Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Monday, 14th March 2022
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Monday, 14th March 2022
Hundreds of station ticket offices could be closed under a post-pandemic revamp of Britain’s railways.
An article on the Mail Online says rail industry leaders have been in talks with the government about ways to modernise the network under a new publicly-owned national body.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is keen to reduce taxpayer funding following the £16billion bailout during the COVID pandemic and staff costs will be a main focus of the plan.
A heritage steam railway which struggled to recover from the pandemic has reopened after a winter of engineering works.
An article on the BBC says the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire steam railway saw a 77 per cent drop in passenger numbers when it was forced to close during the COVID restrictions.
It survived by using financial reserves and with government funding.
Passengers are now being welcomed back to the 14 mile (22.5km) trip through the Cotswolds.
Harrow-on-the-Hill Underground station on the Metropolitan line has become step-free, helping customers with reduced mobility to access the station and the wider Transport for London (TfL) network.
Four new lifts have been installed at Harrow-on-the-Hill station, providing a step-free route between the street and Metropolitan line trains. In addition, station signage has been enhanced to assist with wayfinding.
Harrow-on-the Hill becomes London’s 91st step-free Tube station, meaning that a third of Underground stations are now step-free.
The historic Bristol Harbour Railway has celebrated its 150th birthday.
The line was formally opened on 11 March 1872 by the Lady Mayoress of Bristol, Mrs Elizabeth Hare.
It was used to transport items arriving in the city by ship, including vital supplies during both world wars.
Photo credit: Transport for London
