France has upgraded its TGV INOUI trains, introducing a two-storey bar, wider seats, more legroom, and improved accessibility for disabled passengers.
The new trains feature nine passenger carriages, compared to eight in the current model, increasing seating capacity by 20%, according to Metro.co.uk.
The bar area, renamed ‘Le Bistro’, occupies two floors and is connected by a staircase. The downstairs area includes a self-service shopping area with seats upstairs for passengers to enjoy their meals.
Trains will also be 20% more energy-efficient and produce 50% less CO2 emissions than single-deck high-speed trains.
Services will begin in 2026 on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille route before gradually being introduced across the rest of the network.
Amtrak adds new features to mobile app
Amtrak has updated its mobile app, making travel easier and more convenient for customers.
The latest version of the app allows customers to:
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Choose their preferred seat during the booking process on all Acela trains as well as Business Class on the Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Vermonter, and Carolinian trains.
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Access their train status, with the status and schedule adjustments displayed on the reservation when the screen launches.
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View the trains progress in relation to stations along its route.
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Access active trips on a single screen. Active trips will automatically show if there is a reservation that day. The ‘My Trips’ feature also allows customers to tap between active, upcoming, and past trips.
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Modify part of their trip through the mobile app.
The Amtrak app is available on iOS and Android.
Switzerland announces plans for high-speed cross-border trains
Swiss Federal Railways has announced plans for SBB high-speed trains to link Switzerland, Italy, and France.
Negotiations to secure 40 new trains will begin in April and May, according to Railway.supply.
The new trains will upgrade key routes and replace the aging fleet, set for retirement in the 2030s.
