Posted 2nd March 2022 | 4 Comments
Underground disruption continues
Services on most London Underground lines are disrupted, with no services on some sections. A good service is running only on the Central and Victoria Lines. The problems are the result of yesterday's strike by 10,000 RMT members in a dispute over jobs and pensions. TfL has denied that either is at risk, but the RMT claims cutbacks will be imposed as a condition of government funding support. Another 24-hour strike has been called for tomorrow, and disruption is expected to continue on Friday.
Welcome for new tram and light rail funding
The government's decision to provide a further £150 million for tram, light rail and buses outside London has been welcomed by the industry. The DfT said the new funding is the 'final tranche of pandemic related support', and it runs until October. David Sidebottom of watchdog Transport Focus said: 'The many millions of people who rely on trams and metros will welcome the news. Operators and local authorities must continue to work together to attract passengers back. Maintaining an attractive network for the longer term will be vital for delivering the government's aims on climate change.'
High speed placements for Midlands students
University students who live in the Midlands are being offered the chance to join HS2 on paid work placements this summer. HS2's construction partner Balfour Beatty Vinci is launching the new undergraduate programme so that students can gain work experience which is relevant to the subjects they are studying.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Greg T, London
RMT seem to have a death-wish.
With this government, it simply means even less than we already have, I'm afraid.
And, contrary to Mohammed - it is NOT a "driver's strike - ASLEF are, very sensibly, having nothing to do with this.
Steve, Milton Keynes
It has nothing to do with greed. If you actually did some research as to why they're striking, you will find it is to do with changes to working conditions, shift times, and robbing them of pension money. I'm fed up reading about opinions about strikes being unfair. What you actually mean is this strike is unfair TO YOU personally, and you have been inconvenienced. I don't hear this level of bellyaching when teachers or health workers strike. A strike is designed to be inconvenient, moreover the staff lose a day's pay to do it. May you also be reminded, these are key workers that continued to work during the pandemic.
Neil Palmer, Waterloo
So the RMT "claims "cutbacks will be imposed as a condition of government funding support. Wouldn't any logical person wait to see if that's true BEFORE calling a strike?
Mohammad Rafieizadeh, Unspecified
I thinks tube driver strike is not fair at all. You tube drivers targeting ordinary London hard worker and not government. How you can do this? Because of you tube drivers and greed we end up paying more and more.