Broad European rail coalition objects to proposed PSO regulation revisions
Seven major association, including the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), have warned the European Commission that proposed revisions to an important guideline will create...Read more
Brussels OK Italian long-distance rail compensation scheme
Italy will be allowed to compensate commercial rail passenger operators for the loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission ruled earlier this week.Read more
Channel tunnel used even less in second corona year
The Channel Tunnel between France and the United Kingdom was used less last year than in 2020. This is what the tunnel’s manager Getlink reported. Eurostar trains carried a third fewer passengers through the tunnel...Read more
Covid pass obligatory on trains in Germany
In Germany, it will be compulsory from Wednesday 24 November to show a corona pass at work and on public transport. People must have been vaccinated, recovered from Covid or have proof of a recent...Read more
Trains between Stockholm and Oslo resume in December after 21 months
After almost two years, Swedish operator SJ will run train services between Stockholm and Oslo in Norway again starting on 12 December. The Norwegian government has announced that passenger train traffic will be allowed across...Read more
2.5 billion German rail support approved
The European Commission has given the green light for 2.5 billion euro state aid of the German government to support the rail sector in the coming years. The money should benefit both passenger and rail...Read more
Unmasking the divisions in UK rail on ‘Freedom Day’
Covid restrictions and Freedom Day make compliance difficult in the UK. A journey across Great Britain may not be so great if you don’t have the correct protocols in place. With the government in London, and the devolved administrations...Read more
‘Post-covid future of international trains looks bright’
The number of Thalys and Eurostar passengers, both of which were recently rescued with loans, were on the rise before the corona crisis hit. There are many opportunities in shifting European air travel to rail,...Read more
Transport for London support extended
Transport for London (TfL) will receive extended support from the UK Government until 11 December 2021. An agreement of 1.08 billion pounds (around 1.3 billion euros) was made on Tuesday, 1 June. One of the...Read more
Thalys gets 120 million financing from European banks
Thalys receives financing from five European banks for a total amount of 120 million euros, the operator announced on Tuesday. The financing has a term of four years. The international operator is relying on external...Read more
ÖBB resumes international night trains from May 24
The ÖBB Nightjet train service abroad will be started up again on May 24 after a pause because of the coronavirus. The regular daytime trains to and from Germany, Italy and Czech Republic will also...Read more
East Midlands Railway launches first electric route in May
East Midlands Railway (EMR) will launch a new all-electric service between Corby and London St Pancras on 16 May. EMR Connect is the company’s first electric route, following infrastructure upgrades on the Midland Main Line...Read more
Founder of European Sleeper: the time is right for a new night train
In roughly a year from now, the new Dutch private rail operator European Sleeper wants to run its first night train from Prague to Brussels. Co-founder Elmer van Buuren: “The time is right for the...Read more