International & UK Railway News Wednesday 30th January 2013

The announcement for the HS2 route north of Birmingham has caused both critics and supporters alike to voice their contrasting views and opinions.

The Railway Chronicle, whilst acknowledging the arguments on both sides of the HS2 project, takes a neutral position, and merely presents the information for your consideration...

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ATOC

“Passenger satisfaction at a record high” - ATOC responds to Passenger Focus National Passenger Survey

29/01/2013

Responding to the publication of Passenger Focus’s Autumn 2012 National Passenger Survey (NPS), Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said:
“The latest report from the independent watchdog is further evidence of the success of today's railway. Overall passenger satisfaction is at a record high and people are taking the train in growing numbers.
"The report’s strong results include significantly improved scores in satisfaction with services, stations and dealing with delays. These are a testament to the industry's hard work and major government investment in rail.

“We recognise there is still much to be done. Train companies are working with Network Rail on a long term programme to continue improving services and to deliver better value for passengers and taxpayers alike."
ENDS

Notes:

Compared to Autumn 2011, overall passenger satisfaction in the Autumn 2012 survey has increased by 1% to 85%, the highest since NPS began in Autumn 1999. Passenger Focus also reports that passenger satisfaction with punctuality and reliability has risen 2% to 83%, a level only achieved once previously in Autumn 2009.

The survey also shows that satisfaction with space to sit and stand has risen by 1% to 69%, personal security onboard by 2% to 79%, ticket buying facilities at stations by 2% to 75%, the upkeep/repair of stations and platforms by 5%to 72%, facilities and services by 7% to 57%, satisfaction with the station by2% to 80%, value for money by 1% to 47% and how train companies deal with delays by 6% to 44%. Every indicator surveyed in Autumn 2012 has either improved or stayed the same.

To view the full report, click here

Transport for London (TfL)


London Underground outlines plan to cut Tube delays even further 29 January 2013 New programme will enable London Underground to meet the Mayor's commitment of reducing delays by 30 per cent by end of 2015. Radical new approach taken to deliver even greater reliability for passengers. First wave of improvements have already cut incident response times by half and helped achieve record reliability.


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London Underground (LU) has today outlined far-reaching plans to meet the Mayor's commitment of reducing delays by a further 30 per cent by the end of 2015. The ambitious strategy, which will be presented to the TfL Board on 6 February, will see LU examining every aspect of how the Tube is operated and maintained to further embed reliability and to radically reduce delays to passengers.

Continue reading....







Fourth Railway Package: CER calls for a two-track approach

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

 

The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) takes note of the European Commission’s proposals for a Fourth Railway Package, and calls for a two-track approach, favouring the Technical Pillar of the Package and the introduction of commercial competition over the highly controversial proposals on governance and on public service obligations.

CER is pleased to find vitally-needed proposals for more efficiency in the safety certification of railway undertakings and in the authorisation of railway vehicles, based on a strengthened role for the European Rail Agency (ERA). Reducing the time-to-market for undertakings and their vehicles will boost market entry and innovation in the railway sector.

CER warmly welcomes the Commission’s proposal for opening domestic rail markets to commercial competition (open access), subject to safeguarding the economic equilibrium of public service obligations. However CER cannot support the Commission’s attempt to impose open tendering as the only mechanism for organising public service obligations. CER also doubts the applicability of the proposed thresholds for the size and scope of PSO contracts. CER considers that the competent authorities in the Member States are the best placed to determine the size, scope, and award mechanism for public service contracts.

CER cannot support the disproportionate set of proposed measures regarding separation between infrastructure managers and railway undertakings. The existing legislation already contains substantial safeguards against distortions to competition. Also, available economic assessments from sources independent from the Commission demonstrate that no specific structural model is superior to any other. Thus, although CER appreciates the fact that the Commission has stepped back from imposing vertical separation as the only structural model for rail undertakings, it is hard to understand why the Commission continues attempting to narrow down the options available to Member States in such a dramatic manner.

CER Executive Director Libor Lochman said: “The so-called technical pillar of the Fourth Railway Package, in conjunction with generalised open access rights, will mark an important step forward for the Single European Railway Area. CER looks forward to constructive exchanges with policy-makers in order to ensure progress on these vital issues. On the other hand, CER urges policy-makers to defend the principle of subsidiarity with respect to Public Service Obligations and governance matters.”

Download(s)

130130 4RP CER_4RP_FINAL.pdf

International Railway Journal

NORFOLK Southern will spend $US 2bn on capital improvement projects in 2013, including $US 831m on infrastructure maintenance and replacement of sections of rail, sleepers, ballast and bridges.

INVENSYS Rail Dimetronic has begun dynamic testing of the signalling system on the initial 4.3km section of Singapore's Downtown Line between Chinatown and Bugis in preparation for the start of commercial services in October.

HOPES of finally opening the long-delayed 4.7km light rail line in the Spanish city of Jaen have faded after an audit by the Catalonian train operating company...

MEXICAN transport minister Mr Geraldo Ruiz signed a cooperation agreement on January 28 with the governor of the state of Querétaro, Mr Jose Calzada, to advance plans for a new passenger railway between Mexico City and Querétaro.

BRITISH Infrastructure manager Network Rail has awarded a £40m contract to Carillion for electrification of the 50km line from Cumbernauld to Glasgow Queen Street in Scotland.

SANCTIONS could be imposed on vertically-integrated railways obstructing competition in their home market under new measures included in the draft Fourth Railway Package, which was unveiled by the European Commission (EC) on January 30.


www.progressiverailroading.com US News

FRA extends comment period for proposed PTC rulemaking

Eighty-Eight Oil to build BNSF-served unit train facility at Wyoming hub

New Mexico's Rio Metro seeks proposals for commuter-rail operation, maintenance

The T seeks public input on proposed TEX Rail changes

CN, port authority project in Prince Rupert won't greatly impact the environment, minister says

Georgia, Washington ports pumped up volumes in December

NAPTA names O'Brien Primmer next chair

Rail supplier updates from Koppers, Bombardier, Alstom, Siemens, IDS and TranSystems

 
USHSR

CNN'S ANDERSON COOPER ATTACKS HIGH SPEED RAIL! In the most blatant, one-sided attack on high speed rail ever, CNN's Anderson Cooper did the most unbelievable smear of the national high speed rail program ever to hit the airwaves! With the shared message from the extremely anti-rail Cato Institute, Anderson Cooper sounded like he was working for Cato instead of CNN. In what they called an "investigative report", Cooper insinuated that the entire national HSR program is nothing more than a few low level repair jobs to Amtrak. By focusing the entire show on a small rural rail line in Vermont that only has a few trains per day, Cooper tried to make it look like the entire national HSR program will be a series of similar projects all across the country, with few riders, and positioning the entire national high speed rail program as a big waste of money. "This show is a disgrace to CNN, and Anderson Cooper's reputation," said USHSR President Andy Kunz. "We are used to this type of garbage from the anti-rail think tanks, but are shocked that CNN would stoop this low in their so called reporting. This is not news, or even journalism, this is a smear campaign," added Kunz. The Cato Institute, Reason Foundation, Heritage Foundation, and a number of other anti-rail think tanks work together to regularly spread myths, deceptions, half-truths, and distortions all across America in an attempt to kill the national high speed rail program. It's well known they receive funding from oil, road, and aviation interests and therefore attack anything and everything that would impact those industries. Myth spreading machine Anderson Cooper proudly announced they will be doing a series of these show investigating (attacking) high speed rail projects across America! TAKE A MOMENT TO EMAIL THE PRODUCERS OF THE ANDERSON COOPER SHOW One click advocacy (it will only take a second): Click to automatically email RAIL RIDERSHIP SOARING ACROSS AMERICA! Despite the distortions Anderson Cooper and the Cato Institute crank out, passenger rail ridership is soaring in America. Amtrak reports record ridership year after year. Amtrak carries more than three times as many riders between Washington DC and New York City than all airlines combined! Amtrak has set new ridership records year after year for nearly a decade. Service continues to get better, new trains are being added, and speeds are increasing. Amtrak's Acela service carries business travelers along the busy Northeast Corridor (NEC) daily between Washington DC, New York City, and Boston. Most of the trains sell out, even at premium prices. Business travelers prefer taking the train because of ease of boarding, lack of invasive security procedures and restrictions, and the ability to work throughout the trip. The trains deliver passengers directly into the heart of the cities, and are on time the majority of the time. Amtrak recently announced several new Acela trains per day to meet the growing demand. "The Acela is in big demand, and many days all 300 seats are sold out on many of the trains," said Andy Kunz, USHSR President & CEO. "It's a pleasure to ride, and sure beats the misery flying has become," added Kunz on board the Acela. USHSR VP Joseph Shelhorse added "I bet Anderson Cooper rides the Acela all the time!" AMTRAK'S PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT HIGH SPEED RAIL SUMMIT! Amtrak's President & CEO will address the conference and give the latest updates on the improvements to the NEC (Northeast Corridor), which includes a planned $151 billion upgrade to 220 mph capabilities. Hear about Amtrak's projects and procurements including plans to purchase a new fleet of 220 mph trainsets to meet the growing demand along the busy NEC. Hear about the $7 billion TOD development at DC's iconic Union Station including over 3 million square feet of new mixed-use development, and a major expansion to Union Station including new high speed train platforms and station areas. This project is being led by DC's Akridge developers known for the successful Gallery Place development at the Gallery Place/China Town metro station in central DC. More information "High-speed rail is one of the best, most forward-looking, legitimate society-improving things we can spend money on."

www.railway-technology.com Updates

Norfolk Southern to invest $2bn in rail infrastructure in 2013 US railroad operator Norfolk Southern is planning to invest $2bn in 2013 to improve its rail freight transportation network. 
      
Eurotunnel and Siemens complete freight test through Channel Tunnel
Eurotunnel and Siemens have tested the Vectron locomotive in the Channel Tunnel as part of an effort to increase cross-Channel rail freight.
      
New Orleans opens new streetcar line in US
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) in Louisiana, US has opened the new Loyola Avenue-Union Passenger Terminal Streetcar Line.
      
Siemens to install GSM-R technology on Danish rail fleet
Siemens has won a €20m contract from Danish railway infrastructure operator Banedanmark to equip 840 rail vehicles with GSM-R (global system for mobile communication railways) technology.


More News......      

Shedmaster Railway News

Video on the forthcoming USHSR High Speed Rail Summit 2013 - Washington, DC


World Heritage & Railway News

A good reason to go on the eastlancsrailway.org.uk -  A ride on the East Lancashire Railway offers not only stunning countryside but tucked away villages, hidden gems (and pubs) and plenty of fascinating history! The Rail Ale Trail ....!!!!!!!!



Railway Engineering News

Featuring Crossrail Project Progress

Tunnelling in pictures from Crossrail

21kms of new twin-bore tunnels are being constructed to deliver the new rail tunnels through which the Crossrail trains will operate. The five tunnels to be constructed are:

• Royal Oak to Farringdon west (Drive X) - length of drive approximately 6.4 km
• Limmo to Farringdon east (Drive Y) - length of drive approximately 8.3 km
• Pudding Mill Lane to Stepney Green (Drive Z) - length of drive approximately 2.7 km
• Limmo to Victoria Dock Portal (Drive G) - length of drive approximately 0.9 km
• Plumstead to North Woolwich (Drive H) - length of drive approximately 2.6 km