Latest news with #HSR
Hamilton Spectator
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Should city buses be free during heat waves?
Miriam Sager took the bus to escape the heat as she headed to Hamilton city hall during a day that felt like 40 C with the humidex. 'I am fortunate enough to be able to pay the fare,' Sager said. 'I am also fortunate enough to have a cooling system in my home, which I know not everybody has.' It's the Hamiltonians who can't escape extreme temperatures that Sager wanted the city's board of health to have top of mind during the heat warning this week, as temperatures climbed to a high of 32 C. 'Cooling centres and cooling kits are great but … low-income people can't afford to get there,' Sager told the board. 'They might need to walk through the overheated streets, which is not a safe thing to do.' For the second year in a row, Sager, on behalf of the Hamilton 350 Committee , is asking the city to make bus fares optional on days with heat warnings. Last year, 2,000 free bus tickets were given out instead to vulnerable residents, but Sager said that is not the 'barrier-free solution that is needed.' It also doesn't come close to addressing the need, considering Sager says 44 per cent of Hamilton tenants don't have adequate cooling in their homes. In addition, Hamilton has a homeless population that hovers at about 1,600 people, including 150 living outside. 'We have well over 300 mobile cooling centres, called buses, that run all over the city most hours of every day,' said Don McLean, who also delegated on behalf of the committee. 'Surely, we can take the step of making those available for those who cannot afford them when they need them.' McLean pointed out that buses run seven days a week and for longer hours than many places designated as cooling centres, such as libraries and recreation centres. While an exact cost was not provided, the climate action group suggested it would be low. 'HSR is already operating throughout the city during the hottest hours, and the drivers are already working anyway,' said committee delegate Joanna Sargent. 'Since fares would be optional rather than free, summer revenue should still be expected, although perhaps at a lower level.' The delegates also suggested the costs need to be considered in the context of a fundamental health issue that is only getting worse with climate change. 'It's much like providing vaccines during a pandemic,' Sargent said. 'While it is reasonable to ask about this cost, the answer must weigh that number against the cost of not providing more emergency heat relief such as this.' A Spectator story on July 24 showed the danger of extreme temperatures with Hamilton urgent care and emergency department visits for symptoms of heat-related illnesses 'dramatically higher' than past summers. 'The impacts of extreme heat are more severe for these people who are most vulnerable — this would include people who cannot pay bus fare,' Sargent said. 'Their suffering breaks my heart, as I'm sure it bothers you as well.' In total, four delegates from the committee were looking for the board to endorse optional bus fares on days with heat warnings before the matter goes to the general issues committee (GIC) of city council. The proposal already has the support of ACORN Hamilton, Environment Hamilton, the Hamilton and District Labour Council, the Hamilton Council of Canadians, Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion and the Hamilton Community Benefits Network. 'It's a looming public health crisis, and none of us want to sit and wait until we have unnecessary deaths, preventable deaths happen here,' Sager said. 'We need your support … to get this implemented in a timely way, an urgent way before we have to assess the damage in hindsight.' The board did not endorse the proposal, mainly because it would take too long to go through the process and might not get to the GIC in time. Instead, the board directed public health to collaborate with city staff on the report that will go to the GIC regarding the feasibility of using city buses as cooling places or to provide free transport during heat warnings. 'It absolute conveys the urgency of this crisis that is impacting our city and its most vulnerable,' board member Sarah Adjekum said while thanking the delegates. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Star
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Indonesia eyes high-speed railway extension to boost Java connectivity
JAKARTA, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government was advancing a study on the proposed extension of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) to Surabaya to accelerate integrated and efficient mobility across Java Island, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono said on Tuesday. The proposed project would build upon the success of the existing Jakarta-Bandung HSR. "President Prabowo Subianto has issued a clear directive to extend the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway to Surabaya. This is more than a continuation; it represents a bold vision to connect Jakarta and Surabaya with faster, cleaner, and more integrated transportation," Yudhoyono said at the opening of the 2025 Indonesia RailwayTech exhibition in Jakarta. "To realize this, we are preparing a new regulatory framework. This could be a true game-changer, significantly reducing travel time, increasing efficiency, and generating broad economic benefits by linking cities, industries, and ports across Java," he added. The Jakarta-Bandung HSR has drawn strong public attention since it began commercial operations in October 2023, cutting travel time between Indonesia's biggest city Jakarta and Bandung in West Java from over three hours to just 46 minutes.
The Star
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Reaffirming the role of high speed rail
MORE than 2,000 delegates from over 60 countries converged on Beijing earlier this month to celebrate the achievement of high speed rail (HSR) on a global scale and to determine the way forward for this unique form of transportation. Co-hosted by the International Union of Railways (UIC) and China State Railway Group Co Ltd (CR), the 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail was themed 'High-Speed Rail: Innovation and Development for a Better Life'. The bulk of the organisation work done by the China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Ltd, with the support of the CRRC Group Corporation Ltd, Knorr-Bremse Group, and China Railway Signal & Communication Group. UIC is a body that promotes rail transport globally with the objective of responding effectively to mobility challenges and sustainable development by fostering cooperation among members; it also promotes interoperability and the development of solutions to railway system-related issues. The world's collective mileage of HSR tracks has reached 65,000km across 22 countries, and is poised to grow as thousands more kilometres are under construction now. For example, China's HSR network will surpass the 50,000km mark over the next few years, further cementing its status as the world's most extensive high-speed network. This is followed by Spain with nearly 4,000km, Japan with nearly 3,000km, and France with over 2,800km. For context, UIC's definition for HSR refers primarily to commercial speeds of at least 250kph for new builds, while upgraded lines should allow at least 200kph. As rail travel is increasingly hailed as an appropriate means of mobility in an era where carbon emissions need to be curbed, the focus on how to make rail travel faster, safer, and smoother was naturally the focus of the congress. The gathering is held every two to three years; the 11th UIC World Congress was held in Marrakech, Morocco, in 2023. This 12th congress succeeded in serving as a platform for showcasing HSR achievements and fostering technological exchange. Through its two roundtables and 30 technical sessions, and enriched with over 700 paper submissions from 27 countries, many fresh perspectives were shared among UIC member states. The congress also featured railway-themed public outreach, railway fan engagement, and technical visits that involved China's latest generation of smart high-speed trains as well as a peek behind the China National Rail Testing Centre (CNRTC) on the outskirts of Beijing. A trade exhibition, Modern Railways 2025, was concurrently held with the congress attracting 521 companies from 14 countries, and a large volume of visitors. China's HSR prowess Located at the China Academy of Railway Sciences, the National Rail Testing Centre is also known as the National Engineering Laboratory for HSR System Test, and is a key facility for research and testing of various aspects of HSR technology in China. For the congress and trade exhibition, China brought together 30 train models, from the most basic to the cutting edge CR450 Fuxing EMU trains that are designed for commercial operations at 400kph, as well as sleek magnetic levitation (maglev) train prototypes, offering a peek into how far the land transport envelope can be pushed. In his opening speech, UIC chairman Dr Alan Beroud said there is no doubt that the global HSR network will continue to grow, with dozens of new lines either planned or being built around the world. 'As the world confronts the growing urgency of climate change, a centuries-old innovation is offering a distinctly modern solution,' he said referring to the bicentennial of modern rail this year – the United Kingdom's Stockton & Darlington Railway opened for service on Sept 27, 1825 (see for a commemoration). HSR, once admired for practicality and convenience, is now a vital tool in curbing emissions in the post-Paris Agreement 2015 era. The Paris Agreement is a binding international treaty with the main goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels through nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Under NDCs, each country sets its own emission reduction targets, with self reporting every five years. The agreement includes provisions for financial assistance and technology transfers to help poorer countries make that critical leap to a low or lower emission environment. In this regard, HSR is one of the most powerful tools to reduce transport emissions, said Beroud, adding that it produces up to 90% less carbon dioxide than air travel, while able to shift millions from road and air to rail. 'This is a huge opportunity. If countries are serious about meeting their Paris Agreement targets, HSR must be part of the solution,' he said before hailing China's achievements in HSR as a treasure trove of lessons for others. 'Several concrete takeaways can be drawn from China's HSR experience, both in construction and operation,' Beroud said. 'Its long-term planning, and the integration of rail infrastructure into broader national development strategies, is a model worth learning from.' Regional progress China's latest HSR export to South-East Asia has been well received, with the Jakarta-Bandung HSR making a huge difference for Indonesia as it cuts travel time from more than three hours to a mere 46 minutes. In land-locked Laos, the China-Laos Railway linking China's Kunming and the Lao capital, Vientiane, has become a shining example of how cross-border connectivity should work, even though the line within Laos is not classified as HSR as its design speed is 160kph. From the Lao perspective, a train that zips by at 160kph (faster than any train in Malaysia) to connect it with China (and by extension, to the rest of the world) is miles better than no train at all, even if the country has to borrow heavily to build its first modern rail system. 'The development of HSR networks is bringing a better life to the people,' said Sommad Pholsena, vice-president of the Lao National Assembly, who attended the congress. Thailand has committed to building a HSR network linking its three airports, along with a connection to Vientianne, demonstrating that it also believes in the potential of rail to give it a competitive edge. Renewed ambition For Beroud, the conclusion of the congress brought about 'a moment of clarity' for many. 'It is not just a technical conference, for we have shown that at the global level, even in the Global South, HSR is neither a distant dream nor a luxury, but a practical, powerful, and inclusive response to the challenges of the century,' he said in his closing speech. 'We have shown how it is possible to build it better, faster, and more efficiently, and at this event, we sensed an energy that we don't often find in conferences,' said Beroud, who is the CEO of Polish State Railways. He argued passionately that the embrace of HSR requires clear thinking, long-term commitment, as well as political courage. 'More importantly, we need a new way of thinking. We need to stop measuring infrastructure projects purely in terms of cost per kilometre. Instead, we have to look at what HSR can deliver – employment, inclusivity, access to jobs and services, and the urgency of the climate crisis. 'The cost of doing nothing is far higher, and this is not just social costs. Therefore, to build HSR is an act of responsibility.' HSR in Malaysia The focus on HSR is apt as Malaysia will soon see its fastest ever train service (when operating commercially) in the form of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), which has a design speed of 160kph. From all accounts, the ECRL will revolutionise passenger travel between the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia, and has the potential to change how cargo is moved across the country, if not the region. As far as the proposed bilateral HSR project is concerned, or what is known as the 350km-long Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR, industry players will be keen to discern the direction that Malaysia will take as it hosts the HSR Asia conference from Sept 24 to 25. The conference is expected to bring together policymakers, operators, developers, technology innovators, and financiers to dissect the future of HSR across the Asia-Pacific. Themed 'Accelerating Asia Pacific's High-Speed Rail Revolution: Connectivity, Mobility, Sustainability, Innovation & Financing', the conference will explore how transformative rail projects can reshape regional mobility to fuel sustainable growth while advancing technological frontiers. More information is available at hsrasia25.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
NHSRCL begins DPR work for new Bullet train corridors beyond Mumbai-Ahmedabad
Bullet train in India: The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has started preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for expanding India's bullet train network beyond Mumbai-Ahmedabad. NHSRCL is a joint venture (JV) between the Government of India and participating state governments, is tasked with implementing high-speed rail (HSR) projects across the country. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (July 23), Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the Ministry of Railways is actively working on plans to extend the HSR network beyond the MAHSR corridor. 'In order to expand the HSR network in India beyond MAHSR corridor and to meet the growing passenger demand between major cities of commercial/economic and tourist importance, Detailed Project Report (DPRs) are being prepared by National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL),' Vaishnaw said. The Union Minister further added that HSR projects are highly capital intensive and any decision for taking up new project is based on many factors such as technical feasibility, financial & economic viability, traffic demand and availability of funds and financing options, etc. The MAHSR project has been undertaken with technical collaboration and financial assistance from the Government of Japan. Earlier, the National Rail Plan mentions the following routes for future possible development for high speed rail network: The Ministry of Railways has targeted to complete entire MAHSR project by December 2029. 'The Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by Dec, 2027. The entire project (Maharashtra to Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by Dec, 2029,' the minister replied.
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Business Standard
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Maharashtra-Sabarmati bullet train corridor to be ready by 2029: Govt
Work in the Gujarat portion of the bullet train corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by December 2027 and the entire project from Maharashtra to the Sabarmati section is expected to be over by December 2029, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Providing an update on the country's most ambitious project after some members asked questions regarding the status of its construction, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project (508 km) is under execution with technical and financial assistance from Japan. It is passing through Gujarat, Maharashtra and Dadra & Nagar Haveli with 12 stations planned at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati, he added. "The Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by Dec, 2027. The entire project (Maharashtra to Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by Dec, 2029," Vaishnaw said in a written reply. He maintained that as it is a very complex and technology intensive project, its exact competition timelines can be reasonably ascertained after the completion of all associated works of civil structures, track, electrical, signaling and telecommunication and supply of trainsets. The minister said the total estimated cost of the project is approximately ₹1,08,000 crore, out of which Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 81 per cent i.e. ₹88,000 crore and the balance 19 per cent i.e. ₹20,000 crore will be funded through equity contributions from the Ministry of Railways (50 per cent) and governments of Maharashtra (25 per cent) and Gujarat (25 per cent). A cumulative financial expenditure of ₹78,839 crore has been incurred on the project till June 30, he said. "The delay in land acquisition in Maharashtra has impacted the project till 2021. However, currently, entire land (1389.5 Ha.) for MAHSR project has been acquired," he added. The minister stated that the final location survey and geotechnical investigation have been completed and alignment finalized along with obtaining all statutory clearances relating to wildlife, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and forest clearance. Updating on the ongoing construction work, he said all the civil contracts of the project have been awarded. "Out of a total 28 tender packages, 24 tender packages have been awarded. Till now, 392 km of pier construction, 329 km of girder casting and 308 km of girder launching have been completed. The work of the under-sea tunnel (21 km approx.) has also started," Vaishnaw said. He added, "In order to expand the HSR network in India beyond MAHSR corridor and to meet the growing passenger demand between major cities of commercial/economic and tourist importance, detailed project report (DPRs) are being prepared by National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL)." According to the railway minister, HSR projects are highly capital-intensive and any decision for taking up new project is based on many factors such as technical feasibility, financial and economic viability, traffic demand and availability of funds and financing options etc. "Commercial operation of MAHSR project involves an affordable fare-structure for the services taking into account the socio-economic conditions of the clientele for optimum patronage of the HSR sectors," Vaishnaw said.
