Northern Trains commits to rectifying accessibility failings
UK: Following an investigation by the Office of Rail & Road, Northern Trains has committed to a £550 000 package of improvement measures and to ensuring that its staff receive disability awareness training.
Westbahn launches Wien – Villach open access services
AUSTRIA: Open access passenger operator Westbahn expanded its network significantly on March 1 with the launch of services between Wien, Graz, Klagenfurt and Villach via the recently-opened Koralmbahn.
Newcastle – Sydney high speed railway moves into development phase
AUSTRALIA: The High Speed Rail Authority has called tenders for consultants and technical advisers to assist with planning for the proposed Central Coast High Speed Rail project in New South Wales, following the government go-ahead for a two-year development phase.
Technology: Asset maintenance takes to the skies
SNCF Réseau subsidiary Altametris has developed a suite of aerial technologies to enhance the efficiency of infrastructure monitoring. Strategy Director Alexis Meneses spoke to Toma Bačić at ProMedia’s Intelligent Rail Summit in Bled, Slovenia.
Government backs Kraków metro plans
POLAND: The national government declared its support at a parliamentary committee meeting on February 26 for the metro project planned by the city council in Kraków.
South Korean high speed service recast paves way for operators to merge
SOUTH KOREA: A timetable recast on February 25 has seen national operator Korail and quasi-independent high speed operator Supreme Railways share each other’s routes at the northern end of the high speed network.
Unobtrusive monitoring techniques reduce safety risks at Victa Railfreight
UK: Victa Railfreight says it has achieved a 75% reduction in adverse safety events through the use of body-worn cameras and unobtrusive monitoring.
RegioJet’s next EMU fleet enters testing
CZECH REPUBLIC: The first of 18 electric multiple-units which Polish manufacturer Pesa Bydgoszcz is building for RegioJet was sent to the Velim test centre for trials in late February.
Santiago suburban rail electrification, consultancy and supervision contracts awarded
CHILE: National railway group EFE Trenes de Chile has awarded more contracts for the rehabilitation of the Santiago – Melipilla and Santiago – Batuco lines to support a dense suburban rail operation.
RATP suggests ‘Team France’ approach to winning international contracts
FRANCE: Incoming RATP President Xavier Piechaczyk sets out his strategy for the incumbent Paris municipal transport operator as its home market starts to open to competition.
GB Railfreight and HyOrc to look at alternative fuels for legacy locos
UK: GB Railfreight is to work with HyOrc to investigate out what would be required to retrofit Class 66 diesel locomotives with ‘zero‑emission‑ready’ traction technology.
