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.
Berlin U-Bahn station to be renamed over racism concerns
GERMANY: Berlin city transport operator BVG intends to rename Mohrenstrasse station on U-Bahn Line U2 ‘out of understanding and respect’ for the ‘sometimes controversial’ debate about the name of the eponymous road, which uses an archaic term for people from North Africa.
Comment: Getting back on track
An essential first step will be to overcome the perception that public transport is dangerous, and emphasise that the risks can be managed. As well as putting the appropriate processes in place, it is vital to get the messaging right, and that needs to start now.
Associations emphasise importance of public transport in tackling climate change
EUROPE: The International Union of Railways, International Association of Public Transport and European railway suppliers’ association UNIFE have called for ‘a new sense of urgency’ in developing a more sustainable transport mix, arguing that decision makers need to look beyond the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath and not forget that ‘the rising danger’ of climate change ‘has not stopped during the crisis’.
Transport for London studies bus driver coronavirus infections
UK: Transport for London has asked University College London’s Institute of Health Equity to provide independent advice as part of a study to better understand the pattern of coronavirus infections and deaths among London’s bus workers.
Andy Byford to become London’s next Transport Commissioner
UK: The former President & Chief Executive Officer of New York City Transit Authority Andy Byford is to return to the UK as the next Commissioner of Transport for London, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced on May 27.