Daily news from Rail Technology Magazine
And here’s today’s news from Rail Technology Magazine in association with TransCity Rail – on Wednesday the 24th July 2024.
The National Audit Office (NAO) has released an update following the cancellation of Phase 2 of HS2 last October.
In a striking report, the NAO recommended that the Department for Transport (DfT) may have to incentivise people not to travel by rail. This comes as HS2 Ltd estimates a potential 17% reduction in capacity between Manchester and Birmingham, as HS2 services replace conventional services.
Other findings included the revelation that the Department for Transport is looking to sell £592 million worth of land purchased along the route of the cancelled Phase 2 leg of HS2.
The NAO also found that more than £30 billion has so far been spent on HS2, with HS2 Ltd estimating that it could yet cost a further £27 billion to complete Phase 1 between London and Birmingham.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has written to Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to recommend the cancellation of Avanti West Coast’s contract at the earliest possible opportunity.
Mr Burnham explained that, following a Rail North Committee meeting with Avanti representatives last week, it became clear that the operator’s performance had not materially improved since March.
Data from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), detailing passenger rail performance between January and March 2024, revealed that 44.5% of Avanti West Coast services arrived on time, 24% below the industry average.
ORR data also revealed, however, that failures of Network Rail infrastructure, including the West Coat Main Line were responsible for close to two thirds of delays to Avanti services.
Alstom has been awarded a contract worth €4 billion to supply 90 Adessia Stream commuter trains for use on Cologne’s S-Bahn network.
The contract, which also includes maintenance of the trains for a period of 34 years, is Alstom’s largest order in Germany to date.
The trains are equipped for both short- and long-distance passengers, with a combination of standing room and seats and multi-purpose spaces in each car for prams, bicycles and wheelchairs.
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