Nexus’ Post

Transit Briefs: VIA Rail launches RFQ for locomotives & cars to replace its Long-Distance, Regional & Remote fleet; ADOT advances its Phoenix-to-Tucson passenger rail study; SEPTA reports ridership; San Diego MTS to develop an equity statement & policy: https://lnkd.in/eDsBQsw2

Thirty years ago today, the first public trains ran through the Channel Tunnel, "The Chunnel" linking England and France under the English Channel. The Channel Tunnel, is a rail tunnel between England and France that runs beneath the English Channel. The Channel Tunnel, 50 km (31 miles) long, consists of three tunnels: two for rail traffic and a central tunnel for services and security. The tunnel runs between Folkestone, England, and Sangatte (near Calais), France, and is used for both freight and passenger traffic. Passengers can travel either by ordinary rail coach or within their own motor vehicles, which are loaded onto special railcars. Trains can travel through the tunnel at speeds as high as 160 km (100 miles) per hour; the trip takes about 35 minutes. It has the longest undersea portion of any tunnel in the world (37.8 km [23.5 miles]).

Absolutely right. The majority of the nation's cities desperately need integrated transit systems for the mobility of the citizens. There are resources for the development of the planning and origination components of these types of transit infrastructure projects but no means of funding all of the numbers of projects. That is why HR 4052, the creation of the Nation's fifth National Infrastructure Bank is so extremely important. This fact is true because there are no federal funds available (w/o increasing the deficit) to do all of these projects. Check out - nibcoalition.com. #nationalinfrastructurebank

Transit Briefs: VIA Rail launches RFQ for locomotives & cars to replace its Long-Distance, Regional & Remote fleet; ADOT advances its Phoenix-to-Tucson passenger rail study; SEPTA reports ridership; San Diego MTS to develop an equity statement & policy: https://lnkd.in/eQb5afma

Yesterday's wonderful announcement by South Eastern Railway that they are looking for new trains was hugely historic for UK railways. Now Siemens Mobility Alstom Hitachi Rail CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) Will have to bring brand new level boarding designs to the UK! Unlike 30 odd years ago where disabled people chained themselves to buses to demand equal access to buses, disabled people have been fighting more behind the scenes for this change, seemly with this Conservative Government more inclined to listen. Yes level boarding trains with retractable steps have been mainstream overseas for decades, so finally the UK seems to be catching on. their are still worries of old platforms around the network being of various heights (should be 915mm) and not being level with the train. but just maybe Huw Merriman maybe able to find a pot of money for these platform modifications works where needed. Remember Control Period 7 funding and Access for All funding doesn't cover this work. I understand DfT used Stadler as an experiment with their level boarding technology for Greater Anglia, which has been an roaring success. Sure, it isn't perfect, but it highlights the stations which need platform modifications. not much money was spent by Network Rail on infrastructure in order to get these trains on the network. Then we had Stadler win bids for Merseyrail and Nexus for their level boarding technology, but some say they are on their own networks, it doesn't prove the need for level boarding trains because of the platform heights variations. Rubbish! Again look at Greater Anglia, hopefully they will have their Stadler Flirt trains for 30 years plus, so plenty of time to find the money for platform modifications. Thameslink and CrossRail prove that Level Boarding from infrastructure to train (although may offer a smoother level boarding solution) gives only a handful of level boarding stations compared to the tried and trusted train to infrastructure to deliver level boarding seen in Europe and many other Countries. Kristoff van Leeuwen from Connected Places Catapult Rail division has shown early interest in maybe starting a competition to find out how we could show internally and externally on trains what the gap is between train and platform so disabled passengers, station staff etc, aren't caught out at those stations where the train and platform aren't level. So once again thanks so much to Steve White for having faith with level boarding trains and uncorking the level boarding revolution in the United Kingdom! But history will show Stadler Started it in the United Kingdom.

Transit Briefs: VIA Rail launches RFQ for locomotives & cars to replace its Long-Distance, Regional & Remote fleet; ADOT advances its Phoenix-to-Tucson passenger rail study; SEPTA reports ridership; San Diego MTS to develop an equity statement & policy: https://lnkd.in/enrEfssB

Almost 200 km per hour (that's 125 miles per hour)... That's the speed of trains in Spain... Meanwhile, Amtrak trains in California are rushing at 60 km/hour (40 miles per hour)... European trains are going 3 times faster than the best US trains... Why?

Why can’t we move people around better in trains in the USA? Well a bit of history: As the automobile industry took off in the 1950s, passenger train travel stopped being a national priority. By the late 1960s, passenger rail systems in the U.S. were a mess. In an effort to preserve this form of mass transit, President Nixon signed the Federal Rail Passenger Service Act in 1970, which established a new passenger rail corporation that would later be named Amtrak. The U.S. government is a majority shareholder of Amtrak and owns all of its preferred stock. It is a shame we couldn’t do a better job at creating a better interstate rail system to resemble the ones in parts of Europe and Asia.

The City held an engagement with taxi and bus operators on 7 May to present the Tactical Adjustment Roadmap which aims to facilitate accelerated transformation of public transport in the City. This is a revised approach to implement the City’s Integrated Public Transport Network, GO!Durban. This requires the formalisation of 16 contracts, including the C3 route, priority feeder contracts, existing contracts, and the Inner-City Distribution System. This approach requires the taxi and bus industry to formalise their business operations leading to an improved public transport system.

Momentum is building in the rail industry as it starts to come back together. One of the key challenges will be breaking down old barriers, especially at the industry's key Interchange Stations. To encourage more passengers to make trips involving interchanges and transition from cars, it is crucial to ensure the availability of simpler fares, products, and a great station experience. Understanding where these interchange stations are located is vital. The chart displays the Facility Owners of Interchange Stations across the UK rail network and the number of passenger journeys affected in 2022/23. Check out the data here: https://lnkd.in/eY_wPjuE #RailIndustry #InterchangeStations #PassengerJourneys #UKRailNetwork #StationUsageStats