Rail Travel News
Trainline to offer mobile ticketing in UK
Collecting multiple paper train tickets for your travels can now be a thing of the past, as Trainline announces that rail travellers in Norwich can use a smartphone based digital ticketing system, mTicketing when travelling by train. Both advance and on-the-day rail tickets are now available for travellers to purchase and download as a mobile ticket via the Trainline App.
First HS2 section to open in 2027
A final decision on the HS2 route between Fradley in the West Midlands and Crewe has been announced, with the government confirming its intention to open this section of the line six years earlier than planned, in 2027. In confirming the route, the UK transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has issued safeguarding directions for Phase 2a of HS2, to protect land from potential conflicting development.
New financial leadership for Go-Ahead Group
The Newcastle-headquartered Go-Ahead Group has appointed a new chief financial officer. Patrick Butcher joins the company from Network Rail, where he has been group finance director since 2009, leading capital raising activities in public markets for the organisation prior to its reclassification last year as a public sector company.
Birmingham New Street station reopens after £750m refurbishment
The redeveloped Birmingham New Street station has opened its doors to passengers after a five-year, £750 million transformation. Boasting an iconic new atrium over a huge passenger concourse - five times the size of London Euston’s - the station has been rebuilt while trains continued to run as normal for the 170,000 passengers a day who use it.
TUC: UK rail fares rising three times as fast as wages
Rail fares for season tickets, and other regulated fares, have risen nearly three times faster than wages over the last five years, according to new analysis published by the TUC. Commissioned alongside the rail unions’ Action for Rail campaign, the analysis shows that between 2010 and 2015 fares increased by 25 per cent, while average pay went up by just nine per cent.
RMT calls UK rail workers out on bank holiday strike
Holidaymakers in the UK are expected to see disruption during the upcoming bank holiday weekend, with rail workers announcing they will walk out on strike in a dispute over pay. Network Rail workers will hold a 24-hour strike from 17:00 on May 25th, bank holiday Monday.
China Railway Construction Corp signs $5bn in African infrastructure deals
China’ largest railway constructor, China Railway Construction Corp, has won two infrastructure projects in Africa with a combined value of US$5.5 billion. The first, an inter-city railway project in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Ogun State Intercity Mass transit Project, is valued at over US$3.5 billion. The Chinese company also won a $1.93 billion residential construction project in Zimbabwe.
British prime minister makes UK rail fares pledge
British prime minister David Cameron has pledged a real-term freeze on nearly half of all rail fares during the general election campaign. The Tory politician said the move would save an average rail commuter £400 between now and 2020. The move, which would extend a freeze currently in place, would cover regulated fares.
FirstGroup selects IPL for UK technology overhaul
UK rail operator FirstGroup has agreed a five-year IT innovation framework with IPL, a systems integrator specialising in digital innovation and Enterprise Information Management. The agreement will see the companies working together to identify and develop ways to improve the customer experience by enhancing the way it operates its train companies, which include First Great Western and First TransPennine Express.
Injuries reported following Swiss rail crash
At least five people have been injured following a train crash in Switzerland. A suburban train in the Zurich area of the country collided with a rush-out intercity train headed into the city early this morning. The incident happened at Rafz Station, 30 kilometres north of Zurich and close to the German border.
Which? reveals worst performers on UK rail network
The latest Which? train satisfaction survey reveals commuters are bearing the brunt of poor service, as the organisation finds rail operators aren’t doing enough to let delayed passengers know their rights on compensation. For the fourth annual satisfaction survey Which? scored train companies based on the responses of over 7,300 train travellers when asked about their journeys over the last 12 months.
UK government unveils plans for free wi-fi on trains from 2017
Rail passengers will benefit from free wi-fi on trains across England and Wales from 2017, UK rail minister Claire Perry has announced. Train operators are being asked to set how they will meet the commitment to provide this important service for passengers. All train operators bidding for new franchises and direct award agreements will have to include this specification in their bid.