Rail and Train News

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European Officials Uphold France’s Ban on Select Flights Where Trains Compete

The European Union has upheld France's landmark climate law that bans select flights on routes where trains are time competitive. The decision, from European Commissioner of Transport Adina-Ioana Valean on December 1, finds that France can ban domestic flights where trains can make the journey in two-and-a-half-hours or less. The law, which aims to cut…

Edward Russell | 13 hours ago

Rail

Amtrak Staffing Issues Could Persist Into 2024 Even as Travelers Return

Despite billions of dollars in federal funds for new and expanded train service, Amtrak can't find the staff to simply recover from the pandemic.

Edward Russell | 3 days ago

News Blog

Germany to Open New Fast Rail Line Between Munich and Stuttgart

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn will reduce travel times between Munich and Stuttgart to under two hours when a new high-speed rail line opens in December. The 37-mile (60 kilometer) Wendlingen–Ulm high-speed line will open on December 11, Deutsche Bahn said Thursday. The new line will reduce trip times between Munich and Stuttgart by about…

Edward Russell | 4 weeks ago

News Blog

Swiss Extends Air-Rail Connections to Interlaken and Lucerne

Swiss Air flyers will soon be able to connect to Interlaken and Lucerne on a single ticket. The airline will expand its "Air Rail" partnership with Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) to the two famed destinations in Switzerland from December 11. The expansion comes as airlines as increasingly relying on rail partners for local, or regional,…

Edward Russell | 1 month ago

News Blog

Amtrak Indefinitely Suspends Trains on Busy California Route

Amtrak has indefinitely suspended trains to San Diego on the Pacific Surfliner, the second busiest route in its network after the Northeast Corridor that connects Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C. The suspension of all trains south of Irvine, Calif., on the line that connects Los Angeles and San Diego was due to "safety concerns…

Edward Russell | 2 months ago

News Blog

Portugal Plans $4.7 Billion Lisbon-Porto High-Speed Rail Line

Portugal is getting in on the high-speed rail bandwagon. The country's prime minister, António Costa, unveiled Wednesday plans for a new $4.7 billion (€4.9 billion) passenger rail line that, when it opens in 2030, will cut travel train times between Lisbon and Porto by an hour-and-a-half to one hour and 19 minutes. The planned line…

Edward Russell | 2 months ago

Rail

Eurostar Is Brexit’s Latest Victim

Today’s edition of Skift’s daily podcast looks at Airbnb’s search updates, Hurricane Ian’s impact on meetings, and Brexit strangling Eurostar.

Tom Lowry | 2 months ago

News Blog

Eurostar CEO Says Recovery Stymied by Brexit, Lack of Government Aid

As travel has surged back from the pandemic, issues that the industry faced prior to the precipitous drop in travel are coming home to roost. That's the case at Eurostar, the high-speed passenger rail line that connects London to Europe under the English Channel. The introduction of border controls post-Brexit at Eurostar's London and Paris…

Edward Russell | 2 months ago

Rail

Google Streamlines Search for Train Trips in Europe

Google made it easier to find train routes and booking options in Europe. Like it did for flights, hotels, vacation rentals, and things to do, the new feature improves Google's standing in the rail sector.

Dennis Schaal | 3 months ago

Rail

Amtrak to Cancel All Long-Distance Trains Over Possible Freight Rail Strike

The potential freight rail work stoppage isn't just disrupting Amtrak, with several commuter train systems already announcing the uncertainty is forcing them to cut service.

David Shepardson, Reuters | 3 months ago