High Speed Rail News
WTTC Summit 2011: Obama administration eyes high-speed rail
High-speed rail has been earmarked as a key to meeting the USA’s future transport needs, according to US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who was speaking at the WTTC 11th Travel & Tourism Summit in Las Vegas. He said that the administration of President Barack Obama has budgeted $10 billion to connect cities across America with high-speed rail networks.
China plans 45 new airports over next five years
Authorities in Beijing have unveiled plans for a mega aviation infrastructure construction spree that includes 45 new airports over the next five years. Industry regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration, said the new investments would take China’s total number of airports to 220. However concerns have been raised about overcapacity, given that most of the country’s existing airports are currently loss-making.
High speed line essential to west coast influential rail strategy finds
A new high-speed line between London, Birmingham and Manchester will be essential in preventing overcrowding on the busy west coast main line, a Network Rail report has found.
Chinese break record for world’s fastest passenger train
China has flexed its muscles as the new leader in high-speed rail by breaking a new world record for fastest passenger train. The Harmony Express hit a top speed of 302mph during a test run between capital Beijing and the financial hub of Shanghai.
UK Government sells right to operate its first High Speed Railway for £2.1bn
The successful bidder in a sale of the concession to run Britain’s first high speed railway, ‘High Speed 1’, was announced today by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond as a consortium comprising Borealis Infrastructure and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announces $2.4 Billion for High Speed Rail Projects
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that 54 high-speed rail projects in 23 states will share in $2.4 billion to continue developing America’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service.
UK government establishes compensation fund for High-Speed 2
Britain’s planned High Speed Rail network has taken a small but significant step towards realisation after the government launched a compensation scheme for households that will be affected by its construction.
Eurostar boosted by ash cloud
Eurostar saw passenger numbers rise by 6 percent and revenues increase 18 percent during the first half of 2010. The rail operator cited the impact of the ash cloud for the growth as part of a wider switch from flying short-haul to high-speed train.
High Speed One goes under the hammer
The UK’s High Speed One rail link has been put up for sale as part of the government programme to cut £1 trillion deficit. The auction is expected to fetch at least £1.5 billion, with France’s Groupe Eurotunnel and Australia’s Macquarie favourites.
Chinese, German and Spanish High-Speed Rail Systems will feature at U.S. High Speed Rail Conference
America’s high-speed rail future will draw from the expertise of potential international partners, and evolving high-speed rail projects in China, Germany and Spain will be among those featured at the U.S. High Speed Rail Association Conference in Los Angeles beginning June 17.
Eurostar gets back on track
Eurostar has bounced back from its pre-Christmas snow breakdown chaos by posting a 5.9 percent increase in sales in the first quarter of 2010. The growth was spurred by a resurgent leisure market, whilst business remains sluggish due to the downturn.
China plans Beijing to London high-speed train
China has unveiled ambitious plans to export its rail technologies worldwide, including the creation of a global network that would slash train times between Beijing and London to as little as two days.