In The News |12th December 2023 | Latest Rail News …
Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Tuesday, 12th December 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Tuesday, 12th December 2023
New figures showing big increases in London’s transport ridership over the festive period have been hailed by mayor Sadiq Khan as further evidence of the capital “roaring back” after the pandemic.
An article on The Standard website says data released by Transport for London (TfL) on Tuesday showed that entries and exits at particular Tube stations were significantly boosted on dates when they were hosting Christmas events.
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At Battersea Power Station, on the Northern line extension, there were 52,814 entries and exits on November 4, the day of the Battersea Park fireworks – almost double the number seen on the previous Saturday.
A lack of competition in the railway station catering market is driving up costs for passengers and taxpayers, the rail watchdog has warned.
An article on City A.M says the Office for Rail and Road (ORR)’s six-month investigation found passengers are paying a 10 per cent price premium at stations compared to the high street.
Catering companies typically pay a fixed rent to station operators to occupy retail spaces, with a tendering process to compete for slots. Nearly half of all stations with a catering offering have only one outlet, making competition a crucial factor across the market.
But the ORR’s interim findings revealed those who run stations are “not sufficiently incentivised to invite competition for outlets,” finding that many stay in the same hands for extended periods because their leases are protected.
Liverpool’s new Class 777 train fleet is being rolled out on the Southport to Hunts Cross line.
An article on The Business Desk says the Liverpool City Region’s £500m publicly-owned train fleet is beginning the final stage of its phased roll-out this week, extending to the Northern Line route.
Trains will gradually enter passenger service in the latest phase of the roll-out and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “I know passengers up and down the Southport to Hunts Cross line have been patiently waiting for the roll-out of our new publicly owned trains, and from this week they will be ready to welcome them on board.”
Work to transform the area outside Stoke-on-Trent railway station and create an “accessible transport hub” could begin in the new year.
An article on the BBC website says the city council said the work on Station Road, including Winton Square, would provide an “attractive new public realm”.
It includes creating “priority access for buses” with a bus gate at Winton Square and new bus stops and shelters.
A decision on whether to approve the plans is due on 20 December.
Photo credit: ORR
References
- ^ Download article (news.railbusinessdaily.com)