Local and cross-boundary rail projects in Hong Kong strategic plan
CHINA: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s firth annual policy address on October 6 included a number of initiatives for the development of local and cross-boundary railway projects, as well as long-term land development.
UKTram consults on draft light rail strategy
UK: Light rail industry body UKTram is seeking comments on its draft Light Rail Strategy for the UK, which is due to be submitted to ministers and the Department for Transport later this year.
Transport information to be made available on Mobility Data Marketplace
GERMANY: The Federal Council has approved the Mobility Data Ordinance, which obliges transport agencies to provide data on timetables, routes and fares for inclusion in a single national Mobility Data Marketplace.
EIB to update transport priorities within climate roadmap
EUROPE: The European Investment Bank is consulting on updating its transport sector lending policies to prioritise projects according to its Climate Bank Roadmap, the European Commission’s Sustainable & Smart Mobility Strategy and the EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.
Cities will drive the decarbonisation of transport
Providing more and better transport from the passenger’s perspective through initiatives such as Mobility as a Service will help to decarbonise the urban environment as well as reducing congestion, believes Hitachi Rail CEO Andrew Barr.
Governments mull funding of Tokyo metro extensions
JAPAN: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism and the Governor of Tokyo have agreed in principle that Tokyo Metro Corp should press ahead with two short extensions to improve connectivity in the southeast of the capital.
Call for 2022 to be the European Year of Rail & Public Transport
EUROPE: With plans to celebrate 2021 as the Year of Rail having been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, five European transport associations have jointly called on the European Union to extend and expand the concept and make 2022 the European Year of Rail & Public Transport.
Driverless train study required under latest Transport for London support deal
UK: The Department for Transport has agreed a further funding package for Transport for London, with government conditions including studies for the possible conversion of two Underground lines to driverless operation.
US supports Brazilian urban networks
INTERNATIONAL: Brazil’s National Association of Passenger Rail Operators, ANPTrilhos has signed a technical co-operation agreement with the American Public Transportation Association, paving the way for the two organisations to exchange information and experience.
Transport security changes after social justice concerns
USA: San Diego Metropolitan Transit System has made changes to its security procedures in response to national concerns about law enforcement.
Russia sets out national metro standards
RUSSIA: The Federal Agency for Technical Regulation & Metrology Rosstandart has formally approved the first part of a planned set of national standards for the construction and operation of metro networks.
Further funding for English light rail services
UK: The government is making further funding of up to £67·8m available to support light rail services in England during the coronavirus pandemic.