Latest Policy News
Keep up to date on the national and international policies impacting the rail industry.
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New Night Trains in Europe from 2021
There will be new international night trains in Europe from 2021, as agreed by the bosses of Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, OEBB and SBB.
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BNSF Wins Train Crossing Law Court Case in Oklahoma
BNSF has won a court case in Oklahoma challenging a state law banning trains from stopping for more than 10 minutes on a level crossing.
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Brexit: EU Proposes Channel Tunnel Infrastructure and Train Licensing Extensions
Brexit: the European Commission has proposed a regulation giving extensions covering the Channel Tunnel infrastructure and train licences.
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State Aid: Austria Can Support Passenger and Freight Rail Says EC
State aid: the European Commission has approved Austrian measures to support passenger and rail freight affected by the coronavirus pandemic…
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New Research Says UK Rail Industry Will Face Critical Skills Shortage by 2025
Reearch by City & Guilds and the National Skills Academy for Rail says the rail industry will face a critical skills shortage by 2025.
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Deutsche Bahn Joins the US High Speed Rail Association
Deutsche Bahn has become a member of the US High Speed Rail Association, which aims to promote support for high-speed rail in America.
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USHSR Publishes 5-Point High Speed Rail Plan
USHSR has published a 5-point plan for developing high-speed rail in the US, starting with a new High Speed Rail Development Authority.
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European Year of Rail 2021 Reaches Provisional Agreement
The European Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement on making 2021 the European Year of Rail.
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How Did President-Elect Biden Get the Nickname 'Amtrak Joe'?
The United States has a new president-elect, Joe Biden. But why is he called 'Amtrak Joe'? And what has he said about the importance of rail…
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Eurotunnel Launches Border Pass to Help Mitigate Brexit Red Tape
Eurotunnel has launched its 'Eurotunnel Border Pass' to help mitigate the impact of Brexit on cross-border freight operations.
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TfL Reaches Funding Agreement with the UK Government
TfL has reached a deal with the UK government over funding for the next six months following collapsed revenues due to the coronavirus crisi…
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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.