USA: ‘What we are doing in Virginia is pretty unique’
The Commonwealth of Virginia has purchased 640 km of trackage and disused alignments as it seeks to significantly expand passenger rail services. With funding in place for projects to 2030, Virginia Passenger Rail Authority Executive Director DJ Stadtler explains the strategy and progress so far to Benjámin Zelki.
Light rail: France's modern role models
No fewer than 28 cities in France have built modern light rail networks in the 40 years since Nantes turned the tide on post-war car-centricity. With 115 km of new line now under construction and 276 vehicles on order, the outlook remains bright, even if political headwinds are starting to be felt. Michael Dreyer reports.
Mobility-as-a-Service: navigating the post-hype reality
Advances in technology, particularly data analytics, are transforming Mobility as a Service from a failed experiment into a more pragmatic and sustainable real-time travel companion.
France: SERM promises a suburban rail revolution
Recent legislation has paved the way for the development of high-performing multimodal transport networks in 24 French conurbations, centred around rail as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Reinhard Christeller explains.
Multimodality: Carrying parcels on tram tracks
Using autonomous pods to transport parcel shipments and other goods on existing tram infrastructure could help to mitigate the traffic jams caused by growing volumes of delivery vehicles, suggests Fragile CEO Lukas Kauer.
Latin America: Unlocking multimobility
Reliance on proprietary technology and fragmented ticketing systems can constrain the value of public transport. The adoption of open standards in Mexico City offers an example of how integrated multimodal networks can enhance access and contribute to wider economic prosperity.
Israel: NofIt project learns from Karlsruhe
Work is under way on the NofIt interurban light rail line linking Haifa and Nazareth, which will run through complex terrain with gradients of up to 8%. Dan Shenbach, CEO of project promoter TransIsrael, discusses the state of progress with Benjámin Zelki.
China: Metro sector prioritises extensions
Almost 600 km of new metro and suburban railway was put into service across 22 Chinese cities from November 2024 to early 2025, with the focus on expanding existing networks.
