Passenger rail news – Page 60
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NewsPassenger organisations demand better TER services
FRANCE: Passenger lobbying and campaign group FNAUT, consumer association UFC-Que Choisir and cycling lobby federation FUB are calling for improvements to regional passenger services across France ahead of the regional elections due to take place on June 20 and 27.
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In depthPhilippines: Commuter corridor leads rail revival
Civil works are getting underway on the Malolos – Clark section of Manila’s North-South Commuter Railway, a flagship scheme for the government’s Build, Build, Build initiative that is expected to herald a wider programme of rail investment across the archipelago.
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NewsMoscow’s Vostochniy passenger hub opens in the east of the city
RUSSIA: A hub station has been opened on the eastern side side of Moscow for use by long-distance trains passing through the capital and as an interchange for passengers who do not need to access the city centre. Vostochniy station was formally opened by Russian Railways CEO ...
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Rail Business UKRail journeys in Great Britain lowest since at least 1872
UK: Rail passenger journeys in Great Britain in 2020-21 were the lowest since records began in 1872, according to the latest statistics from the Office of Rail & Road. The regulator said the ‘unprecedented’ fall in usage could be attributed entirely to the coronavirus pandemic, which had ...
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NewsArriva eyes night trains to Schiphol
NETHERLANDS: Arriva Netherlands has applied for rights to operate open access night trains linking Maastricht and Groningen to the Randstad region and Schiphol airport, challenging the current NS monopoly of the core national network.
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NewsCRRC Zhuzhou rolls out double-deck Westbahn EMU
AUSTRIA: The first of four double-deck electric multiple-units being built for use by open access operator Westbahn GmbH has been rolled out for testing by CRRC Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co in China’s Hunan province.
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Rail Business UKPassenger information displays incorporate sign language interpretation
UK: Network Rail has begun deploying 20 LB Foster fixed and mobile touch-screen passenger information displays with in-screen British Sign Language interpretation at London Euston station, and a large screen is to be provided beside the departure boards on the main concourse. Network Rail has ...
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NewsAutonomous railbus project approved
GERMANY: The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy has approved funding for development of the Aachener Rail Shuttle concept, which envisages a 100 km/h autonomous battery-powered railbus to reduce the cost of providing rail services on secondary lines in rural areas.
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NewsPikes Peak Cog Railway reopens after $100m modernisation
USA: The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway reopened on May 20, following a $100m modernisation programme which has included the delivery of a new fleet of push-pull trainsets and conversion from the Abt to the Strub rack system. The 14·3 km standard gauge mountain ...
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NewsAmtrak urges stronger regulation of freight railroad access as it sets out $75bn expansion plan
USA: Amtrak has challenged policymakers to support its expansion plans by strengthening the enforcement of regulatory rules giving passenger trains priority when running on tracks owned by the freight railroads.
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NewsRENFE orders high speed power cars to haul rebuilt sleeping cars
SPAIN: RENFE has awarded Talgo a €281∙5m framework contract for the supply of 26 gauge-convertible dual-system 3 kV DC and 25 kV 50 Hz high speed train power cars.
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Metro Report InternationalMerval extension moves ahead
CHILE: An environmental impact assessment is due to be completed by July for an extension of the Valparaíso suburban service from Limache to La Calera as part of the government’s Chile on Rails programme. Inaugurated in 2006, the Metro de Valparaíso suburban service runs for 43 ...
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NewsService increase and new EMUs agreed under next Mittelhessen-Netz operating contract
GERMANY: Rhein-Main and Nordhessen transport authorities RMV and NVV have awarded Hessische Landesbahn the next Mittelhessen-Netz contract to operate Mittelhessen-Express services, and the incoming operator has placed an order for 32 Alstom Coradia Continental electric multiple-units. Running for 15 years from December 2023, the operating contract covers ...
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NewsFirst TGV M power car completed
FRANCE: The first completed power car for SNCF’s future TGV M trainsets was unveiled at Alstom’s Belfort workshops on May 26.
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NewsŚląskie timetable improvements in GZM rail strategy
POLAND: Local passenger services around Katowice and Gliwice are to be stepped up from 2022 under plans announced by the Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia authority, which has set out a four-stage expansion strategy to develop the region’s rail network as a backbone for sustainable transport. GZM was formed ...
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NewsFGC presents Stadler Class 115 EMU
SPAIN: Catalunya operator FGC has unveiled the first of 15 four-car Class 115 electric multiple-units which are being supplied from Stadler’s Valencia plant for use on its 1 435 mm gauge Metro del Vallès network linking Barcelona-Plaça Catalunya with Terrassa and Sabadell-Parc del Nord. FGC called ...
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Rail Business UK‘Post-Covid’ flexible train interior concepts proposed
UK: Concepts for train interior designs which could accommodate changed passenger requirements following the pandemic and with the ability to switch between ‘commuter’ and ‘leisure’ arrangements have been unveiled by operator Go-Ahead, leasing company Angel Trains and design agency Seymourpowell. Sliding armrests could allow seats to ...
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NewsPlans for high speed services to Madrid Barajas airport revived
SPAIN: The government intends to revive proposals to run high speed passenger services to and from Madrid’s main airport at Barajas, Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos said at the FITUR international trade fair which was held in the capital on May 19-23.
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Rail Business UKFirstGroup agrees National Rail Contracts for SWR and TransPennine Express
UK: The Department for Transport has finalised the first of the National Rail Contracts under which formerly franchised passenger services are to be operated over the next few years. The directly-awarded NRCs are envisaged as an interim step between the current Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements and ...
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NewsCommuter operator expands Bike Cars programme
USA: Chicago commuter rail operator Metra has extended its Bike Car programme, with the introduction of coaches modified to carry bicycles on two more lines and further routes set to follow. Two coaches have been modified for use on the Rock Island ...