Alex Hynes moves
Scotland’s Railway managing director Alex Hynes has been appointed director general, rail services, at the Department for Transport on a two-year secondment. His appointment follows a reorganisation of departments within the DfT, where a new integrated Rail Infrastructure and Services Delivery Group is replacing most of the Passenger Services and Rail Infrastructure Groups, paving the way for Great British Railways.

Battery trains
A former Vivarail Class 230 unit has started running extended battery trials with Great Western Railway on the Greenford branch in west London. The unit recharges within 3.5 minutes when it pauses at West Ealing, the line’s southern terminus. The test train will not carry passengers, and is running between normal booked services.

Contactless launch
A new tap-and-go system which accepts contactless smartcards has been announced for the Liverpool City Region. The move is part of plans to invest almost £10 million in public transport ticketing, as part of the Mayor’s commitment to provide a ‘London-style’ transport system.