Passenger rail industry news
Latest news from the passenger railway industry, including intercity, regional and commuter transport.
KLM replaces plane with high speed train
EUROPE: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is to replace one of its five daily flights between Brussels and Amsterdam Schiphol with reserved seat capacity on a Thalys high speed train service from March 29 2020.
Isle of Wight line’s future secured with £26m investment
UK: Investment of £26m to secure the future of the 13·7 km line between Ryde and Shanklin on the Isle of Wight was announced on September 16. This includes infrastructure modernisation and replacement of the life-expired fleet of small profile ex-London Underground trains which date back to 1938.
Egyptian locomotive renewal programme underway
EGYPT: Egyptian National Railways has invited expressions of interest in the supply of up to 100 diesel-electric locomotives for use on long-distance passenger services, with tendering expected to get underway by the end of the year.
Metrolinx orders double-deck coaches
CANADA: Ontario transport authority Metrolinx has ordered a further 36 double-deck coaches from Bombardier Transportation to bolster GO Transit services in the Toronto area.
Ukrainian railway reform legislation introduced
UKRAINE: Bills for the reform of the railway and inland waterway sectors were introduced to parliament on September 6. The proposed changes follow on from Ukraine’s 2017 Association Agreement with the European Union.
Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn leases additional DMUs
GERMANY: Regional passenger operator Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn has leased four more three-car Bombardier Talent diesel multiple-units from Alpha Trains to handle growing ridership on its Ostbrandenburg and Heidekrautbahn services.
First Léman Express EMU enters service
Icomera wins GO Transit wi-fi contract
Victoria expands VLocity fleet
HS2 benefits ‘substantially undervalued’ amid rising costs
RegioJet to standardise on Traxx locomotives
ČD fined for anti-competitive bidding
Hamilton – Auckland commuter service funded
West Coast Partnership contract signed
DMU operating contract awarded pending battery train deployment
Rail projects funded to support housing plans
Flirt fleet refurbished
Estonia plans rail electrification to meet 2030 climate goals
BLS and SBB agree to share long-distance concession
DB to refurbish SBB coaches
PKP Intercity orders Flirts as ridership grows
East Midlands Railway announces three brands
Production of paired coaches approved
Tehran – Ankara passenger service relaunched