Category: Train news (Page 23 of 23)

Amtrak Celebrates 48 Years; Looks to the Future

May 1, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

WASHINGTON – Continuing its FY18 success, Amtrak is on track for its best year as the company celebrates its 48^th year of operations. Fiscal year ridership is up 1.3% through March over FY18, and Amtrak is heading toward breakeven on an operating earnings basis by FY21. Amtrak has committed to investing billions in modernizing infrastructure, fleet, and facilities to meet the growing needs and ensure a continued, bright future for passenger rail service across the nation.

Following the enactment of the Rail Passenger Service Act in 1970, Amtrak began serving customers on May 1, 1971, taking over the operation for most intercity passenger trains then operated by private railroads in exchange for access to their respective networks, thus preserving intercity passenger rail service across America. With demonstrated success under new leadership and growing demand for passenger rail, it’s a pivotal time for America’s Railroad^® to reinforce the promises made 48 years ago and to reassess Amtrak’s network for the next 50 years.

“We are changing intercity passenger rail to meet the needs of America – modernizing our trains and stations, improving on-time performance, and adding contemporary amenities – making it the preferred mode of travel for customers,” said Amtrak President & CEO Richard Anderson. “We are experiencing record growth, and we look forward to working with Congress to further invest in our rail infrastructure to better serve the changing landscape of our nation.”

With much of Amtrak’s infrastructure dating to the early 1900s and most of Amtrak’s equipment nearing the end of its useful life, considerable investments are needed to address increased highway congestion, rapid urbanization, and the threats posed by our changing climate.

Additionally, millennials and aging populations are changing the overall travel landscape, forming new markets, with many of the fastest growing markets having limited or no intercity passenger rail service.

“We have been building a successful company over the last several years: best-ever operating performance, record ridership and revenue, and the highest ever capital spend,” said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia. “We have the potential to meaningfully enhance how this country moves in the future, to provide frequent and reliable, city-to-city passenger rail service.”

Last month, Amtrak submitted its 5 Year Plans which provide a comprehensive strategic and financial view of the services that Amtrak provides its customers along with its General and Legislative Annual Report to Congress. Amtrak is preparing to transmit a comprehensive re-authorization proposal to Congress later this year as the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act is set to expire.

New Europe Thalys Routes and Travel Opportunities

April 30, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

June 2019 will see Thalys servicing new destinations — Paris Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport and Marne-la-Vallée, which is en route to Disneyland Paris and the shopping outlets of La Vallée Village. With connections from Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and central Amsterdam, you won’t want to miss out on the new travel opportunities!

By the way, tickets are already available for booking, so get planning!

New Routes at Low Fares

Thalys will operate two daily services from Amsterdam Central and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Paris Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport and Marne-la-Vallée. Stopping at Rotterdam, Anvers and Brussels, you can secure low fares by planning and booking in advance.

From Airport to Airport

If you’re spending part of your European vacation in Amsterdam, but flying out of Paris Charles de Gaulle (or visa versa), consider saving precious time and money by jumping on a Thalys train connecting the two cities instead of flying. Why? Because you will travel comfortably sans queues and rushing about. Spend that time relaxing in the comfortable seats while taking in the scenery planning your next trip!

Add the Magic of Disney!

You might be discovering the sites of Amsterdam or Brussels, but why not throw in a side trip to Disneyland Paris? Just jump on a Thalys train and change at Marne-la-Vallée. You might even fancy a spot of shopping at La Vallée Village while you’re there. Disneyland and shopping – now that’s a recipe for a some serious family fun!

The connections:
Amsterdam to Marne La Vallée: 3 hr 41 min
Rotterdam to Marne La Vallée: 3 hr 02 min
Antwerp to Marne La Vallée: 2 hr 26 min
Brussels to Marne La Vallée: 1 hr 33 min

New Look and Feel

Not only will there be new routes, Thalys trains will also have a new look in 2022. An exciting project between Belgian designer Axel Enthoven and French designer Matali Crasset, one major feature in the train’s new design is increased storage space for bicycles!

CN Rail Quarterly Profit Rises on Petroleum Shipments

April 29, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

April 29 (Reuters) – Canadian National Railway Co reported a 6 percent rise in quarterly profit on Monday, as it transported higher volumes of petroleum and chemical products.

U.S. listed shares of the company rose 2.1 percent in after-hours trading.

The company’s net income rose to C$786 million, or C$1.08 per share, in the first quarter ended March 31, from C$741 million, or C$1 per share, a year earlier.

However, excluding one-time items, the railroad company earned C$1.17 per share, missing the analyst average estimate of C$1.18, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

Canada’s largest railway operator said total carloads, the amount of freight loaded into cars, rose less than a percent.

Operating ratio, a closely watched productivity metric that measures expenses as a percentage of revenue, rose to 69.5 percent from 67.8 percent a year earlier. The lower the ratio, the more efficient a railroad.

($1 = C$1.34)

(Reporting by Arundhati Sarkar in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)

Close To 85,000 Travelers Took VIA Rail During Easter Weekend

April 29, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

MONTRÉAL, April 25, 2019 – VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) continued its long multiple-quarter streak of increased revenue with a solid performance over Easter weekend. Passenger revenue was up 8,8% from 2018’s Easter break, giving the Corporation its best performance in 10 years.

Out of the approximately 85,000 travelers who chose VIA Rail to get around, more than half boarded trains within Ontario on routes that included Ottawa – Toronto, where 10 departures are offered each day in both directions. As for interprovincial travel, 29% of passengers took the train between Ontario and Quebec, particularly on the Montréal – Toronto and Montréal – Ottawa segments. In six days, VIA Rail trains covered a total distance of 28 million kilometres.

Of the busiest segments, the most notable increases over the long weekend were between Montréal and Québec City, Ottawa and Québec City, and Kitchener and Toronto, where passengers opted to take the train instead of their cars for a comfortable and worry-free springtime getaway with their friends or family.

“Our transformation plan continues to pay off as we bring Canadians towards a more sustainable future,” said Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail. “These results are a testament to the growing popularity of train travel and to our commitment to offering passengers a sensible, green alternative to road travel and an easy, sustainable and enjoyable travel experience. This is VIA Rail’s contribution to the future of Canada and of Canadian communities. I commend the sustained efforts and the remarkable devotion of our employees, who are largely the drivers of VIA Rail’s success.”

VIA Rail cross-Canada routes

Most popular route: Ottawa – Toronto
Most notable ridership increases on the Québec City – Windsor corridor: Montréal – Québec City (up 15%), Ottawa – Québec City (up 11.6%) and Kitchener – Toronto (up 9.8%)
24.7% revenue and 8.9% ridership increases on non-Corridor routes (Toronto – Vancouver and Montréal – Halifax long-distance trains, and regional routes)
Busiest day: Thursday, April 18

About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada’s national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and all its employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships, and safely transports nearly 4.8 million passengers annually. The Corporation has been awarded five Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada since 2007. Visit the “About VIA Rail” section at https://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail.

Bombardier Signs Contract to Upgrade Trains for Queensland

April 5, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Bombardier to lead a $361 million AUD design change programme requested by the Queensland Government
Bombardier to leverage local supply chain to improve fleet’s accessibility and passenger experience

Mobility technology leader Bombardier Transportation announced today an order from the Queensland Government to deliver modifications to the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains currently being introduced to the South-East Queensland rail network. The order has been signed on March 29^th. The total value of the contract is approximately $361 million AUD ($255 million US, 228 million euro) which includes design and delivery, as well as ongoing maintenance, over the remaining term of the public-private partnership.

“Bombardier is proud to partner with Queensland Government to deliver the new generation trains to the passenger rail network. This variation order is an important request from our customer, and we will continue to work closely with them to deliver the NGR project in line with the enhanced specifications set out by the Queensland Government,” said Paul Brown, Bombardier Transportation’s Project Director for the Queensland New Generation Rollingstock project.

Bombardier is leading the Qtectic consortium contracted to deliver the NGR project and will undertake the work to modify the trains in line with the government’s revised design specifications with industry partner Downer EDI. The agreement between Bombardier and the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will see the previously approved toilet modules upgraded for improved disability access. The changes will also include an additional module added to each six-car train to provide improved access for passengers with limited mobility.

“The significance of the NGR project in Queensland cannot be understated,” affirmed Wendy McMillan, President, Southeast Asia and Australia at Bombardier Transportation. “With 70 percent of Queensland’s future population growth targeted in the South-East region, the NGR fleet will bring a significant 26 percent capacity increase to the South-East Queensland rail network to meet the growing demand for rail services. It’s a game-changing project for Queensland and Bombardier is proud to be delivering it.”

Features of the new trains include capacity for 964 passengers in each six-car train, onboard WiFi, CCTV throughout the train, LCD infotainment displays, toilet modules, 12 allocated spaces for mobility aids and more enhancements to the passenger experience.

Bombardier has created more than 2,000 local jobs across the industry and supply chain throughout this project. The design and toilet modification activities will support a further 100 local jobs at Downer’s Maryborough facility in addition to the 145 current Bombardier employees at the Wulkuraka Maintenance Facility.

The $4.4 billion AUD NGR project is being delivered under a public-private partnership with the Queensland Government and was awarded to Qtectic, comprising Bombardier Transportation, John Laing, Itochu and Aberdeen Standard Investments. The project includes the design and delivery of 75 new passenger trains, construction of a new maintenance centre at Wulkuraka, Ipswich and 32-years of fleet maintenance.

About Bombardier

With over 68,000 employees across four business segments, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.