Features & Analysis – Page 7
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In depthInterview: Ukrainian Railways looks for more international partnerships
Ukrainian national railway Ukrzaliznytsia is looking for international help to boost rail freight traffic, and for assistance in funding major projects including 1435 mm gauge lines, as Board Member Yevhen Liashchenko* explains to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthInterview: ČD sees fleet renewal opportunity despite ‘tedious’ approval task
Michal Krapinec, Chairman & Director General of Czech national operator České Dráhy, unveils his strategy for developing domestic and international passenger services to Toma Bačić.
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In depthComment: Delivery is the priority
One of the key messages of InnoTrans 2024 was that railways need to focus on delivery to justify the scale of investment and maintain the political support the industry is looking for.
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In depthInterview: ‘No limit’ on the potential of French high speed market
While its planned high speed services linking Bordeaux with Rennes and Nantes are still in gestation, French new entrant Le Train believes it can establish itself as the largest private operator in an increasingly crowded domestic market. CEO Alain Getraud and Deputy Chief Executive Catherine Pihan-Le Bars explain their vision to Nick Kingsley.
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Metro Report InternationalPakistan: Lahore’s pioneering metro approaches maturity
This month, Lahore’s Orange metro line completes four years of operation serving Pakistan’s second largest city. Its growing ridership and positive socio-economic impact have spurred the local authorities to plan three more urban rail lines, although funding remains an issue.
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In depthIndia: King Coal still dominates freight market
Despite extensive investment in renewable energy supplies, rising demand for power means that India will still be burning coal for many years, providing a baseload for Indian Railways’ freight operations. Raghu Dayal explains.
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Metro Report InternationalVietnam: Hanoi ahead in sluggish metro expansion
With Hanoi’s second metro line having opened this summer and a starter route in Ho Chi Minh City due to be inaugurated soon, Vietnam is likely to have 41 km of metro operational by the year end. Yet this is far below the government’s goal, with bureaucratic delays partly to blame. Peter Janssen reports.
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In depthSafety: Minister speeds up India’s Kavach deployment
Indian Railways is to call tenders shortly to fit its Kavach 4.0 onboard ATP equipment to an initial 10 000 locomotives as part of an accelerated roll-out programme.
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In depthInterview: SBB’s Ducrot prioritises co-operation over competition
Chief Executive of Swiss Federal Railways Vincent Ducrot is keenly aware of the need to keep passenger and freight customers satisfied. Toma Bačić asked how his strategy would achieve that objective.
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Rail Business UKViewpoint: Do not rush UK rail reform
Given the scale of the task, the government should resist the temptation to push through hasty reform of the UK rail sector, argues Dominic Booth, Chief Executive of Transport UK Group.
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Metro Report InternationalParis: Learning lessons from Line 14
Paris metro operator RATP believes it can use the experience it has gained in managing the migration of train control equipment used on Line 14 from one GoA4 platform to another to help upgrade other automated metros. Jérémie Anne reports.
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In depthTrain Control: Paris RER lines switch to NExTEO
SNCF Réseau is committed to installation of the digital NExTEO train control system to increase train throughput on the busiest sections of the heavily used Paris RER network. Jérémie Anne reports.
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In depthIndia: Budget boost provides opportunities for railway reform
The government is continuing to provide liberal support for Indian Railways in its 2024-25 budget unveiled on July 23, but Raghu Dayal suggests that this largesse is not enough. IR is in need of transformative restructuring if it is to reverse the long decline in its market share.
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NewsSaudi Arabia Railways says its 2035 vision offers ‘excellent investment opportunities’
Saudi Arabia Railways’ updated business strategy running to 2035 includes an 8 000 km expansion of the network, becoming financially self-sustaining and partnering with leading technology suppliers, CEO Dr Bashar bin Khalid Al Malik tells Railway Gazette International.
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Rail Business UKUK: Momentum builds behind East Coast Digital Programme
ETCS testing and driver training are in full swing as the crossindustry East Coast Digital Programme moves into the delivery phase. Chris Jackson reports from York.
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In depthComment: Rail must respond to Draghi’s challenge
A recent review by Mario Draghi suggests that rail can play a key role in supporting Europe’s economic competitiveness and addressing environmental challenges, but sector representatives argue that much remains to be done in the next EU legislative period to address outstanding issues.
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In depthNew Zealand: Revitalising rail at the edge of the world
The historic and complex station at Wellington is being resignalled to permit more frequent services and enhance safety. Infrastructure manager KiwiRail hopes it will pave the way for future upgrades to ETCS.
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In depthInterview: Technology migration holds key to a sustainable railway
Co-operation between suppliers, operators and regulators is essential if technical advances are to deliver an efficient, cost-effective and competitive railway, incoming UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe tells Chris Jackson.
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In depthFuture Skills: Software tools can mitigate demographic crisis
Examples from DSB and Transdev Deutschland highlight how use of resource planning software can boost employee recruitment and retention as the rail industry adapts to an endemic staff shortage.
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In depthInterview: Innovating in the complex railway system
Whereas innovation in railways was once about the search for higher speeds or energy efficiency, Prof Peter Veit believes that the primary focus is now shifting to a whole‑system understanding. It will also be necessary to optimise infrastructure maintenance methods to accommodate rising demand, he explains to Reinhard Christeller.