Railway policy news – Page 12
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Rail Business UKGovernment consults on rail reform legislative changes
UK: The government has begun consultation on the legislative changes required to implement the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail. This includes the creation of Great British Railways, a new governance framework, and reform of wider industry structures and processes. The consultation opened on June 9 and closes ...
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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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In depthInterview: Korail goes in search of market share
Better on-board services and improved post-pandemic hygiene rank high among passengers’ demands, Korail President & CEO Na Hee-Seung tells Benjámin Zelki.
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Rail Business UKScotland: Setting priorities for a new era
The return of passenger services to public control, along with government targets for decarbonisation and freight modal shift, promise a positive future for Scotland’s rail network. Tony Miles talks to Transport Scotland and Scotland’s Railway about the benefits and challenges of renationalisation.
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NewsDB Netz targets faster project approval and digital capacity boost
GERMANY: DB Netz Chairman Frank Sennhenn says the infrastructure manager is targeting a 30% gain in capacity on existing lines ‘depending on the exact traffic mix’ from digitalisation including traffic management, automation and the roll-out of ERTMS. Speaking at the opening of the IAF track technology ...
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NewsUkrainian standard gauge railway plan
UKRAINE: Announcing a range of infrastructure and regulatory measures to more closely integrate Ukraine with EU transport networks, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine would begin phased construction of railway tracks to European standards. This would start with hubs and large cities, and then gradually expand ...
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In depthFrance: Newcomers still face market entry hurdles
With France’s passenger market finally open to competition, a report from regulatory body ART finds that various barriers still hinder access for new entrants. Jérémie Anne asks ART President Bernard Roman what lessons have been learnt and what lies ahead.
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NewsAustralian government’s plans are positive for the rail industry, says ARA
AUSTRALIA: The Australasian Railway Association says the newly-elected federal government ‘is likely to be positive for the Australian rail industry’, given commitments which were announced in the lead-up to the election. The incoming Labor government’s National Rail Manufacturing Plan and National Reconstruction Fund would support ...
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In depthJapan: Facing a rural railway conundrum
Population decline, urban migration, rising car ownership and better local roads mean that traffic on many of Japan’s rural railways is falling. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism is addressing the issue and an action plan is to be drawn up by July. Mike Bent investigates.
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NewsProgramme seeks to identify US inter-city passenger expansion opportunities
USA: The Federal Railroad Administration has launched a Corridor Identification & Development programme to identify routes where inter-city passenger rail services could be introduced or expanded.
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NewsGovernment sets out ambitions to make rail South Africa’s ‘transport backbone’
SOUTH AFRICA: A White Paper on National Rail Policy has set out the Department of Transport’s ambitions to make rail the backbone of the transport network by 2050.
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NewsSustainable development priority in FS Group’s €190bn 10-year business plan
ITALY: New organisational and governance structures and a focus on sustainability are the centrepieces of a €190bn business plan for 2022-31 unveiled by national railway FS Group.
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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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NewsSTB seeks to tackle US rail freight performance issues
USA: Federal regulator the Surface Transportation Board is to require Class I railways to submit reports on their operations, performance and employment in an effort to address the problems reported by agricultural, energy and other shippers. It follows a recent public hearing involving government officials, unions ...
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NewsSão Paulo plans rail revival
BRAZIL: The São Paulo state government has drawn up a Strategic Railway Plan which aims to revitalise much of the network of underused or moribund lines that have been left to decay in many parts of the state. The plan has been developed by the Logistics ...
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NewsCape Town to study commuter rail devolution
SOUTH AFRICA: Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has authorised the city of Cape Town to undertake a detailed feasibility study for the potential devolution of control of suburban rail services from the national government. ‘This is a big deal, because up until now, the national government ...
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Rail Business UKStrikes will not undermine industry reform programme, says Hendy
UK: The industry will not back away from its modernisation and cost reduction drive despite the threat of strike action this summer, Network Rail Chair Sir Peter Hendy told the Railway Industry Association Innovation Conference in Nottingham on April 27. More than 40 000 RMT members ...
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Rail Business UKWilliams sees ‘vast opportunities’ for the private sector under Great British Railways
UK: There will be ‘vast opportunities’ for the private sector to shape the rail sector as the development of Great British Railways gathers pace, Keith Williams, author of the Williams-Shapps Review into rail reform, told the Railway Industry Association’s Innovation Conference. GBR is being established ‘as ...
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In depthUSA: Pueblo test centre comes under new management
With management of the vast TTC railway centre in Pueblo, Colorado, transferring from TTCI to ENSCO this year, future director of operations Ron Lang spoke to railway companies to dispel speculation about what the change means for the industry.
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NewsDB warned over market abuse in digital mobility platforms
GERMANY: The Federal Monopolies Commission has reached a preliminary conclusion that Deutsche Bahn has committed ‘an abuse of market power’ in relation to digital mobility platforms designed to offer passengers integrated route planning and ticket purchasing. Announcing this on April 20, the Commission said that it ...