Transport Policy & Strategy
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Metro Report InternationalRussia sets out national metro standards
RUSSIA: The Federal Agency for Technical Regulation & Metrology Rosstandart has formally approved the first part of a planned set of national standards for the construction and operation of metro networks.
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Metro Report International
Further funding for English light rail services
UK: The government is making further funding of up to £67·8m available to support light rail services in England during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Urban In Depth
Building back better
Public transport operators around the world face a massive challenge in the years ahead, as countries and cities seek to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic that has swept around the globe during 2020.
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Metro Report International
Transport for London closes Twitter accounts
UK: Transport for London has started to consolidate its Twitter communications at its main account, and close the separate accounts it operates for London’s various transport modes and individual lines.
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Metro Report International
Berlin S-Bahn tenders invited
GERMANY: Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg has launched the competitive tendering process for the remaining two portions of the 331 route-km Berlin S-Bahn network, covering the North-South and east-west Stadtbahn service groups.
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Rail Business UK
Inquiry to consider implications of the pandemic for public transport
UK: The longer-term implications of the coronavirus pandemic for public transport are to be examined by the House of Commons’ Transport Select Committee, which has called for written evidence on the extent that the pandemic ‘could, and should’, be used as an opportunity to influence how people ...
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Metro Report International
Government sets out details of Transport for London financial review
UK: Cost efficiencies, workforce modernisation, alternative potential operating models and ‘exploring the feasibility of extending driverless operation from the Docklands Light Railway to other lines which are already automatic’ are to be considered by a government review into the financial structure of Transport for London. ...
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Metro Report International
Berlin U-Bahn station to be renamed over racism concerns
GERMANY: Berlin city transport operator BVG intends to rename Mohrenstrasse station on U-Bahn Line U2 ‘out of understanding and respect’ for the ‘sometimes controversial’ debate about the name of the eponymous road, which uses an archaic term for people from North Africa. ‘As a cosmopolitan company ...
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In depth
Comment: Getting back on track
An essential first step will be to overcome the perception that public transport is dangerous, and emphasise that the risks can be managed. As well as putting the appropriate processes in place, it is vital to get the messaging right, and that needs to start now.
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News
Associations 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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Metro Report International
Transport 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 ...
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Rail Business UK
Andy 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 International
UK 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 ...
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Metro Report International
Transport 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 ...
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Metro Report International
FTA 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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Metro Report International
UITP 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 ...
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Metro Report International
National 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% ...
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Metro Report International
New 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 ...
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Metro Report International
UITP urges EU institutions to recommit to public transport
EUROPE: The International Public Transport Association issued an open letter to EU policymakers on April 28 reiterating its concerns about the ‘unprecedented impact’ of the coronavirus pandemic on the sector. Addressed to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European ...
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Rail Business UK
UK announces support for light rail during the pandemic
UK: The Department for Transport has confirmed that a ‘multi-million pound’ package of emergency funding will be provided for light rail networks as part of measures aimed at keeping essential transport services running during the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement covers the light rail networks in Sheffield, ...
