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27/02/2012
Routemaster Bus Makes London Debut
The new Routemaster bus has made its maiden voyage this morning in London. Mayor Boris Johnson had announced plans in 2008 for the hybrid buses, which run on a diesel-electric motor. In total 8 buses will run on route 38, from Victoria Station in Central London to Hackney in the east. The buses have an open ‘hop-on, hop-off’ platform at the rear complete with conductor.
Costing £1.4 million per bus, a standard double-decker bus costs just £190,000, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have all critised the buses.
"Riding this bus is surely the most expensive bus ticket in history," said Labour MP David Lammy. "With 62 seats at a cost of £1.4m, the cost per seat is £22,580. At £22,695, you can buy a brand new 3 series BMW."
Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Lib Dems on the London Assembly, said: "What Boris Johnson has managed to achieve is to hike up the cost of a single bus fare by 50% and ensure that buses on routes across London are far more crowded.
Jenny Jones of the Green Party has questioned if expenditure on the buses is the best environmental choice with a part spokesman saying,
"Jenny is concerned that London bus operators will refuse to buy these new buses for London, as their costs will be considerably higher if they are unable to re-sell them second hand to either UK operators or foreign operators."
Johnson has defended the new bus, saying: "When ordered in greater numbers it will make a significant economic contribution to the manufacturing industries, while also helping deliver a cleaner, greener and more pleasant city.
The green innards of this red bus mean that it is twice as fuel efficient as a diesel bus and the most environment-friendly of its kind."
(H)
Costing £1.4 million per bus, a standard double-decker bus costs just £190,000, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have all critised the buses.
"Riding this bus is surely the most expensive bus ticket in history," said Labour MP David Lammy. "With 62 seats at a cost of £1.4m, the cost per seat is £22,580. At £22,695, you can buy a brand new 3 series BMW."
Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Lib Dems on the London Assembly, said: "What Boris Johnson has managed to achieve is to hike up the cost of a single bus fare by 50% and ensure that buses on routes across London are far more crowded.
Jenny Jones of the Green Party has questioned if expenditure on the buses is the best environmental choice with a part spokesman saying,
"Jenny is concerned that London bus operators will refuse to buy these new buses for London, as their costs will be considerably higher if they are unable to re-sell them second hand to either UK operators or foreign operators."
Johnson has defended the new bus, saying: "When ordered in greater numbers it will make a significant economic contribution to the manufacturing industries, while also helping deliver a cleaner, greener and more pleasant city.
The green innards of this red bus mean that it is twice as fuel efficient as a diesel bus and the most environment-friendly of its kind."
(H)
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11 February 2015
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Planned strike action by London bus drivers has been postponed as an "act of goodwill". The strike action was due to take place on Friday and Monday, with drivers walking out across the city's 18 bus companies. Unite the union has called on the bus companies to accept an invitation for talks.
London Bus Drivers Postpone Strike Action
Planned strike action by London bus drivers has been postponed as an "act of goodwill". The strike action was due to take place on Friday and Monday, with drivers walking out across the city's 18 bus companies. Unite the union has called on the bus companies to accept an invitation for talks.
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11 May 2012
London Underground Workers Welcome Olympic Payment
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Unite members working for London Underground have welcomed an £850 Olympic payment. There had been extensive negotiations over the working arrangements attached to the deal and to whom the payments should apply. Unite represents hundreds of engineering, electrical, power control and management workers employed by London Underground Limited.
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London Bus Drivers Stage 24-Hour Strike
Bus drivers in London are currently staging a 24-hour strike. At 00:00 on Wednesday, members of the union Unite walked out. The dispute is in relation to pay differences between the city's 18 bus companies.
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Bus Operators To Share Clean Bus Technology Funds
Funding is being offered to bus operators across England to equip buses with emission cutting technology and offer passengers better journeys.
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Funding is being offered to bus operators across England to equip buses with emission cutting technology and offer passengers better journeys.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
