Money is a key concern for rail operators and commuters alike, and in this issue we focus on finances. In the UK, Transport for London is coming under increasing financial pressure following talk of fare freezes and funding cuts, and here we explore how the company is creating enough commercial income to keep afloat.

In contrast, professional fare dodgers across Sweden are joining formal groups to advise on best practices. We speak to a key group, Planka.nu, to find out why they believe public transport should be free and the lengths they go to break the rules.

Elsewhere, the proposed Central Bi-Oceanic Railway Corridor coast-to-coast railroad is planned to stretch 2,333 miles along the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. We profile this mega project to see what trade benefits it could offer the countries involved. Also, we look at the best and worst major rail hubs across the world, see the unveiling of the Virgin Azuma – the UK’s most high-tech rolling stock to date – and round-up the hottest new rail apps competing for commuter attention. 

Read on for all this and ­­­­join the conversation on Twitter.

Ceri Jones, editor