Brightline tickets available on GDS
Florida rail company, Brightline, has made its tickets available on all popular GDSs, including Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport, for the first time.
Through a partnership with AccesRail, agents can book rail segments on Brightline using the booking code 9B. “Our partnership with AccesRail enables travel partners from across the globe to easily reserve seats with effortless efficiency on the standard network,” said Julie Sharenow, Vice President of Sales for Brightline.
Brightline trains connect Orlando International Airport, Miami International and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airports to Central and South Florida. Travellers can take a Brightline train to West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Miami.
French trains – new luggage regulations
France's high-speed train services have introduced limits on passengers’ luggage, limiting the number and size of suitcases, with fines for travellers who do not comply, reports EuroNews.
French national operator SNCF has implemented a limit of two large pieces, maximum 70cm x 90cm x 50cm per person, plus a smaller item like a backpack or laptop case up to 40cm x 30cm x 15cm, on the TGV InOui and Intercité trains. From September 15, passengers will face a €50 (R988) fine for exceeding the allowance.
Travellers with standard tickets on TGV Budget OuiGo services are permitted one piece of luggage, maximum 36cm x 27cm x 15cm, and one piece, maximum 55cm x 35cm x 25cm.
Passengers can bring additional items for an extra charge.
New high-speed train to connect Barcelona and Malaga
The Barcelona-Seville line of Spanish rail operator Iryo will be extended this Northern hemisphere winter to offer travellers a direct route between Barcelona and Malaga in under six hours. The new service from the low-cost private rail operator will compete with Renfe’s existing premier AVE service, expanding the timetable while reducing ticket prices.
With trains departing daily, travellers can easily take in Barcelona’s Gaudí architecture and Malaga’s beautiful south coast beaches in one trip, reports EuroNews.
Baltic trainline will link three capitals
The delayed RailBaltica project, which will connect Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, is expected to be completed in 2030, following financial challenges.
The three countries' governments said they were committed to completing the project that would link the capitals of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius on a new track, with passenger trains running at speeds of up to 250kph.
