The RMT is to stage a series of ‘rolling strikes’ on London Underground for seven days from 5 September. The walkouts are the latest development in the RMT’s dispute with Transport for London over pay, fatigue management, ‘extreme’ shift patterns and a reduction in the working week. The union has also
GWR battery train record could shape the future
A world record has been set by a battery train running on the Great Western Main Line, which completed 200 miles (322km) without a recharge. The train had been converted to battery power by Vivarail, which was founded by the late Adrian Shooter, from redundant London Underground cars. After Vivarail ceased
Suspected cable theft attempt disrupts trains at Wigan
Train services through Wigan were badly disrupted last night after signal cables were damaged, apparently by would-be thieves. Cables were cut several times near Bamfurlong, south of Wigan, causing problems on Northern, Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper and TransPennine Express services. Some trains were terminated short of their destinations, while others
RPI at 4.8% sparks fears about 2026 fare increases
There are fears that regulated rail fares could be set to increase by 5.8 per cent in 2026, after it was revealed this morning that the Retail Prices Index for July was 4.8 per cent. The July RPI is customarily used as the base for changes in rail fares the following
CrossCountry passengers face holiday strikes
Services on CrossCountry will be ‘significantly’ reduced over the forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend, and there will be no trains at all on Saturday. The RMT is continuing industrial action in its dispute with CrossCountry over overtime and rest day working, and is staging walkouts on Saturday and Monday. CrossCountry is also warning
Campaigners urge complete rail renationalisation
A campaigning group which opposes privatisation has launched a new report which calls on the government to complete renationalisation of the railways by abolishing rolling stock leasing companies, boosting rail investment and reversing the ’disaggregation’ of the railways which was a major element of privatisation 30 years ago. The report, ‘Passengers,
Campaigners to urge complete rail renationalisation
A campaigning group which opposes privatisation is launching a new report today which calls on the government to complete renationalisation of the railways by abolishing rolling stock leasing companies, boosting rail investment and reversing the ’disaggregation’ of the railways which was a major element of privatisation 30 years ago. The report,
Northern Powerhouse Rail could be revived
The plan to build Northern Powerhouse Rail is reported to be back on the government’s agenda, and it could include a new railway on the alignment of HS2 between Crewe and Manchester. The Prime Minister could announce the change of heart at the Labour Party conference on 28 September. Alternatively, the
Transport secretary backs ORR conclusions on ticket fraud
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has written to train operators in ‘full support’ of the conclusions of a recent Office of Rail and Road report on how TOCs deal with passengers who try to evade paying fares. The ORR published the results of a government-commissioned review into enforcement in June this year. It
RMT steps up outsourcing battle at mass meeting
The RMT held a mass meeting in Manchester on Thursday (14 August) as part of its national campaign to end outsourcing on the railways. The event heard from general secretary Eddie Dempsey and regional organiser Steve Shaw as the union steps up its fight for an integrated, publicly owned railway. The RMT argues
