As Valley Flyer marks six months, planners look to expand passenger rail in Western Massachusetts
Rail boosters wanting to make the new Valley Flyer service from Springfield to Greenfield permanent have a ridership goal to meet. The service must reach 24,000 passengers a year by 2021 or the state will pull its $1 million-a-year funding. The north-south route is the latest in a number of dramatic expansions of rail service and rail infrastructure, including the $103 million renovation of Springfield Union Station. [masslive.com]
Mobile’s Amtrak deal…”what’s next?”
Passenger service between Mobile and New Orleans took a big step forward last week. That’s when the Mobile City Council voted to pay up to three million dollars to cover some operating costs for the first three years. However, money still has to be found for a new train station in Mobile and other improvements. Amtrak also must work with freight operators to determine the impact of having Amtrak on the same route as cargo trains. [apr.org]
Is Israel on the verge of a rail revolution?
The opening of multiple new rail lines and light rail systems marks a sharp change in public policy that for decades has under-invested in Israel’s transport infrastructure. But the spate of new construction is not without its problems with a damning report alleging mismanagement and warped priorities. Nonetheless, given Israel’s overreliance on cars, the country’s commitment to large scale public transport infrastructure can only be welcomed – if the state can deliver on its promised projects. [citymetric.com]
Can Hardt beat Virgin to launch the hyperloop train in Europe?
The number of firms attempting to launch hyperloop projects across the globe is rising. Virgin Hyperloop, for instance, has begun tracklaying for a hyperloop train between Mumbai and Pune, India. Another such firm, Hardt Hyperloop, aims to bring the technology to Europe. Led by Dutch engineer Tim Houter, the company said that the main goal is to connect all major cities in Europe with travel times of less than two hours. [railway-technology.com]
More people traveling between Canberra and Sydney by train
The number of passengers traveling between Canberra and Sydney by train has increased more than a third in the last five years. In 2014-15 just over 187,000 people made the trip in either direction, while 250,977 people travelled by train in 2018-19. While travel by cars and buses is currently faster, newly purchased trains and a range of signalling and track improvements are expected to shorten travel times. [canberratimes.com.au]
