All open access articles – Page 6
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Rail Business UKGrand Union’s Carmarthen to London service approved
UK: The Office of Rail & Road has approved Grand Union Trains’ plans to launch an open access passenger service between London and southwest Wales using bi-mode trains with a high-quality interior including 2+1 seating in standard class. On December 1 ORR announced that it had ...
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Rail Business UKOpen access should replace inter-city franchising, says independent operators’ association
UK: A fully-commercial open-access model should replace government contracts for the provision of long-distance services in Great Britain, according to the Alliance of Passenger Rail New Entrants. ‘It seems that the only choice being discussed is between public service contract concessions and renationalisation’, said AllRail Secretary ...
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NewsFrench open access passenger service postponed
FRANCE: Three factors have led Le Train to postpone the launch of its planned open access high speed services in southwest France from mid-2023 until early 2024.
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NewsKevin Speed sets out ambitions to provide high speed trains ‘for everyone, every day’
FRANCE: Proposals to launch high capacity commuter services on high speed lines into major cities have been announced by open access start-up Kevin Speed. The company was founded last year by Laurent Fourtune, who worked at Paris transport operator RATP in 2009-18 and was then Chief ...
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Rail Business UKRENFE looks at entering UK rail market through open access partnership
UK: Managing Director Ian Yeowart tells Rail Business UK about Grand Union Trains’ latest plan to launch a London – Carmarthen service in partnership with a Spanish investor and national operator RENFE.
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NewsGlobalvia takes stake in Iryo ahead of November launch
SPAIN: Globalvia has formally completed its acquisition of a 24% stake in Iryo owner ILSA. The open access high speed operator expects to launch services between Madrid and Barcelona in late November.
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NewsIncumbent train operators may have colluded against new entrant, European Commission says
EUROPE: The European Commission has sent Czech and Austrian national operators ČD and ÖBB a statement of objections setting out its preliminary view that they may have colluded to prevent new entrant RegioJet acquiring second-hand passenger rolling stock for use on competing services. The European Commission ...
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NewsACC M to refurbish trains for French open access start-up Railcoop
Jérémie Anne visits the factory where ACC M is to refurbish diesel multiple-units for use by open access operator Railcoop.
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NewsPeter Köhler becomes Leo Express CEO again
EUROPE: Shareholder RENFE has announced the appointment of Peter Köhler as CEO of central European open access and contract passenger operator Leo Express, a return to the position he held until the end of 2019. Pavel Spilka was appointed CEO in early 2020, since when Köhler ...
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NewsFour companies launch Spanish passenger operators’ association
SPAIN: Independent high speed operator Iryo, regional railways FGC and Euskotren, and national incumbent RENFE have joined forces to launch a national association of passenger train operators.
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NewsCRRC trainset for Westbahn arrives at test track
AUSTRIA: One of four double-deck electric multiple-units which CRRC Zhuzhou is to lease to Austrian open access passenger operator Westbahn has arrived at the Velim test centre in Czech Republic. Testing and certification of the Chinese-built EMUs is scheduled to be completed by mid-2023. ...
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In depthInterview: Iryo targets a 30% share
Ahead of the launch of its Iryo-branded high speed service in Spain later this year, we ask ILSA Chief Executive Simone Gorini to outline his vision for the Trenitalia-backed entrant to the high speed market.
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NewsFrench open access passenger service launch postponed
FRANCE: Open access operator Railcoop has indefinitely postponed the launch of its planned Lyon – Bordeaux passenger service, which had been scheduled to start with the December timetable change. On March 30 the co-operative community interest group released a statement confirming the deferral of its entry ...
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NewsILSA services to be branded Iryo
SPAIN: Independent high speed operator ILSA unveiled Iryo as its customer-facing brand in a ceremony at Madrid Atocha station on November 18.
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NewsCo-operative model underpins Railcoop’s long term plans
FRANCE: The Grand Est regional government has contributed €500 000 to open access operator Railcoop through its co-operative business model, becoming the latest institutional member to support the start-up.
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Rail Business UKTicket sales ahead of expectations as low-cost Lumo launches
UK: FirstGroup reports that initial ticket sales at its newly launched London – Edinburgh open access operator Lumo are ahead of expectations, with weekend services proving to be particularly popular. ‘We have always said we intend to reimagine rail travel and we are glad people ...
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NewsRENFE aims to compete with Eurostar on Paris – London route
EUROPE: Spanish national rail operator RENFE is developing plans for a Paris – London train service which would compete with Eurostar and provide it with an alternative route into the French passenger market. RENFE believes that the launch of a Paris – London service would be ...
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NewsWestbahn unveils Kiss 3 double-deck EMUs to celebrate sustainable travel pass
AUSTRIA: Open access operator Westbahn has unveiled the first of 15 third-generation six-car Kiss trainsets. Ordered from Stadler under a €300m full-service contract in October 2019, the double-deck EMUs are due to carry their first fare-paying passengers on September 9. Westbahn announced during a press trip ...
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Rail Business UKLumo aims to be the green alternative to Edinburgh – London flights
Having unveiled Lumo as the brand name for its Edinburgh to London open access service, FirstGroup explains to Rail Business UK how it is taking a different approach to rail travel with the aim of winning passengers from air and coach.
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NewsRENFE completes acquisition of 50% stake in Leo Express
EUROPE: Spanish national operator RENFE has gained access to the passenger markets of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia and ‘the necessary licences and resources’ to enter the German market, following the completion of its purchase of a 50% stake in Czech open access operator Leo Express.
