Railway Industry Association

📣 RIA Manifesto 2024: A fresh start for UK rail Today RIA has published its five main asks of Government, in a manifesto for the next Parliament which seeks a fresh start for UK rail. These are: 🔹Publish a long-term rail strategy; 🔹Deliver on railway industry reform; 🔹Accelerate new train orders and low carbon network upgrades; 🔹Support a sustainable supply chain; and 🔹Leverage private investment. Read the full press release and manifesto here: https://lnkd.in/dErNNSed #RIAManifesto24 #Manifesto #RailReform #SupplyChain #NetZero

🌟 RIA members can access 50% off a wide selection of meeting rooms at our Westminster HQ, which can accommodate private meetings, team workshops, and larger events like presentations. The modern spaces offer plug-and-play AV, air conditioning and access to our cafe with every booking. 🔗 Book a room here: https://lnkd.in/eC4PXDU4

Today (28 March), the Prime Minister has announced a major investment package for transport in the North, including £145 million to reboot key railways across the Pennines.   Welcoming the news, Chair of RIA North David Maddison ChPP FAPM commented: “RIA North welcomes the Government’s commitment to deliver improvements to transport in the North of England and its recognition of the transformative social and economic potential that improved rail links can provide.    “We are particularly pleased to see a funding boost for a mass transit system for West Yorkshire, a new Merseyrail station and the Bury Interchange redevelopment.   “Today’s decision is a proactive step towards building a transport network that will unlock economic growth by improving connectivity between key towns and cities. We look forward to supporting the Government in delivering its goals outlined today.” 🔗 More here: https://lnkd.in/e248tFs7 #RailIndustry #North #EconomicGrowth

📆 1 April | Rolling Stock Member Interest Group, RIA HQ Next Tuesday, we have a great line-up of speakers for the Rolling Stock Group, including: 🔷 Peter Hubbard, Loughborough University, will discuss an innovative new method of low adhesion detection, addressing one of the ongoing challenges of the network. 🔷 Katie Hicks, Head of UK – Supply Chain & Logistics, Stadler, will give an overview of Stadler's fleets in the UK and talk about opportunities for the UK supply chain. 🔷 The Rail Data Marketplace sponsored a 'hackathon' at the RIA Innovation Conference, aimed at students and SMEs, focused on reducing the time to recover after disruption. The winners, university students Joseph Ofori and Benjamin Z., will talk about their ideas for data collection and use. 🔷 Leo Murray, Riding Sunbeams, will talk about the challenges of acquiring the electrical energy required to replace diesel on our networks. 🔷 Andrew Gainsbury, Transport for Wales, will share his thoughts on the opportunities and challenges when considering the future of rolling stock. RIA members can register here: https://lnkd.in/eV5irV6x #RollingStock #RailIndustry #UKRail

📅 RIA members are invited to attend the 'Network Rail Standards Challenge Webinar' on 2 April from 09:30 - 11:00. Standards ensure interoperability, performance, and reduced complexity. However, innovation can sometimes outpace standards, creating perceived barriers to adoption. 🔗 Join the webinar to learn how to navigate these challenges. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eyt_Sqdr #RailIndustry #RailStandards #UKRail

🏆 Following the success of the RIA Innovation Conference, which showcased the latest advancements and innovations in the industry, we'd like to encourage organisations to submit their entries to the Railway Industry Supplier Excellence (RISE) Awards. The 'Innovation Award' recognises and celebrates the organisation and individuals whose work is dedicated to successful innovation within the railway industry. The deadline for entries has been extended until 4 April, and winners will be announced at the RIA Dinner & RISE Awards 2025 on 26 June at The Landmark London. 🔗 Follow the link or scan the QR code to enter: https://lnkd.in/eZUBJypM #Innovation #UKRail #RISE25 #RailIndustry

This afternoon, Network Rail held a workshop aimed at supporting companies through their RD&I journey by providing an overview of the approaches to funding, procurement and partnership opportunities. A UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) panel discussion, chaired by Sharon Odetunde, RSSB, discussed how academic research and industry can work together to enable innovation. Throughout the day, we heard keynotes from: 🟣 Sarah Williams-Gardener, Chair, Western Gateway 🟣 Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Welsh Government 🟣 Klara Ludinova, Innovation Lead, Innovate UK 🟣 Luke Simpson, Programme Manager, Telent Technology Services Ltd 🟣 Alan Peters, Ecosystems Director, Connected Places Catapult Toufic Machnouk, Managing Director, GBRX, delivered the closing keynote and Noel Travers, Chair of RIA, concluded the conference by reflecting on the insightful presentations, innovative products and engaging workshops which have taken place over the past two days. Thank you to everyone who attended and exhibited at this year’s RIA Innovation Conference. We look forward to welcoming you all back next year at the ICC Wales on 17 & 18 March 2026. https://lnkd.in/eYTvmBYc Many thanks to our strategic partners: Network Rail, UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), and Telent Technology Services Ltd; platinum sponsors: Arcadis, Global Centre Of Rail Excellence, Knorr-Bremse Rail UK&I, and West Coast Partnership Development; gold sponsors: Transmission Dynamics and Unipart Rail; silver sponsor COMET; bronze sponsor PA Consulting; media partners: railbusinessdaily.com and Railway Gazette International; and supporter Transport for Wales. #RIC25 #RIAInnovationConference #Innovation #RailIndustry 

Commenting on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement today, RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan said: “The Railway Industry Association (RIA) recognises the economic circumstances currently faced by the UK Government and agrees with its priority to go for growth. “RIA welcomes the Chancellor’s ongoing support for major rail projects and commitment to investing in rail infrastructure including through the use of private funding. We would encourage the Government to do more in terms of bringing forward its long-term rail strategy and proposed pipeline for rolling stock, to help the railway industry in what is a period of uncertainty for rail suppliers with Great British Railways not due to be established until 2027. Delays in decisions on major projects, enhancements, as well as train-building and refurbishments make it more difficult for businesses to plan ahead or for SMEs to survive, and it also makes it harder to attract business investment. “Growing passenger demand for rail travel and substantial population growth in the years ahead will be sources of significant revenues for the Exchequer going forward. So, we strongly urge the Government to develop the future rail capacity needed to accommodate this growth.” #SpringStatement #SpringStatement25 #RailIndustry

Day 2 of the RIA Innovation Conference began with RIA Technical & Innovation Director Richard Carr launching a new report titled ‘The Journey to Equality: Creating a Railway for All’, which showcases how the supply chain is working to improve accessibility across the rail network. The paper has five key asks: 🔹 People directly impacted by decisions should have a direct say in those decisions. 🔹 Reform and fast-track the programme delivering station accessibility improvements. 🔹 Mandate digital accessibility and data transparency. 🔹 Create a railway culture built on respect and helpfulness, where the focus is on ensuring everybody’s journey is important. 🔹 Mandate inclusive and accessible onboard facilities. 📄 Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/exGNGTW8 This was followed by keynotes from: 🟣 Martin Taylor, Infrastructure Director for Wales Route, Network Rail and Geoff Ogden, Chief Transport Planning and Development Officer, Transport for Wales 🟣 Professor Jas Pal Badyal, Chief Scientific Advisor, Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government 🟣 Sanjay Albert, Director of Engineering & Innovation, Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems #RIC25 #RIAInnovationConference #Innovation #RailIndustry EDI Charter for Rail Sam Bemment

In the afternoon, several companies presented their ideas to a panel of representatives from Network Rail and Train Operating Companies as part of the TOC Pitch Sessions. We heard keynotes from: 🟣 Emma Poppleton, Sustainable Rail Design Engineer and Bryony Goldsmith FRICS, Key Account Director, Arcadis  🟣 Paul Corcoran, Rail Supply Group 🟣 Richard Thorp, Chief Operating Officer, London St. Pancras Highspeed 🟣 Andy Mellors, Managing Director, Avanti West Coast Transmission Dynamics, PA Consulting, COMET and Unipart Rail delivered a series of short presentations, titled TechTalks. We’re looking forward to this evening’s networking dinner with live entertainment and tomorrow's activities. #RIC25 #RIAInnovationConference #Innovation #RailIndustry