Latest Policy News
Keep up to date on the national and international policies impacting the rail industry.
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Network Rail’s Restrictive and Inflexible Working Practices Must Change
The UK rail industry lags behind that of aviation, roads and energy when it comes to maintenance of infrastructure and key assets.
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ORR Publishes Annual Health and Safety Report
The ORR, the safety regulator of Britain's railways, has published its annual health and safety report covering April 2021 to March 2022.
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TfL Launches Tender to Power London Underground with Renewable Energy
TfL has launched a Power Purchase Agreement tender as the first step for powering the London Underground with 100 percent renewable energy.
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EC Approves Italian Scheme to Compensate Rail Freight Companies Affected by Pandemic
The EC has approved an Italian scheme to compensate rail freight companies for financial damage suffered due to the pandemic.
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FRA Establishes Corridor ID Program to Enhance Intercity Passenger Rail Service
The FRA has established a new Corridor Identification and Development (ID) Program to transform the nation's passenger rail network.
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Network Rail Receives Million Pound Fine for Major Health and Safety Breach
An Office of Rail and Road (ORR) Investigation has led to Network Rail being fined 1.4 million GBP for a health and safety breach.
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UK Freight Rail Industry Joins Forces to Improve Safety and Reduce Delays
Network Rail joins with freight rail industry to tackle freight rail delays and safety risks with launch of new programme.
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Interrail Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Discounted Passes
To celebrate 50 years of Interrailing, 43 European railways have launched a joint campaign offering a 50% discount on Interrail tickets.
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UK: ORR to Strengthen Scrutiny of Network Rail
The ORR has launched its business plan for 2022/23, with details on how it plans to more closely scrutinise the work of Network Rail.
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Germany: Regulatory Agency Accuses DB of Abuse of Market Power
The Bundeskartellamt has accused Deutsche Bahn of an abuse of power that could hinder the growth of mobility platforms.
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UK: Lack of Government Updates Causing Project Uncertainty Warns RIA
It has now been over 900 days since the UK Government published its Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline reports the RIA.
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Talgo and Indra Partner to Become Founding Member of Europe’s Rail Programme
Talgo and Indra have signed a strategic agreement that will see them become a founding member of innovation programme Europe's Rail.
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First Minister Marks ScotRail Entering Public Ownership
ScotRail officially entered public ownership on 1 April, with Nicola Sturgeon marking the occasion at Glasgow Queen Street Station.
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UK: Light Rail Safety and Standards Board Supporting Improvements in Safety says ORR
The Office of Rail and Road believes the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board is supporting safety in the light rail and tram sector.
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RIA: UK Government Needs to Do More to Accelerate Decarbonisation of Railways
Limited progress is being made regarding the UK Government's rail decarbonisation plans according to a Railway Industry Association report.
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US Congress Passes Funding for Rail Infrastructure Improvements
US Congress has passed a $1.5 trillion government funding bill that will provide increased resources to the Federal Railroad Administration.
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ScotRail Services to Go into Public Ownership on 1 April 2022
Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth confirmed in a statement to parliament on 9 February that ScotRail would transfer into public ownership.
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DB Cargo Support Measures Investigated by European Commission
The EC has opened an investigation into whether certain German support measures in favour of DB Cargo are in line with EU state aid rules.
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Report Identifies Actions to Improve UK Railway Resilience in the Face of Climate Change
Network Rail has released its new Third Adaption Report, which outlines the risks climate change poses to the UK’s railway.
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Belarusian Railways Hacked by Cyberpartisans
A 'hacktivist' group called Cyberpartisans has breached the computer systems of Belarusian Railways to prevent Russian troop movements.
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HS2 Crewe-Manchester Bill to Be Introduced to Parliament
The ‘High Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill’ – HS2 Phase 2b Western Leg – will be introduced in parliament today (24 January 2022).
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United States: Amit Bose Announced as FRA Administrator
Amit Bose has been confirmed as the 15th Administrator of the United States Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
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UK: TfN Launches First Regional Transport Decarbonisation Strategy
Transport for the North (TfN) has launched a transport decarbonisation strategy for the north of England - the first of its kind.
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FRA Announces $198 Million in Funding for Intercity Rail Projects
The US Federal Railroad Administration has issued $198 million in funding to repair intercity passenger railroad infrastructure and assets.