Quebec to study simplified Amtrak customs clearance
The Quebec government is helping to fund a feasibility study and plans to add customs centres at Montreal’s Central Station so trains between Montreal and New York would no longer have to stop at the U.S. border. In the newest budget plan, the province committed $1 million to the study. If implemented, U.S. pre-clearance and Canadian clearance at Central Station would reduce the 10-hour trip by an hour or two by eliminating the need to stop at the border. [montrealgazette.com]
Hitachi building DC Metro’s new trains in Maryland
Hitachi Rail, the company contracted to build Metro’s newest 8000-series trains, will open a factory in Hagerstown, Maryland. The $70 million factory will create a total of more than 1,300 jobs in the region, bringing in more than $350 million annually for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Hitachi is only the second manufacturer to construct Metro trains in the region. The factory will produce about 20 railcars a month. Hitachi signed a contract valued at around $1 billion with WMATA in 2020 to construct the 8000-series set, with the stipulation that the trains would be built in the area. [npr.org]
App assists visually impaired travelers through full journey
London Overground operator Arriva Rail London has funded a trial of an audio navigation app from Waymap which is designed to help people with visual impairments travel more independently. The app has previously been tested on a limited basis, but this was the first trial of navigation throughout a full journey, with 10 blind volunteers. They used Waymap to enter the station, make their way to the platform, board, alight and exit at the destination. all said they would be more likely to use public transport if Waymap were available. [railwaygazette.com]
Ecuador takes first steps to rehabilitate its railway network
Ecuador’s transport and public works ministry (MTOP) will start the preliminary procedures for the reactivation process of the 966km railway network, with projected investments reaching US$2.5bn. In March 2020, operations stopped amid the pandemic and, in May of that year, the government liquidated the public railway company, which registered losses of US$144mn between 2012 and September 2020. The ministry said at least six companies have signaled interest in the tender. [bnamericas.com]
