The latest news, trends and data from the rail industry
W
ith the global rail industry facing increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, operators and governments are emphasising the importance of finding greener fuels and alternative propulsion methods to cut down on emissions. Electrification and battery power remain at the forefront of discussion around replacing diesel-powered locomotives, but many countries in Europe have highlighted the potential of hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) technology, which produces electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen in a chemical reaction, and leaves water as the only emission.
The introduction of hydrogen-powered trains on major rail networks is no longer a pipedream. French manufacturer Alstom’s revolutionary Coradia iLint has been a fixture in the headlines since its first appearance at InnoTrans 2016, with the train already running on several lines in Germany, and the company is now in discussions to bring it to other countries, including the US. Both France and the UK have outlined plans to introduce hydrogen-powered trains on their networks by 2022, with the latter testing a hydrogen train demonstrator, named HydroFLEX, on a mainline railway this year.
Recently, a study commissioned by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) and Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking (S2R JU) analysed the extent to which fuel cells and hydrogen technologies could be introduced within the European rail market. The study showed that some of the current hydrogen-powered rail cases in Europe highlight a positive total cost of ownership for fuel cells, while in others it could be the ‘most adequate zero-emission alternative’.
In numbers:
79.5%
The percentage drop in the number of overall passenger trips in China during the Lunar New Year holiday (18 February) compared to last year, according to China’s Ministry of Transport
¥11bn
A decline in passenger traffic due to coronavirus is projected to decrease East Japan Railway Co.’s revenue from railway operations by ¥11bn (USD 104.8m) in February
4.5%
China Railway marked a surprising 4.5% growth in rail freight movements in China this February despite factory shutdowns caused by the coronavirus outbreak
$HK 1.3bn
The combined effect of coronavirus and riots could decrease Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation profits in the first two months of 2020 by $HK 1.3bn, according to the company’s unaudited results
$43.5bn
The amount Singapore plans to spend on expanding its rail network over the next decade, as part of a walk-cycle-ride transport strategy the country revealed in early March
40°C
Maximum temperature along the Rail Baltica route, according to a new report into the effect of climate change on the multi-national project.
In quotes:
Kasia Foljanty, co-founder of Hyper Poland, following the launch of a €452,000 funding round for its Hyper Poland magrail system:
“Restoring the competitiveness of railways will lead to a significant shift of freight from road and air. Currently, road transport in Europe accounts for over 75% of the total inland freight transport, followed by rail with only 17%. The greater share of rail freight means better environmental and social conditions for all of us."
TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes in a letter to the UK’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps earlier in March urging to the government to formulate a response to the COVID-19 outbreak:
"In the face of such a challenge, it is vital that we work together to tackle this threat. I must say that in our railway industry, the industry-wide approach which is needed is not currently facilitated by its fragmentation. It is a further example of the failure of privatisation, the inefficiencies and the unnecessary pressures that such a model puts on all those working in and using the railways."
In News
EU commits $966m to modernise Polish rail network
Nigeria awards $3.9bn Abuja-Lokoja rail line contract to CRC
Etihad Rail awards $435.5m contract to Hitachi Rail
In quotes:
Kasia Foljanty, co-founder of Hyper Poland, following the launch of a €452,000 funding round for its Hyper Poland magrail system:
“Restoring the competitiveness of railways will lead to a significant shift of freight from road and air. Currently, road transport in Europe accounts for over 75% of the total inland freight transport, followed by rail with only 17%. The greater share of rail freight means better environmental and social conditions for all of us."
TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes in a letter to the UK’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps earlier in March urging to the government to formulate a response to the COVID-19 outbreak:
"In the face of such a challenge, it is vital that we work together to tackle this threat. I must say that in our railway industry, the industry-wide approach which is needed is not currently facilitated by its fragmentation. It is a further example of the failure of privatisation, the inefficiencies and the unnecessary pressures that such a model puts on all those working in and using the railways."
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