Train on average twice as expensive as flight, shows Greenpeace analysis
Comparing prices of train versus plane tickets on 112 routes in Europe, the results of a Greenpeace analysis confirm what many people think: the train is often more expensive, and in some cases, a lot...Read more
Transport ‘largest sector by far’ using PFAS: ‘crucial for the rail industry’
AnalysisA restriction on the usage of PFAS, a group of widely used chemicals that are increasingly controversial due to health risks, is set to be one of the largest ever on chemical substances in the...Read more
Czech Republic abolishes rail regulator amidst controversies, what’s going on?
The Czech government has supported a bill that will lead to the abolition of the independent Office for Access to Transport Infrastructure (ÚPDI), transferring its tasks to another institution. However, controversies and allegations surround the...Read more
Moldova granted EU support for reconstructing critical railway lines
Moldovan Railways are ready to kickstart a line reconstruction project worth 71 million euros. It concerns the reconstruction of the Balti-Valcinet-Ungheni and Chisinau-Cainari railway sections, both important for transporting goods from Ukraine. The state-owned company...Read more
‘Geopolitical necessity’ Rail Baltica receives more EU funding
Rail Baltica has been awarded 928 million euros from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), a European funding instrument. Combined with national co-financing from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the three Baltic States that the new high-speed line...Read more
Renfe given green light for French branch, ticket sale about to start
Spanish operator Renfe has completed the registration of its branch in Lyon in the French commercial register. The company can start commercial activity imminently, and ticket sale for the first services Barcelona – Lyon and...Read more
Arriva and Qbuzz request access for trains between the Netherlands and Paris
Competition for the Thalys between the Netherlands and Paris may just arrive within several years. Both Arriva and Qbuzz have officially requested to operate trains in open access to Paris. Qbuzz also made a request...Read more
‘EU ambition for alternative fuels in rail could be higher’
The EU Regulation proposal for alternative fuels infrastructure now includes rail. While rail was first not included in the scope of the European Commission’s proposal, it is now after negotiations and efforts of the European...Read more
A real night train renaissance? Join the discussion on RailTech Belgium
After decades of decline for night trains, there is momentum again with various new night train start-ups popping up and renewed interest from the public. But will there be a true night train comeback? And...Read more
Over half of EU locomotives still run on diesel: the road to net zero
While already the most sustainable mode of transport, it is still a challenge to move rail to net zero emissions, sees the European Association of Rail Rolling Stock Lessors (EARRL). It recently presented a roadmap...Read more
Finland explores competition in passenger rail after 2030
With the current passenger rail service contracts expiring in 2030, publicly funded passenger rail traffic in Finland will need to be reorganised in 2031 to meet the European Union’s agreed-upon goals. The Finnish ministry of...Read more
What does the European TEN-T revision mean for rail?
BackgroundThe Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament unanimously adopted its position regarding the revision of the TEN-T regulations last week. What has been decided in this revision, and what does it mean for...Read more
Austria and Czech Republic join forces to bring ‘Emperor Franz Josephs railway’ into the 21st century
Named after Emperor Franz Joseph I of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the ‘Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Bahn’ is a railway that connects the Austrian capital Vienna to Prague in Czech Republic. Its first section went into operation in 1868. Now,...Read more