Opposition politicians criticise Scottish rail fare increase
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 announcement about Great Western Railway electrification which we reported earlier today is not now being made.
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.
Rail minister Lord Hendy has named Chiltern Railways as the operator for the first stage of East West Rail. The line is set to open later this year, providing trains between Oxford, Bletchley and Milton Keynes Central and serving six stations, including a new one at Winslow.
The contest to provide competing services through the Channel Tunnel is warming up. A new contender has been announced, led by a long-standing critic of HS2.