Railway policy news – Page 26
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NewsRENFE completes acquisition of 50% stake in Leo Express
EUROPE: Spanish national operator RENFE has gained access to the passenger markets of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia and ‘the necessary licences and resources’ to enter the German market, following the completion of its purchase of a 50% stake in Czech open access operator Leo Express.
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In depthItaly: Speeding up rail schemes
As part of its post-Covid recovery strategy, the Italian government has launched a wide-ranging programme to accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects, and rail is set to be a prime beneficiary. Christian Scasso investigates.
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In depthHigh Speed: Competition enlivens the European market
Instead of our regular World Speed Survey, we offer a snapshot of high speed rail developments at a time when the world is still grappling with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Murray Hughes investigates.
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NewsRail organisations welcome Senate backing for US infrastructure bill
USA: Rail associations have welcomed the passage of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act through the upper house of the US Congress on August 10, marking the latest step in the process to pass a bi-partisan infrastructure bill which could deliver significant funding streams for main line and urban rail enhancements.
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NewsCalls for cross-industry support as coronavirus state aid approved
GERMANY: State aid measures to support the rail freight and long-distance passenger sectors and reduce track access charges during the coronavirus pandemic have been approved by the European Commission. However, private operators’ association Mofair is calling for further funding proposed by the government to be used ...
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In depthIndia: DFCs poised to unlock IR freight reforms
Completion of the first two Dedicated Freight Corridors will provide much-needed capacity, but Raghu Dayal believes they will also enable Indian Railways to transform its freight operations and marketing strategies.
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NewsEIB to update transport priorities within climate roadmap
EUROPE: The European Investment Bank is consulting on updating its transport sector lending policies to prioritise projects according to its Climate Bank Roadmap, the European Commission’s Sustainable & Smart Mobility Strategy and the EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy. Rail is expected to achieve a substantially larger share ...
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NewsNorrbotniabanan final phase to go ahead
SWEDEN: The government has decided to press ahead with completion of the Norrbotniabanan coastal railway linking Umeå and Luleå via Dåva and Skellefteå.
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In depthIndia: National Rail Plan aims to drive modal shift
Infrastructure investment and policy initiatives outlined in the Ministry of Railways’ draft National Rail Plan are expected to increase Indian Railways’ market share from 26% to 45% over the next 30 years. Raghu Dayal investigates.
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Metro Report InternationalCities will drive the decarbonisation of transport
Providing more and better transport from the passenger’s perspective through initiatives such as Mobility as a Service will help to decarbonise the urban environment as well as reducing congestion, believes Hitachi Rail CEO Andrew Barr.
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NewsGerman associations seek more competition in second rail reform
GERMANY: An alliance of industry associations has called for a major reform of railway policy that would introduce full vertical separation of infrastructure and operations and foster more on-rail competition. In a position paper published on August 2, seven organisations assert that climate change objectives can only ...
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NewsArup to undertake all-Ireland rail review
EUROPE: Ireland’s Department of Transport and Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure have commissioned Arup to undertake an All Island Strategic Rail Review, which will consider how the 1 600 mm gauge rail networks can be used to improve connectivity, enhance regional accessibility and support balanced development. ...
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In depthCentral & Eastern Europe: Rail at heart of recovery package
Railways across central and eastern Europe stand to benefit as member states submit their national post-Covid recovery plans to the EU in order to access temporary stimulus funds. Toma Bačić provides a snapshot of proposals from five countries.
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Metro Report InternationalGovernments mull funding of Tokyo metro extensions
JAPAN: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism and the Governor of Tokyo have agreed in principle that Tokyo Metro Corp should press ahead with two short extensions to improve connectivity in the southeast of the capital.
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News$117bn Northeast Corridor route modernisation plan unveiled
USA: A vision for modernising the 735 km main line linking Washington DC with Boston via Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York was outlined by the Northeast Corridor Commission on July 14.
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NewsCovid Impact Tracker shows continued losses for rail in 2021
EUROPE: The economic situation for EU railways shows very little sign of improvement, according to the Community of European Railway & Infrastructure Companies’ Covid Impact Tracker. Revenues from January to May 2021 were lower across the board than in the second half of 2020, the association reported. ...
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Rail Business UKGo-Ahead commits to net zero
Announcing a ‘wholesale shift’ from diesel to zero-carbon modes including electric and hydrogen traction, Go-Ahead says it is aiming to achieve a fully decarbonised rail fleet by 2035, and to switch its 5 000-strong UK bus fleet to zero emission vehicles.
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NewsFreight operators concerned by ‘misguided’ competition Executive Order
USA: Freight railroads have expressed concern about the implications of an Executive Order issued by President Biden on July 9 aimed at ‘promoting competition in the American economy’. The order calls on regulatory bodies to facilitate ‘robust’ competition and reduce monopoly power in various sectors ranging from ...
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NewsMEPs urge faster ERTMS rollout
EUROPE: The European Parliament has called for expedited deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System in order to reduce the ‘fragmentation’ of the European rail sector and achieve the EU’s climate and digital transition objectives.
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NewsProvisional EU agreement on women in rail reached
EUROPE: Provisional agreement on a binding EU-level deal to promote the employment of women in the rail sector has been reached by the Community of European Railway & Infrastructure Companies, representing employers, and the European Transport Workers’ Federation, representing staff. CER and ETF said the positive ...