Union Station in Toronto gets makeover to promote social distancing
Toronto’s central transit hub, Union Station, is preparing for more folks to begin trickling in and out of the city with new measures to help ensure health and safety. Screens, as well as new signage and decals placed around the station remind riders of protocols issued by health officials, including physical distancing. A large floor decal in the York Concourse illustrates the two-metre rule. Riders can also use an ATP meter to measure covid’s presence on PRESTO cards after which they can wipe the virus away using one of the station’s cleaning agents. [blogto.com]
Remainder of 2020 looks bleak for Europe’s passenger rail
In its most recent study, German rail market analyst SCI Verkehr concludes that the Covid-19 crisis is a turning point for passenger transport in Europe and that prospects for rail competition look bleak. Demand in worst affected countries, like Italy and France, fell by over 90%. With easing of restrictions, passengers have begun to return, but ridership remains low. The study predicts that while a second wave in autumn would again see passenger numbers decline, new rules of behavior and more targeted lockdowns would have mitigating effects. [railjournal.com]
Tramway under construction at North Korean beach resort
A tram line is reported to be under construction at the Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort which is being developed on North Korea’s east coast. The trams are being built at the Kim Chong-t’ae Electric Locomotive Works in Pyongyang. The construction of tram lines has been encouraged by Pyongyang for sustainability reasons, notably through a reduction in air pollution. North Korea currently has tram networks in the cities of Pyongyang and Chongjin, while 12 more cities have trolleybus networks although at least two of these may be out of service. [railwaygazette.com]
Amtrak detects data breach
Amtrak experienced a data breach in April exposing the personal information of some of its Guest Rewards members, according to notices sent recently to customers whose accounts were affected. Amtrak acknowledged that an unknown third party, using compromised usernames and passwords, had gained unauthorized access to certain accounts and that some personal information may have been viewed. No financial data, credit card information or Social Security numbers were compromised, according to the notice. [progressiverailroading.com]
