New incentive scheme devised for HS1 operators
London St. Pancras Highspeed has unveiled an incentive scheme for new and existing international train operators, to encourage rail travel between London and continental Europe.
Arriva Group is announcing today that it will lease nine new battery hybrid trains to replace its existing Grand Central fleet. The 45 Hitachi tri-mode vehicles will be owned by Angel Trains and the lease will run for 10 years.
Network Rail and British Transport Police have released the results of a new survey which suggests that almost three out of five people don’t know that electrified railways can be lethal. A campaign has been launched today, as the spring and summer holidays approach. Lighter evenings are associated with a 20 per cent increase in trespassing.
All ScotRail fares have risen by 3.8 per cent today, but opposition politicans are speaking of ‘dismayed’ passengers and a ‘spiral of decline’. The increase is lower than the 4.6 per cent rises in England and Wales a month ago, but the Scottish increase covers all fares rather than just those which are regulated.
The prospects for more international operators running trains between London and the continent may have improved, following the publication of a report on depot capacity commissioned by the Office of Rail and Road. Several contenders have said they would like to compete with Eurostar and serve more destinations in mainland Europe.
Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines is to retire from his post in October. Sir Andrew joined Network Rail in August 2018, and since 2021 he has also been responsible for managing the transition to Great British Railways.
The Prime Minister is promising that 1.7 billion pounds will be invested in transport systems in the north of England. The plans, which Sir Keir Starmer is set to confirm today during a factory visit in the region, include an upgrade to the Liverpool-Hull corridor. The Transpennine railway between Manchester, Leeds and York will receive a further 415 million.