Latest news with #passengertrain
CBC
10-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
'It's happening. It's real': Northlander passenger train on track to return next year
Some 14 years after it was scrapped by the previous Liberal government and eight years after the current Progressive Conservative promised to bring it back, the Northlander passenger train is set to return in 2026. "Literally we are on track as we speak," said Al Spacek, chair of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission said. "The equipment is being manufactured and we've seen some exciting developments. Our staff have been down to the manufacturing facility. So it's happening. It's real." Spacek said the passenger service will be fully accessible, complete with Wi-Fi for guests. He also added that improvements are being made to the rail track. "This government has already invested over $70 million on upgrading the track between North Bay and Timmins," he said. "It will be a nice, smooth ride and this only represents 42 per cent of the work that's being planned on the track." Spacek said it's not yet known exactly how much it will cost to bring the Northlander back, but said the provincial government has spent "hundreds of millions of dollars" so far. "We've come a long way since the previous government said they're going to shut down this service," he said. "I'm not sure there was a lack of demand or ridership... certainly that was a decision by the previous government to shut it down for whatever reasons." Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne did indeed cite low ridership and high costs in 2012, when her government decided to scrap the Northlander passenger train and redirect that funding into Ontario Northland's passenger bus service. In 2011, the Northlander had 39,000 riders, with an annual subsidy of $100 million keeping the train running. By comparison, the 2022 business case for bringing back the train estimated annual operating costs at around $283 million, with as much as $93 million in revenues, if they hit a target of 58,000 riders by 2041. "Ticket prices haven't been determined yet, but this is a public transportation service so the cost will be subsidized. Affordability is a priority," said Spacek. "It's a right that people have access to public transportation. Passenger service doesn't make money. That's the fact of life."
The Independent
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Eight day passenger train that links Russia to North Korea reopens
Russia and North Korea will restart direct passenger train service between Moscow and Pyongyang on June 17, for the first time since 2020. The Moscow-Pyongyang route, operated by Korean State Railway, will run twice a month and take eight days, covering over 10,000 km. A separate service between Pyongyang and Khabarovsk, a Russian city near China, will resume two days later. Passenger rail traffic between Russia and North Korea was suspended in February 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Moscow and Pyongyang have increased cooperation, including military support, since signing a strategic partnership treaty last year; North Korea has reportedly sent troops and weapons to aid Russia in the Ukraine war.
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Train Service between Moscow and North Korea's Pyongyang to Resume This Month, Says Russia
Russia and North Korea plan to restart a direct passenger train service between Moscow and the North Korean capital Pyongyang this month for the first time since 2020, Russia's state-owned rail monopoly said on Monday. Russian Railways said it had agreed with North Korea's railways ministry to resume a twice-monthly service between the two capitals on June 17, a journey it said took eight days and which, at over 10,000 km (6,213 miles), was the longest direct rail journey in the world. Another service between Pyongyang and Khabarovsk, a Russian city close to China's northeastern border, will restart two days later. The services will be operated by Korean State Railway, the state operator, and in the case of the Moscow-Pyongyang route will see a North Korean passenger railcar hitched to the regular Moscow-Vladivostok service and then re-attached to another train. Passenger rail traffic between Russia and North Korea was suspended in February 2020 at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Moscow and Pyongyang have since ratcheted up cooperation, including in the military sphere since President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty last year. North Korea confirmed in late April that it had sent more than 10,000 troops and weapons to Russia to assist in its war in Ukraine, aid which proved crucial for Moscow in recapturing Russia's western Kursk region from Ukraine. The two countries already operate a passenger rail service between Vladivostok in Russia's Far East and Rason, a North Korean port city. The nations are also linked by freight rail networks, although Russia does not disclose the size of the cargo traffic.
Reuters
09-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Train service between Moscow and North Korea's Pyongyang to resume this month, says Russia
June 9 (Reuters) - Russia and North Korea plan to restart a direct passenger train service between Moscow and the North Korean capital Pyongyang this month for the first time since 2020, Russia's state-owned rail monopoly said on Monday. Russian Railways said it had agreed with North Korea's railways ministry to resume a twice-monthly service between the two capitals on June 17, a journey it said took eight days and which, at over 10,000 km (6,213 miles), was the longest direct rail journey in the world. Another service between Pyongyang and Khabarovsk, a Russian city close to China's northeastern border, will restart two days later. The services will be operated by Korean State Railway, the state operator, and in the case of the Moscow-Pyongyang route will see a North Korean passenger railcar hitched to the regular Moscow-Vladivostok service and then re-attached to another train. Passenger rail traffic between Russia and North Korea was suspended in February 2020 at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Moscow and Pyongyang have since ratcheted up cooperation, including in the military sphere since President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty last year. North Korea confirmed in late April that it had sent more than 10,000 troops and weapons to Russia to assist in its war in Ukraine, aid which proved crucial for Moscow in recapturing Russia's western Kursk region from Ukraine. The two countries already operate a passenger rail service between Vladivostok in Russia's Far East and Rason, a North Korean port city. The nations are also linked by freight rail networks, although Russia does not disclose the size of the cargo traffic.
Travel Weekly
03-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
JetBlue partners with Brightline rail service in Florida
JetBlue has partnered with the Brightline passenger train service in Florida to enable travelers to book air and rail together. JetBlue says customers will be able to book Brightline tickets on as part of a combined itinerary. Brightline has stations in Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando. The Orlando station, located at Orlando International Airport, allows for simple transfers between air and rail. In South Florida, Brightline offers shuttle service between airports and train stations, and it's bookable on JetBlue's website. "As we continue to grow in Florida and offer more flights to and from cities like Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando, our partnership with Brightline helps us deliver even more value and convenience to our customers," said Dave Jehn, JetBlue's vice president, network planning and airline partnerships. In addition to expanding travel options for new bookings, the agreement enables JetBlue to offer alternative itineraries that incorporate Brightline rail segments during periods of irregular Florida air operations.
