Council reaches agreement on reform of public procurement policy
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On 10 December, the Competitiveness Council reached an agreement on a general approach on the three proposals of the public procurement package aiming at modernizing EU public procurement rules. The agreements are all based on the compromise texts put forward by the Cyprus Presidency. The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) is concerned by the general approach on the European Commission’s proposal on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services (replacing Directive 2004/17/EC – the so-called “Utilities” Directive).
Representing the rail sector, CER is convinced that the issues at stake have not been properly tackled. Yesterday’s agreement does not adequately respond the specific needs of the network industries which are covered by the “Utilities” Directive. Neither the European Commission proposal presented on 20 December 2011 nor yesterday’s agreement will bring new rules to cut red tape and necessary clarity.
CER Executive Director Libor Lochman said: “It is hard to believe that the current proposal as well as the Council’s general approach will bring simplification and flexibility of the current procedural regime, as aimed by the Commission and welcomed by all Utilities. To the contrary, it is obvious that there is a lack of understanding of the specificities the Utilities undertakings, providing essential public services to the citizens in the EU, need to cope with. For example, excessively limiting the possibilities to amend an ongoing publicly procured contract by setting too low thresholds or by relying on unclear generic rules will imply for both Utilities undertakings and their providers to run their activities without any possibility to amend the contract in case of unforeseen events/situations triggering a modification of the initial tender. It can end up in a situation where all changes needed in the course of a contract process will trigger the launch of a new public procurement procedure.”
In terms of better access to the market for SMEs, this situation will certainly be counter-productive. CER hopes that the EU Presidency will evaluate again the general approach in the light of the latest elements brought forward by all the utilities stakeholders before the start of the trialogue meetings. In addition, CER asks the Presidency to approach the European Parliament with a clear commitment to improve its general approach by removing the incoherencies and inapplicable measures the general approach contains today.
Important changes to this agreed general approach will help Europe to achieve the completion of the single market and to increase confidence and to stimulate the growth and jobs creation Europe deserves.
Includes news from Network Rail re: Milverton Viaduct, Leamington Spa.
From nymr.co.uk - The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has announced details of the official logo chosen for the NYMR 40th Anniversary in 2013.
Siemens' videos on steelmaking, iron making and continuous casting.......
Historic viaduct to be waterproofed at Christmas
Built in 1844, the 16-span masonry and brick arch viaduct takes the railway over the River Leam, across public footpaths and it straddles a roundabout at the junction of Princes Drive and Park Drive.
As part of the £1.5m project, Network Rail will remove the track and install pre-cast concrete sections to construct a saddle over the arches for the entire length of the viaduct. This will then be waterproofed to prevent any further damage caused by water seeping into the brickwork. At the same time, new drainage channels and down pipes will take the surface water away from the viaduct. Work will start at 8 pm on Christmas Eve and continue until 9 am on Sunday 30 December. During the work, train services will be diverted away from the viaduct and replacement road transport will operate between Leamington Spa, Coventry and Birmingham International. Passengers are advised to check their travel plans with their train operator or online at www.nationalrail.co.uk The work will not affect roads in and around the viaduct. In the run up to the Christmas work, Network Rail will remove any vegetation growing on and around the structure, and carry out brick and stonework repairs before re-pointing the joints. Pattress plates, which are the large metal plates seen on the outside of the viaduct, will also be repainted and missing plates will be replaced. The plates are effectively the washers on the ends of strengthening rods that keep the viaduct in shape. |
"ORR believes that greater transparency in the rail industry can deliver great benefits for passengers, taxpayers, business, and the rail industry itself.
"We want to see rail passengers benefitting from live performance data, taxpayers with the scope to understand where public money in the railways goes and how it is used, and business viewing the railways as an opportunity for investment, growth and innovation.
"Transparency can also help to build confidence and trust in the railways. This matters because increased confidence can help drive better behaviours across the whole sector to deliver improved value for money and greater focus on customers. And it matters because lack of trust breeds suspicion that passengers are being ‘ripped off’ and taxpayers are not getting value from the railways.
"Customers expect to see more and better information on mobile devices. In some parts of the transport sector we have seen great innovation as businesses have made data available to third-party developers. Others have lagged behind, limiting innovation and depriving their customers of choice.
"The rail industry has taken huge strides in opening up over the past year. It is publishing more safety, performance and financial data than ever before. Our challenge to the railways now is to go even further to sustain this progress and to open up new opportunities for customers and businesses."To view Anna Walker’s speech in full, visit: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/
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Railway Herald - Railtours for Week Starting 10th December 2012Railway Herald - RailtoursMonday 10th December 2012The Cathedrals Christmas Carols Express (Steam Dreams)
Wednesday 12th December 2012The Christmas Sussex Belle (Railway Touring Company)
Thursday 13th December 2012The York Yuletide Express (Railway Touring Company)
Saturday 15th December 2012Last Cruise Saver (Private Charter) (Cruise Saver Travel)
The Christmas Devonian (Railway Touring Company)
Edinburgh Christmas Statesman (Statesman Rail)
The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)
The Short Haired Bumblebee (UK Railtours)
East Midands Christmas Lunch Circular (Vintage Trains)
As always, check with operators to confirm running times etc.
Listing offered in good faith and for information purposes only.
No guarantees implied.
More News here..... Shedmaster Railway News. Includes details of GE Transportation signing an agreement with Transmashdiesel and JSC National Company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy's (KTZ) subsidiary JSC Remlokomotiv to create a joint venture company to produce diesel engines in Astana, Kazakhstan. World Heritage & Railway News yorkshireattractions.org - For more information on events across Yorkshire please visit Welcome to Yorkshire... and especially, get to visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway! Railway Engineering News Projects, policies,manufacturers, suppliers Transport for London 150th Tube anniversary Oyster card to go on saleThis celebratory Oyster card features the new Underground 150th anniversary logo which is set against a background of vintage Tube logos or 'roundels' from the early beginnings of the network to the present day.Oyster has revolutionised the way passengers pay for their travel, not only on the Tube, but also on trams, buses, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground and National Rail services in London. Transport for London (TfL) is at the forefront of ticketing technology for a decade and is renowned for the success of Oyster with more than 80 per cent of all journeys on London's public transport made using an Oyster card and over 55 million cards issued since its introduction in 2003. TfL continues to seek ways to better passengers' experience of using Oyster with a range of improvements. These include enhanced Oyster online accounts providing detailed journey and fares history which are already in place and more interactive facilities in the future for completing journeys and applying for refunds. London Underground is organising a wide range of events and activities to mark this historic anniversary. These will look at the Tube's rich heritage and history and also at the vital role the London Underground has played, and will continue to play, in the economic success of the Capital. Passengers can use this souvenir Oyster card across the TfL network in the same way that they usually do, either as pay as you go or by adding their Travelcard to it. These cards are a limited edition and will be available at LU stations and TfL Travel Information Centres. TfL encourages all Oyster users to register their card and set up an online account to ensure any balance is protected if the card is lost or stolen. Online accounts also enable passengers to top up their credit online and view their journey history. Mike Brown, Managing Director for London Underground and London Rail, said: 'The growth of the world's first underground railway has always been very closely linked to the success of the London and the UK economy. 'We continue to modernise the Tube system, with new signalling and trains being introduced to improve our customers' journeys. 'Oyster ticketing has transformed the way Londoners and visitors pay for travelling around the Capital. 'This wonderful souvenir Oyster card, just like the regular Oyster card, is the easiest, cheapest and best way to help our passengers move around the City.' Events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of London Underground throughout the coming year include:
Via Libre - Spanish Railway News Three Spanish companies to prepare feasibility study of the Howrah-Haldia high-speed line in India. The group formed by the engineering companies Ineco, Prointec and Ayesa will prepare the feasibility study for the high-speed corridor between the Indian cities of Howrah and Haldia, with a total length of 135 kilometres. The contract was one of the agreements on railways and roads signed with India in the recent visit of the King of Spain to the country. December 08, 2012International & UK Railway News 8th December 2012
Steam Tube - The Home of Steam on the Net!
Action from today's railtours to Lincoln and Bath, featuring 34067 Tangmere, 60009 Union of South Africa and 4965 Rood Ashton Hall.         Shedmaster Railway News Includes , from railwaygazette.com - Metro Report International is the dedicated quarterly magazine for the urban transport professional, showcasing best practice in light rail, metros, automated peoplemovers and commuter rail. How to subscribe to Metro Report International. World Heritage & Railway News News from gwsr.com, and North Yorkshire Moors Railway, announced at the National Railway Heritage Awards, as winner of the Ian Allan Publishing Award for the best overall entry in the competition for the “Train of Thought” project to restore Pickering station to its former glory. Congratulations to all at the NYMR! And to all those who supported the tremendous achievement of restoring the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway after its landslip experiences...  Railway Engineering News Read about an historic day for the Honolulu rail transit project...and Siemens online training courses.  December 07, 2012International & UK Railway News (2) 7th December 2012
International Railway Journal
KYRGYZSTAN Railways' (KTZ) director general Mr Argyhbek Malabaev says that the railway is aiming to complete a final comprehensive feasibility study by the end of 2013 for a new cross-country electrified line that will open up the country to transit traffic between China, the Persian Gulf and Europe. KORAIL, Korea's national train operator, presented a certificate today to Hyundai Rotem to mark 100 fault-free days for operating five modified KTX-Sancheon high-speed trains. A joint venture company called Shentong Bombardier (Shanghai) Rail Transit Vehicle Maintenance has been formed by Bombardier and Shanghai Shentong Metro to maintain, repair and overhaul metro trains in China. www.progressiverailroading.com US Railroad News Post-Hurricane Sandy: Amtrak requests $336 million in emergency funds; New Jersey Transit estimates damage at $400 million AAR: Another plus for intermodal, minus for carloads on U.S. roads' ledger in November Santa Clara VTA receives $50 million state grant for BART extension Florida East Coast adds containers for intermodal business NRC's Baker to review Hurricane Sandy response efforts at next week's RailTrends conference Long Beach port, Panama Canal Authority renew 'mutually beneficial' pact Alameda Corridor authority seeks construction management consultant for two grade separations GO Transit completes switch replacement project Rail supplier updates from Bombardier, Alstom, Siemens, CTC and Parsons Brinckerhoff (Dec. 7) www.railway-technology.com Latest Updates.. GE forms JV with KTZ, Transmashdiesel for diesel engines in Kazakhstan GE Transportation has signed an agreement with JSC Remlokomotiv, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and Transmashdiesel to form a joint venture for the production of diesel engines in Kazakhstan. Siemens to deliver 23 Vectron electric locomotives to DB Schenker Siemens has won an order from freight operator DB Schenker Rail Polska, a Polish subsidiary of DB Schenker Rail, to supply 23 Vectron electric locomotives. Network Rail awards Crossrail infrastructure contracts to Carillion, BAM Network Rail has awarded two new contracts to Carillion and BAM to carry out major civils work in west London, UK, to deliver important infrastructure improvements for the £14.8bn Crossrail project. EKZ opens Astana locomotive plant in Kazakhstan EKZ, a joint venture of Alstom, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and Transmashholding (TMH), has opened a new €50m electric locomotive plant in Astana, Kazakhstan.  UK Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) Regulator calls for improved public access to live rail data
7 December 2012
Public access to real time train information (RTTI) could be improved, and passengers may not be seeing the full potential of open data on the railways, warned the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) today. In April 2010, the Association of Train Operating Companies through National Rail Enquiries, published a Code of Practice for access to its RTTI database. ORR has since undertaken a review of how the Code has been applied in practice and recognises concerns from stakeholders, such as technology developers, that the Code is not ensuring easy access to live rail performance data. ORR now wants to hear from all interested parties for their views on freeing up this important data. The regulator wants to ensure that the process is transparent, open and encouraging effective market competition. ORR Chair, Anna Walker, said: "It is vital that passengers get the right information about their trains so that they can confidently plan and make their journeys. But passengers want more than this. They want to receive live information and they want it at their fingertips. "Developers can make an important contribution by bringing to market new products or services which meet this increasingly sophisticated demand. And the industry has a crucial role to play in encouraging developers to make use of the data they hold by demonstrating an open and progressive approach to allowing access. "However, our review of access arrangements to live performance data has revealed that National Rail Enquiries, which has significant control over real time train information data, could do better. We are now keen to hear views on new approaches to ensure passengers and the rail industry enjoy the full potential of data on the railways."For more information about ORR's RTTI review and to find out how to contribute, visit: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.11063 More News at.... Shedmaster Railway News Includes....bringing high speed rail to the US..... World Heritage & Railway News Including news from the National Railway Museum 
From railwaygazette.com - INTERNATIONAL: Russian Railways’ Federal Passenger Company subsidiary is to operate a trial international passenger service from Petrozavodsk in the Republic of Karelia to Joensuu in Finland on December 28-29.
International & UK Railway News 7th December 2012
Siemens
DB Schenker orders 23 locomotives from Siemens Polish subsidiary DB Schenker Rail Polska orders new electric Vectron locomotives.
Siemens has received an order for 23 electric locomotives from DB Schenker Rail Polska S.A., a Polish subsidiary of the European DB Schenker Rail and the largest private rail freight company in Poland. This is the largest order Siemens has received so far for its Vectron locomotive generation. "This is already the third order for our newly developed locomotive platform. A particularly pleasing aspect is that we were also able to secure an option for a further 13 locomotives," said Jochen Eickholt, CEO of Rail Systems. The customer intends to deploy the vehicles for freight services in Poland. Shipment of the 23 vehicles will commence immediately and is due to be completed by 2015. The order value for these locomotives is in the high double-digit million range.
With the new Vectron locomotive, Siemens is offering a product for passenger and freight transport that has been designed to meet increasingly variable requirements and perform transport tasks in Europe. The version for DB Schenker Rail Polska has been designed for operation on the Polish DC network and has been fitted with the corresponding train protection equipment. During its certification in Poland, the Vectron underwent almost a year of trials with various operators on the Polish network. Siemens received certification for the vehicles in September 2012.
Siemens will manufacture the locomotives to the highest quality standards at its Munich plant using cutting-edge production technology. For example, the steel construction components will be produced using innovative laser-hybrid welding equipment to allow consistently high carbody structure quality. DB Schenker Rail Polska has decided in favor of Siemens Vectron Central Stock concept to ensure the supply of spare parts. This enables spare parts to be delivered within 24 hours, thus ensuring a high level of availability at the customer's depot. All orders can be placed online in the Siemens "RailMall" webshop. The Vectron family consists of single and multi-system locomotives for the European AC and DC networks for fast passenger services as well as interoperable cross-border freight services. These versions allow for operation on four different line voltage systems and in various performance classes. The development focused not only on investment protection, environmental compatibility and flexibility, but also on ease of retrofitting and conversion, with the trains also able to be adapted for other national protection systems. The components in the machine room have been arranged so as to make optimum use of the space available. For example, there was room to house a shunting module to permit operation on track sections with no overhead contact line. ATOC Train companies respond to West Coast announcement06/12/2012Responding to the announcement this morning by the Department for Transport on West Coast train services, Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), said: “Passengers and the rail industry now have clarity about the next two years on the West Coast line. “The government’s decision is a welcome recognition of the benefits of the private sector running rail services, which has been good for passengers, taxpayers and the country. Rail travel is more popular now than at any time since the 1920s with near record levels of satisfaction and punctuality. “The right franchising system will mean train companies continue to deliver these results. Ministers and officials must now address the specific flaws that led to the cancellation of this competition and get the programme of franchising back on course.” Train companies confirm next year's average fare increase06/12/2012Train companies have now published all 2013 ticket prices and can today confirm the average increase for all fares in the new year will be 3.9%. Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: “Fare rises are determined largely by government policy, and the Chancellor confirmed the government’s approach for next year in the Autumn Statement. “Railway funding can only come from the taxpayer or from the passenger, and the government’s policy remains that a bigger share must come from people who use the train. “We know nobody likes paying more for their journey, especially to go to work. Train companies will continue working with the rest of the industry to become more cost efficient, helping to take the pressure off future fare rises.” Passengers can see what their usual ticket – or any other ticket – will cost from January 2013 by visiting the National Rail Enquiries website or any train operating company website. For journalists looking for information on 2013 fares, including how to get the best value deals, visit www.atoc.org/2013fares.
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