In The News | 29th January 2024 | Latest Rail News

Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Monday, 29th January 2024. Sponsored by Petards Rail

InTheNews Sponsored by Petards Rail: The latest rail news on Monday, 29th January 2024

Rail passengers are facing severe disruptions to their journeys today as Aslef train drivers begin their nine-day overtime ban.

An article in the Mail Online says thousands of trains are likely to cancelled at short notice across the UK each day, thanks to an overtime ban across all train companies from today until Tuesday, February 6.

There will also be one-day strikes across 17 different operators from tomorrow until Monday, February 5.

Emergency work to stabilise a railway cutting will involve 25m-long (82ft) steel nails being drilled into a slope and reinforced with concrete.

An article on the BBC website says engineers have deemed the site close to Fareham tunnel at risk of a landslip and the line to Eastleigh will be closed from Monday to Friday.

In 2022, Network Rail spent £2.3m easing the gradient of the cutting.

The mayor of London has asked Transport for London (TfL), which he chairs, to trial reduce Tube and train fairs on Friday in a bid to boost passenger numbers and the economy.

An article on LBC News says the three-month trial would make Friday fares off-peak prices for commuters.

It is hoped the trial will increase revenue within the hospitality sector following a fall in spending on Fridays by encouraging workers to travel in and subsequently spend more eating out for lunch or enjoying after-work drinks.

University Railway Station’s new buildings, which neighbour the University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, have opened their doors to passengers for the first time. 

An article on Insider Media Limited says the buildings provide wider entrances, stairways and exits, as well as more open space, lifts to the platforms, a larger ticket office and improved customer facilities. 

The main pavilion also includes space for a café or convenience shop, due to be announced soon, and an NHS facility on the first floor. 

Click here for more details.

Photo credit: Transport for West Midlands

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