Fares, rail policy and DfT news

Stagecoach secures East Midlands Trains franchise extension with DfT until August

12 February 2019Stagecoach has reached a new agreement with the DfT to continue running East Midlands Trains for at least another five months. With the current East Midlands Trains franchise due to end at the beginning of March, Stagecoach will now run the franc...

‘Radical change is needed’: Network Rail reveals major reorganisation centred around devolution

12 February 2019Network Rail has announced a major structural reorganisation with devolution and regional responsibility at the front of its new operation model in recognition that “radical change is needed.” The new operating model will be formed of...

Decision due on Edinburgh tram extension as cost rises to £207m

12 February 2019The business case for extending Edinburgh’s tram network in a £196m project has entered its final stage, with councillors in the Scottish capital scrutinising the case ahead of a decision next month. Originally estimated to cost &poun...

Proposals for £39bn investment in Northern Powerhouse Rail to be submitted to government

08 February 2019A business case for up to £39bn of investment in Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) are to be submitted to the government, marking “the region’s single biggest transport intervention” since the industrial revolution. The board...

HS2 land acquisition costs could spiral five times higher than projected

07 February 2019The cost of acquiring land and property for Phase 1 of HS2 could be almost five times the original estimation. Forecasts based on freedom of information requests from an anti-HS2 campaign group have revealed that the total land costs could now be...

DfT consulting on plans to expand pay-as-you-go rail travel nationwide

07 February 2019The DfT has launched a consultation into expanding the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) ticketing model currently used in London. Rail minister Andrew Jones had announced a renewed government drive to expand ‘smart ticketing’ nationwide, and is n...

HS2 unveils construction teams for major Euston and Old Oak Common station builds

06 February 2019HS2 has revealed the construction teams awarded contracts to deliver the London Euston terminus and the super-hub Old Oak Common station. In deals worth £2.56bn that are expected to bring up to 4,000 jobs to the UK, the construction partner...

Siemens-Alstom merger blocked by EU Commission in landmark decision

06 February 2019The EU Commission has officially blocked a merger between Siemens and Alstom, stating that the companies “were not willing to address our serious competition concerns.” Despite months of negotiations and both the French and German gov...

Old Oak Common to be UK’s best-connected rail interchange as HS2 reveals new station designs

05 February 2019HS2 Ltd has unveiled its plans for the Old Oak Common station, releasing designs for the new “landmark piece of architecture” including high-speed platforms located underground. The design plans say that Old Oak Common will be the UK&...

Williams Rail Review: The end of saying sorry?

05 February 2019Keith Williams’ ongoing Rail Review presents a golden opportunity to rebuild the industry’s weakened relationship with its users and set it on a better track for the future, argues David Sidebottom, passenger director at Transport Focu...

Vivarail unveils plans to build new hydrogen trains

05 February 2019Train manufacturer Vivarail has unveiled their new plans for hydrogen trains, revealing new designs and visuals for their emissions-free rolling stock. The modular hydrogen train is currently in production, with two motor cars powered by batterie...

Long-awaited plans to build a sea wall to protect Dawlish rail line unveiled by Network Rail

04 February 2019  Image credit - Moorefam

‘I’m a lightning rod’: Grayling dismisses criticism from rail unions and ‘anti-Brexit brigade’

01 February 2019Chris Grayling has said he believes he is subject to personal criticism and “missiles fired” based on major decisions he makes because of unions such as the RMT and because he is “lightning rod for the anti-Brexit brigade.”...

Glasgow Airport rail link plans could be ditched for rapid shuttle pod system

31 January 2019A long-awaited rail link to Glasgow Airport could be ditched in favour of a shuttle pod system between the airport and Paisley. Instead of a full tram-train rail link, a ‘personal rapid transit’ shuttle pod system such as the one used...

TfN unveils £70bn transport masterplan for the north

31 January 2019Transport for the North (TfN) has launched its £70bn blueprints to overhaul northern transport infrastructure over the next 30 years, connecting the major cities and moving forward with its flagship project Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). T...