Railway policy news – Page 34
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NewsAssociations emphasise importance of public transport in tackling climate change
EUROPE: The International Union of Railways, International Association of Public Transport and European railway suppliers’ association UNIFE have called for ‘a new sense of urgency’ in developing a more sustainable transport mix, arguing that decision makers need to look beyond the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath and not forget that ‘the rising danger’ of climate change ‘has not stopped during the crisis’.
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Rail Business UKFocus on ‘five Cs’ to maximise potential of rail investment, says Transport for the North
UK: Transport for the North’s members have called for sustained investment in the region’s rail network and a commitment to ‘quick wins’ as well as high speed links in evidence submitted to the National Infrastructure Commission to support its development of an Integrated Rail Plan. ...
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NewsBoost for rail travel and clean mobility in EU recovery plan
EUROPE: ‘A boost for rail travel and clean mobility in our cities and regions’ is included in the proposals for a major post-coronavirus recovery plan for the European Union set out by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on May 27. This includes changes to the ...
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Metro Report InternationalTransport for London studies bus driver coronavirus infections
UK: Transport for London has asked University College London’s Institute of Health Equity to provide independent advice as part of a study to better understand the pattern of coronavirus infections and deaths among London’s bus workers. The first part of the study will review TfL’s operational response ...
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Rail Business UKAndy Byford to become London’s next Transport Commissioner
UK: The former President & Chief Executive Officer of New York City Transit Authority Andy Byford is to return to the UK as the next Commissioner of Transport for London, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced on May 27.
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Metro Report InternationalUK government aims to ‘permanently change’ transport use as tram and bus funding announced
Source: Tony Miles UK: ‘We must plan our route to recovery’, said Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps at the government’s daily coronavirus briefing on May 23, when he announced £283m of funding ‘to ensure that more buses, trams and light rail networks return to ...
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NewsJoint call to facilitate cross-border rail freight
INTERNATIONAL: The World Customs Organization, the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail and the Organisation for Co-operation Between Railways have jointly called for better co-ordination between customs administrations, transport authorities and the rail sector to facilitate the operation of cross-border supply chains and help mitigate ...
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NewsTurkish government designates PSO services
TURKEY: The government has designated 61 routes or service groups as eligible for Public Service Obligation support, under an amendment to Clause 8 of the railway liberalisation legislation which came into force in May 2013. A presidential decree which took effect on April 8 amended the liberalisation ...
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Metro Report InternationalTransport for London to receive emergency funding
UK: The government has agreed to provide a grant of £1·095bn and a loan of £505m from the Public Works Loan Board to support continuity of operations at Transport for London. In return for the package of support running to October 17 which was agreed on May ...
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Rail Business UKFranchising faces an uncertain future as ‘the clock is ticking’ on emergency agreement
UK: The only certainty in the UK rail sector at the moment is that the future is uncertain, particularly as the government’s long-term message is still to avoid using public transport if at all possible, whilst encouraging people to return to work. The Department for Transport’s Emergency ...
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NewsDB set for emergency funding package as losses mount
GERMANY: Emergency support to help Deutsche Bahn weather the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to come in the form of another equity injection, according to proposals being drawn up by the federal government ahead of a DB board meeting on May 15. Research ...
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Rail Business UKDemand to be managed down as part of train service ramp-up strategy
UK: With the Department for Transport expecting passenger services to step up to a ‘Saturday service’ level from May 18, train operators have warned that social distancing measures mean that capacity across the network will continue to be very limited. Between 65% and 80% of normal weekday ...
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Metro Report InternationalFTA clarifies restrictions on the use of federal funding for vehicle orders
USA: The Federal Transit Administration has published guidance intended to help transport agencies and vehicle manufacturers understand the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, which imposes limits on the use of federal funding to procure rolling stock from manufacturers controlled by corporations based in certain ...
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NewsAustralian industry group will prepare for Advanced Train Management System roll-out
AUSTRALIA: A cross-industry oversight group is being established to assist with the introduction of the Advanced Train Management System on the 1 435 mm gauge interstate freight rail network, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport & Regional Development Michael McCormack announced on May 11.
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Metro Report InternationalUITP to co-operate with local government sustainability network ICLEI
INTERNATIONAL: The International Association of Public Transport has signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate with the ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability network of more than 1 750 local and regional authorities to promote sustainable, accessible, safe and efficient urban and interurban transport. ‘A sustainable city ...
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NewsGolmud – Korla railway forges new link through western China
CHINA: Revenue services are expected to start running at the end of June on the Qinghai section of the 1 214 km Golmud – Korla railway, following the completion of construction work at the end of April.
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Metro Report InternationalNational campaign may be needed to get passengers back on public transport
UK: City transport operators could face a 20% fall in ridership after Covid-19 travel restrictions are lifted, according to survey undertaken by Systra Of respondents who are expecting to reduce their use of public transport, 49% will do so because of concerns over getting ill; 24% said ...
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Rail Business UKDfT preparing for future passenger franchise options
UK: Having temporarily suspended its franchise agreements with passenger train operators, the Department for Transport is currently considering its options for what may follow the Emergency Measures Agreements announced on March 23.
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Metro Report InternationalNew York to halt overnight Subway service under Covid-19 measures
Photos: J M Calisi Subway ridership has collapsed since the onset of the coronavirus crisis in New York. USA: As part of its Covid-19 measures, New York MTA is to end overnight operation of the New York Subway with effect from May 6. This will allow an ...
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NewsTrains prioritised over planes in Air France rescue deal
FRANCE: Modal shift from plane to train has been made a condition of a state aid package which the government is offering to Air France-KLM. According to Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, a €7bn support package for the Air France business is to be made conditional on ...