Merseyrail’s longest serving member of staff has been recognised at a special awards ceremony after clocking up an astonishing 53 years at the rail company. David Hunter, now aged 77, began working on the local train network in 1970 just one year after steam trains were phased out of service. And the on-board cleaner, who still works part-time on the network, heads a list of incredible long-serving staff on Merseyrail. Four other colleagues have worked for the company for more than 45 years, while a further nine have worked for more than 40 years. At an awards night honouring David and other M ..read more

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has announced Matt Taylor as the new Business Engagement Manager for RIA Northern Ireland. As a rail professional with 25 years of experience in the industry, Matt brings significant experience and strategic leadership. He has particular expertise in track, rolling stock and training which will help develop and establish the RIA Northern Ireland network. RIA Northern Ireland will bring together rail suppliers active in the province and represent supplier interests to Government and rail clients, as well as support the development of a network to drive eco ..read more

National rail contractor QTS Group, is thrilled to mark the 15th anniversary of its training arm, QTS Training. To commemorate the occasion, QTS Training hosted celebration activities and provided giveaways to candidates at each of its three training centres including Lanarkshire, Nottinghamshire and West Yorkshire. Since its inception in 2009, QTS Training has continuously evolved, expanding its offerings and earning accreditation from esteemed organisations including IRATA, NSAR, CITB, SQA, City & Guilds, MPAwards, and Nuco. In 2024, it also celebrated the retention of its Gold rating fr ..read more

Trainline Partner Solutions, the B2B arm of Trainline, has appointed Alice Coverlizza as vice-president to lead the business. Trainline is Europe’s leading independent rail platform, and through Trainline Partner Solutions (TPS) it provides partners with access to its Platform One technology, making rail travel easier and more attractive to wider markets. Alice will lead all elements of Trainline Partner Solutions: Global Distribution, which provides indirect ticket sales through partnerships with retailers in the business travel market; IT Solutions, which provides White Label services to car ..read more

Efforts to open up more careers in the rail sector to young people could improve the reliability of rail services under a new proposal being put forward today (Thursday 16 May). If agreed, new regulations lowering the minimum age for train drivers from 20 to 18 could be in place as early as the summer, helping set thousands of young people on track to a career in transport upon leaving school. The proposal would build resilience across the railway by creating a new pathway for school leavers to take up apprenticeships and train to join the profession. With many train drivers set to retire in t ..read more

Rail Minister Huw Merriman joined fellow MPs and peers to hear how RSSB’s research is verifying the social value of the Railway Mission’s work, which generates over £3 of value for every £1 of income the charity receives. The West Dorset MP and former rail manager, Chris Loder MP, hosted the briefing of MPs and peers from all sides of the houses on 13 May, which included the Rail Minister Huw Merriman, Transport Committee chair Iain Stewart and Network Rail chair Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill. The event heard from RSSB’s sustainability experts and the Railway Mission’s team. Rail Minister ..read more

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has announced that following a competitive interview process its Board has appointed Noel Travers as RIA’s new chairman. He succeeds David Tonkin, who is standing down after seven years in the post, and will start in post on 3 June. Noel – the managing director of international railway engineering solutions and services firm, and RIA member, XRail – has extensive experience and deep knowledge of all aspects of the railway industry, including infrastructure, rolling stock and the supply chain. Heserved on the RIA Board from 2018 to 2021 and as Chairman of ..read more

Samaritans has today (Monday 13 May) announced a new milestone with its Managing Suicidal Contacts programme – in partnership with Network Rail and the wider rail industry – as more than 30,000 staff members across Britain’s railways have been trained to help people in crisis. Now in its 14th year, through the partnership rail staff and British Transport Police employees are trained to have the confidence and skills to identify vulnerable people and start a conversation to get them to safety. Since 2010, rail employees have made thousands of potentially life-saving interventions. Samaritans he ..read more

Hull Trains has revealed plans to support Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May 2024) by partnering with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Meteorologist Jon Mitchell to produce a week-long series of videos promoting places along the Hull Trains route where people can enjoy the sights and sounds of the region’s most tranquil locations. Each day throughout Mental Health Awareness Week, Hull Trains will be posting a short video on the train operator’s social media platforms, presented by former ITV Yorkshire Meteorologist Jon Mitchell. The popular Yorkshire broadcaster will be helping showcase t ..read more

More than £16 million has been invested in community and business projects bordering HS2’s route, helping to drive the local economy, enhance the environment and boost wellbeing. New figures show that £2.56 million was allocated via the HS2 community and business funds programme over the last 12 months – taking the total above £16 million since they were launched seven years ago. The investment has been made in 285 separate projects to date, including upgrades to community buildings, improved sporting and play facilities, activities for young people, wildlife enhancements and the creation of c ..read more