Amtrak and Uber are joining forces in a pilot programme designed to create a complete public-private transport system. In the scheme, led by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and technology provider TransLoc’s Rider app, Amtrak train stations will be linked up with Uber's taxi service to close the final mile between the station and home. We examine this partnership to discover how public-private transport could create an interconnected public transit network.

In another shakeup, franchise-dominated UK rail may be about to change with Alliance Rail Holdings' proposal to launch an open access passenger service on the Southampton-London Waterloo route. We explore what open access would mean and how it could affect future services.

Plus, we get a look at the revised routes for HS2 and weigh up the costs, find out about mobile tickets in the Apple Wallet, speak to experts about using drones to investigate railway accidents, discuss intelligent planning solutions for rail networks, and get insight from Interserve into today's passenger security.

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In this issue

Open Access
UK rail is dominated by big franchises but this may be about to change with Alliance Rail Holdings’ proposal to launch an open access passenger service on the Southampton-London Waterloo route. What is open access rail and how does it work?
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HS2: Persuading a Nation
The UK Government has published the preferred route for HS2 phase 2b, which includes major changes following public consultation. But with further route decisions to be made and endless cost concerns, can critics be convinced that the scheme is worth it?
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Uber & Amtrak Go for the Last Mile
The TransLoc Rider app is connecting Amtrak train stations with Uber’s taxi service over a three-month pilot programme, led by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. We look into the partnership and benefits of an interconnected public-private network.
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Aerial Investigations
Network Rail is increasingly integrating drones in its accident investigation branch, but some issues around privacy, regulation, costs and staff expertise still need to be ironed out. We speak strategy with NR air operations manager at the International Rail Accident Investigation Conference.
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Mobile Ticketing Moves to the Apple Wallet
Trainline has partnered with Virgin Trains West Coast to launch mobile tickets in the Apple Wallet – a rail industry first. We speak to Trainline’s retail director, John Davies, to find out more.
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Investing in Intelligent Planning
Running a railway is an increasingly complicated business. Twan Janssen, business unit director of transportation for Quintiq, explores the pressures on rail operators and sophisticated solutions to planning problems.
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The Shared Responsibility of Securing Stations
Train station security is one of the industry’s biggest concerns and Kevin Murgatroyd, transport director at Interserve, explores ways to ensure that all employees in the station environment, from operators and station managers to retailers and the supply chain, can help keep passengers safe.
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Next issue preview

While diesel is still a major player, many countries are experimenting with new forms of power, including hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. We round up the alternatives.

Around the regions, we look at the plans for Sydney Metro stage three which will link the Sydney and Parramatta business centres, look at the scale of New York’s rail refuse problem and proposed solutions, and ask, despite technical prowess, is Japan’s high-speed bullet train too expensive for foreign export?

Plus, we explore the corrupt world of counterfeiting digital tickets and how to combat forgeries, and find out how Virgin is going to recruit drivers for its new Azuma trains, when 15,000 have applied for the 78 positions on offer.

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