The biggest rail pass news is not good news: This October, the prices for Japan Rail Pass will increase by a hefty 69 percent. At its current price of 29,650 yen (about $205), the base seven-day pass is a no-brainer: It costs about the same as one high-speed round-trip between Tokyo and Osaka or Kyoto,…

Over the years since I first started traveling, a few perennially knotty problems have become easier to solve. – Plastic—at least the right plastic—has made it easy to obtain cash and avoid exchange gouges virtually anywhere in the world. I’ve covered this topic extensively. – The near-universal use of mobile phones has made it possible…

Plans for a rail link were abandoned Monday that would have connected LaGuardia Airport to New York City’s subway and commuter rail system, after intense criticism about its $2.4 billion-plus price tag and the potential effects on surrounding neighborhoods. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul accepted the recommendations made by a panel of transportation experts who…

Government ministers have been meeting the leaders of three separate trade unions in an effort to bring to an end some of the industrial action which has caused disruption all over Britain. Health Secretary Steve Barclay met leaders of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and other unions in London about pay demands in the…

The federal government is looking to dole out nearly $2.3 billion to “expand and modernize” intercity passenger rail across the country. But a leading transportation analyst says that Amtrak, the nation’s passenger railroad, doesn’t have any plans to break even. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced the money in a Notice of Funding Opportunity published…

A Harvard professor warned that a looming railroad strike could cause significant disruption to U.S. supply chains that most Americans would notice. “I cannot imagine a larger and more rapid hit to supply chains than a rail strike,” said Jason Furman, a Harvard economics professor and a top adviser who served in former President Barack…

A court has ruled that a British rail conductor who was sacked when he questioned “black privilege” in an online diversity training was unfairly dismissed. The Free Speech Union (FSU), which backed his case, urged for more “free speech training for employers.” In May, The Telegraph reported that rail conductor Simon Isherwood was dismissed for…

Planned strikes that will throttle Britain’s rail services to one fifth of normal are to go ahead next week after last-ditch talks failed. Union leaders confirmed on Saturday that strikes will be held on three days across the rail network and London underground over pay, jobs, and conditions. People have been advised not to travel on strike…

The New South Wales government has backed a A$1 billion (US$708 million) rail upgrade between Sydney and the Central Coast that could pave the way for faster train services. The state will work with the federal government on the upgrade, with A$500 million (US$354 million) to be set aside in June 21’s state budget, Premier…

The New South Wales government in Australia has backed a $1 billion (US$708 million) rail upgrade between Sydney and the Central Coast that could pave the way for faster train services. The state will work with the federal government on the upgrade, with $500 million (US$354 million) to be set aside in June 21’s state…