In The News | 19th May 2021 | Latest Rail News

Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Wednesday, 19th May 2021

The latest rail news on Wednesday, 19th May 2021

Sweeping reforms to rail ticketing are to be unveiled tomorrow.

An article in The Sun says flexible bundles of up to eight tickets will help commuters who want to combine working from home with office trips.

Contactless payments offering all travellers the best deals will also be rolled out nationwide.

The families of the seven people killed in the Croydon tram crash have spoken of their heartbreak as an inquest into their deaths begin.

An article in The Daily Mirror says grieving mum Beverley Gray paid tribute to her son Dane Chinnery, 19, who was among those who lost their lives when a tram derailed in 2016.

A further 51 were injured when the tram derailed in South London on November 9, 2016. The inquest is expected to last until August.

Transport for London has been given a stay of execution as bailout talks reach a deadlock over the £150 million cost to reopen Hammersmith Bridge.

The article in The Daily Telegraph says the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has granted TfL a 10-day extension after the most recent taxpayer funding expire.

He said it would allow “for a longer-term offer to be made to move TfL on to a more financially sustainable footing”.

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Finally, starting today, passengers of some Avanti West Coast services can upgrade to “standard premium”, halfway between first and standard.

The story features in The Daily Telegraph that says with the guarantee of a table, leather headrest and a wider seat, it will cost a flat fee, regardless of the original fare.

Initially available only as an upgrade, Avanti said it will be available to pre-book from July for journeys from September onwards.

Photo credit: Avanti West Coast

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