Features & Analysis – Page 14
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In depthItaly: Bringing rail and air closer together
Infrastructure manager RFI is embarking on a programme to complete rail links to airports in Venezia, Bergamo, Brindisi, Olbia and Alghero by the end of 2026, while a major reconfiguration of the rail network around Milano Malpensa is also in hand. Benjámin Zelki reports.
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In depthItaly: Deadline catalyses enhancement programme
No less than €24·7bn has been allocated to rail investment from the EU’s Recovery & Resilience Fund, giving RFI the opportunity to accelerate a vast programme of enhancements across the network. However, the RRF funding comes with a strict 2026 deadline for project completion. Benjámin Zelki investigates the largest elements of the plans.
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In depthSouth Korea: Next-generation high speed trains on test
Korail is now testing the first two of 19 eight-car EMU-320 trainsets that will presage an expansion of services on South Korea’s main north-south main line. Benjámin Zelki reports.
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In depthFreight: Alpine corridors reflect rail’s struggle for modal share
Anchored in Italy, three north-south Rail Freight Corridors provide significant opportunities for modal shift in line with the European Commission’s Green deal objectives. However, the transalpine routes still face many challenges that need to be addressed, suggests Reinhard Christeller.
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In depthTraction technology: Bridging the gap from diesel
Equipping existing diesel passenger fleets with battery‑based energy storage technology can improve vehicle efficiency while reducing local noise and pollution, argues Edgar Keller of ABB Traction Systems.
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In depthChina: High speed fleet production peaks
In an analysis of the world market for high speed rail, SCI Verkehr finds that construction of high speed trains for China’s huge network has now peaked but after-sales activity is growing in importance as the fleet starts to age.
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In depthEurope: Approach route impasse threatens Lyon – Torino link
Plans to boost rail traffic between France and Italy through the Mont Cenis base tunnel maybe in jeopardy as the French government dithers over the choice of approach route. Christian Scasso reports
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In depthPassenger trains: OECD study highlights distortion in the world rolling stock market
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development has found that governments across the globe intervene in the rolling stock market in numerous ways to support their own industries.
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In depthComment: Trains on the tourist trail
As summer moves into autumn in the northern hemisphere, a debate is beginning over the future of tourism, catalysed in part by the searing heatwaves and wildfires that have been sweeping across much of the planet.
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In depthViewpoint: The challenge of pricing South African rail access
Predictable and evidence-based regulation will be needed to support a viable pricing model for access to a vertically separated South African rail network under the government’s reform programme. Economist Sarah Truen explains the challenge.
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In depthEgypt: Safely expanding Cairo’s rail network
TÜV Nord acted as the independent safety assessment body for Egypt’s Capital Train electric suburban railway that opened last year to link Cairo with 10th Ramadan City and the New Administrative Capital. Lead Safety Auditor Karin Seibold explains the company’s role in ensuring the line’s safe operation to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthSafety: Divided by a common language
A proposed recast of the EU Directive for certification of train drivers to mandate the use of English for communications on international routes has divided opinion across the European rail sector, with little sign of a consensus emerging. Toma Bačić reports.
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In depthUSA: Safety under the spotlight
With rail safety legislation making its way through the US Congress following a recent spate of derailments, the major railroads, regulators and politicians are divided over the best way to drive change. Chris Jackson investigates.
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In depthArgentina: Passenger restoration drive continues
Trenes Argentinos has restarted long-distance passenger trains on two key routes, while work is underway to expand suburban services in Córdoba, but much-needed rolling stock procurements are still being delayed. Benjámin Zelki investigates.
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In depthColombia: Bogotá’s Regiotram schemes face mounting hurdles
Completion of the first line in the planned Regiotram tram-train network in the Colombian capital has been delayed following intervention by the National Authority for Environmental Licences, reports Christian Scasso.
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In depthInterview: Investing to create an inclusive metro
One of few metros around the world which does not receive a subsidy for day-to-day operations, Metro de Santiago can still allocate around 30% of its farebox revenues for future investment. General Manager Felipe Bravo tells Benjámin Zelki about its expansion plans, signalling upgrades, rolling stock renewal and achieving social inclusion goals.
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In depthColombia: Turning round a dilapidated network
The Colombian government is taking steps to rehabilitate key parts of the national rail network. It also has ambitions to develop an inter-ocean corridor to rival the Panamá Canal. Christian Scasso explains.
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In depthChile: EFE invests to triple ridership by 2030
The Chilean government is investing US$8bn in the country’s railways with the aim of increasing passenger numbers threefold and boosting regional development outside the Santiago conurbation. Chief Executive of national operator EFE José Solorza Estévez explains the strategy to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthMexico: Government fosters rail revival
Fresh impetus has been injected into the rail business in Mexico thanks to initiatives by the government of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Regulatory changes plus a long-term vision promise a revival that could include reinstating passenger services in addition to the Tren Maya project already in hand. Stefan von Mach reports.
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In depthComment: Green credentials on the line
The European Commission’s Greening Freight proposals reiterate the EU’s commitment to growing rail’s share of the logistics chain, but they also set out the challenge the sector will face amid the complexity and cost of building new infrastructure, and as measures are adopted to aid the decarbonisation of competing modes.