Railway policy news – Page 20
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NewsCOTIF uniform rules applied across Estonian network
ESTONIA: The Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail’s CIV rules for international passenger traffic and the CIM equivalent for freight apply to the entire Estonian network with effect from June 16. Estonia acceded to the COTIF convention in January 2009, the last of the then EU ...
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NewsGo-Ahead condemns quality of rail infrastructure in southern Germany
GERMANY: Private operator Go-Ahead Deutschland has issued a strongly-worded statement criticising DB Netz for the quality of the railway infrastructure in Bayern and Baden-Württemburg, where the company has train operating contracts.
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In depthSouth Korea: Medium speed network takes shape
Development of a ‘medium high speed network’ is now in full swing in South Korea, along with the upgrading of other corridors for both high speed and suburban traffic. Benjámin Zelki investigates.
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In depthEuropean policy: Capacity directive could be game-changer
With legislation being considered to enhance capacity on Europe’s rail network, Murray Hughes asks Forum Train Europe Managing Director Edgar Schenk and Senior Project Manager Sebastián Čarek how this would improve rail’s ability to compete against road and air.
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In depthHigh speed: New line plans revisited as Macron promises more
President Macron has promised ‘a decade of the TGV’ in the 2020s, and work is due to start soon on three more high speed lines. Toma Bačić investigates.
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NewsFreight shippers call for rail reforms to encourage containerisation in Kazakhstan
KAZAKHSTAN: Freight forwarders, operators and wagon owners have called for reforms to facilitate the increased use of containers for domestic and international rail freight traffic. Following a recent rail industry meeting held in Almaty, logistics group PTC Holding said containerisation is a global trend, but is ...
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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 ...