State ownership will grow in importance
OpinionRail transport is coming to terms with some of the post-pandemic realities, such as different travel patterns. This has had an impact on railway policy in many countries, with state intervention seemingly on the rise.Read more
European rail traffic on the rise again, but not yet back to normal
With Covid-19 on a retreat, rail traffic in Europe is growing, but the effects of the crisis can still be seen with 25 per cent fewer passengers this March compared to before the pandemic. This...Read more
Spain extends lower rail fees for 2022
In order to mitigate the effects of the crisis caused by Covid-19 on rail transport, Spain extends the reduced track access charges. This was detailed in one of the amendments to the General State Budgets...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
Madrid-Barcelona high-speed trains exceed pre-pandemic passenger numbers
For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began, more passengers travelled on the Madrid-Barcelona high-speed line than before the health crisis. The growing trend is expected to continue with the introduction of third operator Ilsa,...Read more
How AI can optimise ventilation and climatisation in metro’s and stations
Partner article“Artificial Intelligence can play a large role in optimising the ventilation strategy in metro networks”, says Enrique Gómez Cristóbal of SENER. The Spanish company designed an AI system which improves thermal comfort and air quality,...Read more
Italy sets out 500 million tender for ERTMS in 5 regions
Italy’s railway manager RFI will roll out ERTMS on 3,400 kilometres of railway network by 2026, and published a tender for this. Italy has included the infrastructure upgrade in their plans for Covid-19 recovery funds...Read more
Monopoly commission: separate Deutsche Bahn’s infrastructure from operation
The current structure of Deutsche Bahn group is not appropriate for the planned increase of capital with 7.5 billion in favour of DB, says the German monopolies commission. It cannot be guaranteed that this will...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
Rail sector: continue track access charging measures for six more months
Railway associations want to prolong the regulation allowing to waive, reduce or defer track access charges in the face of Covid-19. The regulation would last until the end of June, but they asked for it...Read more
Eurostar gets 291 million euro rescue package
Eurostar has reached an agreement with shareholders and banks on a refinancing package that will safeguard the company’s future. The 250 million pound (291 million euros) package consists mainly of shareholder equity and bank loans...Read more
Rail passenger services lost 600 million per week in 2021 so far
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact heavily on European rail. Passenger revenues remain at only half of what they were in pre-crisis times. These are the findings of the latest ‘Covid Impact Tracker’ carried out...Read more
Italo doubles its daily high-speed services to 62
Open-access operator Italo is expanding its offer by doubling its current high-speed services. From May 27, the operator will have 62 daily services. Last month, financial support from the government was approved, and now Italo...Read more