THING OF THE WEEK
THUMBS UP… Of the many things it’s difficult to fit into a hectic schedule, bagging and hauling unwanted items to a charity shop is definitely on the list. However tomorrow, for one day only, Uber will be meeting not just your taxi and food delivery needs, but will also provide a free service to take your donations to the nearest Cancer Research shop. Available in locations across the UK, including Manchester and Merseyside, now’s the time to clear out your closet. https://www.uber.com/en-GB/blog/ubergiving-supporting-cancer-research-uk/
UN-APPY… Andy Burnham has described the current state of Northern Rail as a “freefall”, and transport secretary Chris Grayling has waded in, telling MPs the service is “wholly unsatisfactory”. Numbers speak louder than words however, as one frustrated, tech-savvy passenger has demonstrated. The Northern Fail app has been built to show customers historic data on the number of Northern cancellations, and prepare them for the level of disruption expected each day. As of around 7:30am this morning, the app was already showing 122 fully-cancelled services, 32 part-cancelled, and 36 running with reduced carriages, so if you fancy quantifying your commuting misery, you can download the app here: http://northernfailapp.co.uk/
TAKES THE BISCUIT… Down South, ThamesLink passengers are suffering a similar fate, with the operator faced with not just thousands of complaints, but also a possible court case for trademark infringement…
love this from @Poundland in response to ThamesLink describing their shoddy service as ‘a bit Poundland’ pic.twitter.com/w2PSF9iwbI
— Tim Heatley (@MrTimHeatley) May 31, 2018
MIND THE MAP… While transport pandemonium continues, Transport for Greater Manchester received a lukewarm reception to its proposals to Londonify the Metrolink system with a new zoning system from 2019. While some have welcomed any introduction of rhyme or reason to what currently feels like an erratic fare-charging system, others have raised concerns that it may be a sneaky way to raise ticket prices. Got an opinion of your own? TfGM has launched a consultation, open until midnight on 17 June: https://surveys.tfgm.com/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=152724953306
YOUR PLAICE OR MINE… Fishing fan, but tired of fighting for your share of the lake? Have no fear, a chance to own your own fully-stocked reservoir is here. Up for grabs at a Pugh auction, this is no paddling pool – the one-and-a-half-acre man-made lake has been formed from the former Mills Reservoir in Rossendale, and features 400 carp. Available for a mere snip at £15,000, which averages at £37.50 a fish, it sounds like a bargain.
