Toronto’s Crosstown LRT construction nearing completion
Work on Toronto’s 12 mile (19 kilometer) Eglinton Crosstown LRT project is heading toward the last lap. The line, which includes tunnel and surface alignments, is scheduled to open in September 2021. The route extends from Eglinton Avenue and Weston Road, in West Toronto, to Eglinton Avenue and Kennedy Road, in East Toronto. At the latter location, the LRT will interface with the existing TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) Bloor-Danforth Subway, for which Kennedy is the eastern terminal station. The LRT station will be underground at this location. [railwayage.com]
Coronavirus leads to new ways of working at KiwiRail
Covid-19 has led to new ways of working at New Zealand’s national railway according to KiwiRail chief Greg Miller. Additional PPE including masks, gloves and visors have been made available. Redesign of work protocols has resulted in reduced-size work teams, pre-work symptoms checks, and designated on-site observers to ensure teams are maintaining safe practices including maximum distancing. In particular, maintenance teams are working in “bubbles,” to avoid mixing across different sites. [railwaygazette.com]
Belgium restores most passenger services
Belgium has eased coronavirus travel restrictions, with SNCB and Infrabel restoring most domestic passenger rail services. A limited number of International services have also been restored including connections to Rotterdam, Visé, Lille, Maubeuge, Aulnoy, and Luxembourg. Passengers and staff are obliged to wear face covering in stations, on platforms, and on trains. SNCB is running full length trains to facilitate social distancing and off-peak travel is encouraged. Trains are being disinfected at regular intervals and enhanced cleaning of stations is continuing. [railjournal.com]
Johannesburg’s Gautrain back on track with reduced services
Gautang, South Africa’s Gautrain has resumed peak hour passenger service. The fast train, which links Johannesburg with OR Tambo International Airport, has not run since the start of the Coronavirus lockdown. Initially, trains will operate during daily morning and late afternoon rush hours only. Use of face masks, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of coaches, and daily screening of staff will be mandatory. Passengers will also be required to walk through harmless disinfecting spray booths before entering stations. [iol.co.za]
