All Policy articles – Page 21
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NewsGerman associations seek more competition in second rail reform
GERMANY: An alliance of industry associations has called for a major reform of railway policy that would introduce full vertical separation of infrastructure and operations and foster more on-rail competition. In a position paper published on August 2, seven organisations assert that climate change objectives can only ...
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NewsArup to undertake all-Ireland rail review
EUROPE: Ireland’s Department of Transport and Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure have commissioned Arup to undertake an All Island Strategic Rail Review, which will consider how the 1 600 mm gauge rail networks can be used to improve connectivity, enhance regional accessibility and support balanced development. ...
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In depthCentral & Eastern Europe: Rail at heart of recovery package
Railways across central and eastern Europe stand to benefit as member states submit their national post-Covid recovery plans to the EU in order to access temporary stimulus funds. Toma Bačić provides a snapshot of proposals from five countries.
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News$117bn Northeast Corridor route modernisation plan unveiled
USA: A vision for modernising the 735 km main line linking Washington DC with Boston via Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York was outlined by the Northeast Corridor Commission on July 14.
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NewsCovid Impact Tracker shows continued losses for rail in 2021
EUROPE: The economic situation for EU railways shows very little sign of improvement, according to the Community of European Railway & Infrastructure Companies’ Covid Impact Tracker. Revenues from January to May 2021 were lower across the board than in the second half of 2020, the association reported. ...
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Rail Business UKGo-Ahead commits to net zero
Announcing a ‘wholesale shift’ from diesel to zero-carbon modes including electric and hydrogen traction, Go-Ahead says it is aiming to achieve a fully decarbonised rail fleet by 2035, and to switch its 5 000-strong UK bus fleet to zero emission vehicles.
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NewsFreight operators concerned by ‘misguided’ competition Executive Order
USA: Freight railroads have expressed concern about the implications of an Executive Order issued by President Biden on July 9 aimed at ‘promoting competition in the American economy’. The order calls on regulatory bodies to facilitate ‘robust’ competition and reduce monopoly power in various sectors ranging from ...
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NewsMEPs urge faster ERTMS rollout
EUROPE: The European Parliament has called for expedited deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System in order to reduce the ‘fragmentation’ of the European rail sector and achieve the EU’s climate and digital transition objectives.
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NewsProvisional EU agreement on women in rail reached
EUROPE: Provisional agreement on a binding EU-level deal to promote the employment of women in the rail sector has been reached by the Community of European Railway & Infrastructure Companies, representing employers, and the European Transport Workers’ Federation, representing staff. CER and ETF said the positive ...
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Metro Report InternationalCall for 2022 to be the European Year of Rail & Public Transport
EUROPE: With plans to celebrate 2021 as the Year of Rail having been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, five European transport associations have jointly called on the European Union to extend and expand the concept and make 2022 the European Year of Rail & Public Transport. ...
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In depthTurkey: Canal plan puts brakes on rail projects
Turkey’s plans to build a ship canal connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara are being carefully monitored by the European Commission in case the scheme interferes with the project to upgrade Turkey’s main line link to Bulgaria and the rest of Europe. David O’Byrne reports.
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Rail Business UKWe need a simpler, sustainable and more user-centric railway, says Network Rail Chief Executive
UK: ‘This is a fantastic time to look at reshaping the industry, as we come out of Covid’, says Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines. ‘The government is committed to growing the railway’ and to decarbonisation, and ‘there is no appetite to use Covid as an excuse to shut the railway.’
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NewsRail reopenings to support climate-friendly transport
GERMANY: Infrastructure manager DB Netz has identified 20 lines totalling 245 route-km which it intends to reactivate for both freight and passenger services by 2030 as part of an initiative to provide environmentally friendly transport alternatives.
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NewsLegal settlement restores almost $1bn in California high speed rail funding
USA: The federal government has agreed to return $929m in grants to the California High Speed Rail Authority following the settlement of legal proceedings with the state of California.
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In depthEurope: Reviving the overnight network
An array of revived and new overnight services is planned across western and central Europe. Murray Hughes provides an overview of the latest developments.
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In depthFrance: Report presages night train renaissance
A detailed report on the revival of domestic and international overnight passenger services on the French network indicates a potential market of 5∙7 million trips a year.
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NewsAmtrak raises concerns over CSX-Pan Am deal
USA: National passenger operator Amtrak has raised concerns over the proposed acquisition of New England regional railroad Pan Am Railways by CSX Corp.
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NewsEU transport ministers call for modal shift, so rail can grow faster than the wider economy
EUROPE: Meeting virtually on June 3, EU transport ministers gave unequivocal backing to rail’s role at the heart of sustainable mobility by adopting two sets of EU Council conclusions.
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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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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.