When I recently read that NJ Transit is signing the contract to purchase new double-deck EMUs, I was positively surprised. Not only did they manage to purchase an electric multiple unit (EMU) which is much more suitable for commuter and regional transport, but they also went for a double-deck configuration permitting more capacity at the … Continue reading Why the US never manages to purchase modern rolling stock
Last week, the ORR published some intermediate results from their market study in automatic ticket gates (ATG) and ticket vending machines (TVM). It surprised me not much that in the UK the situation from a demand-monopoly switched almost fully to a supply-monopoly where with designed market entry barriers the competition could have been kept at … Continue reading The UK liberal market approach on fair collection seems to have failed
There has been lots of criticism on the proposed high speed rail line between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore (KL-SG HSL) due to costs, alignment, station in Singapore and proposed responsibilities. However, it is probably globally one of the few truly high-speed projects that are economically and ecologically sound. At the moment, over 84 flights are … Continue reading Moving forward by stepping back – the KL-Singapore HSL
So, the summer is nearing to its end and so also the time to play a bit with maps. Thanks to all of you who have sent me feedback. I tried to include some of it in this map, i.e. focusing on the projects that at least have undergone a somewhat detailed feasibility study and … Continue reading Mapping Railways in South East Asia
It is in a way fascinating, I myself an advocate for modularization come more and more often across projects where it would be the totally wrong approach due to cost and timing issues. While we all know, modularization allows us to change usages in the future, e.g. in architecture or urban planning, increase product variability … Continue reading The cost of modularization – or what not to modularize
After my playful time with railways in Africa, I now attempted South America. While most of the countries are rather simple to draw, just a few major lines to some mines, some countries like Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Venezuela have extensive networks. I did not take the time to look at each line about if … Continue reading Mapping Railways in South America
In transportation, there seems to be a saying that we all have to better understand the customer with big data applications. Before this year's Innotrans, many new companies are popping up that want to do a railway ticket purchasing or transport ticket purchasing platform. What they are all seeking is the higher-order-value position - a … Continue reading The higher order value business service providers
