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National Express faces uphill battle
The bus and rail operator launches a £360m rights issue to help cover interest payments on its debts of more than £1bn, but the Cosmen family, its largest shareholder, fails to back the move
Some trips to take longer on high-speed line
Heavier tilting trains disadvantaged on planned 450kph route even though freight trains will be banned
Date set for East Coast rail handover
The government will take over control of National Express’s lossmaking East Coast franchise a week on Friday, the company announced, ending uncertainty over the route’s future
Go-Ahead steps into US school bus market
The bus and rail operator has formed a joint venture to win yellow school bus contracts in North America, marking its first significant foray outside the UK
John Gapper: Safe signals from Buffett’s train deal
Buying a railroad is a sound way to gain cash dividends, and broad exposure to companies that need coal and freight, but not to invest in innovation, writes John Gapper
TfL seeks review on PPF levy
Transport for London, the mass transit operator, will seek the first judicial review of a premium levied by the Pension Protection Fund, with the outcome set to be watched by other employers
Buffett’s dealmaking instinct still on track
The Sage of Omaha’s investment vehicle still has $20bn in its ‘piggy bank’ after its acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad
Buffett bets $27bn on US
Warren Buffett struck the biggest deal of his life with the $26bn purchase of Burlington Northern Santa Fe in what the billionaire investor called an “all-in wager” on America’s economic future
Stagecoach passenger fall slows
Stagecoach, the bus and train company stalking rival National Express, has confirmed that the recession-hit industry is stabilising, as the decline in passenger numbers slows
Omaha’s sage makes ‘all-in’ bet on BNSF
Size aside, Berkshire Hathaway’s proposed acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad is about as typical a Warren Buffett deal as they come, writes John Gapper






