Passenger rail news
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In depthJapan: Delays and demographic dilemmas hinder Hokkaido Shinkansen ambition
Geological difficulties have delayed the completion of the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension to Sapporo beyond 2030, while JR Hokkaido is considering the deployment of 160 to 200 km/h EMUs on its 1 067 mm network, as well as bus replacements for loss-making rural routes. Mike Bent investigates.
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NewsGovernment says Korail and Supreme Railways are to merge next year
SOUTH KOREA: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport has confirmed its intent to merge national operator Korail with rival Supreme Railways, but trade unions representing SR staff have criticised what they see as stifling of competition and innovation.
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NewsEMUs and freight locos shipped as Malaysia’s East Coast link nears completion
MALAYSIA: CRRC Dalian has dispatched the first two of 11 electric multiple-units and two of 12 electric freight locomotives it is supplying for Malaysia’s 665 km East Coast Rail Link.
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NewsFirst section of Canadian high speed rail route selected
CANADA: The first phase of the Alto high speed rail project will be built between Ottawa and Montréal, transport minister Steven MacKinnon has announced.
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NewsHyundai Rotem high speed trainset on its way to Uzbekistan
UZBEKISTAN: The first of six high speed trainsets that Hyundai Rotem is building for Uzbek national railway UTY has been shipped from the South Korean port of Masan.
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Rail Business UKSME innovators aim to improve station weather resilience and the passenger experience
UK: Eight technology companies have been selected to receive funding to develop concepts to improve the passenger experience and improve weather resilience at stations.
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NewsInvestments not promises as Slovenian operator orders long-distance trains
SLOVENIA: SŽ Potniški Promet has signed contracts worth €97·7m for the renewal of its long-distance train fleet as part of a broader rolling stock renewal programme.
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NewsEurope’s ‘number one rail country’ celebrates Koralmbahn opening
AUSTRIA: The 130 km Koralmbahn railway formally opened for traffic on December 12, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to forge a direct rail link between Wien and the southwest of the country. Toma Bačić reports from the celebrations.
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NewsDenver RTD launches Masabi Tap-n-Ride open payment systems
USA: Denver Regional Transportation District has launched open payments across its entire rail and bus network using Masabi’s Justride platform.
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Rail Business UKWrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway tries again
UK: Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway has resubmitted a formal application to launch open access passenger train services between Wales and London Euston.
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NewsSNCF Voyageurs orders CAF trainsets for Région Sud contract
FRANCE: SNCF Voyageurs has confirmed an order for 22 CAF Régiolis electric multiple-units for use on the Marseille – Aubagne – Toulon – Hyères and Marseille – Toulon – Les Arcs-Draguignan routes.
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Rail Business UKFirstGroup wins next London Overground operating contract
UK: Transport for London has selected FirstGroup for the next concession to operate London Overground inner-suburban passenger services.
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Rail Business UKGreat British Railways branding, train livery and logo unveiled
UK: The Department for Transport has unveiled the branding, train livery and logo of the future Great British Railways, which is to be established as a ‘guiding mind’ for the national network.
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NewsElectro-diesel Stadler Flirt trains selected to renew Dublin – Belfast Enterprise fleet
EUROPE: Ireland’s national railway Iarnród Éireann and North Ireland’s Translink have jointly selected Stadler Flirt trainsets to replace locomotive-hauled rolling stock on the cross-border Dublin – Belfast Enterprise service.
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NewsVIA Rail launches three-year accessibility plan
CANADA: National passenger operator VIA Rail has launched its 2026-29 Accessibility Plan, developed with specialist partners and people with disabilities to make its network, digital tools and workplace increasingly inclusive.
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NewsSupreme Railways unveils EMU-320 high speed train
SOUTH KOREA: Supreme Railways has unveiled the first of 14 eight-car EMU-320 high speed trainsets being supplied by Hyundai Rotem.
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In depthEurope: Franco-Italian Mont Cenis base tunnel project forges ahead
A key element in the east-west Mediterranean Corridor, the Mont Cenis base tunnel will be a cornerstone of the TEN-T network, as well as offering an improved link between the French and Italian capitals. Reinhard Christeller reports from the construction site.
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NewsEurostar 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.
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NewsBattery 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.
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Rail Business UKStansted 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’.