to fix engines, gearboxes, doors, and even train informatiion screens. He says having such a diverse job has kept life interesting – and is the reason he has stuck around for so long. He added: ‘It’s so hands on, that it keeps me active. Every day is different and there’s always a new problem to solve.’