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.
Building back better
Public transport operators around the world face a massive challenge in the years ahead, as countries and cities seek to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic that has swept around the globe during 2020.
Transport for London closes Twitter accounts
UK: Transport for London has started to consolidate its Twitter communications at its main account, and close the separate accounts it operates for London’s various transport modes and individual lines.
Berlin S-Bahn tenders invited
GERMANY: Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg has launched the competitive tendering process for the remaining two portions of the 331 route-km Berlin S-Bahn network, covering the North-South and east-west Stadtbahn service groups.
Inquiry to consider implications of the pandemic for public transport
UK: The longer-term implications of the coronavirus pandemic for public transport are to be examined by the House of Commons’ Transport Select Committee, which has called for written evidence on the extent that the pandemic ‘could, and should’, be used as an opportunity to influence how people choose how to ...
Government sets out details of Transport for London financial review
UK: Cost efficiencies, workforce modernisation, alternative potential operating models and ‘exploring the feasibility of extending driverless operation from the Docklands Light Railway to other lines which are already automatic’ are to be considered by a government review into the financial structure of Transport for London.