Features & Analysis – Page 5
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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.
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In depthInternational expertise sought to support Poland’s CPK rail programme
With the first construction contracts to be let shortly and orders for more than 100 high speed trains to follow, Marcin Horała, Secretary of State at Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure, explains how international expertise will be needed to support the CPK programme.
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In depthIreland: Building confidence to secure a positive future
After five years as Chief Executive of Iarnród Eireann, Jim Meade sees bright prospects for Ireland’s national railway. Passengers are returning after the coronavirus pandemic, and the government has identified a valuable role for rail in its move to a more sustainable transport mix, he tells Tony Miles.
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In depthTrain Control: Say goodbye to lineside hardware with satellites and digital comms
A marriage of satellite communications with fully digital train control could eliminate lineside signals and related equipment, achieving huge savings and making the rail mode more affordable. Preliminary trials are already in progress.
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In depthPoland: Making the strategic case for the CPK rail programme
The Centralny Port Komunikacyjny transport investment programme will improve connectivity in Poland and beyond, Marcin Horała, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, tells Railway Gazette International.
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In depthSpace Technology: European aerospace bodies see rail opportunities
European aerospace organisations ESA and EUSPA are developing dedicated initiatives aimed at facilitating the use of satellite technology in rail applications, with ERTMS a particular focus. Nick Kingsley reports.
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In depthIndia: Vande Bharat fleet can take on the airlines
A high tax burden and challenging macroeconomic conditions mean that India’s domestic aviation market has not seen the boom expected a decade ago. Indian Railways‘ investment in a new generation of premium inter-city trains can help rail to seize the advantage, as Chitresh Shrivastva* explains.
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In depthFreight: Getting more cars on the rails
The introduction of new wagon types and schemes to encourage private investment are helping to increase IR’s share of the movement of finished vehicles for India’s growing automotive sector. Raghu Dayal investigates.
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In depthIndia: Mission 100% nears completion
The energisation of more than 6 500 route-km in the 2022-23 financial year has brought the electrified proportion of Indian Railways’ broad gauge network to over 90%, with the remainder on course to be wired during 2023-24.
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In depthSouth Asia: Rail wins market share in cross-border trade
Shipment of cargo by rail across the India-Bangladesh border has more than doubled since 2019-20.
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In depthIndia: Kashmir link nears completion
The long-planned railway connection to Kashmir is on course to open throughout by the end of this year, after 30 years of mixed progress which has seen the estimated cost spiral to almost Rs400bn. Raghu Dayal reports.
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Urban In DepthComment: Bright light in Barcelona
The UITP summit in Barcelona emphasised the importance of public transport in supporting cities, the economy and the planet, while addressing the challenges of climate change and post-covid travel patterns. Chris Jackson reflects on the conference as a platform for collaboration to secure the future of public transport.
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In depthTechnology: Putting rail at the heart of digital mobility
Rail and metro can be at the heart of a truly intermodal digital mobility landscape that can decongest cities worldwide, but more ambition and political intervention is needed to make this vision a reality.
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In depthVietnam: Urban links close to completion in two cities
Despite rapid strides being made by the Vietnamese economy, construction of urban rail links and metro lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has been delayed far beyond the original completion dates. Peter Janssen reports.