Latest Policy News
Keep up to date on the national and international policies impacting the rail industry.
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Germany to Cut VAT on Long-Distance Rail Journeys
Germany will cut VAT on long-distance rail journeys to 7%, down from the current 19%. It will also increase taxes on air passengers.
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EU: 1.4 Billion Euros for Sustainable Transport Projects
The EU says that it is seeking applications for funding for transport projects worth up to 1.4 billion euros. 50 million are for ERTMS.
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Corinna Salander Becomes Head of the DZSF
Corinna Salander has been appointed the head of the German Centre for Rail Transport Research – DZSF. She will start on 1 January 2020.
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Henrik Hololei Talks Shift2Rail at Digital Transport Days
Henrik Hololei spoke at Digital Transport Days to hail the successes and goals of Shift2Rail to address climate change and other focuses.
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The Policy Update Europe
An in-brief look at current rail policy in Europe and the United Kingdom issued by the European Commission, the BAV and more.
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Rail Delivery Group: Reform Rail Fares to Combat Climate Crisis
The Rail Delivery Group has published proposals for rail fare reforms following the largest-ever passenger survey in the country.
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The Policy Update North America
An in-brief look at current rail policy in the United States issued by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), ASLRRA and more.
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Brexit: Eurotunnel One of UK's Vital Freight Carriers
Eurotunnel is one of the eight freight carriers chosen by the UK government to be a preferred carrier of vital goods following Brexit.
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ORR Implements New 'On Time' Punctuality Measure
The British rail regulator, the ORR, has implemented a new measure to record train punctuality: the 'On Time' punctuality measure.
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UK Government Launches Oakervee Review into HS2
The UK government has launched the Oakervee Review into HS2 to determine whether and how the high-speed line should proceed.
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First/Trenitalia to Operate West Coast Partnership
First-Trenitalia are awarded the West Coast Partnership. The operator will take over services on the West Coast Main Line in December 2019.
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Travelling with Confidence: Accessible Travel Policy Guidance Published
New Accessible Travel Policy Guidance sets out commitments for operators to help older and disabled people to travel by rail.
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Report Shows Progress on Diversity in Transport
Rail sector diversity: 3-year report on diversity in transport by the Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce finds strong progress.
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Network Rail Launches Track Worker Safety Task Force
Network Rail will invest 70 million GBP in a new task force to improve track worker safety, following two fatalities earlier this month.
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ERA Set to Become the THE Railway Authority in Europe
On 16 June 2019 the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) will become THE EU railway authority, issuing authorisations for rail vehicles.
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US Supreme Court Rules against the AAR
The US Supreme Court has ruled against the AAR in a legal dispute with the DOT about Amtrak's regulatory power over its industry.
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German Centre for Rail Transport Research Opens
The German Centre for Rail Transport Research has opened in Bonn and Dresden. It will conduct both its own research and commissioned work.
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Brexit and the Rail Industry: Findings of the Lords Report
The House of Lords EU Committee has published its report "Brexit: road, rail and maritime transport". What are the key findings for rail?
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Russia and Azerbaijan: We Will Work together to Develop Eurasian Transport Corridors
Russian Railways and Azerbaijan Railways have signed a memorandum outlining how they will co-operate to develop Eurasian transport corridors…
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What does the CCC Net Zero Report Say about Transport?
The CCC has published its Net Zero report, outlining how the UK can help stop climate change by 2050. We look at the tranport aspect.
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Germany Launches Rail Freight Noise Monitoring
The German Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure has launched a rail freight noise monitoring programme with 19 stations…
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Transport for the North Chief Executive Visits Hitachi Rail
The Chief Executive of Transport for the North (TfN) visited Hitachi Rail as part of TfN's vision for the future of the North's economy.
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Top 15 Key Findings of 2019 EU Transport Scoreboard for Rail
The European Commission has published the 2019 EU Transport Scoreboard, set of 30 categories looking at all aspects of transport in Member S…