All Policy articles – Page 14
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NewsProgramme backs ‘green’ rolling stock
BRAZIL: The government has launched a programme to encourage investment in motive power and rolling stock that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Frota Ferroviária Verde project was announced in the Official Gazette of the Union on September 30 and the regulation came into force on ...
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NewsCall for flexibility on train driver language requirements
EUROPE: The European Rail Freight Association has called on the European Commission to introduce greater flexibility in its language requirements for cross-border train drivers. In response to public consultation on the revision of the Train Drivers Directive, ERFA says it accepts the overall requirements for language ...
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NewsSpain extends free local rail offer until the end of 2023
SPAIN: The national government has announced that it is to extend its free travel pass offer covering local and regional trains from December 31 through to the end of 2023.
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In depthViewpoint: Institutional fragmentation has undermined Rail Baltica
On paper Rail Baltica is a perfect match for the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility programme. But three issues need to be addressed, argues Kaspars Briškens, who recently stepped down as Head of Strategy & Development at the standard gauge railway project.
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In depthEurope: Overcoming the language barrier
Developed by UIC and RailNetEurope with funding from the Shift2Rail joint undertaking, the Translate4Rail tool offers hope that the thorny problem of drivers and dispatchers speaking different languages on cross-border routes in Europe can finally be resolved. Toma Bačić explains.
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NewsDeutsche Bahn sells Arriva businesses to private equity holding company
EUROPE: Deutsche Bahn has reached agreement to sell its Arriva local transport activities in Denmark, Poland and Serbia.
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In depthGermany: Farm shop concept spurs freight tram revival
Initially developed as a student project, a mobile ‘farm shop’ retail and freight service using a converted tram-train is being proposed for use on the regional rail network around Karlsruhe. This in turn could offer a more viable business model for other cargo tram initiatives.
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NewsLallemand to step down as head of SNCF Réseau
FRANCE: Luc Lallemand is to leave his role as President & Director-General of infrastructure manager SNCF Réseau, the transport ministry confirmed on September 28.
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NewsProgress being made towards Single European Railway Area, says ERA
Reflecting progress with its key roles of technical harmonisation and authorisation, the EU Agency for Railways has been reviewing its mission and setting out priorities for the coming years, as Executive Director Josef Doppelbauer explains to Nick Kingsley.
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In depthTechnology: Keeping track of tram-trains
Enhanced control and supervision tools have been deployed to improve the operation of tram-trains around Karlsruhe, where portion working is a common but complicated process.
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NewsANTT updates new project rules
BRAZIL: National Land Transport Agency ANTT has published updated draft regulations for applications seeking approval to establish and operate new railway projects, including marshalling yards and ancillary facilities. Announced at the start of September, Resolution 5987 follows the promulgation and coming into force of the 2021 ...
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NewsEU member states must support rail, says Commissioner
INNOTRANS: ‘Rail is a growing sector, which can help Europe meet its Green Deal targets’, emphasised EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean at the opening ceremony for InnoTrans 2022 in Berlin on September 20. Enthusing that it was ‘a real pleasure to see all the innovations ...
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NewsFlytoget invited to run regional trains in eastern Norway
NORWAY: Jernbanedirektoratet has invited airport express operator Flytoget to bid for a contract to run regional passenger services on a package of routes radiating from Oslo.
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In depthFreight: Pulling the right levers to boost modal share
Governments around the world are keen to improve rail’s share of the freight market, although there are stark contrasts in start points and end goals between regions. Nevertheless, consultancy Roland Berger believes a comprehensive set of levers can be pulled to boost rail freight globally.
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In depthFreight: Act now to align the stars
UIP President Dr Heiko Fischer takes us on a journey to the 2030s, when the goals for the development of European rail freight have been met, and sets out the change in mentality required across the sector to make this a reality.
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NewsFrench regulator seeks improved network access for freight operators
FRANCE: Rail regulator Autorité de Régulation des Transports published its formal decision on September 6 in a dispute over network access between SNCF Réseau and freight operators Captrain France, T3M, Europorte France and Régiorail.
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NewsRail industry calls for action on rising energy costs
EUROPE: Energy price rises pose a serious risk to rail’s modal share according to two industry associations, which have called for action to ensure an uninterrupted and affordable supply of energy for the sector.
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In depthGermany: Government tightens control over national operator
This summer’s eye-catching €9 ticket deal in Germany focused the spotlight on rail travel, but it also served to highlight the national railway’s failings. Plummeting performance levels are one reason the government is intervening in an attempt to restore punctuality and reliability. Murray Hughes reports.
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In depthFreight: Rebuilding market share in Spain
The Spanish government’s Mercancías 30 strategy aims to more than double the share of goods moved by rail to at least 10% by 2030. Mike Bent reports.
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In depthComment: Cheap fares alone are not enough
Many more rail trips were made in Germany this summer than in 2019 thanks to the much-publicised €9 ticket allowing unlimited travel on local and regional trains and other public transport. But our Consultant Editor Murray Hughes suggests that cheap fares alone will not be enough to deliver policymakers’ modal shift ambitions.