Railway policy news – Page 15
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NewsFirst Pro Trilhos construction schemes approved
BRAZIL: The federal government signed contracts with six groups on December 9 authorising them to progress nine railway construction projects which would add an estimated 3 507 km to the national network using R$50bn in private funding.
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NewsUAE Railways Programme aims to connect the emirates
UAE: A three-stage integrated railway development strategy building on the Etihad Rail network was announced by the government on December 5, during the Expo 2020 world fair. The 50bn dirham UAE Railways Programme aims to provide reliable transport connections between the emirates and support the economy, ...
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NewsEU’s Global Gateway to offer ‘values-driven’ alternative to China’s Belt & Road Initiative
INTERNATIONAL: The European Commission has unveiled its Global Gateway international investment programme, which aims to offer countries around the world a ‘values driven’ alternative to China’s Belt & Road Initiative when they are deciding how to meet their infrastructure development needs. Global Gateway aims to provide ...
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In depthAustralia: ARA targets modal shift
The Australasian Railway Association has launched a new strategy that it hopes will bring a greater share of Australia’s expanding freight market on to the country’s railway network.
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Rail Business UKNorth Wales electrification and WCML enhancements backed in Union Connectivity Review
UK: Electrification of the coastal main line across north Wales between Crewe and Holyhead and further modernisation of the northern sections of the West Coast Main Line are among the key rail interventions recommended by Network Rail Chairman Sir Peter Hendy in his Union Connectivity Review, published on November 26.
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NewsWestern Australia studies faster Perth – Bunbury link
AUSTRALIA: Work has started on the development of a strategic business case for a ‘Fast Rail’ link between Perth and Bunbury.
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NewsNorwegian passenger tendering competitions cancelled
NORWAY: The government confirmed on November 19 that it was cancelling two tendering processes for regional and inter-city passenger services.
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News‘New era’ as German coalition prioritises rail spending over road
GERMANY: The so-called ‘traffic light coalition’ formed by the Social Democratic, Green and Free Democratic parties as the next federal government has committed to launching a ‘Rapid Capacity Expansion’ to enhance railway infrastructure as part of its wider transport strategy.
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NewsILSA services to be branded Iryo
SPAIN: Independent high speed operator ILSA unveiled Iryo as its customer-facing brand in a ceremony at Madrid Atocha station on November 18.
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NewsEBRD loan boosts Istanbul – Kapıkule route modernisation
TURKEY: The European Bank for Reconstruction & Development is to provide Turkey with a €150m loan for reconstruction of the 67 km long Ispartakule – Çerkezköy section of the 233 km main line linking Halkalı on the western edge of Istanbul with Kapıkule on the border with Bulgaria.
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Metro Report InternationalFederal Transit Administration sets out funding priorities
USA: The Federal Transit Administration has set out its key funding priorities after President Biden signed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act into law on November 15. The act authorises spending of up to $108bn with guaranteed funding of $91bn for public transport in 2022-26, ...
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NewsRail and public transport ‘too low on COP26 agenda’, warn UIC and UITP
INTERNATIONAL: The International Union of Railways and global public transport association UITP marked the formal transport day at the COP26 Climate Summit on November 10 by urging policymakers to focus more effort on decarbonising mobility through modal shift.
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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 ...