Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Tuesday, 11th July 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Tuesday, 11th July 2023
Rail fares could be cut in half under government plans to allow trains to compete on the same lines, a leading rail body has said.
An article in The Telegraph says Rail Partners, which represents private rail firms, suggested passengers could see huge reductions of between 15 and 50 per cent in ticket costs if the government pushes ahead with its plan to increase the number of open access operators.
Open access operators run services alongside the main franchise operators on rail lines, but have so far had limited use in the UK. Unlike rail franchises, they do not require any government subsidy and can bid for train services from the Office of Rail and Road that compete directly with the main operator.
In its Track to Growth report, Rail Partners looked at the increasing use of open access across Europe and the impact this has had on services and fares.
More London Underground drivers are set to take strike action as part of a dispute over pensions and conditions.
An article on the BBC website says union Aslef said its members will walk out on 26 and 28 July.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has already announced that its members will take industrial action from 23 July until 28 July.
There are already separate rail strikes scheduled at 14 train companies on 22 and 29 July.
Scotland’s Railway has invited contractors to tender for a £900 million framework that covers the delivery of railway structures renewals, buildings, enhancement, geotechnical and drainage works, across Scotland.
An article on Ground Engineering website says in the contract notice published on 29 June, Scotland’s Railway said the procurement will be split into three separate lots, with lot A valued at £100 million, lot B valued at £480 million, and lot C valued at £320 million.
Each of the lots starts on 1 April 2024 and ends on 31 March 2029, but the framework agreement can be extended by three years to a maximum duration of eight years. Tenders can be submitted for a total of two lots.
Rail passengers are being advised about a six-month long project which starts this weekend to completely rebuild platform 3 at Lichfield Trent Valley station.
Platform 3 is the last stop on the Cross City line directly above platforms 1 and 2 on the West Coast main line.
Network Rail is investing £5.8 million to improve the railway interchange, making journeys much more reliable for passengers using both routes in future.
The work will at first see the old structure taken down over nine-days from this Saturday with a modern, stronger platform reinstated six months later.
Photo credit: Network Rail
