Passenger rail industry news
Latest news from the passenger railway industry, including intercity, regional and commuter transport.
Eurostar and DB develop plans to launch direct London to Germany trains
EUROPE: Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn are working together to develop plans to launch direct high speed train services between London and major German cities such as Köln and Frankfurt in the early 2030s.
Battery train agreement signed as a ‘fast and realistic’ path to zero-emissions
SLOVAKIA: National train operator ZSSK has awarded a consortium of Škoda Group and ŽOS Trnava a €332m framework contract for the supply of up to 36 two-car battery-electric multiple-units.
Stansted Airport contactless pay-as-you-go rail fare payment delayed
UK: The previously-announced expansion of contactless pay-as-you-go payment to a further 20 Greater Anglia stations including the key destination of Stansted Airport has been delayed until ‘summer 2026’.
Lyon – Bordeaux link leads SNCF’s Ouigo expansion drive
FRANCE: National operator SNCF has unveiled a further expansion of its Ouigo low-cost passenger operation, including a service linking Lyon with Bordeaux.
Much-delayed Class 810 fleet enters service on the Midland Main Line
UK: After a heavily delayed production process, the first of 33 Hitachi Rail Class 810 bi-mode trains has entered service with East Midlands Railway. Tony Miles reports from Derby.
Santiago – Melipilla signalling contract awarded as civil works start
CHILE: Construction has begun on the 61 km Santiago – Melipilla suburban rail project, and a contract has been let to deliver ETCS Level 2 train control along the route.
Air and rail policymakers seek action on travel multimodality
Research: AŽD Praha's autonomous train is on track
Australia: Untangling Sydney’s complex suburban network
Nairobi Railway City technical assistance contract market engagement begins
Construction of Bilbao freight bypass to resume this year
Connecticut commuter train coach mock-up on show
Passenger information screen changes improve readability and save energy
First of 201 Alstom suburban EMUs on test in Spain
Škoda completes EMU for Bulgaria just 14 months after contract signing
Campaigners call to ‘end the fiction of Gatwick Express’
Australia: Melbourne’s Suburban Loop reaches lift-off
Interview: ‘We are waking Merseyrail up’
‘Next generation’ superfast wi-fi piloted on GWR train
NS orders 36 Flirt Flex electric multiple-units
350 km/h operation envisaged in Madrid – Barcelona high speed line enhancement study
Barcelona airport train on test
Eligibility for Disabled Persons Railcard to be expanded
Great Western Railway gains autism inclusivity award