All articles by Adele Berti
Adele Berti
Information is power: how Govia Thameslink is using tech to protect commuters
Much like many other rail operators in the UK, Govia Thameslink Railway has been heavily impacted by Covid-19. As it continues to deal with reduced services and plummeting traffic, we asks chief financial officer Ian McLaren how GTR is using technology and information to protect its staff and commuters.
Information is power: how Govia Thameslink is using tech to protect commuters
Much like many other rail operators in the UK, Govia Thameslink Railway has been heavily impacted by Covid-19. As it continues to deal with reduced services and plummeting traffic, chief financial officer Ian McLaren explains how GTR is using technology and information to protect its staff and commuters.
Rail innovation: is Australia falling behind?
A report from the Australasian Railway Association is calling for rail innovation to be named a national priority to prevent the country from slipping behind its competitors. ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie speaks about the reasons behind the sector’s struggles and what can be done to get Australian rail back on its feet.
Is Germany’s love affair with DB unfair to other operators?
Members of the German rail freight sector are protesting against the federal government for failing to support them during the Covid-19 crisis in favour of Deutsche Bahn, which they claim has been receiving preferential treatment. Do these claims hold water, and what role can the EU play in ensuring fair competition in Germany?
Is the ‘death of the commute’ forcing a ticketing rethink?
Traditional rail tickets are generally structured around the average workday, with peak or off-peak prices shaped around rush hour and weekly season tickets. Yet with many now working from home, should fares and tickets change to reflect new commuter patterns?
Debate: should railway tax be axed?
UK rail operators are calling for a reform in transport fares and taxes to better reflect and reward the industry’s low carbon footprint. While less polluting than other sectors, critics point out that the rail industry is still a significant polluter with a huge physical footprint. Do railways deserve to be let off the hook in favour of higher aviation taxes, or should train operators still pay a share? Our two writers examine the pros and cons.
US election: could Joe Biden spark a Second Great Railroad Revolution?
With the US election only a day away, a new white paper from Bloomberg Intelligence has assessed the ramifications it could have on the rail industry and why a potential Biden administration would trigger a railroad revolution.
How China’s New Silk Road became a ‘life channel’ during Covid-19
With many airlines grounded due to travel restrictions, the China-Europe freight train service experienced a record peak in demand during the coronavirus pandemic. With a new route now expected between Xi’an and Barcelona, how has the line evolved over the years, and what does its future look like post-pandemic?
Private rail for India: a positive step towards long-overdue reform?
Private operators are being invited to run services across India’s rail network for the first time. However, the move is causing division between those supporting a reform of the network and those who fear the ramifications of privatisation.
Stonehaven rail crash: key lessons to learn
A recent train derailment in Scotland that proved fatal for three people has highlighted the threat posed by increasingly extreme weather patterns to rail safety. What lessons can be learned for the future?