News
Deutsche Bahn applies for Channel Tunnel services
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Rail services from London to Germany have moved a step
closer. Deutsche Bahn has made a
formal application to run trains through the Channel Tunnel. If approved, trains could run
from St Pancras to Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Cologne in 2013. The application has
been submitted to the
Intergovernmental Commission, which is responsible for safety in the tunnel. Eurostar had exclusive use of the tunnel for passenger services until 2010, and Deutsche Bahn is the first operator to express a wish to compete. It plans to run trains to Brussels, where they would be joined to onward services. It would bring Frankfurt and Amsterdam within four hours of London. Cologne would take just under five hours. The German operator’s application was welcomed by the transport secretary, Philip Hammond, who described it as ‘an important step along the way to a truly European high speed rail network’. Last October Deutsche Bahn ran a one-off trial service without passengers to St Pancras.
Hendy sets out plans for cooling Tube
London’s transport commissioner Peter Hendy has attempted to ease mounting passenger criticism of high temperatures on London Underground trains by confirming that action is being taken and users are already reaping the benefits. He said: ‘We are working
hard to overcome the unique and considerable challenge of cooling the Tube.’ Hendy said achievements included the roll out of new air-conditioned S stock trains on the Metropolitan Line, as well as plans for 40 per cent of the Tube network to have air conditioned trains by 2016.
PAGE 10 AUGUST 2011
Fares protest to hit 40 commuter stations
by Paul Clifton
A campaign against rail fare increases has been launched by the Campaign for Better Transport. It includes protests at 40 key
commuter stations, highlighting the fact that season tickets are likely to rise by an average of eight per cent next January. Until now, the annual increase
in regulated fares, which include season tickets, has been limited to the Retail Price Index inflation rate plus one per cent, with July’s RPI figure determining the following January’s rise. Inflation is currently running at around five per cent.
CBT campaigner Alexandra
Woodsworth said: ‘Ministers have rushed to provide help for motorists to cope with rising fuel prices, but they are hitting train travellers with astronomical fare hikes. This is a deeply unfair blow to rail commuters.’ A spokesman for Atoc said:
‘We understand that these are tough times for many people, but the government has decided that taxpayers should pay less and passengers more towards the overall cost of running the railways.’ A Department for Transport
spokesman responded: ‘We have already committed to one of the biggest programmes of rail
investment for 100 years. The long- term solution is to get the cost of running the railways down. ‘That way we can get a better
deal for passengers and taxpayers. If we succeed then we hope to see the end of above-inflation average rises in regulated fares.’ Gerry Doherty of the TSSA union said: ‘The government has the next month to come to a sensible decision and stop penalising passengers who are already paying the highest fares in Europe. ‘If they don’t, commuters in
south-east England will have to find hundreds of pounds to meet the extra cost of buying a season ticket in the new year.’
Eurotunnel signs coach deal for through-transport during Olympics
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A contract has been signed between coach company
Eurolines UK and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle which will lead to a ‘key role’ in transporting sport fans to and from the Olympics next year. John Gilbert, managing director
of Eurolines UK, said: ‘Our network connects over 600 destinations
across Europe and we’ll play a key role in helping people from across the continent visit the UK next summer. We are committed to providing passengers with an affordable, convenient and easily accessible service to key points in the heart of London. By linking with Eurotunnel we are able to increase
our normal timetable to provide additional services for customers when they need them most.’ Jo Willacy, commercial director of Eurotunnel Le Shuttle added: ‘This contract means that European visitors will benefit from Eurotunnel Le Shuttle’s unbeatable 35 minute crossing time through the tunnel.’
Emily Goodman, the seven-year-old daughter of GB Railfreight’s Whitemoor Yard shift leader Ben Goodman, won a GBRf ‘design a livery’ competition last autumn. Aged just six at the time of entering, her two colourful designs of night and day now feature on both sides of loco 66720
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