Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Tuesday, 19th March 2024.
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Tuesday, 19th March 2024
A fast-charging battery-powered train is being trialled in west London.
An article on the BBC website says the pilot of the Class 230 battery train is taking place between West Ealing and Greenford.
At West Ealing, the former London Underground District line train is charged for three and a half minutes before restarting its journey on the Greenford branch line.
Great Western Railway said it was hoped the technology could one day see battery-powered trains in operation across the UK’s branch lines.
Workers at the White Rose railway station project on Elland Road, south of Leeds downed tools last week, while a timescale on work re-commencing remains unknown.
That’s according to an article on The Yorkshire Post website that says a joint statement to The Yorkshire Post on behalf of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Network Rail, developers Munroe K and principal contractors Spencer Group, describes “a temporary pause” in construction of the new station, but provides no indication of how long the pause may last.
“This decision comes in light of an unforeseen increase in project costs, prompting a thorough evaluation of future funding sources to ensure the project’s successful completion,” they said late yesterday.
A tap-and-go ticketing system is set to be introduced on the Merseyrail network as part of a £10 million investment.
An article on the BBC website says passengers will be able to use a Metro Card linked to their bank account for journeys across the Liverpool City Region from autumn.
Bank cards and smart devices will be able to be used next year.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said the move came as the current ticketing system was “no longer equipped” to meet passenger demand.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that Alex Hynes will take up the role of Director General, Rail Services, on 15 April 2024. Alex is set to join the DfT on a two-year secondment from his current position as Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway.
In his current role, Alex has successfully led the Scotland’s Railway team, which has been accountable for devolving more responsibility for rail in Scotland, while working effectively with partners Transport Scotland and ScotRail to grow collaboration for the benefit of rail users across the country.
He said: “Our railways play a vital role connecting people right across the country and I look forward to working closely with DfT colleagues to help industry deliver the services that passengers rightly expect, while laying the track for a simpler, more effective rail system.”
