The Suburban Rail Loop levy built into Victoria’s public transport fares is set to be abolished. The 1 per cent charge was approved to help fund SRL East but ultimately used to fund public transport, before being disclosed in a review by the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office.
The Hue–Phong Nha tourist train has begun daily operations through Quang Tri, combining rail travel with access to cultural, historical and natural attractions across central Vietnam.
The Almaty–Tashkent women-only carriage will be added to the daily international train from October 1. It will operate as part of train No. 1/2, with tickets available only to female passengers and onboard service provided exclusively by women conductors.
The Tokaido Shinkansen EX Travel Pack comes with a 35% discount on selected journeys for travelers aged 29 and under as part of an offer from JR Central and JR Tokai Tours.
Metrolink late-night service will be added on Saturday for passengers leaving Olivia Rodrigo’s inaugural Daisy Chain Fields music festival at Great Park in Irvine, California.
Sound Transit fare gates are moving ahead under a pilot covering up to 14 Link light rail stations, replacing the open-entry model at some of the network’s busiest locations. Installation is currently targeted for around 2029–2030, and the agency expects the gates to improve fare collection.
UK: ScotRail recorded 8,423,512 passenger journeys in July, 897,359 more than in the same month last year — an 11.9% rise during the Commonwealth Games and the first July since peak fares were permanently abolished.
INDIA: Railway Supply previously reported that the Bengaluru–Ernakulam Vande Bharat would double from 8 to 16 coaches; what wasn't yet clear was how badly that capacity was needed — waitlists on the route had already topped 100 passengers for one direction before the extra coaches even entered service.
USA: Starting this week, San José State students no longer have to choose which Bay Area transit agency they can afford to ride — a new Clipper BayPass gives an estimated 32,000 eligible students free, unlimited access to 24 operators at once, including BART and Caltrain.
USA: Brightline is offering $15 one-way SMART fares between its five South Florida stations on weekends — the latest move in a fare strategy the operator has leaned on for months to keep short-haul ridership growing.
UK: Northern’s GPS-based Digital Pay As You Go trial is now open to all passengers on the Leeds–Harrogate and Sheffield–Doncaster routes after its participant cap was removed.
INTERNATIONAL: Omio’s comparison of 25 European city pairs found rail faster than flying on 10 routes once airport transfers, security and other door-to-door steps are included.
