This week’s round-up of business news from the UK railway industry.
ScotRail abolished peak fares with effect from September 1. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said ’we want more people to choose to travel by public transport for work, study and leisure but we know that many are still struggling with cost-of-living pressures. By removing peak fares, we are making ticketing more simple and more straightforward while at the same time supporting a shift towards sustainable public transport, protecting the climate, and saving people money.’
c2c, Network Rail and contractor Octavius have completed £9m project to provided step-free access at Grays station, with two new lifts for both platforms. The operator said these are the first Dual Lift Drive System, Vertical Linear Beam lifts to be installed in the UK. They are also evacuation lifts, which means they can be used in emergencies, including during a power failure, another first for the UK rail network.
Young Rail Professionals is organising a Young Rail Tour to Barcelona in October. The networking association said ‘we’ll be exploring one of Europe’s most dynamic rail cities with a packed programme of technical visits, networking, and cultural highlights.’ There are 25 places available, allocated through a ballot.
Contractor RWS is to install shelters at seven stations on the Wrexham to Bidston line on behalf of Transport for Wales. TfW Project Manager Laurie Klimowich said ‘the new shelters will be larger, modern three or four bay [designs] with plenty of seating and space for wheelchairs. The old shelters had done a good job but we’re committed to making these investments across our network and this will be a big improvement for customers.’
Booth Industries has been awarded a £7·5m contract to supply high-integrity steel doors for HS2’s Old Oak Common station. The Bolton-based company has also received a ‘strategically important’ multi-year contract to maintain tunnel doors on the Elizabeth Line for Transport for London.
On September 3 the Office of Rail & Road announced that it had authorised the putting into use of upgrades to Newquay station, including a second platform. The project is part of the wider Mid Cornwall Metro scheme to allow coast-to-coast services to operate, including the introduction of a passing loop at Goss Moor and the upgrading or removal of level crossings along the line. This will double capacity at Newquay from one train per hour to two.
The Railway Industry Association now has meeting rooms in Bond Court, Leeds, available to book for meetings, workshops, theatre-style presentations or a larger events with four to 80 attendees. RIA members receive a 50% discount on room hire costs.
Transport for London’s Chief Finance Officer Rachel McLean is to retire in February 2026. She was appointed in October 2022, having previously been CFO for Crossrail and Finance Director for Operations, having re-joined TfL in January 2020 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.