Passenger rail news – Page 79
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NewsIsrael Railways accelerates station enhancement works during lockdown
ISRAEL: In addition to accelerating major infrastructure projects and undertaking track and rolling stock maintenance, Israel Railways has used the opportunity presented by the suspension of passenger services during national Covid-19 lockdown measures to undertake planned enhancement works at 40 stations. The works ...
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NewsTurkish government designates PSO services
TURKEY: The government has designated 61 routes or service groups as eligible for Public Service Obligation support, under an amendment to Clause 8 of the railway liberalisation legislation which came into force in May 2013. A presidential decree which took effect on April 8 amended the liberalisation ...
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NewsSwiss narrow gauge operators to study merger
SWITZERLAND: The Frauenfeld-Wil-Bahn and Appenzeller Bahnen boards have agreed to examine a possible merger of the two companies. The 1 000 mm gauge networks are not connected, but the companies have worked together since 2003 and it is envisaged that combining could reduce costs. ...
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NewsRegioJet prepares to launch Praha – Przemyśl service
EUROPE: Independent operator RegioJet has taken delivery of another nine 160 km/h air-conditioned couchette cars from DB. Formerly used on CityNightLine trains, the Type Bvcmz coaches which arrived in late April follow 18 similar vehicles which were acquired in 2019. After they have been refurbished, RegioJet plans ...
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Rail Business UKFranchising faces an uncertain future as ‘the clock is ticking’ on emergency agreement
UK: The only certainty in the UK rail sector at the moment is that the future is uncertain, particularly as the government’s long-term message is still to avoid using public transport if at all possible, whilst encouraging people to return to work. The Department for Transport’s Emergency ...
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NewsDB set for emergency funding package as losses mount
GERMANY: Emergency support to help Deutsche Bahn weather the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to come in the form of another equity injection, according to proposals being drawn up by the federal government ahead of a DB board meeting on May 15. Research ...
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NewsTransdev wins Roslagsbanan operating contract
SWEDEN: Transdev Sverige AB has been selected as the next operator of the capital’s 891 mm gauge Roslagsbanan suburban network, the Stockholm region’s Transport Commission announced on May 12. Six groups had bid for the 12-year contract with regional transport authority Storstockholms Lokaltrafik, including incumbent Arriva Sverige, ...
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Rail Business UKDemand to be managed down as part of train service ramp-up strategy
UK: With the Department for Transport expecting passenger services to step up to a ‘Saturday service’ level from May 18, train operators have warned that social distancing measures mean that capacity across the network will continue to be very limited. Between 65% and 80% of normal weekday ...
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NewsCzech DMU procurement strategy revised
CZECH REPUBLIC: National operator ČD has announced its intention to tender a framework contract for the purchase of up to 60 diesel multiple-units, potentially valued at KC5bn. The low-floor air-conditioned trainsets will be designed to operate at up to 120 km/h and offer at least 120 seats. ...
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NewsConcern grows over future of open access operators
UK: The future of open access services remains uncertain as both Hull Trains and Grand Central face up to the implications of tighter Department for Transport requirements on passenger safety when rail services are stepped up from May 18. Talking to Rail Business UK, one senior ...
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Rail Business UKCrossrail EMUs approved for ETCS operation
UK: The Office of Rail & Road announced on May 11 that it had approved the use of ETCS onboard equipment on the Bombardier-built Class 345 EMUs, paving the way for the trains to be introduced on TfL Rail services to Heathrow Airport.
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NewsAmtrak requires face coverings as services increase
USA: Amtrak has announced that all customers using its trains, stations or connecting bus services will be required to cover their nose and mouth with effect from May 11. The national passenger operator explained that the mandatory face coverings could be removed when ...
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NewsNSW tenders faster rail studies
AUSTRALIA: The New South Wales state government has called tenders for studies and project management to support the development of business cases for faster rail services on the routes from Sydney to Canberra and Sydney to Newcastle.
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NewsDelhi – Meerut rolling stock contract awarded
INDIA: National Capital Region Transport Corp has awarded Bombardier Transportation the contract to supply and maintain electric multiple-units for the Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System commuter line which is now under construction
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Metro Report InternationalBerlin to resume S-Bahn tendering
GERMANY: Tenders are to be invited this month for contracts to operate the north-south and east-west service groups on the Berlin S-Bahn from the end of December 2027, ending a five-year hiatus in putting the routes out to competitive bidding.
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NewsGolmud – Korla railway forges new link through western China
CHINA: Revenue services are expected to start running at the end of June on the Qinghai section of the 1 214 km Golmud – Korla railway, following the completion of construction work at the end of April.
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Metro Report InternationalSpain implements transport safety measures as lockdown eases
tn_es-barcelona-metro-generic_04.jpg SPAIN: The use of face masks covering the nose and mouth became obligatory for passengers on all modes of public transport from May 4, including taxis, ferries and flights. Workers involved in providing these services are also obliged to wear masks, and must have access to ...
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NewsHŽPP places firm order for EMUs
Source: Toma Bacic CROATIA: National passenger operator HŽPP has signed a €62·4m firm contract for Končar KEV to supply six suburban and six regional 160 km/h low-floor electric multiple-units. The order signed on April 29 is being financed with loans from Eurofima (€57·2m) and the International Bank ...
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NewsStation passenger flows modified to reduce infection risk
SPAIN: As Covid-19 lockdown measures are eased and passenger numbers increase, pedestrian flows at Madrid Chamartín station have been modified to provide one-way routes to segregate entering and leaving passengers. This aims to reduce the risk of spreading infections between people heading in opposite directions. Particular attention ...
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NewsHelsinki commuter train operating contract won by ‘competitive, cost-effective and innovative’ bid
FINLAND: Helsinki regional transport authority HSL has named national incumbent VR as the winner of a contract to operate the capital’s commuter rail services for 10 years from June 27 2021, with an option for a further three years. The announcement on May 5 follows the first ...