Train operator Northern has said that 97 per cent of its passengers support its efforts to tackle fare dodging on its network. It made the statement after releasing annual figures from its Debt Recovery and Prosecutions Unit. The operator said that, during the last 12 months (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024), ticketless travel accounted for as little as three per cent of journeys – the lowest rate on record. However, during the same period, it still had to investigate 57,302 reports of attempted fare evasion, issue 41,922 Penalty Fare Notices and attend 172 court sittings – activity which ultima ..read more

Members of the Railway Industry Association (RIA) and industry stakeholders attended a roundtable in Cardiff with the Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies MP.  During the session the Cabinet Minister gained insight into some of the key issues currently faced by rail suppliers in Wales. Commenting on the discussion David TC Davies, Secretary of State, UK Government said: “While much of the Welsh rail system is devolved, the UK Government is making major investments to improve the network and I was pleased to hear from RIA Members and representatives from the ind ..read more

Railway Family Week is here, celebrating the rail industry and the amazing people in it. This year marks the fourth year the event has been held by Railway Benefit Fund (RBF), raising much-needed funds so that the charity can continue to be there for the railway family. This year it is hoped £50,000 will be raised for RBF in its work providing financial support to current, former and retired railway staff and their dependents across the UK. Jo Kaye, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Your contributions have the power to make the future brighter for thousands of railway people and their families a ..read more

GB Railfreight (GBRf) has started a new intermodal service connecting Southampton to Hams Hall Rail Freight Terminal in the West Midlands. This is the first time that GBRf has run an intermodal service from the UK’s second-largest deep sea port to the West Midlands. GBRf will be running five trains a week from Southampton to Hams Hall with a further option to connect Southampton with Mossend International Rail Freight Terminal in Scotland, with final mile delivery available at both terminals. For this service, GBRf is using its brand-new high-density FEA-G intermodal wagons, which will signifi ..read more

TransPennine Express (TPE) is seeking talented people to join its 1,800 strong workforce through its apprenticeship scheme – whether they are just starting out in the world of work or looking for a change of career.   A total of eight apprenticeships are now available across the business, in areas including customer experience, performance, service planning, safety, corporate communications, retail, resourcing, and business management.   Nicola Buckley, People Director at TransPennine Express, said: “We are looking for talented and passionate candidates from all types of ba ..read more

Network Rail has delivered a £1.3 million investment of platform works at Giffnock and Pollokshaws West stations. The five-month programme at Giffnock station in East Renfrewshire, on the East Kilbride to Glasgow line, replaced the 153-metre long section of Platform 1 that’s been in place for over 80 years. Precast units were laid on top of 85 concrete foundations that spanned the platform and 75 per cent of materials on site were processed and reused as a backfill. Part of the work also involved engineers extending the section to the south end of the platform by 15-metres to improve future si ..read more

Grand Central Rail is on the move to 20 George Hudson Street in York, joining the likes of First Bus, Jacobs, RotaCloud and Simpson Associates who are already based there. Grand Central is due to complete its move from Northern House at the start of May, taking up a 2,740 sq. ft second-floor suite with open-plan accommodation, two part-glazed meeting rooms, fitted kitchen and staff areas plus comfort cooling and heating.   The train operator runs direct rail routes between the North East, West Yorkshire and London, with six return services a day between York and the capital. Chr ..read more

Network Rail’s planned repairs to Kingsferry Bridge this summer have been rescheduled to avoid a clash with school exams taking place in mid-June and a bike ride involving thousands of cyclists that is set to cross the bridge on Saturday 22 June. The 1950s structure will close to motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and maritime traffic from 2200 Friday 7 to 0500 Monday 10 June, 2200 Friday 28 June to 0500 Sunday 7 July, 2200 Friday 12 to 0500 Monday 15 July and 2200 Friday 19 to 0500 Sunday 28 July – the replanned week. Last trains will depart the island around midnight on Fridays when the bridge ..read more

Leading provider of intelligent train technology, Petards Rail has appointed Calvin Fahey to the role of procurement manager. Calvin is Level 3 Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) certified and brings with him near a decade’s worth of experience within procurement-related roles. In his role at Petards Rail, Calvin will spearhead the company’s procurement team and processes, ensuring the timely and cost-effective acquisition of materials and services. Petards Rail designs and delivers train technology to help companies within the rail industry maximise passenger safety, optimis ..read more

A new and interactive training tool is being used to promote level crossing safety on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Nexus, the public body which runs Metro, has installed a mocked-up Metro level crossing at the SafetyWorks teaching centre in Newcastle. It recreates the red stop lights and warning tones and will be used to educate thousands of children about the dangers of misusing them. The mock-up is a new part of an immersive Metro safety training facility, which includes a Metro station called West Fifteen, tracks, ticket machines, platforms, and a life-sized front end of a Metro train. Safety W ..read more