Latest news with #Foody
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
MP slams local bus services as 'unreliable'
A Labour MP has slammed bus services in her constituency as "unreliable" and "inaccessible". Cramlington and Killingworth's Emma Foody surveyed hundreds of constituents which found broad dissatisfaction with services in the area. Speaking in the House of Commons, Foody said the government's upcoming Bus Services Bill needed to put passengers "back in the driving seat". Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, said the bill would devolve more powers locally to improve transport options. "The villages and towns across my Cramlington and Killingworth constituency rely heavily on our bus services," Foody said. "Despite this, my Big Bus Survey that I've been running recently shows that local people too often have found buses to be unreliable, inaccessible and they don't take them to the places they need to go." Powell replied the Bus Service Bill will give local areas the power to have "affordable and reliable bus services". The bill will give local authorities control over routes, timetables, connections and fares, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. It will also lift the ban on councils establishing their own bus companies and ensure that lifeline bus services cannot be removed or changed without councils reviewing their ability to serve communities. "I have seen what happens with local areas like mine in Manchester having those powers," Powell said. "It has massively increased the number of people using bus services and has brought in extra funding from doing so." The Conservative Party has previously called on the government to explain how local authorities would fund the proposals. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Bus cuts will leave nurses stranded, union says Mayor 'pressing ahead' on public control of buses Department for Transport
Business Journals
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Private jet apps are struggling for a foothold while Texas-based Merlin1 focuses on personalized service
Private aviation is in the midst of a transformation — and it's not being led by flashy apps or sprawling national brands. Across Texas, discerning travelers are shifting toward local operators that prioritize service, personalization, and transparency. One such operator is Austin based Merlin1. For CEO Jim Foody, the reason behind the transformation is clear: As charter operators evolve, the trend is to be large and diverse with multiple classes of aircraft (light, mid-size, super-mid and heavy jets) and multiple aircraft types within each class, all operating under one certificate. It's a mind-boggling level of complexity, ever increasing costs and declining levels of service. The optimum size, or fleet make-up, of a charter operator isn't yet clear but what is becoming clear is that larger operators, with fleets of 650+ aircraft, 30 different types and an order book exceeding 1,000 additional jets, are becoming more like large commercial airlines than a bespoke provider of luxury private air travel. The return of personalized private travel Merlin1 was built on a philosophy that flying private should feel effortless, refined, and tailored. From the first call to wheels-in-the-well, clients work with the same point of contact — not a rotating list of sales reps or impersonal app interfaces. 'We know our clients by name and by preference,' Foody says. 'That includes everything from catering and ground transportation to ideal cabin temperature. It's a relationship, not a transaction.' Every Merlin1 jet is Wi-Fi equipped, and catering is sourced locally — often from renowned names like Don Strange — and always complimentary. In-flight service is just as thoughtful. After reaching cruising altitude, the co-pilot (whom clients know by name) steps into the cabin to adjust the environment and ensure passenger comfort. It's the kind of high-touch experience that's becoming rare — and one that Austin travelers should increasingly expect. Keep it simple Merlin1's fleet is comprised entirely of Citation 650s — a midsize jet known for reliability, speed, and comfort. Operating a single aircraft type delivers several advantages: reduced complexity, lower costs, while facilitating in-house maintenance, leading to better dispatch reliability. 'It keeps our operations more efficient than competitors, and that translates to a better experience and lower cost for our clients,' says Foody. The Citation 650 range delivers serious non-stop performance. 'We can fly nonstop from Austin to Costa Rica, the Bahamas and many Canadian destinations.' Where the industry is headed Foody believes private aviation is heading toward greater specialization and simplification. 'It's not yet clear how it will shake out but significant realignment, driven by operating costs, is coming quickly. The winners will be those operators best able to simplify operations and control costs while continuing to provide a luxurious, safe and reliable in-flight experience,' he says. Why apps aren't there yet Booking a private jet via app may sound convenient, but Foody warns the reality is often more complicated. 'The concept is appealing but the infrastructure just isn't there yet,' he says. 'There are too few aircraft in the system, and pricing often excludes key costs like positioning fees.' What starts as a promising quote can quickly unravel into hidden fees and scheduling frustration. Merlin1, by contrast, offers clarity and simplicity from the start. 'A quick call to M1 will get you a real quote, a reliable schedule, and a tailored experience — no surprises.' Empty leg flights: A smart way to fly private For flexible travelers, Merlin1's empty leg flights offer access to private jet travel at a fraction of the typical cost. These are one-way repositioning flights, and the company offers these opportunities to a growing list of more than 5,000 subscribers. 'We send alerts twice a week, and the deals can be incredible,' Foody says. 'It's an easy entry point for those new to private aviation or just looking for a fun way to get out of town.' Ready for a better way to fly? Whether you're departing from Austin, San Antonio, or elsewhere in Texas, Merlin1 makes private flying feel personal again. Sign up for empty leg updates online or contact the team to explore on-demand charter options tailored to your schedule. Your next adventure — and a better flying experience — starts here.
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Community football pitches and pools could be saved from closure under new bill
Labour and Co-op MP Emma Foody is to introduce the bill - which has cross-party support - in the Commons on Wednesday Grassroots sport facilities including football pitches and swimming pools would be protected from closure under a new bill to be introduced today. Labour and Co-op MP Emma Foody is to introduce the bill - which has cross-party support - in the Commons on Wednesday. If successful, it would "lock" sporting facilities by automatically designating them as Assets of Community Value. Community groups could then be given first refusal to take them over if they are at risk of closure, under Labour's Community Right to Buy programme, to be included in devolution legislation expected soon. It's understood the government has been looking for ways to protect community sports centres in recent months. "Sports are the beating hearts of so many communities like mine," Ms Foody said. "They're not just places to keep fit and healthy, they also build community pride and belonging, bringing people together. 'These spaces are so vital, but in too many communities they have completely disappeared. 'My Bill will make sure sporting facilities are properly protected and give local people the best possible chance to own and operate the assets they value most."
Business Journals
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
The app-ification of private flying: Texas company says ‘not so fast'
In today's rapidly evolving private aviation landscape, the tide is shifting. A growing number of travelers are moving away from national charter brands and embracing the personalized experience offered by locally-owned operators like San Antonio-based Merlin1. For CEO Jim Foody, the trend is clear: Scale has come at the expense of service, and discerning travelers are noticing. 'As these larger national carriers have grown, their ability to provide true luxury service has diminished,' says Foody. 'Clients are no longer dealing with the same person from start to finish. They're not being greeted by name. In many cases, they're not even allowed to specify exact departure time, particularly during peak holiday seasons.' Instead of a confirmed takeoff time, Foody explains that some nationally branded operators now offer a departure window — typically two hours. That seemingly small change often means a frustrating wait at the fixed base operator and a loss of control for the traveler. It's precisely this erosion of experience that has caused many to seek alternatives. Despite service erosion the nationally branded charter operators remain the most expensive option.* Putting luxury back in the skies Merlin1 was founded on a simple premise: Private aviation should feel personal, refined, and effortless. That commitment is evident from the moment a client first reaches out. 'You're not dealing with a call center or an app. You're dealing with the same person throughout the entire process,' Foody says. 'We know our clients by name. We know their preferences and ensure they are met on each and every flight. Our entire fleet is Wi-Fi equipped and catering from local partners like Don Strange is always elegant, personalized and complimentary. Every detail is intentional.' That white-glove approach extends into the air. After reaching cruising altitude, the co-pilot enters the cabin to check on passenger comfort. It's a level of service that's unheard of among larger nationally branded charter operators. 'It's the little things that make the biggest difference,' Foody adds. 'And those are the first things to go when companies scale too fast.' The jet app dilemma Tech-driven booking platforms promised a revolution in charter travel, but Foody believes they've arrived a decade too early. 'The concept is great, but the reality is that the infrastructure just isn't there yet,' he explains. 'There aren't enough aircraft in the system to make it efficient, and most quotes are misleading because they don't include positioning fees or precise timing. What looks like a great deal quickly turns into a frustrating experience.' Apps also can't replicate the nuanced, concierge-level service Merlin1 provides. Booking through an app might take hours of price comparison and coordination, whereas a two-minute conversation with Merlin1 yields clarity, simplicity, and a tailored itinerary. The rise of the empty leg For those with flexibility, empty leg flights are becoming a sought-after way to experience private travel at a reduced rate. These are repositioning flights — when an aircraft is flying empty to pick up a client — and Merlin1 offers these opportunities to a growing list of over 5,000 subscribers. 'It's a smart way to experience private aviation, often at a fraction of the price,' Foody says. 'We send out empty leg updates twice a week. It's easy to sign up on our website or by giving us a call, and offers incredible value for the flexible traveler.' Fleet focus, elevated performance Merlin1 operates the largest KSAT-based fleet, composed entirely of Citation 650's, a strategic choice that enhances both reliability and efficiency. 'There's a huge advantage to fleet uniformity,' says Foody. 'Our pilots and mechanics are trained on a single aircraft type, which simplifies operations, keeps more of our maintenance in-house and improves dispatch reliability. That means a lower cost per flight hour.' The Citation 650 also brings real operational benefits. 'We can fly nonstop from Austin to Costa Rica or back-and forth to the Bahamas.' The future of private aviation Looking ahead, Foody sees a clear trajectory: simplification, specialization, and consolidation. 'The idea that one provider can continue to operate multiple sizes and types of aircraft efficiently just isn't realistic anymore,' he says. 'This is among the reasons costs of nationally branded operators are increasing while service is slipping. I believe we'll see operators transition to a single aircraft size and with one to two providers each for light, midsize, super-mid and heavy jets — and Merlin1's future is to be the leading midsize jet operator in Texas. It might well be that the nationally branded carriers, for reasons such as market share and a more efficient means to scale, contract with local carriers to operate smaller aircraft within their existing fleets.' At the same time, Foody warns of a growing risk: As private aviation expands, service may become increasingly commoditized. It's a shift he's determined to resist. 'We're fighting to preserve what private aviation is meant to be — a refined experience,' he says. 'It's all about safety, reliability and luxury.' Ready to book your next private jet charter from Austin or San Antonio? Sign up for Merin1's Empty Leg Distribution List for highly discounted one-way flights. To learn more about our on-demand charter program, please contact us today. Your next adventure awaits – don't miss out.
