The government is to give local powers for tap-and-go contactless travel. However, it must first set national objectives and standards, or this will lead to balkanisation of integrated ticketing, with different systems in each devolved authority area. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Railfuture has been campaigning since 2018 for the Northern cities to be combined into a single strategic economic entity linked by a fast, high capacity rail network to realise the economic potential of the region as Britain’s Northern Powerhouse.

Railfuture welcomes today's government announcement of plans to develop Northern Powerhouse Rail in three phases, building on the TransPennine Route Upgrade between Leeds and Manchester which is in progress. www.railfuture.org.uk/Northern-pow...

The Government announced a new 'Rail Sale' today (www.gov.uk/government/n...). Neil Middleton, Railfuture Vice Chair said: "Railfuture welcomes the Rail Sale – price is often a barrier and the chance to try out the train at a cheaper price is good .." Read on at railfuture.org.uk/article1921-...

Tap and go payment for rail travellers arrives at 20 stations near London this Sunday - read why using it may be the expensive choice (and what you can do to reduce your costs): www.railfuture.org.uk/display4218

Railfuture welcomes the plan in today's budget to introduce Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED), a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars. We are less content with the decision to extend the fuel duty cut. www.railfuture.org.uk/Modal-shift#...

The Railways Bill will establish Great British Railways with the tools and authority it needs to make the railway deliver for passengers, freight and taxpayers but it is worrying that many politicians think that the job will be done when the law is passed. www.railfuture.org.uk/article1925

House building must be sustainable, by being served by rail. All but one of the first 12 ‘new towns’ is already rail-served or the subject of rail proposals. Strategic planning, integrating land use with transport planning, is necessary to identify more. www.railfuture.org.uk/article1924

Register your support for one of Railfuture's campaigns to receive our quarterly Chair's column by email, reviewing our campaigns and the state of the railway. railfuture.org.uk/support

We were pleased to rail related investment in today's Government announcement. Read on for the detail and what we hope to see in imminent announcements: railfuture.org.uk/article1921

The expected U-turn on Personal Independence Payment benefits will cost the government approximately £2Bn per year. Coincidentally this is the amount that the Treasury loses each year through the 'temporary' 5p cut to fuel duty introduced in March 2022. Fuel duty hits the more affluent not poorest

A day of two halves for us, so we have: 1) Thoughts on today's Spending review (...The devil will be in the detail ..): www.railfuture.org.uk/Media-commen... 2) Commentary on Eurostar's plans for services to Germany and Switzerland: www.railfuture.org.uk/Press-releas...

Railfuture on Rachel Reeve's 'Biggest ever investment in city region local transport' .. Public transport as sustainable and sociable transport - especially rail whether mainline or light rail - is the great economic enabler and lifestyle liberator.. www.linkedin.com/posts/railfu...

We're expecting the unveiling of the first GBR liveried train today. Director Mike Southgate commented "On Sunday, all that is going to happen is that SWR will have a new shareholder ... Read on at: www.linkedin.com/posts/railfu...

Our London and South East Branch's Annual *open* meeting is on Saturday 12th April. Learn more about Essex-Kent Superlinks, KenEx Tram with presentations and discussions with promoters. 10.30 for 11.00 start. Venue: EC1Y 1AU Full details: railfuture.org.uk/London-and-S...

Universal Studios at Bedford – Government Announcement - Neil Middleton, Railfuture Vice Chair commented: “Key to the success of the studios will be a great rail infrastructure to move many of..... Read on at www.linkedin.com/posts/railfu...

Read our views on tomorrow's Spring Statement from the Government. They're on LinkedIn, due to message length limits here: www.linkedin.com/pos...

The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill is due to receive Royal Assent today. Chris Page, Railfuture Chair said: “The easy part is taking a Train Operator into public ownership. Then the heavy work starts.... Read on at: www.linkedin.com/posts/railfu...

Railfuture is now on Bluesky. For now we will also continue to post on X.