In this issue

Welcome to the first Future Rail issue in 2021! It's a pleasure to be back bringing you the latest rail industry insights, news and views. 

In this first edition, we take a look at the projects forming the European Commission’s ‘European Year of Rail’. Will these face new challenges as the Covid-19 pandemic pushes countries into and out of lockdown?

We discuss major railway trends to look out for this year and take a closer look at how remote telemetry units can help power big data analysis. We also find out why UK railway contractors are taking a more passenger-centric approach to their operations.

A scathing report from the Australasian Railway Association has called upon the Australian rail industry to step up if it wants to compete with others in the region. We find out what’s next for Australian rail as it prepares for a A$155bn investment project.

We find out why German rail operators protested against their government in 2020, and explore the impact Covid-19 has had on the UK’s heritage railways. Finally, with the world now shifting to a new way of working, we ask: does the rail industry need to rethink its approach to seasonal ticketing?

Joe Baker, editor