Each week, Ben Hopkinson looks back at a serious, crazy, and happy news story from the past week.
Serious News
A new operator has been appointed for the Elizabeth Line.
The new contract has been awarded to GTS Rail Operations Limited - a joint venture between Go Ahead Group, Tokyo Metro and Sumitomo Corporation. The contract will be for a duration of seven years with an option to extend for up to two additional years.
GTS Rail Operations Limited will take over from the existing operator, MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Limited, in May 2025.
The Elizabeth line is the most significant addition to London's transport network in a generation and has quickly become one of the most popular railways in the country, carrying more than 700,000 people a day. It has transformed life and travel in London and the South East by reducing journey times, creating additional capacity, and improving accessibility across London’s transport network.
The new contract with GTS Rail Operations Limited will enable TfL to build on the success of the Elizabeth line and ensure it continues to be a showcase for investment in public transport in London, across the country and around the world.
Claire Mann, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, says: “The Elizabeth line has had a transformational impact since opening in 2022 and has quickly become one of the most popular and reliable railways in the country. The railway has provided new, more direct journey options which has led to huge numbers of customers using our safe and accessible trains and stations."
Meanwhile, Group CEO of the Go-Ahead Group, Miguel Parras added: “We’re proud to have been chosen to be TfL’s partner, together with Sumitomo Corporation and Tokyo Metro, for the operation of the iconic Elizabeth line. We look forward to bringing our collective expertise across UK and international rail operations to London. Our objectives are aligned with TfL - to connect communities across London through safe, reliable, and sustainable public transport services, delivered to the highest level of customer satisfaction.”
Crazy News
An emperor penguin has been found more than 2,200 miles away from the Antarctic coast in Australia.
The male penguin was first discovered on 1st November on a tourist beach in the town of Denmark in southwest Australia.
Even though some emperor penguins have been spotted in New Zealand, this was the first time one has been spotted in Australia and Belinda Cannell from the University of Western Australia has no idea on why he had embarked on such a long journey.
He is being cared for by Carol Biddulph, a seabird rehabilitator, as he is malnourished weighing only 23kg - healthy penguins can weigh more than 45kg.
"Options are still being worked through" on how and when he can be returned home.
Happy News
Maritime Radio has won another Community Radio Award following our success in 2019 and 2020 within the categories of Arts & Creative Radio and Community Programme of the Year respectively.
The third award came in the form of Andy Holton's Hooray 4 Musicals which picked up Gold in the Specialist Content of the Year category.
The event took place on Saturday 16th November at Cardiff City Stadium with Martin Steers, awards chair, saying: "What another fantastic year for community radio. It’s been a pleasure coming to Cardiff and working with the Welsh Community Radio Network alongside the UK Community Radio Network, to help deliver both the awards and conference earlier in the day. Well done to all the winners, as well as all the finalists for the awards."
Andy spoke to Duncan on Monday's Greenwich Breakfast to talk about the moment he picked up the award:
You can catch Hooray 4 Musicals Sunday afternoons from 2pm.
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