Latest news with #LNER
Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Trainline sues Transport Secretary over ‘secret' deal for state-owned rail operator
Trainline is suing Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, over the alleged backdoor award of a £32m ticketing contract by state-owned operator LNER. LNER, which has been run by the Department for Transport (DfT) since 2018, recently extended a ticketing sales platform contract it uses without offering rivals such as Trainline the chance to bid for the 10-year deal. Trainline claims that the failure to seek alternative bids means that Ms Alexander and LNER ignored due process as well as the best interests of passengers and the taxpayer. It alleges that the publication of the award on the Government's procurement website on December 23 was also too opaque because it effectively buried the news during Christmas week, limiting the ability of other parties to respond. LNER awarded the contract for the central booking engine that supports its digital ticket sales to Australia's Vix Technology. Trainline has its own rival division providing a similar 'white label' service to train operators and would have expected to compete for the work had it been tendered. It is understood that the company, which has filed the claim at the Technology and Construction Court against LNER and the Transport Secretary, will claim that a direct award of the contract was not permissible under procurement law because the terms were being varied in scope, duration and beneficiaries. The terms of the award also mean that the ticketing platform used by LNER, which operates between London Kings Cross and Scotland via Leeds and Newcastle, could be extended across the rail network. Rail unions have pressed Labour to squeeze out third-party ticket bookers such as Trainline, with the RMT accusing the company of engaging in 'relentless profiteering.' While the Government plans to simplify fares and ticketing as part of its nationalisation of the railway, it has nevertheless said that there would still be a need for 'an innovative and competitive third-party retail market.' Trainline even hosted the launch of the nationalisation policy by Louise Haigh, the then-transport secretary, last year. Labour subsequently ruled out establishing a national website and app to promote cheaper fares in competition with the firm. However, it reversed that guidance in January to say that a plan to bring together the ticket websites of individual operators was now in the pipeline. Though the DfT maintained that private-sector retailers would be able to compete in an open and fair manner, shares of Trainline, which has 18m customers, have since fallen by almost one third.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Plaque unveiled at Doncaster Station for Flying Scotsman creator
A commemorative plaque has been unveiled to honour the engineer behind some of the world's most famous steam Nigel Gresley designed and built more than 2,000 locomotives, including Flying Scotsman and Godfrey, wo revealed the plaque at Doncaster Station on Thursday, said he was "delighted" to see his grandfather's work recognised."His most famous locomotives were built here, so there is a very special family connection to Doncaster," he said. Born in Edinburgh in 1876, Sir Nigel moved to Doncaster in 1905 to work as a carriage and wagon superintendent and then as a locomotive engineer for Great Northern Railway before moving to London in same year Flying Scotsman was built at the LNER works in Doncaster to Sir Nigel's design and used to pull an express service along the east coast main line between London and Edinburgh.15 years later another of Sir Nigel's most famous locomotives, Mallard, was built at the Doncaster Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Works. It still holds the record for the world's fastest steam locomotive after it reached 126mph in 1938. Mayor Ros Jones said: "Doncaster has a proud connection to the railway industry, and this is another splendid acknowledgment to a man who gave so much to our city."It will be a lasting reminder and attraction, to those who live in and visit Doncaster, of his ongoing influence."Linda Wain, engineering director at LNER, said Mr Gresley's legacy was "deeply woven" into Doncaster and the railway plaque and information board at Doncaster Station is close to an existing display which features the names of locomotives built in the nearby Nigel died at home unexpectedly in 1941, aged 65, while still working for LNER. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Moment train passenger screams ‘I'm gonna break your FACE' and lunges at worker
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS IS the shocking moment a train passenger screams 'I'm gonna break your face' to a member of staff. Throughout the video, he incessantly asks to access the train's cafe bar despite the fact that it has already closed. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Footage has emerged of a passenger's aggressive behaviour on an LNER service Credit: SWNS 3 In the video, the passenger threatens a train worker Credit: SWNS 3 He can be heard saying "I'm going to break your face" to the worker Credit: SWNS The chilling footage shows the passenger shouting at the staff member on the late-night London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train. Remaining calm, the train worker tries to reduce the tension by asking the passenger to sit. The worker can be heard saying: 'I'm just gonna ask you to take a seat - come on, let's take a seat.' The passenger then raised his voice, shouting 'I'm going to break your face. You're lucky' at the worker. Then, he waved his hand towards the managers while appearing to hold his mobile phone. In response, the manager said: 'Don't point that in my face. 'I need to close the café bar. Don't put that in my face please.' However, the passenger continued to be aggressive and shouted 'shut your mouth. Try it now'. The shocking event has been confirmed to have taken place on March 16, though the train's destination remains unknown. The Sun has contacted the British Transport Police and LNER for comment on the incident onboard the train. In a separate incident on board a train bound for King's Cross on July 2, 2024, another man can be seen shouting at a ticket collector. Moment Tube driver 'KNITS' and watches videos on phone while driving despite endless striking leaving commuters furious The footage is included in the first half of the video and shows the passenger swearing repeatedly at the rail worker, while saying "you're going to lose your job". Meanwhile, the worker raises a hand to calm the man - prompting the passenger to accuse the railway worker of laying his "hands" on him. The company chose to release the footage as part of 'Rail Safety Week'. The week is aimed at supporting staff who have been victims of abuse by passengers, while promoting sensible behaviour for train users. The video surfaced just as news came in that a man was arrested in London for allegedly having a gun, whilst on a tube platform. Cops raced to Elm Park Underground station at 7am to arrest the 61-year-old. Investigations into the incident are now underway and police are appealing to witnesses for more information. A spokesperson for the police said: 'Officers were called just after 7am today (June 19) to Elm Park Underground station following reports of a man in possession of a firearm. "Officers attended, and a 61-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and taken into custody. 'Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 109 of 19 June.'
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
Moment train passenger screams ‘I'm gonna break your FACE' and lunges at worker
Owen Scott Published: Invalid Date, THIS IS the shocking moment a train passenger screams 'I'm gonna break your face' to a member of staff. Throughout the video, he incessantly asks to access the train's cafe bar despite the fact that it has already closed. 3 3 3 The chilling footage shows the passenger shouting at the staff member on the late-night London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train. Remaining calm, the train worker tries to reduce the tension by asking the passenger to sit. The worker can be heard saying: 'I'm just gonna ask you to take a seat - come on, let's take a seat.' The passenger then raised his voice, shouting 'I'm going to break your face. You're lucky' at the worker. Then, he waved his hand towards the managers while appearing to hold his mobile phone. In response, the manager said: 'Don't point that in my face. 'I need to close the café bar. Don't put that in my face please.' However, the passenger continued to be aggressive and shouted 'shut your mouth. Try it now'. The shocking event has been confirmed to have taken place on March 16, though the train's destination remains unknown. The Sun has contacted the British Transport Police and LNER for comment on the incident onboard the train. In a separate incident on board a train bound for King's Cross on July 2, 2024, another man can be seen shouting at a ticket collector. Moment Tube driver 'KNITS' and watches videos on phone while driving despite endless striking leaving commuters furious The footage is included in the first half of the video and shows the passenger swearing repeatedly at the rail worker, while saying "you're going to lose your job". Meanwhile, the worker raises a hand to calm the man - prompting the passenger to accuse the railway worker of laying his "hands" on him. The company chose to release the footage as part of 'Rail Safety Week'. The week is aimed at supporting staff who have been victims of abuse by passengers, while promoting sensible behaviour for train users. The video surfaced just as news came in that a man was arrested in London for allegedly having a gun, whilst on a tube platform. Cops raced to Elm Park Underground station at 7am to arrest the 61-year-old. Investigations into the incident are now underway and police are appealing to witnesses for more information. A spokesperson for the police said: 'Officers were called just after 7am today (June 19) to Elm Park Underground station following reports of a man in possession of a firearm. "Officers attended, and a 61-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and taken into custody. 'Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 109 of 19 June.'
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Moment train passenger screams ‘I'm gonna break your FACE' and lunges at worker
THIS IS the shocking moment a train passenger screams 'I'm gonna break your face' to a member of staff. Throughout the video, he incessantly asks to access 3 Footage has emerged of a passenger's aggressive behaviour on an LNER service Credit: SWNS 3 In the video, the passenger threatens a train worker Credit: SWNS 3 He can be heard saying "I'm going to break your face" to the worker Credit: SWNS The chilling footage shows the passenger shouting at the staff member on the late-night Remaining calm, the The worker can be heard saying: 'I'm just gonna ask you to take a seat - come on, let's take a seat.' The passenger then raised his voice, shouting 'I'm going to break your face. You're lucky' at the worker. Read More on Transport News Then, he waved his hand towards the managers while appearing to hold his mobile phone. In response, the manager said: 'Don't point that in my face. 'I need to close the café bar. Don't put that in my face please.' However, the passenger continued to be aggressive and shouted 'shut your mouth. Try it now'. Most read in The Sun The shocking event has been confirmed to have taken place on March 16, though the train's destination remains unknown. The Sun has contacted the British Transport Police and LNER for comment on the incident onboard the train. In a separate incident on board a train bound for King's Cross on July 2, 2024, another man can be seen shouting at a ticket collector. Moment Tube driver 'KNITS' and watches videos on phone while driving despite endless striking leaving commuters furious The footage is included in the first half of the video and shows the passenger swearing repeatedly at the rail worker, while saying "you're going to lose your job". Meanwhile, the worker raises a hand to calm the man - prompting the passenger to accuse the railway worker of laying his "hands" on him. The company chose to release the footage as part of 'Rail Safety Week'. The week is aimed at supporting staff who have been victims of abuse by passengers, while promoting sensible behaviour for train users. The video surfaced just as news came in that a Cops raced to Elm Park Underground station at 7am to arrest the 61-year-old. Investigations into the incident are now underway and police are appealing to witnesses for more information. A spokesperson for the police said: 'Officers were called just after 7am today (June 19) to Elm Park Underground station following reports of a man in possession of a firearm. "Officers attended, and a 61-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and taken into custody. 'Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 109 of 19 June.'
