Capacity vs comfort: balancing the interior design
With more riders than ever before and, despite the impact of Covid-19, passenger growth expected to exceed forecasts, Netherlands Railways (NS) has begun the process for ordering a new fleet of high-capacity trains. The new fleet will consist of double-deck and single-deck coaches, which will both increase capacity and improve accessibility. But simply creating bigger trains is not the only way NS is looking to increase capacity, with the interior design and seating arrangements also playing a crucial role. [railjournal.com]
RTD of Denver retrofits its light-rail cars for better accessibility
With retrofitting of 172 light-rail cars and complementary outfitting of 29 new cars, disabled patrons using mobility devices are boarding Denver RTD light-rail vehicles with greatly improved access. Riders using wheelchairs, scooters or walkers, are now presented with long, open riding spaces and a 60-inch circle of maneuverability designed to more ably accommodate passengers with disabilities. New stop request signals accessibly positioned at each rider space ease passenger requests for deboarding assistance.[masstransitmag.com]
Uber Transit Ticketing aims to make public transport visible and accessible
After early trials in Denver and Las Vegas, Uber Transit Ticketing has been rolled out across 13 public transport agencies in Ohio and Kentucky including the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar. The Uber app’s new Travel Planning option will enable passengers to plan journeys and buy tickets through the taxi booking company. Tickets are stored in the Uber app, and can be activated by passengers as they board without needing cellular connectivity. Visual and barcode validation is used for touch-free boarding. [railwaygazette.com]
Work begins on Newport News Transportation Center
State and city officials have broken ground on a $47 million transportation center in Newport News, Virginia. Construction on the transportation center — which will replace the city’s Amtrak station — is expected ton be complete by summer 2022. In addition to Amtrak, the new station will be a hub for Hampton Roads Transit buses, taxis and shuttles that serve Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. [progressiverailroading.com]
Elon Musk tweets new renderings of Las Vegas subway station
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has posted a tweet depicting the Las Vegas Convention Center loop station’s passenger departure area. A project of the Boring Company, the loop aims to transport people in Teslas from one end of the convention center to the other in what Musk tagged as the “individualized mass transit” creating the future for infrastructure. [techtimes.com]
