Category: Train news (Page 2 of 23)

SWISS to serve new European destinations in Summer 2024

December 29, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

SWISS will be making further additions to its short-haul route network in its 2024 summer schedules. Service between Zurich and Bremen will be newly offered in summer, too. Oslo will be added to the Geneva-based network; and the existing Geneva destinations of Copenhagen and Stockholm will also be newly served in the summer timetable period.

Bremen, which already enjoys winter SWISS service from Zurich, will now see this continued in the summer timetable period. The North German city boasts an Old Town and historic sights such as the Roland Statue and its fabled Town Musicians, along with a lively arts and culture scene. Attractively located on the River Weser and further featuring extensive shopping and dining options, Bremen is a truly appealing travel destination.

As previously announced, Cluj-Napoca and Košice will also newly join the SWISS short-haul network in summer 2024. Elsewhere, further frequencies will be added between Zurich and various existing European destinations including Alicante, Madrid, Naples, Venice and Vilnius.

New Oslo service from Geneva

Oslo will be added next summer to SWISS’s Geneva network. The Norwegian capital offers visitors a winning blend of contemporary architecture, green parks and cultural highlights such as its famed Opera House. The city is also attractively close to nature – fjords, forests and more – and features a lively culinary scene.

SWISS will also be providing new summer services on its existing Geneva-Copenhagen and Geneva-Stockholm routes. Copenhagen delights with its impressive mix of modern Scandinavian design, historic architecture and relaxed waterside ambience, while Stockholm boasts a picturesque site spread over 14 islands, well-preserved royal palaces and historic Old Town lanes. SWISS travellers will further be offered more frequencies between Geneva and the existing destinations of Athens, Brindisi, Brussels, Catania, Malaga, Palma and Valencia in the 2024 summer schedules.

SBB reports temporary failure will cancel Brig–Domodossola connections

December 29, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Due to a lack of approval from the responsible Italian authorities, certain SBB trains will no longer be able to operate on the Brig-Domodossola (I) route from January 1, 2024 until further notice. The corresponding trains are therefore canceled in both directions between Brig and Domodossola (I). This means that 38 of a total of 316 connections between Brig and Domodossola will be canceled every week. The EC trains to/from Milan and Venice as well as the BLS trains are not affected. These have appropriate approval in Italy.

Written confirmation required due to adapted fire protection regulations

The trigger is a corresponding fire protection regulation from the Italian Ministry of Transport, which will apply to passage through longer tunnels from the beginning of 2024. Due to border traffic agreements between Switzerland and Italy, the affected trains (Domino and EW IV) were previously exempt from this directive. Due to the pending adaptation of the border traffic agreement to the 4th railway package, a written confirmation from the Italian Ministry of Transport and the Italian Transport Authority is required for the approval of these two vehicle types for the journey between Brig and Domodossola. As soon as written confirmation is received, SBB will resume operations. SBB hopes that this will be the case as soon as possible. She asks travelers for their understanding and recommends checking the timetable in the SBB mobile app before starting each journey. If you have any questions, the SBB Contact Center can help you on 0848 44 66 88 (CHF 0.08/minute).

Full steam ahead for ScotRail recruitment drive

December 29, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

ScotRail will steam into 2024 with scores of vacancies set to be filled as part of its biggest recruitment drive in years. The train operator has already recruited more than 200 new members of staff since August this year, with the human resources team working hard to keep the business on track to fill vacancies.

New and improved catering services have been boosted with an additional 34 catering staff hired across the network.

Almost 30 new conductors have passed through training to support service reliability, over 30 engineers recruited, and 100 new frontline staff members to offer enhanced customer service and support revenue protection.

The new year will see that activity continue, with a focus on more conductors in January, and many other exciting roles that will help to improve services and reliability for customers. ScotRail expects to recruit a further 160 people before the end of March 2024, with roles such as drivers, conductors, ticket examiners, and engineers. Those interested in a career with ScotRail are encouraged to check the company’s website as vacancies are advertised regularly.

With customer numbers on the rise, and timetable improvements delivering more journeys and newer electric trains, there has never been a better time to join Scotland’s Railway. ScotRail is recognised as a leading employer by the Top Employers Institute. Further information on job opportunities can be found on the ScotRail Careers website at www.scotrail.co.uk/careers

Major Wellington rail projects to take a leap forward this Christmas

December 17, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

December 18, 2023 – KiwiRail will make significant progress on several major rail projects around the Wellington region this Christmas, taking advantage of the annual network shutdown to work without interruption.

The Wellington region’s rail network will be closed to commuter trains from 26 December 2023 to 7 January 2024, with the Wairarapa Line staying closed until 14 January. Nearly 1,000 people will work on rail maintenance and projects across the network, with several sites operating 24/7 to maximise productivity.

KiwiRail Chief Capital Planning and Asset Development Officer David Gordon says that while important maintenance will be carried out during the shutdown, most of the planned activity relates to the Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme – a $700 million programme of works to upgrade existing rail infrastructure and build capacity to support Greater Wellington Regional Council’s plans for rail.

The complex re-signalling work at Wellington Railway Station will continue, alongside much-needed work on various tracks, foundations and platforms. This project is a major step towards modernising Wellington’s rail network and will improve safety in what is New Zealand’s most complex railway junction.

Round-the-clock work on the Kapiti Line will see the completion of the last major portion of the Plimmerton Station upgrade project. The upgrade, which includes adding a third track and platform at the station, will allow commuter trains that currently run from Wellington to Porirua to be extended to Plimmerton, helping with capacity at peak times. Bridge 23 (just north of Paekākāriki) will also be replaced.

KiwiRail will conduct maintenance on the Hutt Valley Line, largely between Ava Station and Taitā Station.

On the Wairarapa Line, renewal work will begin inside the Maoribank and Remutaka Tunnels to update the original track from 1955, and the old wooden bridge (Bridge 56) near Matarawa will be replaced. Capacity-building upgrades will start with work on a new passing loop at Woodside Station and the Fitzherbert St level crossing in Featherston.

Union Pacific announces fourth quarter 2023 earnings release date

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Omaha, Nebraska, December 15, 2023 – Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) will release fourth quarter 2023 financial and operating results on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at 7:45 a.m. ET. The company’s management team will host a conference call and live webcast at 8:45 a.m. ET.

Parties interested in participating via teleconference may dial 877-407-8293. International callers may dial 201-689-8349. A live webcast of the presentation and materials will be available in the investor relations section of Union Pacific’s website at www.up.com/investor. A replay of the audio webcast will be available shortly thereafter.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Ryanair announces corporate travel agreement with SAP Concur

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Dublin, Ireland, December 15, 2023 – Ryanair Holdings PLC (Dublin: RYA), Europe’s No. 1 airline, has today announced a ground-breaking new agreement with SAP Concur (NYSE: SAP), the world’s leading brand for travel, expense, and invoice management, to integrate Ryanair’s low fares and unrivalled network of over 3,300 daily flights to over 230 destinations across 36 countries directly with Concur Travel, further expanding access to Ryanair’s fares and network for corporate travellers.

This exciting new partnership means that corporate customers can now access Ryanair’s industry leading low fares, network of key city connections across Europe with regular morning and evening flights to ensure convenient low-cost corporate travel conveniently through the market-leading Concur Travel online booking tool as well as a dedicated Concur TripLink booking flow on Ryanair’s website/app.

Corporate customers who book Ryanair flights directly through this state-of-the-art travel solution will benefit from significant efficiencies, including automated expense management and the convenience of their booking details being fed into SAP Concur solutions, reducing any unnecessary admin. Through this agreement, registered users will not have to complete Ryanair’s customer verification making their travel experience even more seamless.

Forward-Looking Statements

Study commission for Margarethen platform access and new Margarethen Bridge

December 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

On December 12, 2023, the SBB and the canton of Basel-Stadt announced a selection process for the further development of the “Margarethen Platform Access” and “New Margarethen Bridge” projects. The teams that win the contract should find a convincing solution for the two structures in coordination with SBB and the canton. The final juried results should be available in spring 2025.

The Swiss government, canton and SBB want to expand access to rail and urban transport to the west of Basel SBB station. On the one hand, the SBB is moving the train stops more to the west on behalf of the federal government, thereby also relieving pressure on the main passerelle. On the other hand, the canton of Basel-Stadt wants to create an interchange for public transport near the market hall. This allows passengers to quickly and conveniently transfer from the train to the tram – and vice versa. This should also relieve pressure on Centralbahnplatz in the medium term.

Two major projects are being planned and will combine these two goals: the Margarethen platform access and a new Margarethen Bridge. The Margarethen platform access accesses all platforms with a passenger bridge parallel to the Margarethen Bridge, some of which are extended for this purpose. The new Margarethen Bridge creates the necessary conditions for the expansion of tram traffic and a better separation of bicycle and road traffic.

Click the link below to read the full story!

Study commission for Margarethen platform access

Newest Nightjet train service now connects Berlin, Brussels and Paris

December 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Now passengers can enjoy relaxed overnight travel to major European cities while saving on hotel accommodation. Starting today, the night train alliance of DB, ÖBB, NMBS/SNCB and SNCF is offering night train service from Berlin to Brussels and Paris.

The Nightjet (NJ) runs three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The trains return from Paris and Brussels to Berlin on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The first NJ was seen off on its trip from Berlin this evening by the German, Belgian, French and Austrian transport ministers and the CEO’s of the four participating rail companies.

The new service is the latest milestone in a successful partnership between the European railways, which in 2020 had set themselves the goal of establishing environmentally friendly night train connections.

Also new since the December 10, 2023 timetable change is daily service with sleeping cars and seated coaches on the Munich–Vienna–Warsaw line. In December 2022, the partners added the Zurich–Prague night train line and extended the Munich–Venice/Rijeka/Zagreb/Vienna–Budapest night train by adding Stuttgart as a departure and destination station.

By steadily growing its selection of night trains, the alliance is making an important contribution to achieving the EU climate targets agreed in the Green Deal.

Tickets for the night train connections from Berlin to Brussels and Paris are available from EUR 34.90 per person and route for seated coach, from EUR 49.90 for couchette coach, and from EUR 79.90 for sleeping car. Nightjet and EuroNight tickets are available at all DB Travel Centres and agencies, and from bahn.de and the DB Navigator app. For more information on night train offers, visit bahn.de/nighttrain or nightjet.com.

Rolls-Royce extends sponsorship of Technology Lab in Friedrichshafen

December 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Friedrichshafen, Germany, December 6, 2023 – Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (London: RR) is to prolong its sponsorship of the Friedrichshafen Wissenswerkstatt e.V. (technology lab) and has committed to continuing funding for another five years. That means that the Wissenswerkstatt Friedrichshafen will benefit from a total of 250,000 euros up to 2028. It offers technology courses for children and teenagers from the age of five to eighteen at two locations in Friedrichshafen.

The courses given in the Wissenswerkstatt are not just designed to impart knowledge, but to highlight the enjoyable side of technology. In a relaxed atmosphere, the participants, working in groups of up to 14 or individually, engage in practical projects such as ‘Voltage from Veg – the Potato Battery’, or ‘The Internal Combustion Engine’s, or ‘Robotics – When Machines Do What I Say’.

One contribution Rolls-Royce Power Systems already made to the Wissenswerkstatt is an mtu Series 1600 engine on which participants learn about how an internal combustion engine is structured and works.

The general members’ meeting of the Wissenswerkstatt voted for Martin Stocker, head of training at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, to take up a seat on the board of the organization, which he will be retaining voluntarily in the future.

Forward-Looking Statements

Airbus and BMW Group launch Quantum Computing Competition

December 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Santa Clara, California, December 6, 2023 – Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) and BMW Group (Xetra: BMWG) launch a global Quantum Computing Challenge entitled “The Quantum Mobility Quest” to tackle the most pressing challenges in aviation and automotive that have remained insurmountable for classical computers. This challenge is the first-of-its-kind, bringing together two global industry leaders to harness quantum technologies for real-world industrial applications, unlocking the potential to forge more efficient, sustainable and safer solutions for the future of transportation.

Quantum computing has the potential to significantly enhance computational power and to enable the most complex operations that challenge even today’s best computers. In particular, for data-driven industries like the transportation sector, this emerging technology could play a crucial role in simulating various industrial and operational processes, opening up opportunities to shape future mobility products and services.

Challenge candidates are invited to select one or more problem statements: improved aerodynamics design with quantum solvers, future automated mobility with quantum machine learning, more sustainable supply chain with quantum optimisation, and enhanced corrosion inhibition with quantum simulation. Additionally, candidates can put forward their own quantum technologies with the potential to develop native apps yet to be explored in the transportation sector.

The challenge is hosted by The Quantum Insider (TQI) and divided into two parts, a four-month phase where participants will develop a theoretical framework for one of the given statements, and a second phase during which selected finalists will implement and benchmark their solutions. Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides candidates with an opportunity to run their algorithms on their Amazon Braket quantum computing service.

A jury composed of world-leading quantum experts will team up with experts from Airbus, BMW Group, and AWS to evaluate submitted proposals and award one winning-team with a €30,000 prize in each of the five challenges, by the end of 2024.

Registration opens today, and submissions will be accepted from mid-January through April 30, 2024 here: www.thequantuminsider.com/quantum-challenge.

Forward-Looking Statements

Archives