THE cost of keeping the passenger railway operating during the Covid-19 pandemic has reached £3.5 billion, according to rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris. He was answering a Parliamentary question raised by Labour MP Ian Mearns, who represents Gateshead. Mr Heaton-Harris said: ‘Since the outbreak of Covid-19 the government has approved £3.5 billion

TRAIN rebuilder Vivarail’s plans to expand have received a boost after it was able to secure a loan worth £1.5 million. The company was founded five years ago and bought many former District Line cars from London Underground. Their aluminium bodies, although some 40 years old, are still capable of being

Face coverings on public transport – and for hospital staff, outpatients and visitors – will be compulsory in England from today. Anyone travelling by bus, train, ferry or plane in England should wear a face covering from today – to help reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. The new rules coincide with a further easing of

Great Western Railway (GWR) has created eye-catching artwork to remind customers to wear a face covering on its services from today (June 15). The train operator has applied artwork in the form of giant face coverings to either end of one of its high-speed Intercity Express Trains (IET). The ‘masked’ IET will

PASSENGER trains are set to return to the line between Walsall and Wolverhampton, having been withdrawn 12 years ago. Since then, the line has been used for freight. West Midlands Rail Executive said it had agreed a timetable with Network Rail, with trains also calling at Willenhall and Darlaston, which have

PASSENGERS on trains and trams in England must wear face coverings from today, at the risk of a £100 fine if they fail to comply. The Department for Transport said more than 3,000 extra staff will be on duty to advise and help passengers. Although service levels are being gradually increased to

Today is the day that we should all start wearing face coverings on trains, trams, buses and other forms of public transport. Sim Harris has been looking at the new rules.TODAY is the day that we should all start wearing the equivalent of muzzles on trains, trams, buses and other

Network Rail and British Transport Police have joined forces to express concern at the rise in people risking their lives at level crossings – after a surge in people not using them correctly. The trend includes on the Marlow branch line where 16 people have risked their life since March 23

CAMPAIGNERS who are calling for the Borders Railway to be completed between Tweedbank, Hawick and Carlisle say they have been ‘vindicated’ by a new report from the High Speed Rail Group for submission to the National Infrastructure Commission, which recommends the completion of the railway on the grounds of ‘economic

TRAIN operators are stepping up measures to protect their staff and passengers from coronavirus, on the eve of new regulations which will require most passengers travelling on public transport to wear face coverings. Facemasks or equivalent coverings for all passengers except those with respiratory problems will become compulsory from Monday. Operators have