The main story today (in the UK, anyway) centres on railway finances. The Office of Rail Regulation have published "Discounted tickets net rail industry £3bn - ORR rail financials report 2012-13", so the content of the report (the small print) has resulted in different headlines, depending on the media outlet's readership. You pay your money, and make your choice!!
Read on...
Headlines
East Coast at Kings Cross.
Wensleydale Railway line reopens after landslip.(BBC News)
Helmsdale Station buildings brought back to life.(heraldscotland)
Crossrail - Canary Wharf Station - Crossrail
For those of you who go to railway days out, I will be signing and selling all my books with Steam Tube at Fawley Hill on Saturday May 17 http://www.fawleyhill.co.uk/ (which hopefully will be the day before QPR triumph in the Championship Play Off final). There will be a special offer of £55 for all the six books published by Atlantic – Subterranean Railway, Fire and Steam, Blood, Iron and Gold, Engines of War, The Great Railway Revolution, and To the Edge of the World. So drop in to visit us.
UK Office of Rail Regulation (ORR)
Discounted tickets net rail industry £3bn - ORR rail financials report 2012-13
Discounted rail tickets, such as those bought in advance of travel, accounted for £3bn in revenue and over 40% of all income from passenger fares in 2012-13, according to new data published today by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).
ORR's 'GB rail industry financials information 2012-13' report provides a detailed analysis of the latest financial data from train operators, Network Rail and governments. The third annual publication of ORR's rail industry financials report includes new information about the industry, it contains a breakdown of fares income and more detail on the composition of costs. The report does not seek to investigate or explain reasons for significant differences in train companies' costs, which can differ widely reflecting the type of services provided, and number of passengers carried.
The report also assesses financial trends over the past three years, during which time the rail industry has achieved high levels of growth as passenger journeys have increased by 10.4% and the amount of freight carried on the network has risen by 29.7%.
The GB rail industry financial information report for 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 shows that:
- Total income from passenger fares was £7.7bn – 3.6 % higher than in 2011-12 (and 7.2% higher than 2010-11). This is largely due to more passenger journeys on the network.
- The industry earned nearly £3bn from discounted tickets (such as advance, off-peak, super-off peak and special offers) – amounting to over 40% of the total passenger income.
- The cost of running Britain's railways was £12.3bn in 2012-13. This overall cost has remained consistent over the past three years. Taking account of passenger growth, the industry's cost, for every kilometre a passenger travels, has fallen significantly (down by 6.2% since 2010-11).
- Passengers covered an increasing proportion of the rail industry's income relative to taxpayers over the past three years – 59.2% of industry costs in 2012-13, compared to 57.4% in 2011-12 and 55.6% in 2010-11.
- Total Government funding was £4bn in 2012-13, representing 30.9% of the industry's total income. Government funding decreased by 4.2% compared to 2011-12, and by 9.1% in 2010-11.
- There are significant variations in the level of government funding between England, Scotland and Wales. Total funding varied from £2.19 per passenger journey in England, to £7.60 per journey in Scotland, and £9.33 per journey in Wales.
Britain's rail industry receives substantial income from passengers and taxpayers. People have a right to know where the money goes and what it helps deliver. ORR welcomes the industry's support in compiling this report. It demonstrates a real step forward for the rail sector, which, with ORR's help, is developing a stronger culture of openness and transparency, and providing more detailed data on costs, income and fares.
Passengers are increasingly the main funder of the railways, and must be central to developing its plans for the future. ORR is working to put passengers at the heart of the railways – working with the industry to ensure passenger groups have a greater say in plans and delivery of new enhancements to the rail network; to review the quality of information provided to passengers during the recent disruptions; and to establish a code of practice on rail ticket selling.
Industry income, expenditure and Government funding April 2012 - March 2013
GOV.UK
Better services for passengers on the Greater Anglia franchise
Improvements for rail passengers on the Greater Anglia network including more services and better-equipped trains.
Rail passengers will benefit from refreshed rolling stock and more services on the Greater Anglia network, including twice as many weekday off peak services between Stansted airport and Cambridge as a result of a new franchise agreement announced today (16 April 2014).
Under the agreement the government has reached, Abellio Greater Anglia (AGA) will continue providing services between London Liverpool Street and major towns and cities across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex for the next 27 months.
Following comments from the public and partners in the rail industry, the government has secured a number of additional rail services in the off-peak period as part of the deal, which will lead to more services on local lines, providing a boost to the region’s economy. It will also mean more services between Cambridge, a global centre of technological expertise, and Stansted Airport, which will boost the city’s links with the rest of Europe.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:
This deal means real improvements for passengers on the Greater Anglia network. It means more services and better-equipped trains, including international connections via Stansted Airport to the rest of Europe that the region needs.Commenting on the direct award, the Deputy Managing Director and Finance Director Julian Edwards said:
This agreement is further proof that the government’s new franchising schedule is on track, is delivering value for money for the tax payer, and is supporting the ongoing multi-billion pound investment programme in our railways.
The agreement includes improvements to the intercity carriages on the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) route between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and London. Passengers will benefit from new seat covers, new carpets and better lighting, improving the travelling environment. The deal also secures the addition of at seat power sockets, helping people on those services work and stay in touch.Today’s (16 April 2014) announcement of a further important suite of service enhancements for passengers adds to the steady flow of improvements delivered since Abellio started operating the franchise. The DfT is to be congratulated on the tough yet fair approach it brought to the direct award negotiations. This has resulted in a great deal for both passengers and the taxpayer, and the fact that today’s (16 April 2014) announcement comes several months ahead of the July 2014 start date is a reassuring sign that the department has regained a firm hold of the franchising timetable.
The increase in services between Cambridge and Stansted Airport is in line with the recommendations of the Airport Commission’s study into airport capacity in the UK, which recently highlighted the importance of surface access to the UK’s airports. It will also increase services for passengers at the intermediate stations on the route, providing connections that can stimulate the local economy.
The new agreement paves the way for the next franchise competition on the Greater Anglia network. It also helps meet the aims of the Norwich in Ninety Taskforce, a panel of experts and local stakeholders formed last year to focus on improving services on the Great Eastern Mainline and securing faster, more reliable journeys on the Greater Anglia network.
The government is also taking a significant step towards the removal of waste from the tracks, which sees the installation of controlled emission toilets (CET) on a huge proportion of the rolling stock fleet. This demonstrates the department’s commitment to improving the railway not just for the passengers that rely on it but also for those that work on and maintain it.
African News
Russian Railways on YouTube.
The Loire Valley: view from the train
The cultural landscape of the Loire Valley (France) has launched a new promotion and interpretation tool: a geo localized application for Smartphones on the landscape of the Loire valley: "The Loire valley: view from the train “.
This application is a Mission Val de Loire’s initiative with the Centre and Pays de la Loire regions’, in partnership with France’s national railways.
The landscape of the Loire Valley is almost entirely covered by the Nantes-Orleans railway line. “View from the Train” will offer all travelers a unique insight into the landscapes, nature and culture seen from some of the Loire Valley’s main rail routes with one simple action. The guide covers a wide range of topics as well as describing interesting stories on the Loire valley’s history, culture and landscapes.
The first version of the guide is intended for users of the Tours-Saumur railway line. The application provides "audio" geo referenced content and alerts as they approach the 27 landmarks, in order to offer travelers the opportunity to better understand the cultural landscape. Additional multimedia information is also available. The application includes tourist information and how to plan a visit (Loire by bike, local and tourist information) from stations covered along the line. On the train, the application works as a guided tour but it can also be used as a free tour off of the train.
“The Loire Valley: view from the train” is free available on the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android).
Find more information in the press kit " Loire Valley: view from the train " and the Loire Valley website.
Founded in 2002, two years after the inscription of the cultural landscape of the Loire Valley to the World Heritage List, the Mission Val de Loire is an inter-regional management body run by the Centre and Pays de la Loire regions’. Its role is to contribute to the understanding of heritage and landscapes of the Loire Valley in the promotion and development of its territories’.
The cultural landscape of the Loire Valley (France) has launched a new promotion and interpretation tool: a geo localized application for Smartphones on the landscape of the Loire valley: "The Loire valley: view from the train “.
This application is a Mission Val de Loire’s initiative with the Centre and Pays de la Loire regions’, in partnership with France’s national railways.
The landscape of the Loire Valley is almost entirely covered by the Nantes-Orleans railway line. “View from the Train” will offer all travelers a unique insight into the landscapes, nature and culture seen from some of the Loire Valley’s main rail routes with one simple action. The guide covers a wide range of topics as well as describing interesting stories on the Loire valley’s history, culture and landscapes.
The first version of the guide is intended for users of the Tours-Saumur railway line. The application provides "audio" geo referenced content and alerts as they approach the 27 landmarks, in order to offer travelers the opportunity to better understand the cultural landscape. Additional multimedia information is also available. The application includes tourist information and how to plan a visit (Loire by bike, local and tourist information) from stations covered along the line. On the train, the application works as a guided tour but it can also be used as a free tour off of the train.
“The Loire Valley: view from the train” is free available on the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android).
Find more information in the press kit " Loire Valley: view from the train " and the Loire Valley website.
Founded in 2002, two years after the inscription of the cultural landscape of the Loire Valley to the World Heritage List, the Mission Val de Loire is an inter-regional management body run by the Centre and Pays de la Loire regions’. Its role is to contribute to the understanding of heritage and landscapes of the Loire Valley in the promotion and development of its territories’.
www.railway-technology.com
UK Government signs £2.7bn deal to build new IEP trains
The UK Government has agreed a £2.7bn deal to build a new fleet of trains that will operate on East Coast rail line to boost passenger services between London and Scotland.
Netherlands Government to equip railway tracks and trains with ERTMS
The Netherlands Government is to invest €2.5bn to equip railway tracks and trains in the country with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).
Fujitsu and Ingenico partner to enable contactless payments for UK's Merseyrail
Japan-based Fujitsu has upgraded ticketing systems at Merseyrail stations in the UK to enable contactless payment, as part of a new a partnership with Ingenico.
SilverRail seeks to invest in global rail ticketing technology
American passenger rail search and distribution technologies provider SilverRail Technologies has raised $40m to boost the integration of global rail carriers, continue building next-generation search technology, and expand carrier IT solutions.
www.progressiverailroading.com
LACMTA recommends Skanska joint venture for Regional Connector design/build contract
SFMTA OKs two-year budget that expands Muni service
Foxx's 'Invest in America' tour includes stop at NS intermodal facility in Ohio
Ontario officials reveal $29 billion plan for transportation investment
Severe winter weather hindered Q1 volumes, Genesee & Wyoming says
Keolis tabs Mitrou as MBTA general counsel; Niagara Frontier names Cox CFO
Pennsylvania rail authority publishes booklet to mark 30th anniversary
Huge Big Boy steam locomotive coming back to life - Yahoo News
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