News – Page 149
-
NewsSBB tests automated shunting without possessions
SWITZERLAND: SBB and Alstom have carried out a series of trials using a remotely controlled shunting locomotive on tracks that remained open for normal operations. As part of the research trials, 24 locomotive drivers operated a shunter in the marshalling yard at Zürich-Mülligen from a control ...
-
Metro Report InternationalSeoul Metro to operate GTX-A when it opens on March 30
SOUTH KOREA: Seoul Metro has been selected as operator for Line A of the capital’s Great Train Express commuter rail network, ahead of the opening of the first section on March 30. When complete, the 82 km line with 11 stations will link Unjeong in the ...
-
Rail Business UKSMEs selected for Bristol Temple Meads innovation zone
UK: Connected Places Catapult, Network Rail and Great Western Railway have selected three SMEs to receive funding of up to £75 000 for technology trials in the Station Innovation Zone at Bristol Temple Meads. Chrome Angel Solutions applies ‘serious games’ technology to tackle performance, safety and ...
-
NewsFitch says rolling stock lessors are resilient to economic challenges
EUROPE: Rolling stock lessors in Europe are benefiting from continued rail traffic recovery and have resilience to higher interest rates, adequate leverage and long-term funding profiles, according to a report from Fitch Ratings. Fitch says European policies favouring environmentally friendly transport will support both the passenger ...
-
Metro Report InternationalUrban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
-
NewsRecord spend at DB as freight volume plummets
GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn carried more than 1∙8 billion passengers in the year to December 31 2023, up by nearly 6% on the previous year. Publishing its annual results on March 21, the national railway group reported that its long-distance services had been used by more than ...
-
Metro Report InternationalIzmit plans first metro line as tram network grows
TURKEY: Plans to build a 26·8 km metro line in Kocaeli were announced by Turkey’s Minister of Transport & Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu on March 20, ahead of local elections scheduled for March 31. Speaking at the inauguration of a 3·1 km tram line in Izmit, the ...
-
NewsPassenger services to be restored on Porto orbital line
PORTUGAL: Agreement has been reached to restore passenger services on an orbital line in the northern suburbs of Porto. The first trains are expected to begin running this year, following a 13-year hiatus. A protocol to restore passenger services was signed at São Mamede de Infesta ...
-
Metro Report InternationalFunding agreed for Milano metro extension and interurban tram refurbishment
ITALY: The national government has allocated €145m to help fund a 3·3 km western extension of Milano metro Line M1 from Bisceglie to Valsesia, Olmi and Baggio at an estimated cost of €543m. It has also allocated €88m towards the anticipated refurbishment ...
-
Metro Report InternationalChicago Transit Authority launches first Innovation Studio challenges
USA: Chicago Transit Authority has launched its Innovation Studio project to partner with the private sector to explore new ideas. In the first round, CTA is seeking proposals by April 15 which address: the automatic detection of people or large objects on railway tracks to ...
-
NewsSwedish national ticketing product distribution system goes live
SWEDEN: The Samtrafiken collaboration of transport operators has a launched a neutral ticketing communications platform based on the Open Sales & Distribution Model-Online standard with the aim of streamlining ticket sales and enhancing cross-selling opportunities.
-
NewsSwiss parliament agrees more long-term rail projects
SWITZERLAND: Parliament has approved a number of key changes to the national railway long-term investment programmes known as Ausbauschritte 2025 and 2035. The changes add around SFr3bn to the cost, taking the total to SFr23bn.
-
Metro Report InternationalModi inaugurates three sections of metro in Kolkata
INDIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated one new metro line and two extensions in Kolkata on March 6, totalling 11·5 km. The initial 5·4 km, five-station southern section of Line 6 (Orange) has opened between Kavi Subhash and Hemanta Mukhopadhay; it was built at a cost ...
-
-
Metro Report InternationalLight rail safety guidance updated
UK: Following a comprehensive review the Light Rail Safety & Standards Board has updated the Tramway Principles & Guidance document. More than 200 amendments take into account changes to legislation, working practices and technology since the document was first published more than a decade ago, as ...
-
NewsComposite swap-body saves weight
INTERMODAL: Following four years of development, intermodal equipment company Modalis Group and Belgian engineering firm Agesia have unveiled a prototype lightweight steel and composite 45 ft swap-body offering a greater interior volume. The thermoplastic ‘structural sandwich’ panels save almost a tonne by replacing steel crossmembers and ...
-
NewsCommunication training to improve suburban train accessibility
AUSTRALIA: Adelaide suburban train operator Keolis Downer Adelaide has been accredited under the Communication Access Symbol initiative to help passengers with communication difficulties. Accreditation involved 234 front line staff completing nine months of specialised training. Tools include communication cards and vision boards showing stations and key ...
-
Rail Business UKBreakthrough completes boring of High Speed 2’s longest tunnel
UK: On March 21, tunnel boring machine Cecilia broke through the north portal of the Chiltern Tunnel on High Speed 2.
-
NewsBerner Oberland-Bahnen increases EMU order
SWITZERLAND: Berner Oberland-Bahnen has awarded Stadler a SFr38.6m contract to supply a further four ABeh4/8 three-car electric multiple-units. The order confirmed in early March follows on from a May 2022 contract for six units. Each EMU will have 140 seats, with areas for ...
-
NewsSpanish dual gauging project makes progress
SPAIN: Infrastructure manager ADIF Alta Velocidad has enlarged the 558 m Gaintxurizketa tunnel between Errenteria and Irun as part of a project to provide a dual gauge link between the French border and the start of the future ‘Basque Y’ 1 435 mm gauge high speed ...