Latest Policy News
Keep up to date on the national and international policies impacting the rail industry.
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Welsh Government Takes Wales & Borders Franchise under Public Control
The Welsh Government is taking the Wales & Borders franchise under public control starting in February 2021 as a result of COVID-19.
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TfL in Ongoing Funding Discussions with the Government
London: TfL has agreed with the government that its funding package can be extended by 2 weeks as discussions about future funding continue.
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EC Welcomes Provisional Agreement on Updated Rail Passenger Rights
The European Commission said it welcomed the provisional adoption of changes to rail passenger rights in the EU, which it proposed in 2017.
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A Protest Train through Berlin: Private Freight Operators Demand Fair Competition
A private rail freight protest train made its way through Berlin to draw attention to the German government's one-sided support of DB.
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Berlin Declaration Supports International Rail Freight
The EU and EFTA transport ministers have signed the Berlin Declaration voicing their support for the rail freight sector.
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USA: Cleveland Gets $15m Grant for New Rail Cars
The RTA has received a 15 million USD Build grant that will help pay for the new heavy rail Red Line fleet it wishes to procure.
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British Government Ends Rail Franchising
The UK government is abolishing rail franchising in the wake of coronavirus and has set up Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements (ERMAs).
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EU: Parliament Votes in Favour of Waiving and Reducing Track Access Charges
EU: The Parliament has voted for regulations allowing Member States to authorise infrastructure managers to waive track access charges.
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Coronavirus: Trains Still Safer than Road, Including for Staff
Deutsche Bahn and CRO are conducting a joint study into the risks of contracting coronavirus for conductors on trains.
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France to Waive Track Access Charges for 2020
France says it will waive railway track access charges for the rest of 2020 and reduce them by half for the duration of 2021.
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German Cabinet Adopts Investment Acceleration Act Proposal
The German cabinet has adopted a proposal put forward by transport minister Andreas Scheuer for the Investment Acceleration Act.
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EC to Establish New Partnership on Rail Research and Innovation
The European Commission (EC) is asking for calls of interest as it intends to establish a new partnership on rail research and innovation.
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RDG: We Need a Level Green Playing Field in Transport
The Rail Delivery Group has submitted proposals to influence the government's Transport Decarbonisation Plan and make taxation fairer.
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CER: Apply User-Pays and Polluter-Pays Principles
The CER has published a position paper advocating for applying the user-pays and polluter-pays principles across the transport sector.
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High Court Rules in Favour of DfT
The UK High Court has ruled in favour of the Department of Transport, finding that its disqualification of TOCs over pensions was lawful.
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Rail Dismay: Toll Exemption for LNG Lorries Goes Ahead
Competitive railway undertakings and rail advocacy groups have expressed dismay at the Bundesrat support for the LNG toll exemption.
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German Corona Stimulus Package Good for Rail
The German stimulus package has been welcomed by rail groups, saying it will push forward important innovations and provide much-needed fund…
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Face Coverings on Public Transport Become Mandatory in England
Coronavirus: from 15 June face coverings will become mandatory on public transport in England in line with a further easing of restrictions.
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Plea to Bundesrat: Review Lorry Toll Exemption
After the German government moved ahead with an ongoing exemption to the lorry toll, rail groups have asked the Bundesrat for help.
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Germany Not Making the Right Noises on Rail Freight
In its May infringements package the European Commission has said it sent Germany a formal letter of notice about its quiet brakes regulatio…
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Germany: Private Railway Undertakings to Seek EU Help
Private railway undertakings in Germany want to seek assistance from the European Commission following a DB-only bailout package approval.
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Anger at DB-Only German Railway Alliance
There is anger at the coronavirus agreement signed by Deutsche Bahn and the federal government that excludes non-state railways.
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DB Reaches Coronavirus Agreement With Government, Union and Works Council
Deutsche Bahn has reached a coronavirus agreement with the German government, union, works council and employers' association.
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DfT Appoints Independent Construction Commissioner for HS2 Phase 2a
The DfT has extended the independent construction commissioner's brief to include HS2 Phase 2a. The role is held by Sir Mark Worthington.