All open access articles – Page 7
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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.
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Rail Business UKGrand Union submits modified Stirling – London open access proposal
UK: Aspiring open access operator Grand Union Trains has submitted a modified Section 17 application for track access to run four trains a day between Stirling and London Euston via the West Coast Main Line. The Office of Rail & Road is seeking responses to the ...
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NewsParis – Edinburgh route proposed under French start-up Midnight Trains’ hotel train plan
EUROPE: A Paris – Edinburgh service is among the most eye-catching proposals for a network of premium overnight sleeping car services set out by French start-up Midnight Trains on June 16.
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NewsSNCF launches Ouigo high speed services in Spain
SPAIN: The first fare-paying passengers were due to board Ouigo services on the morning of May 10 as SNCF’s low-cost high speed rail subsidiary entered the Spanish domestic market, competing with RENFE on the Madrid – Barcelona route.
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NewsFlixTrain prepares to launch in Sweden
SWEDEN: Open access operator FlixMobility has opened ticket bookings for its first rail service in Sweden, with services between Stockholm and Göteborg expected to start from May 6, a year later than originally anticipated.
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NewsNight train to connect Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin and Praha
EUROPE: Plans to launch a Praha – Dresden – Berlin – Amsterdam – Brussels night train services have been unveiled by established Czech independent operator RegioJet and newly-formed Dutch overnight train co-operative European Sleeper. Applications for paths are to be submitted shortly, with the aim of ...
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NewsBarraqueiro forms Portuguese open access operator
PORTUGAL: Bus and coach group Barraqueiro has established B-Rail as a subsidiary to run open access passenger train services along the Atlantic corridor linking cities in the north and south of the country as part of an integrated multi-modal transport strategy. B-Rail has applied to national ...
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NewsRENFE to take stake in Leo Express in support of internationalisation strategy
EUROPE: Spanish national operator RENFE has announced its intention to acquire a 50% stake in central European open access operator Leo Express. RENFE said it sees a strategic opportunity to develop international business activities as Spain’s domestic market opens to competition. The proposed acquisition announced on ...
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Rail Business UKGrand Union’s London – Cardiff open access plan rejected
UK: The Office of Rail & Road has rejected Grand Union Trains Ltd’s application to introduce an open access passenger service between London Paddington and Cardiff Central. Grand Union had hoped to operate seven return services a day from December 2021 using Class 91 electric locomotives, ...