Railway policy news – Page 24
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In depthEurope: Harmonising rail capacity strategies
Development of a single European railway area is being hampered by nationally led approaches to the development of route utilisation strategies. Now a pan-European programme is underway to harmonise the planning and management of network capacity.
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NewsIndustry welcomes $66bn of rail funding in Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act
USA: Rail industry organisations have welcomed the passing by Congress of the $1tr Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, which includes significant funding for passenger and freight rail as well as public transport. The White House said IIJA would provide the largest investment in passenger rail since ...
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NewsAustria increases 2022-27 investment as KlimaTicket launched
AUSTRIA: An €18·2bn investment framework for Austrian Federal Railways covering 2022-27 was approved by the council of ministers on November 3. Taking climate change mitigation targets into account, it is a modification of an earlier plan covering 2021-26 which envisaged a slightly lower spend of €17·5bn. ...
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NewsWomen in rail agreement comes into force
EUROPE: A binding deal aimed at promoting the employment of more women in the rail sector came into force on November 5, when it was formally signed by the Community of European Railway & Infrastructure Companies representing employers and the European Transport Workers’ Federation representing staff. ...
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Rail Business UKRail’s growth agenda evaporates as Treasury takes control
UK: Having spoken to a range of senior figures across the industry in recent weeks, almost all on condition of anonymity, Rail Business UK can confirm widespread concern that significant investment spending is coming to an end after three decades of growth in rail use, with potentially significant implications for the future of the network.
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In depthComment: Automated reality
Automation of main line trains is slowly becoming a commercial reality, having been long established in the urban rail sector. However, mass adoption of driverless technology on mixed traffic railways still seems a long way off, with interim technology such as C-DAS offering many benefits in the meantime.
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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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NewsPerpignan – Rungis fruit and veg express reinstated
Photo: Fret SNCF/JC Milhet FRANCE: Prime Minister Jean Castex, Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari and SNCF President Jean-Pierre Farandou formally relaunched the Perpignan – Rungis overnight express freight service on October 22. The seasonal service that carried fresh fruit and vegetables from southwest ...
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Metro Report InternationalConcession envisaged to develop Belo Horizonte metro network
BRAZIL: President Jair Bolsonaro has announced that operation and development of the urban rail network in Belo Horizonte is to be taken forward under a concession model.
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NewsNorway to increase rail spend but end competitive tendering
NORWAY: The recently elected Norwegian government intends to pursue an aggressive policy of investing in rail, with a view to driving modal shift, but plans to end the competitive tendering of passenger train operations and to simplify the structure of the country’s rail sector.
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Metro Report InternationalWhat have the trams ever done for us?
UK: The Urban Transport Group has published the Leading light: What light rail can do for city regions report produced by consultancy Steer Group, which sets out how light rail supports economic growth, social inclusion and environmental gains. The key findings are that: light rail ...
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In depthGermany: Regional rail model called into question
Problems at Keolis and Abellio suggest that Germany’s long-standing model for contracting out the operation of regional and local rail services may no longer be fit for purpose. Murray Hughes investigates.
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Metro Report InternationalTransLink recommends quadrupling Vancouver’s rapid transit network over next 30 years
CANADA: Vancouver region transport authority TransLink has published the full draft of Transport 2050, a report outlining a 30-year vision for the development of transport in area. The document contains more than 100 recommendations. These include: quadrupling the rapid transit network by building 300 km ...
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Metro Report InternationalLocal and cross-boundary rail projects in Hong Kong strategic plan
CHINA: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s firth annual policy address on October 6 included a number of initiatives for the development of local and cross-boundary railway projects, as well as long-term land development. These include five projects to be explored under ...
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In depthDenmark: Getting the passengers back
With a substantial investment strategy in place and negotiations for a new operating contract underway, Denmark’s state passenger operator is positioning itself to drive modal shift in a post-Covid recovery, DSB Chief Executive Flemming Jensen tells Chris Jackson.
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NewsTransnet to seek private operator for reopened link
SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet Freight Rail is to invite bids for a concession to operate the 200 km Cookhouse – Blaney line in Eastern Cape, which was reopened for regular traffic on October 7.
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NewsCross-border high speed corridor proposed in northern Portugal
PORTUGAL: As part of the work feeding into the country’s upcoming National Railway Plan, the Vale d’Ouro Association has put forward proposals for a new line through the Trás-os-Montes region to link Porto with Zamora in Spain.
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NewsVision for a seamless European rail passenger ticketing experience
EUROPE: A position paper setting out a long-term ‘political vision’ for the seamless planning and booking of international rail journeys has been published by the Community of European Railway & Infrastructure Companies. However, independent passenger operators are disappointed at the lack of firm commitments.
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NewsConnecting Europe Express tour concludes in Paris
EUROPE: The Connecting Europe Express organised by the European Commission’s transport directorate DG Move and trade association CER concluded its 36-day tour of the continent in Paris on October 7.
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In depthComment: Look forward not back
As the Connecting Europe Express completes its tour of the continent in Paris on October 7, the rail industry must use the momentum generated by the EU’s Year of Rail to develop a competitive sector which is able to attract a new generation of users and staff, argues our Editor-in-Chief Chris Jackson.