Why railway is the future of global business travel?

Friday, March 1, 2024

The world of railway travel is on the brink of a monumental shift, heralding an era of sustainability, efficiency, and luxury that promises to redefine the passenger experience. From the desert sands of the United Arab Emirates to the bustling cities of India and the historic railways of the United Kingdom, the global travel industry is embracing a future where trains play a central role in our quest for greener, faster, and more connected forms of transportation.

U.S. federal government is allocating $7.3 billion in grants for major passenger rail projects

The U.S. federal government is allocating $7.3 billion in grants for major passenger rail projects, including high-speed connections between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as service expansions from Chicago and a new line from Richmond, VA, to Raleigh, NC. This funding aims to stimulate real estate development, provide climate-friendly travel alternatives, and enhance connectivity across major metropolitan areas, as part of President Biden’s push to expand nationwide rail services.

US Embraces High-Speed Rail: A Leap Forward

The United States is making strides in high-speed rail with the announcement of over $6 billion in grant funding for projects such as the Brightline West line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles and the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s system. These initiatives signify a growing recognition of the benefits of high-speed rail in enhancing connectivity, reducing travel times, and supporting sustainable transportation goals. As the US plays catch-up with global high-speed rail networks, these projects herald a new chapter in American transportation.

Sustainable Innovation: Great Western Railway’s Milestone

In the United Kingdom, the Great Western Railway (GWR) has recently set a new benchmark for battery-electric train travel, achieving the longest journey on a single charge in the country’s history. This achievement underscores a significant leap towards sustainable rail travel, leveraging Vivarail’s FastCharge technology to edge closer to the UK’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050. GWR’s commitment to pioneering advancements in railway technology not only highlights the potential for battery-electric trains but also sets a precedent for the future of sustainable rail transport.

American Express Global Business Travel to Focus on Rail Trips with UK Travel Agent Licence

American Express Global Business Travel secures Travel Agent Licence from Rail Delivery Group, enhancing UK rail for businesses & promoting green travel. American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), a prominent provider of software and services for travel and expense management, has been granted a Travel Agent Licence (TAL) by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), a leading organization in the UK’s rail industry. This accreditation enables Amex GBT to offer an expanded selection of National Rail products to its business clients, encompassing duties related to sales, refunds, and customer support.

Rachel Tonge, Vice President SME client management EMEA at Amex GBT, said: “Rail is an increasingly important lever for our customers to manage their travel programmes – from carbon emissions to traveller wellbeing and cost of trip. Gaining an RDG Travel Agent Licence means we can invest more in rail retailing, increase our advocacy for the industry, and better meet our customers’ needs around sustainability, well-being and rail buying strategies.”

Etihad Rail: Connecting the Emirates and Beyond

The Etihad Rail project in the United Arab Emirates represents a visionary leap in transportation, aiming to connect the seven Emirates and extend its reach across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This ambitious network is set to revolutionize travel in the region by offering high-speed, luxurious, and efficient rail services. With freight services already operational, Etihad Rail is showcasing the environmental and economic benefits of rail over traditional road transport, setting a new standard for rail travel in the Middle East and beyond.

European Year of Skills takes center stage at the 2024 European Railway Award

The 17th edition of the European Railway Award took place today in Brussels, organized jointly by the European Rail Supply Industry Association (UNIFE) and the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER). This year’s event, held during the European Year of Skills, celebrated notable achievements in the railway sector.

Former European Transport Commissioner, Violeta Bulc, was honored with the Rail Champion prize for her significant contributions to promoting women in transport professions. Additionally, the Rail Trailblazer prize was awarded to a pioneering project by Danish State Railways (DSB), which introduced a new train operator profile for their S-trains.

The prestigious ceremony, held at Belgium’s Royal Museums of Fine Arts, was inaugurated by Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commission Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal. In attendance, representing the Belgian Presidency of the EU, was Georges Gilkinet, the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mobility.

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet approves new railway regulations for the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet approved on Tuesday new regulations that govern the railways in the Kingdom. In 2023, number of railways passengers exceeded 11.2 million. The decision “supports achieving the goals of the National Transport & Logistics Strategy, and contributes to the governance of the railway sector and regulates the relationship between the infrastructure owner, the operator and the beneficiary,” Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser said.

The new regulations will ensure that railway services providers continue to apply the highest standards and requirements for safety and quality, and will develop policies and legislation that ensure fair competitiveness, the minister added.

Hankyu Railway will now start a paid seat reservation service

Hankyu Railway plans to launch a paid seat reservation service on its Kyoto Line starting in July. The seats will be able to recline for increased passenger comfort. Additionally, free Wi-Fi will be available to passengers. There is introduction of a PRiVACE carriage on each of its limited express and semi-express trains. It said on Monday. Passengers will be able to purchase tickets for the PRiVACE seats online at a flat rate of ¥500 ($3.30) per ride, regardless of the length of the journey.

Historic British railway line given £180m boost to regenerate travel

The revival of the historic Northumberland Line, connecting Newcastle to Ashington, stands as a beacon of progress in British rail travel, marking its return after a hiatus of 60 years. With a substantial £180 million investment, this initiative is a testament to the enduring value and potential of rail infrastructure in enhancing societal connectivity and economic vitality.

The closure of this line in the 1960s, a casualty of the Beeching Cuts aimed at restructuring the UK’s then-nationalised railways, left a void in regional transportation. However, the persistent operation of freight services along this corridor maintained the line’s viability, setting the stage for its much-anticipated passenger service revival this summer. This endeavor is part of the Government’s ambitious Restoring Your Railways project, aiming to rectify past oversights and modernize the UK’s rail system.

Fully-electric train from Great Western Railway breaks UK record

Great Western Railway (GWR), an iconic institution in British rail history since 1833, has recently achieved a significant milestone in its pursuit of sustainable train travel. In the third year of testing battery-electric rail technology, GWR has set a new UK record for the longest journey by a battery-electric train, marking a significant leap towards a greener future in regional transportation.

This accomplishment aligns with GWR’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, aiming to meet the ambitious net-zero emissions target set by the UK Government and the railway industry for 2050. A pivotal moment in this journey was the partnership formed with Vivarail in February 2022 to trial FastCharge technology. This innovative solution is designed to power battery-electric trains across the network, representing a key advancement in sustainable rail travel. The acquisition of the intellectual property for FastCharge technology allowed GWR to implement necessary infrastructure, such as charging rails and line-side battery banks, setting the stage for groundbreaking trials.

Baltic States Railway can achieve faster development

Baltic States Railway can achieve faster development through joint efforts, says Latvian Railway (LDz) board chairman Rinalds Pļavnieks. This week there was a meeting of three Baltic States Railway and European Railway Infrastructure Managers Association “RailNetEurope” work group. During this meeting, participants addressed topics relevant for the development of the Baltic railway network.

Pļavnieks explains that this meeting helped outline the problems specific for the Baltic region in the context of the European railway network.

Amrit Bharat Scheme: India’s Railway Renaissance

India’s Amrit Bharat scheme is a bold initiative to modernize and transform the nation’s railway infrastructure. Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this comprehensive plan involves redeveloping over 550 railway stations into modern, eco-friendly travel hubs that integrate cultural heritage with contemporary convenience. This scheme not only aims to enhance the passenger experience but also to stimulate domestic tourism and improve the overall efficiency of India’s transportation network, marking a significant step forward in the country’s railway revolution.

Japan exports railway technology to Dominican Republic

The Japanese Government is actively supporting a group of Japanese companies in their efforts to export their underground railway technology to the Dominican Republic. This initiative is part of a larger project to develop an underground metro system within the country.

A briefing by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to the Dominican government is scheduled for today, aimed at discussing the costs and benefits of adopting Japanese subway technology for the proposed metro system. Additionally, METI has proposed providing yen loans to facilitate the acquisition of Japanese railway cars by the Dominican Republic.

The aim behind this venture is to enhance the existing metro infrastructure in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, with the project’s cost projected to exceed $660 million. Japan’s railway technology, particularly noted for its magnetic propulsion system, stands out for enabling the design of compact car bodies and reducing installation expenses, presenting a cost-effective solution compared to other technologies.

The Northumberland Line: Restoring Connections

The revival of the Northumberland Line, connecting Newcastle to Ashington, is a testament to the UK government’s commitment to enhancing rail connectivity. After a 60-year hiatus, this project, part of the Restoring Your Railways initiative, aims to reintroduce passenger services, thereby bolstering social and economic ties by providing an efficient alternative to road transport. The investment in this historic line reflects a broader recognition of the value of rail in supporting sustainable transportation and community development.

Japan’s Chūō Shinkansen: Pushing the Limits of Speed

Japan continues to lead the world in high-speed rail innovation with the development of the Chūō Shinkansen line. Designed to operate at speeds of up to 314 miles per hour, this engineering marvel will drastically reduce travel times between Tokyo and Osaka, showcasing the potential of high-speed rail to connect major cities efficiently. Despite facing construction delays, the Chūō Shinkansen exemplifies Japan’s commitment to advancing rail technology and its capacity to overcome geographical challenges.

Amtrak’s Frederick Douglass Tunnel: Overcoming Bottlenecks

The initiation of demolition for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program by Amtrak marks a significant step towards modernizing the Northeast Corridor. This project aims to alleviate one of the largest bottlenecks in the US rail network, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of Amtrak and MARC commuter trains. The commencement of this project underscores the ongoing efforts to upgrade and expand the US rail infrastructure, promising a more seamless and efficient travel experience for passengers.

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