Rail policy & legislation news
Latest news about railway industry policy, reform, restructuring, planning, law, legislation and regulation worldwide.
International Transport Workers’ Federation calls for action to protect staff from Covid-19
INTERNATIONAL: The International Transport Workers’ Federation of almost 700 trade unions representing nearly 20 million people in 150 countries has issued a list of five areas where it believes governments and employers must take action to protect employees during the coronavirus outbreak.
Sanctioned European goods transit Russia to reach China by rail
INTERNATIONAL: EU goods which are subject to Russian sanctions can now be transported from Europe to China by rail using electronic seals during transit through Russia.
Latvian railway electrification project on hold
LATVIA: National railway group LDz has put its electrification programme on hold. It said a decrease in freight volumes which began in the first half of 2019 is forecast to continue, and it would not be able to balance its budget in 2020 without additional government funding.
European Commission approves public financing of Fehmarn Belt fixed link
EUROPE: The European Commission has concluded that Denmark’s public financing model for the Fehmarn Belt rail and road tunnel to Germany is compatible with EU state aid rules.
UK train operators offered management contracts or nationalisation
UK: The Department for Transport has given the franchised passenger train operators it is responsible for the opportunity to move to temporary management contracts.
UIC publishes Covid-19 management guidance for railway stakeholders
INTERNATIONAL: Following the first meeting of its coronvirus task force, the International Union of Railways has published Management of Covid-19: Guidance for Railway Stakeholders.
Transport for London forecasts £500m financial impact from coronavirus
Intermodal sector calls for ‘fast, lean, pragmatic’ measures to safeguard rail freight in the coronavirus crisis
International Union of Railways forms coronavirus task force
‘Beware the bubble’, warn level crossing safety campaigners
LIVE: rail sector responds to coronavirus
Central Asia transport strategy for 2030
2021 to be European Year of Rail
Lightweight trains and no taboos in French secondary line rescue package
Northern enters public ownership with new Managing Director
European passenger corridors needed to boost rail’s market share
Federal Railroad Administration launches risk-reduction programme
Romania ordered to recover €570m of state aid to freight operator
Spanish infrastructure managers fined for inflated access charges
Northern franchise termination was the only option, says Transport for the North
Gateway Basel Nord secures next phase funding but faces another legal setback
Illegally-closed cross-border railway reopened
Record capital expenditure for Indian Railways in 2020-21
Rail and air associations to co-operate on ticketing