Next stop: the station of the future
To improve access for urban, regional and inter-city passengers, the rail industry is taking bold steps to transform stations into user-friendly locations that are easier to navigate, safer, more inviting and better integrated with their surrounding communities. While it is difficult to say with certainty what exactly the station will look like in a decade or two, a number of projects and innovations which are currently considered niche and futuristic are beginning to bear fruit, offering a glimpse of what could soon become commonplace. [railjournal.com]
NYC transit sees contactless fares systemwide by year’s end
With the activation of its One Metro New York (OMNY) contactless fare payment system at all Bronx subway stations, New York City’s MTA has completed OMNY installation at 60 percent of its stations systemwide. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) contiues to install OMNY readers at stations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. All subway stations in New York City are expected to have the OMNY readers installed by year’s end, after which time MetroCard payments will be phased out. [progressiverailroading.com]
Lufthansa doubles train to flight offering In Germany
Even before covid-related aviation cutbacks, a trend towards more environmentally friendly travel within Germany has seen domestic flights dropping since July 2019. A glance at the departure boards in Frankfurt Airport reveals part of the reason – with several flight numbers corresponding to a range of Deutsche Bahn trains. Now German flag carrier Lufthansa is expanding its train-to-flight offering within Germany. Lufthansa Express Rail will allow flyers to use their boarding passes to travel by train between Frankfurt Airport and a total of 17 domestic destinations. [simpleflying.com]
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority awaits adoption by 11 Montana counties
A resolution creating the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority will include 11 founding members when it goes to a vote in the coming weeks, representing nearly half the counties along the former route across Montana’s southern tier. Each of the 11 counties must hold individual public hearings before adopting the resolution, making the rail authority official. Once each county adopts the resolution, they will appoint a member to the authority’s board, and the board will get to work on taking steps in its push to restore passenger rail. [missoulacurrent.com]
Egyptian rail on track as first Russian trains arrive
The Egyptian Railway Authority (ERA) has taken delivery of three new Russian trains which will join the existing Egyptian fleet servicing the governorates of Cairo, Alexandria, Assuit and Luxor. The delivery is the first of its type from Russia, following an ERA contract with Russian company Transmashholding, the country’s largest locomotive and rail equipment manufacturer. The contract involves building and supplying 1,300 train carriages, some with air-conditioning capabilities. [zawya.com]
