Promoter defends Montréal REM cost escalation
CANADA: Despite ‘extraordinary circumstances and exceptional technical challenges’, the construction costs for Montréal’s REM automated light metro have been kept ‘within a very competitive budget compared with other similar major transportation projects around the world’, according to project promoter CDPQ Infra.
Auckland’s City Rail Link seeks more funding as pandemic drives up costs
NEW ZEALAND: Cross-Auckland rail tunnel project promoter City Rail Link Ltd has submitted a formal request for more funding from the government and Auckland Council, citing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on construction works, the supply chain, resourcing, materials and labour costs.
VR wins Swedish operating contract tendered after SJ agreed early exit
SWEDEN: The Finnish national operator’s local subsidiary VR Sverige has won a contract to operate passenger services on nine routes radiating from Borlänge and Västeräs, replacing SJ which is exiting the current contract early because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Interview: Rail can address Europe’s societal challenges
From tensions with Russia to the climate emergency, rail has a role to play at the heart of Europe’s response to the biggest questions of the age, believes CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola. But he tells Nick Kingsley that more investment is needed to boost both capacity and capability.
Freight operator looks to grow after the third year of industry crisis
AUSTRIA: Rail Cargo Group has ambitious plans for expansion in 2023 despite the extraordinarily crisis-ridden year the rail freight sector has faced in 2022, according to ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä.
Southeastern scraps first class in timetable revision to meet changed demand
UK: Southeastern has announced that it is to abolish first class travel with effect from December 11 2022, as part of timetable changes which aim to provide a ‘simpler, more reliable’ service and reflect the way people now travel following the pandemic.
Transport for London funding agreed to 2024
Go-Ahead operating contract revised for post-pandemic world
Still no long-term funding deal for Transport for London
Ridership doubles year-on-year but still down on pre-pandemic levels
Rolling out a digital workspace
App shows London Underground station usage in near real time
State aid for Italy’s long-distance train operators approved
Transport for London considers government funding proposal
EU pandemic relief measure for rail extended
Real-time access to freight locomotive CCTV
Warning of long-term effects of EU railways’ €50bn revenue hit during the pandemic
Simulation identifies most effective measures to reduce Covid-19 risk on metro trains
Transport for London gets another short-term funding extension
Japan: Kintetsu plans a post-pandemic recovery
