The improvement of railway infrastructure between Ghent and Bruges is becoming increasingly urgent, given the growing demand for both passenger and freight transport in the region. With as many as 250 trains traversing this route daily, it is clear that there is a need for a more efficient and optimised railway network. Infrabel is therefore building a third and fourth track between Ghent and Bruges. At present, slow freight trains and fast-moving passenger trains share the same tracks, leading to delays and congestion, especially during busy periods such as the summer months when coastal tour ..read more

Starting May 6, commuters in the Paris region will enjoy extended travel options with the expansion of the RER E line. This extension will connect eastern and western parts of Île-de-France, offering three new destinations: La Défense Grande Arche, Neuilly-Porte Maillot Palais des Congrès, and Nanterre-la-Folie. The initiative aims to enhance mobility for thousands of passengers, with tailored transport services available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The service will initially operate every 15 minutes starting May 6, progressing to a ..read more

In anticipation of the upcoming UEFA European Championship 2024™, Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced the launch of its new EM-ICE, a revamped version of the ICE 4, set to commence service next week. The EM-ICE boasts both exterior and interior redesigns tailored for football enthusiasts. Following an Instagram poll conducted from April 19th to 24th, the people have spoken: the EM-ICE will henceforth be known as the “Fan Capital Hamburg. In a closely contested battle, Hamburg clinched the title with 16 per cent of the total votes, relegating Munich (14 per cent) to second place and Berlin (13 per ..read more

The European project FCH2Rail, which developed a bimodal demonstrator train equipped with hydrogen fuel cells, has achieved a significant milestone with successful testing in Portugal. From 3 to 6 April 2024, the hydrogen (H2) train operated on the Minho Line, marking its debut as the first hydrogen train in Portugal. These tests signify a major achievement for the FCH2Rail project, as it secures authorization to operate the demonstrator train in a second European country. The testing conducted in Portugal is part of an extended campaign that commenced in May 2023 on the Spanish railway networ ..read more

Sensonic, a prominent provider of intelligent sensing solutions for the railway industry, has unveiled a significant upgrade to its Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) security system. The latest enhancement integrates Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) functionality into the DAS system, for increased railway security. The integration of CCTV empowers railway operators to not only detect and locate track trespassers in real-time but also visually identify them. This advancement significantly boosts security and situational awareness along railway tracks. Sensonic’s DAS technology serves as a virt ..read more

Moscow’s tram network has experienced a notable surge in passenger trips, with a remarkable increase of over 20 per cent during the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, announced Deputy Mayor for Transport Maksim Liksutov in a Moscow Transport press release. The most frequented tram routes among Muscovites, according to a Moscow Transport press release, include Route 17 from Medvedkovo to Ostankino, averaging approximately 54,000 trips per weekday, followed by Route 6 from Bratsevo to Sokol Metro with over 37,000 trips, and Route 11 from Ostankino to 16th Parkovaya S ..read more

Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has announced the sale of its North American conventional signalling business to Knorr-Bremse AG for approximately 630 million euros. This move represents a significant milestone in Alstom’s efforts to strengthen its position in the rail industry and implement its deleveraging plan. The agreement, finalised on 19th April 2024, is part of Alstom’s broader action plan unveiled on 15 November 2023. This plan aims to solidify Alstom’s leadership in the rail sector while maintaining a robust investment grade rating and achieving a 2 billion ..read more

Despite achieving impressive punctuality rates in the first quarter of the year, Danish State Railways (DSB) has announced plans to distribute 13.7 million kroner (1.8 million euros) in compensation to commuters. During the initial three months of the year, DSB achieved punctuality rates of 78.5 per cent for long-distance and regional trains, and a 96.5 per cent for S-trains. Despite these figures surpassing the punctuality targets for both categories, commuters are set to receive payouts due to various factors, including historical delays and changes in compensation thresholds. DSB’s contract ..read more

In a bid to fortify the rail system in Hesse, Deutsche Bahn (DB) has embarked on a 1.6 billion euro project to expand the 23-kilometre-long Hanau–Gelnhausen line to four tracks. The initiative, aimed at enhancing both passenger and freight transportation, received its official commencement during an on-site gathering in Gelnhausen on Monday. The expansion, a critical component of the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan’s urgent requirements, is set to provide separate lanes for passenger and freight trains, ensuring more reliable services in the future. Indeed, “There are currently only two ..read more

The city of York is, for many reasons, at the heart of the British railway network. Now, its railway heritage is providing the land for a huge regeneration. Not surprisingly, it will provide some of the best-connected communities in England. The 45-hectare site, formerly railway land, is set to become a brand-new inner-city suburb. Added amenities include the National Railway Museum within one boundary, and York station on the other. Network Rail, the British infrastructure agency has concluded a nine-figure deal to regenerate one of UK’s largest brownfield sites. York Central will transform t ..read more