Rail industry start-up news
-
NewsEcoTrain launched to target very light rail opportunities in France and Belgium
FRANCE: Dynamic testing of a lightweight trainset for secondary lines is underway follwing the unveiling of the EcoTrain.
-
NewsPacific Harbor Line partners with carbon capture start-up
USA: Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles rail operator Pacific Harbor Line has entered into a development agreement with Remora, which is developing mobile carbon capture technology for lorries and locomotives.
-
Rail Business UKInnovation organisations partner to promote rail technology
UK: Intelligent Transport Systems UK is partnering with the Rail Innovation Group on joint events, knowledge sharing and policy engagement with the aim of providing a stronger platform to champion small and emerging companies and promote smarter, more connected transport systems.
-
Rail Business UKInnovation Accelerator to support High Speed 2 project reset
UK: Applications have opened for the latest round of the High Speed 2 Innovation Accelerator, which is intended to address three specific challenges as part of the government’s ‘reset’ of the HS2 project.
-
Metro Report InternationalTransport for London taps into start-ups’ emerging technologies
UK: Transport for London has appointed Plexal as Innovation Operation Supplier under a multi-year partnership which aims to equip its innovation team with insights and resources to drive the development and adoption of new technologies from start-ups.
-
Rail Business UKNine start-ups selected for rail innovation programme
UK: Nine technology start-ups have been selected from more than 100 applicants to joint the Future Labs innovation programme run by Southeastern, Northern, LNER and TransPennine Express with specialist company L Marks. Chata.ai enables organisations to harness their data through proactive self-service analytics, allowing users ...
-
In depthComment: Private train operators seek the light
The collapse of Midnight Trains has raised questions about the viability of new entrants in Europe’s open access rail market, despite the optimism surrounding ventures like Le Train and Proxima. Nick Kingsley reflects on the challenges and potential for future success in this competitive landscape.
-
Rail Business UKTrain operators launch joint innovation programme
UK: Four train operators are to run a joint programme giving technology companies the opportunity to demonstrate AI, telecoms, quantum and other innovations in a real-world rail environment. The Future Labs programme is to be run by the government-owned operators LNER, Northern, Southeastern and TransPennine Express ...
-
NewsIarnród Éireann seeks to develop start-up mindset
IRELAND: National railway Iarnród Éireann and Dogpatch Labs have launched Future Track which aims to bring a ‘start-up mindset’ to innovation in the rail sector. Iarnród Éireann staff will be mentored by entrepreneurs and engage in an annual three month programme which aims to make ideas ...
-
Rail Business UKPlastic waste 3D printing project wins LNER Futurelabs accelerator competition
UK: London North Eastern Railway has announced the winners of its fourth annual Futurelabs accelerator programme for start-ups and SMEs. The themes were to encourage passengers to choose rail, to strengthen the sustainability of the network, to create a frictionless journey, and to explore emerging technology. ...
-
NewsTalgo Inspire seeks alliances with transport technology start-ups
SPAIN: Rolling stock manufacturer Talgo has launched a programme to work with innovative start-ups in the worldwide transport sector. The Inspire programme will use a venture client model under which Talgo will buy a start-up’s products rather than acquire an equity stake. ‘We are looking for ...
-
Rail Business UKNorthern sets the pace in cyber resilience
Over the past seven years, Northern has worked with supplier RazorSecure to develop an ambitious programme of cybersecurity risk management, the operator’s Onboard Systems Manager Marc Silverwood tells Tony Miles.
-
Metro Report InternationalTransit Tech Lab to pilot transport efficiency and human resources innovations
USA: The Transit Tech Lab initiative created by New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Partnership for New York City has selected 15 companies to participate in its annual transport innovation challenge. The latest round attracted nearly 150 applicants. The selected proposals are: Accure Battery ...
-
Rail Business UKRail innovators call for improvements to the funding ecosystem
UK: The Rail Innovation Group has produced a report suggesting ways to improve the outcomes from innovation funding, setting out its micro, start-up and SME members’ experiences of receiving public support to help them enter the supply chain. The three recommendations are for funders to: ...
-
Rail Business UKSeatfrog secures £6m investment for European expansion
UK: Ticketing app developer Seatfrog has secured £6m of investment to support planned expansion across Europe. The growth funding round was backed by investors Pembroke, Praetura and Octopus Ventures, and advised by FinnCap’s Private Growth Capital team. Seatfrog launched in 2018, initially offering a way for ...
-
NewsBelgian start-up to test freight train ATO on Betuwe Route
NETHERLANDS: Gent-based automation start-up OTIV has announced plans to test an autonomous train on the Betuwe Route freight corridor within the next two years.
-
Rail Business UKFive innovators to work at HS2 contractor sites
UK: High speed line project promoter HS2 Ltd has launched the fifth round of its Innovation Accelerator programme, focusing on the use of artificial intelligence and advanced sensing technology to drive cost and carbon efficiencies across the construction programme. The five SMEs in the new cohort ...
-
Rail Business UKFunding available for rail construction innovation projects
UK: Innovators from across the UK are being invited to submit proposals for the Innovation in Railway Construction Competition, which is making £7·44m available for ideas which could be tested at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence in South Wales. The competition is being run by ...
-
Rail Business UKBristol Temple Meads to host Station Innovation Zone
UK: Bristol Temple Meads station has been selected as a Station Innovation Zone which will host trials of technology to improve the passenger experience. The five-year partnership between Network Rail and the Connected Places Catapult innovation accelerator will select start-ups to test ideas such as smarter ...
-
Rail Business UKRail innovation cluster launched by the University of Birmingham
UK: A BCRRE Rail Innovation Cluster to support businesses looking to deliver to deliver greater value and innovation into the rail supply sector has been announced by the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research & Education during InnoTrans. Building on BCRRE’s many years of experience ...