Railway policy news – Page 10
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In depth
Freight: Act now to align the stars
UIP President Dr Heiko Fischer takes us on a journey to the 2030s, when the goals for the development of European rail freight have been met, and sets out the change in mentality required across the sector to make this a reality.
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News
French regulator seeks improved network access for freight operators
FRANCE: Rail regulator Autorité de Régulation des Transports published its formal decision on September 6 in a dispute over network access between SNCF Réseau and freight operators Captrain France, T3M, Europorte France and Régiorail.
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News
Rail industry calls for action on rising energy costs
EUROPE: Energy price rises pose a serious risk to rail’s modal share according to two industry associations, which have called for action to ensure an uninterrupted and affordable supply of energy for the sector.
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In depth
Germany: Government tightens control over national operator
This summer’s eye-catching €9 ticket deal in Germany focused the spotlight on rail travel, but it also served to highlight the national railway’s failings. Plummeting performance levels are one reason the government is intervening in an attempt to restore punctuality and reliability. Murray Hughes reports.
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In depth
Freight: Rebuilding market share in Spain
The Spanish government’s Mercancías 30 strategy aims to more than double the share of goods moved by rail to at least 10% by 2030. Mike Bent reports.
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In depth
Comment: Cheap fares alone are not enough
Many more rail trips were made in Germany this summer than in 2019 thanks to the much-publicised €9 ticket allowing unlimited travel on local and regional trains and other public transport. But our Consultant Editor Murray Hughes suggests that cheap fares alone will not be enough to deliver policymakers’ modal shift ambitions.
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News
Six policy reforms to strengthen railways in Central Asia
ASIA: An Asian Development Bank assessment of the state of railways in the 11 countries of the Central Asia Regional Economic Co-operation Programme has set out six reforms that ADB believes are needed to make rail more efficient and financially sustainable. The CAREC area covers Afghanistan, ...
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In depth
Italy: Accelerating the national rail investment programme
Managing Director of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana Vera Fiorani and Enrico Giovannini, Minister of Infrastructure & Sustainable Mobility, have confirmed plans to meet sustainability targets and accelerate investment in railway infrastructure as part of Italy’s post-Covid economic recovery programme. Christian Scasso reports.
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News
Hessen updates list of railways for reopening
GERMANY: The Land of Hessen has updated its list of closed railways which are considered potentially suitable for reopening, adding seven routes to take the total to 24.
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News
Finland responds to European Commission regauging proposal
FINLAND: Minister of Transport & Communications Timo Harakka has described as ‘unreasonable’ the European Commission’s proposal to require the use of 1 435 mm gauge throughout the TEN-T rail network, arguing that Finland should be regarded as a special case. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ...
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News
Benefits accrue from rural railway reopenings, study finds
GERMANY: Reopening rural railways offers an important spectrum of benefits, according to a study commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development & Building.
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News
President Marcos commits to rail investment
PHILIPPINES: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr underlined his commitment to continuing and expanding the previous administration’s investment in rail during his first state of the nation address. ‘The infrastructure programme of the Duterte administration must not only continue but, wherever possible, be expanded’, he said. ‘We must ...
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News
Queensland unveils Brisbane rail expansion strategy
AUSTRALIA: A pipeline of investment valued at more than A$20bn will support the long-term expansion of the southeast Queensland rail network under proposals published by the state government on August 2.
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News
Gauge conversion and new routes added to TEN-T revision proposal
EUROPE: The European Commission’s proposals to revise the TEN-T Regulation have been amended in the light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with routes to Ukraine and Moldova added, Russia and Belarus removed, and a requirement for 1 435 mm gauge on TEN-T routes added.
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News
Federal Railroad Administration proposes national train crew size rule
USA: Rail industry associations have criticised a Federal Railroad Administration proposal to replace varying state laws on train crew size with a uniform national standard requiring a minimum of two people for main line operations. There would be exceptions for low-risk operations, with railways able to ...
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News
Recommendations to save Japan’s rural railways issued
JAPAN: A study group formed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism has published its report into whether and to what extent rural railways across the country can be revived.
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In depth
Sénégal: Rites deal supports passenger revival
Grands Trains du Sénégal’s ambitions to restore passenger services on sections of the Senegalese network will be boosted by support from Indian consultancy Rites.
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News
Mixed response to Spanish free rail travel proposals
SPAIN: Measures to encourage regular commuters to shift from car to rail including free season tickets were outlined by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during the government’s State of the Nation debate in mid-July, however the limitations of the offer have led to confusion among policymakers and campaign groups.
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News
Slow ERTMS roll-out is hindering French market opening, regulator warns
FRANCE: The limited roll-out of ERTMS is a major obstacle to the opening of the French domestic market to competition, according to rail regulator ART.
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News
Canadian measures to address effects of climate change on rail
CANADA: Transport Canada has announced a Rail Climate Change Adaptation Programme to provide up to C$2·2m of co-funding for to support research and development activity to address the impacts of climate change on the rail sector.