train travel 1st september 2023

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Train strikes 2023: Everything you need to know about September rail industrial action

Aslef and rmt unions are staging fresh strikes as disputes appear deadlocked, article bookmarked.

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The first national rail strikes since the 1980s began in June 2022. The unions involved are Aslef, representing train drivers, and the RMT – the largest rail union. They are involved in parallel disputes with the 14 leading English train operators over pay, jobs and working conditions.

The government – which contracts the rail firms to run trains – will sign off the final settlement. But the unions and management appear as far apart as ever.

Both unions are demanding no-strings increases that take into account the high level of inflation. They say they are prepared to discuss reforms, but these must be negotiated separately. They expect any changes to be accompanied by commensurate pay boosts.

Train operators and ministers insist modernisation is essential following the collapse of rail revenue. Much of the “bedrock” of season ticket sales has vanished since the Covid pandemic. The only way to award even a modest increase, the employers maintain, is to fund it out of efficiency savings.

The RMT has so far staged walk-outs on 33 days in the current wave of national strikes, with Aslef stopping work on 12 previous occasions.

Caught in the middle: the long-suffering passenger. For over 14 months, national rail strikes and other forms of industrial action have scuppered the travel plans of tens of millions of train passengers. Stoppages have been called frequently, causing massive disruption and making advance travel planning difficult.

Aslef is staging a combination strike and overtime ban for the start of September. Train drivers walked out on Friday 1 September and are refusing non-contractual overtime on Saturday 2 September – coinciding with the latest RMT strike.

• Travel chaos kicks off bank holiday weekend as British Airways and easyJet cancel dozens of flights
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• September dates for benefits, pensions and cost of living payments

These are the key questions and answers.

Who is taking industrial action, and when?

The train drivers’ union, Aslef, staged a one-day strike on Friday 1 September and called an overtime ban the following day.

The RMT says 20,000 of its members across 14 train operators have walked out for a second successive Saturday at the end of the summer holidays, on 2 September

Why have these dates been chosen?

As with any industrial action, strikers seek to cause as much disruption as they can. With rail commuting sharply down since the Covid pandemic, leisure passengers now comprise the main target.

The RMT strike on Saturday 2 September, is designed to wreck the travel plans of millions of passengers, particularly families returning from holidays and football supporters travelling to matches. It will also hit travellers arriving back from overseas holidays by air, many of whom would normally complete their journey home by rail

The Aslef walk-out on Friday 1 September was announced after the RMT strike was called. The aim: to deepen the disruption to passengers.

Typically with a one-day strike, travellers switched to adjacent days; with two days in which tens of thousands of trains are cancelled, the pressure on Thursday 31 August and Sunday 3 September was even more intense.

The train drivers’ action also hit weekenders attending a range of smaller end-of-summer events, including the British Country Music Festival in Blackpool, the Sundown Festival in Norfolk and the Moseley Folk Festival in Birmingham.

Overseas visitors arriving at English ports and airports for a weekend or longer stay were affected, along with people who were stranded abroad by the collapse of the air-traffic control system on Monday 28 August .

Sunday morning services will also be hit. Southern, which runs trains in south London, Surrey and Sussex, warns: “We expect first services to be extremely crowded and you may not be able to board your chosen service. You are advised to start your journey later on in the morning.”

Which train operators are involved in the national disputes?

The RMT and Aslef strikes involve the 14 rail firms in England contracted by the Department for Transport . They include the leading intercity operators:

• Avanti West Coast
• CrossCountry
• East Midlands Railway
• Great Western Railway
• TransPennine Express

London commuter operators:

• Greater Anglia
• GTR (Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink)
• Southeastern
• South Western Railway (including the Island Line on the Isle of Wight)

Operators focusing on the Midlands and north of England:

• Chiltern Railways
• Northern Trains
• West Midlands Railway

Which trains will run during the strikes?

The impact is difficult to predict accurately, especially on Saturday 2 September when the Aslef overtime ban will exacerbate the effects of the RMT walk-out.

Aslef said of its 1 September walk-out: “The strike will force companies to cancel all services in this country.”

That was far from true, but the stoppage had more impact than the RMT strike.

On both the strike dates, passengers can expect normal service on:

• Caledonian Sleeper
• Grand Central
• Heathrow Express
• Hull Trains
• London Overground
• Transport for Wales

Many of the trains that these operators are likely to be more punctual than normal, because so many other services will be axed – reducing the prospect of congestion.

They may, however, be more crowded on routes that duplicate strike-hit lines. Transport for Wales services between Newport, Cardiff and Swansea, and between Crewe and Manchester, could be busier than normal.

The three “open access” operators on the East Coast main line – Grand Central, Hull Trains and Lumo – are also likely to be busy. Grand Central and Lumo have cancelled some trains due to fleet issues.

On affected train operators, these are the likely service levels. Please check with operators shortly before travel for the latest picture:

Southeastern : No trains ran on 1 September (Aslef).

The following day (RMT), most trains are cancelled. The train firm says: “Only 51 out of our 180 stations will be open.” Links wil run from London to Bromley South, Dartford and Sevenoaks, as well as the high-speed line from London St Pancras International to Ashford International, Canterbury and Ramsgate, with reduced service hours.

Southern: No trains ran on the Aslef strike day except a nonstop shuttle service between London Victoria and Gatwick airport.

A much-reduced timetable is operating on 2 September, the RMT strike day. Some stations will not be served.

Gatwick Express : Cancelled on both days of industrial action, but alternative Southern services between London and the airport are available.

Thameslink : No trains ran on the Aslef strike day. On the RMT strike day, the central London core between London Bridge and St Pancras International is closed. On the rest of the network, a much-reduced service will run between 7am and 7pm.

Southwestern : “Customers should only travel if their journeys are absolutely necessary,” the train firm says.

On all strike days, a skeleton network links London Waterloo with Guildford, Southampton, Ascot and Hampton Court.

Great Western Railway (GWR) : “Many parts of the GWR network will have no service at all,” the firm says.

“Services will only operate for a limited period, starting later in the morning and finishing much earlier in the evening.”

A core service runs between London Paddington and Oxford, Cardiff, Bath, Bristol on both strike days, along with peak-hour services on branch lines. On the RMT strike day, more trains will run, including to and from Exeter and Plymouth in Devon.

Cornwall is cut off by rail on both days.

CrossCountry: Aslef strike day: no service.

On the RMT strike day, a reduced network with nothing southwest of Bristol to Exeter, Plymouth or Cornwall. No trains will run north of Edinburgh.

Cardiff to Nottingham trains will not run, and the usual link from Birmingham to Stansted Airport will terminate at Peterborough.

Chiltern : Aslef strike day: no service.

RMT strike day: the network will be reduced to a limited service linking London Marylebone with Aylesbury, Banbury and Oxford.

The impact is heightened by the current closure, until 29 October, of the line between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury due to work on HS2.

West Midlands Railway: All trains were cancelled on Aslef strike day. Limited service on the RMT strike day.

Avanti West Coast : Aslef strike day: no service.

On the RMT strike day, the basic pattern to and from London Euston is one train each hour to/from:

• Liverpool (via Birmingham)
• Preston, with a limited service onwards to Carlisle.

Northern : All trains cancelled on Aslef strike day. “Very limited train service” on RMT strike days.

TransPennine Express : On the Aslef strike day: no service.

On the RMT strike day, a very limited number of trains are running on the Manchester Piccadilly-Leeds-York-Scarborough route; between Preston and Manchester Airport; and between Sheffield and Cleethorpes.

East Midlands Railway : No trains will run on the Aslef strike day, 1 September.

For 2 September, the RMT strike day, the operator says: “Only travel by rail if absolutely necessary and if you do travel, expect severe disruption.” But intercity services and local links are likely to be operated on the RMT strike day.

LNER : Aslef strike day saw a reduced service but regular trains on core routes.

On RMT strike days, LNER traditionally runs regular services on the London-York-Newcastle-Edinburgh route, with first departures around 7am and final arrivals around 10pm. London-Leeds services will run approximately 7am-6pm.

Great Northern : “An amended timetable with fewer services will run. Services will be busier than usual, especially in peak hours. It’s likely you will need to queue and you may not be able to board your chosen service. You should allow extra time for your journey.”

Greater Anglia : On the Aslef strike day, a limited service linked London Liverpool Street with Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester; Cambridge; Southend Victoria; and Stansted airport. First trains of the day started later, and the last trains finished earlier than usual.

On the RMT strike day: “Most routes will have a normal or near-normal service between 7am and 11pm.” But some branch lines will be closed.

The Underground, the London Overground and the Elizabeth Line are unaffected by the planned industrial action. But some routes that offer alternatives to rail services hit by industrial action, such as in south London, may be busier than normal.

Is Eurostar affected?

No, but connections to and from the train operator’s main hub at London St Pancras International may be difficult because of industrial action at all three domestic train operators at the station (East Midlands Railway, Southeastern and Thameslink) serving the station.

Why is Aslef calling its members out on strike?

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, told The Independent : “This is a political dispute caused by the government. If it had been an industrial dispute left solely to the employers and the unions, I think it would have been resolved by now.

He called the changes stipulated as part of the deal as “basically a land grab for terms and conditions right across the board for a 20 per cent pay cut.”

He said: “That isn’t going to happen. This is going to go on until the government give us a solution.”

What does the RMT say?

The basic position as stated by the general secretary, Mick Lynch, is: “Our industrial campaign will continue as long as it takes to get a negotiated settlement.”

But on the day of the most recent RMT strike, Saturday 26 August, Mr Lynch wrote to the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), representing train operators, with a more conciliatory tone:, He said: “I believe that both parties are of the view that we need to navigate a way through the dispute.”

He outlined a “road map” that includes:

• Backdating a pay rise for 2022-2023, with negotiations for 2023-2024 to start on 1 December 2023.
• A guarantee of no compulsory redundancies.
• Deferring further discussions on changing working arrangements until 1 December 2023 at the earliest.
• “Workforce Reform” proposals should be negotiated with individual train operators.

Mr Lynch said: “All of the change agenda that the companies wish to propose will be known in full and then addressed appropriately through the respective machineries in each of the companies.”

What do the train operators say?

A spokesperson for the RDG, representing train operators, said in response to the RMT proposals: “While we welcome any attempt to resolve this dispute and we are always open to talks, sadly both the content and the timing of this offer on the eve of strike action it is too late to avert - suggests it’s not a serious attempt to move forward.

“Our fair and affordable offer, worth 13 per cent to the lowest paid, remains on the table and we urge the RMT leadership to allow their membership a vote on it.”

Of the Aslef strikes, the spokesperson said: “Further strike action by the Aslef leadership is unnecessary and will cause more disruption to passengers looking to enjoy various sporting events and the end of the summer holidays.

“The union leadership has its head in the sand and refuses to put our fair and reasonable offer to their members. The offer would increase the average driver base salary for a four-day week without overtime from £60,000 to nearly £65,000 by the end of 2023.

“We want to give our staff a pay increase, but it has always been linked to implementing necessary, sensible reforms that would enhance services for our customers.

“We urge the Aslef leadership to acknowledge the substantial financial challenges facing the rail industry and work with us to achieve a more dependable and robust railway system for the future.”

What does the government say?

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “The government has facilitated fair and reasonable pay offers. However, union bosses are opting to prolong this dispute by blocking their members from having a vote on these offers – we continue to urge that members are given their say, and disruption is brought to an end.”

I have a ticket booked for a day hit by strikes. What can I do?

Passengers with Advance, Anytime or Off-Peak tickets can have their ticket refunded with no fee if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.

Train operators are likely to offer flexibility to travel on a wide range of non-strike days.

Passengers with season tickets who do not travel can claim compensation for the strike dates through Delay Repay.

What are the alternatives?

As always, long-distance coach operators – National Express, Megabus and FlixBus – will keep running, though seats are becoming scarce and fares are rising.

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Train drivers to strike on 1 September and not work overtime a day later, says Aslef

Passengers face disruption as second date coincides with action by RMT members

• Business live – latest updates

Train drivers are to stage a fresh strike in their long-running dispute over pay , threatening more travel chaos for passengers.

The action by members of the Aslef union will take place on 1 September. They will be subject to an overtime ban on 2 September, the same day as a strike by other rail staff.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers announced a week ago that 20,000 of its members employed across 14 train operators would strike on 26 August and 2 September as part of their own dispute.

Aslef said its strike would force train companies across England to cancel all services, while the ban on overtime would “seriously disrupt” the network.

The union maintains that none of the privatised train-operating companies employs enough drivers to provide a proper service without employees working on their days off.

The companies that will be affected by the industrial action are Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; c2c; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Greater Anglia; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; Great Western Railway; Island Line; LNER; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway; TransPennine Express; and West Midlands Trains.

The strikes are likely to mean trains start later and finish much earlier than usual, with only about half of services in some areas, while other parts of the country will have fewer or no services at all.

Evening services on some lines are likely to be affected on the days before each strike and on the mornings afterwards.

Mick Whelan, the Aslef general secretary, said: “We don’t want to take this action but the train companies, and the government which stands behind them, have forced us into this place because they refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer to train drivers who have not had one for four years – since 2019 – while prices have soared in that time by more than 12%.

“The government appears happy to let passengers – and businesses – suffer in the mistaken belief that they can bully us into submission. They don’t care about passengers, or Britain’s railway, but they will not break us.”

He added: “Train drivers at these companies have not had a pay rise for four years, since 2019, while inflation has rocketed, We haven’t heard a word from the employers – we haven’t had a meeting, a phone call, a text message, or an email – since 26 April and we haven’t had any contact with the government since 6 January.”

It will be the 12th one-day strike by Aslef members since the dispute started more than a year ago. A series of overtime bans by drivers have caused disruption on the rail network over the summer, including from 3 July to 8 July , from 31 July to 5 August and from 7 to 12 August .

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Whelan warned of further industrial action if the deadlocked row continued, saying Aslef members were pressing the union to go “harder and faster”.

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said: “Further strike action by the Aslef leadership is unnecessary and will cause more disruption to passengers looking to enjoy various sporting events and the end of the summer holidays.

“The union leadership has its head in the sand and refuses to put our fair and reasonable offer to their members. The offer would increase the average driver base salary for a four-day week without overtime from £60,000 to nearly £65,000 by the end of 2023.

“We want to give our staff a pay increase, but it has always been linked to implementing necessary, sensible reforms that would enhance services for our customers. We urge the Aslef leadership to acknowledge the substantial financial challenges facing the rail industry and work with us to achieve a more dependable and robust railway system for the future.”

The rail unions are also campaigning against controversial plans to close most railway ticket offices . More than 300,000 people have responded to a consultation on the matter, which ends on 1 September.

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Train strikes 2023: Everything you need to know about September and October rail industrial action

The train drivers’ union, Aslef, has announced the next round of industrial action in its long and bitter dispute with 14 English train operators over pay, jobs and working conditions. Drivers will walk out on Saturday 30 September and Wednesday 4 October, triggering the cancellation of thousands of trains on each day and wrecking millions of planned journeys.

In addition the union has announced an overtime ban on Friday 29 September and from Monday 2 to Friday 6 October – disrupting rail travel for over a week. The strikes are timed to hit the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, which begins on Sunday 1 October – the day after the first walk-out – and ends on Wednesday 4 October, the day of the second stoppage.

Announcing the strike, Mick Whelan, Aslef ’s general secretary, said: “While we regret having to take this action – we don’t want to lose a day’s pay, or disrupt passengers as they try to travel by train – the government, and the employers have forced us into this position.

“Our members have not, now, had a pay rise for four years – since 2019 – and that’s not right when prices have soared in that time. Train drivers, perfectly reasonably, want to be able to buy now what they could buy four years ago.”

Caught in the middle of the dispute, the long-suffering passenger. This Q&A aims to explain what lies behind the conflict and the likely impact of the forthcoming strikes.

When did the industrial action start?

The first national rail strikes since the 1980s began in June 2022. The unions involved are Aslef and the RMT , the largest rail union. They are involved in parallel disputes with the 14 leading English train operators, which run the main intercity and commuter services.

Transport for Wales and ScotRail are unaffected.

For 15 months, national rail strikes and other forms of industrial action have scuppered the travel plans of millions of train passengers. Stoppages have been called frequently, causing massive disruption and making advance travel planning difficult.

The RMT has so far staged walk-outs on 33 days in the current wave of national strikes, with Aslef stopping work on 13 previous occasions.

The government – which contracts the rail firms to run trains – will sign off the final settlement. But the unions and management appear as far apart as ever.

What is the problem?

Both unions are demanding no-strings increases that take into account the high level of inflation. They say they are prepared to discuss reforms, but these must be negotiated separately. They expect any changes to be accompanied by commensurate pay boosts.

Train operators and ministers insist modernisation is essential following the collapse of rail revenue. Much of the “bedrock” of season ticket sales has vanished since the Covid pandemic. The only way to award even a modest increase, the employers maintain, is to fund it out of efficiency savings.

Which train operators are involved in the national disputes?

The RMT and Aslef strikes involve the 14 rail firms in England contracted by the Department for Transport . They include the leading intercity operators:

• Avanti West Coast
• CrossCountry
• East Midlands Railway
• Great Western Railway
• TransPennine Express

London commuter operators:

• Greater Anglia
• GTR (Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink)
• Southeastern
• South Western Railway (including the Island Line on the Isle of Wight)

Operators focusing on the Midlands and north of England:

• Chiltern Railways
• Northern Trains
• West Midlands Railway

Which trains will run during the strikes?

Aslef said of its September and October walk-outs: “The strike will force companies to cancel all services in this country.”

That is not the case.

On both the strike dates, passengers can expect normal service on:

• Caledonian Sleeper
• Grand Central
• Heathrow Express
• Hull Trains
• London Overground
• Transport for Wales

Many of the trains that these operators run are likely to be more punctual than normal, because so many other services will be axed – reducing the prospect of congestion.

They may, however, be more crowded on routes that duplicate strike-hit lines. Transport for Wales services between Newport, Cardiff and Swansea, and between Crewe and Manchester, could be busier than normal.

The three “open access” operators on the East Coast main line – Grand Central, Hull Trains and Lumo – are also likely to be busy.

On affected train operators, the likely service levels are listed below, with trains that do run generally operating between 7.30am and 7pm. Please check with operators shortly before travel for the latest picture:

Southeastern: No trains.

Southern: No trains except a nonstop shuttle service between London Victoria and Gatwick airport.

Gatwick Express: No trains but the Southern airport shuttle will cover the ground.

Thameslink: No trains.

Southwestern: A skeleton network linking London Waterloo with Guildford, Southampton, Ascot and Hampton Court is likely.

Great Western Railway (GWR): A core service will run between London Paddington and Oxford, Cardiff, Bath and Bristol, along with peak-hour services on branch lines.

CrossCountry: No trains.

Chiltern: No trains.

West Midlands Railway: No trains.

Avanti West Coast: No trains.

Northern: No trains.

TransPennine Express: No trains.

East Midlands Railway: No trains.

LNER: Regular trains on core routes linking London King's Cross with Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Great Northern: Possible skeleton service.

Greater Anglia: Limited service linking London Liverpool Street with Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester; Cambridge; Southend Victoria; and Stansted airport.

In addition to the disruption on strike days, trains on adjacent days may be affected. Trains on these days are also likely to be extremely busy due to passengers moving their journeys.

Will the London Underground, Overground and the Elizabeth Line run?

Yes. The Underground, the London Overground and the Elizabeth Line are unaffected by the planned industrial action. But some routes that offer alternatives to rail services hit by industrial action, such as in south London, may be busier than normal.

Is Eurostar affected?

No, but connections to and from the train operator’s main hub at London St Pancras International may be difficult because of industrial action wiping out all services on all three domestic train operators at the station (East Midlands Railway, Southeastern and Thameslink).

Why is Aslef calling its members to strike?

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, told The Independent : “This is a political dispute caused by the government. If it had been an industrial dispute left solely to the employers and the unions, I think it would have been resolved by now.”

He called the changes stipulated as part of the deal as “basically a land grab for terms and conditions right across the board for a 20 per cent pay cut.”

He said: “That isn’t going to happen. This is going to go on until the government give us a solution.”

What does the RMT say?

The basic position as stated by the general secretary, Mick Lynch, is: “Our industrial campaign will continue as long as it takes to get a negotiated settlement.”

But on the day of the most recent RMT strike, Saturday 26 August, Mr Lynch wrote to the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), representing train operators, with a more conciliatory tone. He said: “I believe that both parties are of the view that we need to navigate a way through the dispute.”

He outlined a “road map” that includes:

• Backdating a pay rise for 2022-2023, with negotiations for 2023-2024 to start on 1 December 2023.
• A guarantee of no compulsory redundancies.
• Deferring further discussions on changing working arrangements until 1 December 2023 at the earliest.
• “Workforce Reform” proposals should be negotiated with individual train operators.

Mr Lynch said: “All of the change agenda that the companies wish to propose will be known in full and then addressed appropriately through the respective machineries in each of the companies.”

What do the train operators say?

A spokesperson for the RDG, representing train operators, said in response to the train drivers’ strike announcement: “Further strike action by the Aslef leadership will cause more disruption to passengers.

“We want to give our staff a pay increase, but it has always been linked to implementing necessary, sensible reforms that would enhance services for our passengers.

“The union have rejected a fair and affordable offer without putting it to their members, which would take average driver base salaries for a four-day week without overtime from £60,000 to nearly £65,000.

“We ask the Aslef leadership and executive to recognise the very real financial challenge the industry is facing and work with us to deliver a more reliable and robust railway for the future.”

What does the government say?

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “The government has facilitated fair and reasonable offers to both RMT and Aslef. RMT members working for Network Rail accepted their offer months agoand Aslef’s would bring the average train driver’s salary up to £65,000.

“Further strike action will not only put a strain on taxpayers, but risk driving passengers away from the network for good. These strikes will not prevent the need for essential workplace reforms.”

I have a ticket booked for a day hit by strikes. What can I do?

Passengers with Advance, Anytime or Off-Peak tickets can have their ticket refunded with no fee if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.

Train operators are likely to offer flexibility to travel on a wide range of non-strike days.

Passengers with season tickets who do not travel can claim compensation for the strike dates through Delay Repay.

What are the alternatives?

As always, long-distance coach operators – National Express, Megabus and FlixBus – will keep running, though seats are becoming scarce and fares are rising.

From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here .

September 22, 2023

Making history: brightline opens between orlando and miami.

First New Privately Funded Passenger Rail Service in a Century

ORLANDO (Sept. 22, 2023) – Today marks the official start of Brightline’s passenger rail service between Orlando and Miami. The first train, Bright Pink, arrived in Orlando at 11:05 a.m. and was greeted by more than 500 elected officials, business leaders, community partners and company leaders from across the state. The celebration put an exclamation point on the boldest private infrastructure project in the nation and marks the revitalization of Henry Flagler’s original vision for the Florida East Coast Railway. A decade in the making, Brightline’s launch is poised to reinvent train travel in America and offers a blueprint to connect city pairs that are too short to fly and too far to drive.

The start of service was celebrated at the Brightline Orlando station with guests who joined Brightline’s Founder Wes Edens, CEO Mike Reininger and President Patrick Goddard. Upon the train's arrival, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer greeted guests on the platform and presented the Key to the City to Edens who was joined by Reininger, Goddard and other Brightline representatives. Officials from the Federal Railroad Administration, the Florida Department of Transportation, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority and more, were present to greet the first train.

Brightline launched operations in South Florida in 2018, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Stations in Boca Raton and Aventura opened last year. Construction on its 170 mile extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando began in 2019. The $6 billion project has generated substantial economic benefits in Florida creating 10,000 jobs and approximately $6.4 billion in direct economic impact to the region. Construction teams worked more than seven million hours over the course of four years to complete the project.

Brightline covers 235 miles between Miami and Orlando and the new route will take between 3 and 3.5 hours depending on South Florida station stops.

BRIGHTLINE TRAINS AND STATIONS

Brightline has quickly become known for its guest experience, innovative station design, spacious lounges and comfortable train sets. Designed by The Rockwell Group, and set with Brightline’s signature yellow, the stations are meticulously built through the lens of today’s modern traveler. All stations and trains are packed with amenities including Starlink Wifi, chargers and outlets at every seat, and a selection of food, beverage and cocktails available for purchase for SMART and complimentary for PREMIUM. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of light bites, beverages and cocktails throughout the day at one of Brightline’s signature in-station Mary Mary Bars or pick up last-minute gifts, sundries and refreshments at one of the MRKT shopping retail locations. 

The new Brightline Orlando station in partnership with Orlando Health, is located at MCO’s 37,350 square foot Train Station adjacent to its new Terminal C. This is the only intercity passenger rail station of its kind to be located in a U.S. airport and stands three-stories tall, including a 72,000 square feet platform area, making it the company’s largest train station. The Train Station connects directly to the airport’s Parking Garage C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces marked for Brightline guests. The Train Station provides direct access to the other airport terminals A and B via the airport Terminal Link (automated people mover) in under five minutes. 

MiamiCentral is strategically located on an 11-acre complex in downtown Miami and represents Brightline’s southern flagship terminus. MiamiCentral is a unique live-work-play destination featuring luxury rental residences, commercial offices and dynamic retail and entertainment space. Guest’s looking to connect have a number of options including Brightline+, the Miami Metromover and Metrorail which are both connected to the station. 

Brightline trainsets were made in partnership with Siemens Mobility in Sacramento, Calif. The stainless-steel coaches are made with components from more than 160 suppliers across 27 states. They are designed for luxury and comfort, featuring special ergonomic seating, contemporary communication systems and enhanced Wi-Fi. Thanks to wide aisles, wheelchair storage and fully accessible restrooms, the Venture trainset exceeds ADA requirements from end to end.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF BRIGHTLINE FLORIDA

Brightline’s Orlando extension showcases engineering skill, cutting edge technology and design to create a transportation system that redefines intercity travel. 

The Orlando expansion project included 56 bridges, including 18 new bridges, three underpasses, drainage installations, track and signalization installation and 60 track miles of new rail. Over the four years of construction, upgrades and improvements were made to three underpasses and 156 railroad crossings. Engineering of double track under active airport taxiways and tug roads and a new 35-mile rail alignment along the Beachline Expressway/SR 528, were also made. 

The expansion to Orlando also included the development of Basecamp, a $100 million state-of-the-art train maintenance facility situated on 62-acres south of Orlando International Airport (MCO). The facility operates 24/7, servicing  trains with skilled engineers, conductors, technicians and inspectors. 

ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Brightline’s phase I and II construction along with the launch of service have and will have an indelible impact on the state's economy. Independent studies show the combination of construction and operations will generate more than 10,000 jobs, 2,000 permanent jobs and over $6.4 billion in direct economic impact to the state. The system is expected to have a major impact on Florida’s travel and workforce industries while bringing a sustainable transportation alternative. Environmental benefits are equally impressive and include reduced highway and city congestion and CO2 emissions by an estimated 72,000 metric tons per year. Studies show the system will remove more than three million cars from roadways each year. 

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILITY OPTIONS 

In 2022, Brightline launched a concierge service to connect guests to and from stations with Brightline+. The mobility service, powered by the Brightline app, makes planning a trip with Brightline from start to finish seamless through its add-on options available within the booking platform. Ground transportation and mobility options at the Orlando Station will cater to the unique needs of the Orlando visitor with new Brightline+ products including MEARS shuttles, Uber rideshare and car rental options through Avis. Upon booking a Brightline ticket, guests will receive confirmation email and instructions on how to add extras, such as parking, checked baggage, and Brightline+ mobility options available closer to their trip date.

Brightline recently unveiled a new digital experience for guests featuring a redesigned website and native mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. The enhanced guest journey is driven by a cutting-edge backend system, modern and intuitive design, and multiple additional upgraded features. Introduced ahead of expanded service connecting Miami and Orlando, the new digital journey transforms the booking process into a fast, dependable and frictionless system. 

THE FUTURE OF HIGH SPEED RAIL IS BRIGHT

Brightline’s Orlando expansion is the newest transportation milestone for the company that  has bold plans to transform high-speed rail in the U.S. on the West Coast, through Brightline West . Brightline West will  be the nation’s first true high-speed rail network with fully electric trains operating at top speeds of 200 mph. Slated to break ground by the end of 2023, the line will connect millions of people traveling between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, annually.

About Brightline

Brightline is the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, higher-speed rail service in America. The company currently serves Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, with Orlando beginning service on Sept. 22, 2023. Brightline was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies in Travel and included in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Hot List for the best new ways to travel. Offering a guest-first experience designed to reinvent train travel and take cars off the road, Brightline plans to bring its award-winning service to additional city pairs and congested corridors across the country that are too close to fly and too long to drive, with immediate plans to connect Las Vegas to Southern California. For more information, visit www.gobrightline.com and follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram , and  Twitter .

QUOTE SHEET

“FRA congratulates Brightline on opening their new Orlando station, and we're eager to see more Floridians and riders benefit from the transportation options this station and route will provide, We know more Americans want and deserve world-class passenger rail, and when those services are fast, frequent, and efficient, that means greater convenience, less congestion on highways and at airports, and cleaner air in local communities. Whether through financial support or our role as a safety regulatory, FRA is proud to support efforts that make these benefits a reality for more people.” -         

FRA Deputy Administration Jennifer Mitchell

“As Governor of Florida, I was proud to work with Brightline to deliver reliable rail in our state without putting Florida taxpayers on the hook. Today’s grand opening of Brightline’s new Orlando station shows that Florida was right to embrace private rail partners and is great news for Florida families, businesses and the over one hundred million tourists who visit our state each year.” - Senator Rick Scott

“New intercity rail has eluded Florida for years. We’re proud to work with Brightline to finally get it done. This new line will be a major part of our vision for the future of Central Florida transportation, will soon begin connecting Orlando to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Millions of Floridians and tourists alike will benefit from the great public-private partnership that made this project possible. As we look to what’s ahead, we are proud that the next leg of Brightline service to Tampa is already in the design phase thanks to a $16 million CRISI grant we helped secure for the Sunshine Corridor.” - Congressman Darren Soto, Florida’s 9th District

“The Sunshine State’s economy is dependent on moving people and goods efficiently and effectively, which requires a robust multimodal system. Today marks an exciting day for Floridians and those visiting our state - the official launch of Brightline Orlando, expands options for business and tourism travelers between Orlando and South Florida. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have worked to improve our transportation systems and ensure Florida has solid infrastructure.” - Congressman Daniel Webster, Florida’s 11 District

“Over the last century, America has perfected the automobile and pioneered space exploration, but we’ve barely budged in terms of passenger rail. Today is an historic event for Brightline and the state of Florida that represents a decade of hard work and determination. This moment also marks the beginning of a new industry and outlines a blueprint for expanding high-speed rail in America.“ -  Wes Edens, co-founder of Fortress Investment Group, owner of Brightline

“This is an historic day for Brightline and the team that worked diligently over these past 10 years to bring the project to reality. We are charting a new path for innovation and transportation, and people are responding as we knew they would. I am excited to see millions of guests choose a smarter way to travel.” – Mike Reininger, CEO of Brightline

“Brightline’s Orlando Station sets a new benchmark for transportation between two of Florida’s busiest regions, with a seamless, convenient experience that caters to today’s modern traveler. We’ve curated an experience – both in our gleaming stations and onboard our trains – that exceeds the benefit of time-savings, alone. It’s comfortable and unique, and we are looking forward to welcoming guests onboard.” -  Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline

We’re proud to see the advancement of our community with the start of Brightline train service today, making this important connection between our city and Miami, two of Florida’s busiest city centers, a reality. This new service is a transformational step forward in the future of transportation in our community and just the beginning as we continue to work to expand and advance our mobility options and network.  Today we provide a critical piece of that network, connecting our Orlando International Airport and multimodal hub, providing access to jobs and opportunity, supporting future growth and improving the lives of our residents, workers and travelers.” - Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

“Congratulations to Brightline for reaching this historic milestone. This intercity connectivity of high-speed commuter rail will serve as a catalyst for business development, as well as improve the prospects of intracity commuter rail for Orange County residents.” – Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings

“A multimodal vision of planes, trains and automobiles inspired by Orlando International Airport leaders nearly 50 years ago has come to fruition, making this a truly historic day in Florida transportation. We warmly welcome Brightline and the beginning of intercity high-speed rail service, which will provide mobility for the unprecedented growth our region is seeing and promote economic activity that benefits us all.”  – Kevin J. Thibault, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

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When are the September train strikes? List of rail strike dates and if there will be more walkouts

Train travel in the uk have been disrupted by strikes for over a year, and the industrial action shows little sign of coming to an end.

Train travel in the UK have been disrupted by strikes for over a year , and the industrial action shows little sign of coming to an end .

There were three days of walkouts organised by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union last month, while the Aslef drivers’ union has been implementing overtime bans .

More strike dates have already been announced for September – here’s what to expect.

When are the rail strikes in September?

Rail staff represented by the RMT will strike on  Saturday 26 August  and  Saturday 2 September . More than 20,000 workers are set to walk out at the following 14 train companies, bringing much of the rail network to a standstill:

• Avanti West Coast
• Chiltern Railways
• CrossCountry
• East Midlands Railway
• Great Western Railway
• Greater Anglia
• Northern Trains
• Southeastern
• South Western Railway
• Transpennine Express
• West Midlands Trains and GTR (including Gatwick Express)

Drivers represented by Alsef are holding a separate strike on  Friday 1 September , while the union will also ban overtime on  Saturday 2 September .

The following operators are affected by the Aslef action:

• GTR Great Northern Thameslink
• Island Line
• Southern/Gatwick Express
• TransPennine Express
• West Midlands Trains

Both unions could call additional strikes later in the month, as the disputes remain unresolved.

Why are train strikes still happening?

The RMT said it had been left with “little choice” but to take further action as it had seen no improved or revised offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents the rail companies.

RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “The mood among our members remains solid and determined in our national dispute over pay job security and working conditions.

“We have had to call further strike action as we have received no improved or revised offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).

Train strikes 2024: Full list of dates in May

“The reason for this is the Government has not allowed them a fresh mandate on which discussions could be held. Our members and our union will continue fighting until we can reach a negotiated and just settlement.”

An RDG spokesperson said: “With further strike action the RMT are once again targeting customers looking to enjoy various sporting events, festivals and the end of the summer holidays, disrupting their plans and forcing more cars on to the road.

“We have now made three offers, the latest of which would have given staff pay rises of up to 13 per cent as well as job security guarantees, and the RMT executive have blocked this without a convincing explanation.

“We remain open to talks and we have said repeatedly that we want to give our people a pay rise, but until the union leadership and executive is united in what it wants and engages in good faith with the 30 per cent shortfall in revenue the industry is continuing to grapple with post-Covid, it is difficult to move forward.”

Mick Whelan, Aslef general secretary, said: “We don’t want to take this action but the train companies, and the Government which stands behind them, have forced us into this place because they refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer to train drivers who have not had one for four years – since 2019 – while prices have soared in that time by more than 12 per cent.

“The Government appears happy to let passengers – and businesses – suffer in the mistaken belief that they can bully us into submission. They don’t care about passengers, or Britain’s railway, but they will not break us.”

An RDG spokesperson said: “Further strike action by the Aslef leadership is unnecessary and will cause more disruption to passengers looking to enjoy various sporting events and the end of the summer holidays.

“The union leadership has its head in the sand and refuses to put our fair and reasonable offer to their members.”

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Industrial Action

Last updated: 8 May 2024 Industrial action by the ASLEF union is set to take place on the following dates:

• Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 May – overtime ban, revised service

For information on ticketing and refunds, please visit our page here .

Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 May – revised service, check before you travel

• Please check before you travel
• Please also check your entire journey as industrial action will also affect other operators
• Journey planners are up to date

Services will run as follows:

Saturday 11 May – revised service, check before you travel

A revised service will run, with short-notice cancellations possible. Engineering work will also affect our network. For more information, please visit our Planned Improvements page . Travel advice:

• Please check your entire journey as industrial action will also affect other operators

Sunday 12 May – normal service

Services will run as per the normal timetable.

We're committed to making travel easier for everyone

Information on strike ticket acceptance, refunds and compensation

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5 of the biggest travel trends coming in 2023, from train rides to wellness retreats

• Self-improvement and sustainability are expected to be top-of-mind for travelers in 2023. 
• 2023 trend predictions show that travelers will consider visiting destinations during off-seasons.
• Travelers also may be more likely to splurge on travel advisors to make their trips easier.

2022 was the year of traveling for fun, and 2023 could be the year of traveling for self-improvement with transformative wellness retreats.

CN Traveler predicts that travelers in 2023 will be seeking out transformative retreats that will help them become their best selves. Some focuses of 2023 travelers on these holistic retreats will be to overcome grief, find purpose, and move their bodies, according to the same source .

CN Traveler suggests planning retreats with Healing Holidays , a travel agency dedicated to wellness vacations, to find a trip that fits your personal goals. Town & Country Magazine recently published a list of the best wellness retreats to try, including Nayara Springs , a rainforest retreat in Costa Rica, and  Inns of Aurora in New York, a four-day recharge trip geared toward solo travelers.

The magazine also wrote about Sensei Lanai , a wellness-focused Four Seasons Resort on the island of Lanai in Hawaii, which has a variety of curated retreats and well-being programs with yoga, meditation, saunas, and golf.

Insider previously visited Kamalaya, a wellness retreat in Thailand, for a week-long refresh. Read more about the experience here .

Sustainable travel will be on the rise in 2023, making train travel more popular.

In a recent survey, Virtuoso , a global travel company focused on experience and luxury, found that 74% of their customers are willing to spend more money to travel sustainably, and 70% think traveling sustainably gives them a better experience, Forbes reported .  

Some ways to travel more sustainably include seeking out hidden gems, packing light, staying in locally owned accommodations, and opting for train travel over flights, Insider previously reported . 

"It's about asking, 'How can you make little decisions that add up over time and have a positive impact on the world?'" Kelley Louise, the executive director and founder of Impact Travel Alliance , a nonprofit centered on informing travelers to help improve the world, told Insider .

In addition to being motivated by sustainability, travelers are also interested in the aesthetics of train travel. According to Pinterest Predicts , an annual report of what will be trending in the coming year based on data analysis from its users, train travel is expected to be booming in 2023 since it can be more aesthetic, comfortable, and eco-conscious than air travel.

From September 2020 to September 2022, Pinterest pins for "train trip aesthetic" increased by 205%, "train travel aesthetic" increased by 40%, and "interrailing Europe aesthetic" increased by 105%, according to the data . 

More travelers are expected to go solo in 2023.

According to Ohio University's Office of Global Opportunities , solo travel has unique benefits, such as not having to plan around anyone else's schedule, meeting new people, and growing outside of your comfort zone.

According to an August 2022 report from WTM Global Hub , Google searches for solo travel have quadrupled since 2020. Solo travel was already on the rise in 2022,  according to Travel Pulse, and interest in adventuring alone is expected to continue to increase next year. According to Kayak , searches for single-traveler flights are 36% higher for 2023 travel than for 2022 travel. 

Data collected by travel company Go Ahead Tours shows that the top trending destinations for solo travelers are Spain, Italy, Greece, New Zealand, and Australia. 

More travelers are considering booking travel advisors for their next vacation.

Forbes reports that Virtuoso's recent survey found that 76% of travelers are willing to spend more money on travel advisors to make their trips easier in 2023, including millennials and Gen Zers.

Working with a travel advisor can save tourists time and energy, according to Travel Pulse, as these advisors can handle transportation logistics, check pandemic-era entry requirements for different countries, and contact hotels, resorts, and cruise lines.

More people are considering traveling during off-seasons.

Off-season travel is all about avoiding big crowds during peak travel times for tourist destinations, like holidays and summertime, according to Forbes Advisor . 

After a bustling year of travel in 2022, where tourists crowded the streets of several European cities , most Virtuoso travelers say they are willing to travel during off-seasons, Forbes reported .

But Forbes Advisor reports that because of the rise in off-season travel interest for 2023, destinations may not be as quiet or as empty as they used to feel during past off-seasons. 

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Hello, I am going to travel to moscow and st. Petersburg for 15 days, all recommendations are welcome.

Any way to have a card ? i already have TooMoney APP but it is limited to 150 USD.

I can't find a way to pay for the hotel, train, plane tickets, etc :(

34 replies to this topic

You should find rubles very accessible - they are likely going to be hitting their lowest relative to the dollar and euro every.

I think the question is not so much are rubles available, which of course they are, but how best to get them, and as far as I am aware, practically speaking, one would need to bring dollars or Euros in…

Note that just recently, one of the groups of former Marriott hotels, now has an option to pay for hotel room using WESTERN credit cards. I stress that this is likely NOT widespread, and likely only for upper end hotels.

Thanks, I was able to book the first hotel National hotel, at a good price, I guess in person I can get how to pay the rest of the things....

I'm trying to load money on my yoomoney account, but I can't find how, with binence it seems that I can't if my yoomoney account is not verified....

Absolutely DON'T change at the airport unless you have no choice as the rates will be disgraceful.

Look for the best rates in sites like this https://www.banki.ru/products/currency/cash/moskva/ and go there.

There are plenty of solutions to use cards but I haven't tried any of them personally and you should always bring cash as a safety measure even if you find how to get a card or something else.

Do not agree there are plenty of solutions to use cards…the only REASONABLE one I have heard is to get a local Tinkoff Bank card…one of few banks that has so far been able to skirt SOME sanctions, but increasingly the noose is tightening for this bank as well since the owner, an anti-war type fled the country, and the bank has largely fallen into the state’s hands, which means more sanctions against it will be coming.

And even then, there is the issue of after opening such an account and getting a card (which requires your presence even if only to sign a few papers for a courier, likely will be difficult to get money into the account unless you thru all sorts of hoops like using bitcoin-type vehicles, to me, WAY too complex for a casual tourist…

So, DO agree to bring a fistful of cash…

AndresZCool,

Is it the one?

It's a real museum!

I had the pleasure of staying at the National Hotel back in 1981.

#6, Pedro, I have been using Ostrovok for quite a while but I never managed to make my western card work at it. If I am trying to book somewhere that demands some pre payment I have to simply give up and go elsewhere. Next time I go I will try again to use my card and see if it works

Seaturtlewoman,

Good for you!

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Industrial action

The train drivers' union ASLEF has announced strike action at 16 Train Operating Companies (not including TfW) between Tuesday 7 May - Thursday 9 May and a ban on overtime from Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May.

Transport for Wales (TfW) is not involved in industrial action by members of the train driver’s union ASLEF.

TfW services will be running but other train operators' services across the whole of Wales, England and Scotland will be limited. Some of our services are likely to be extremely busy as a result of the severely-reduced timetable put in place by other operators.

Please check your entire journey, including services operated by other rail operators as their service level may differ to Transport for Wales.

If you're planning to attend any events on our network please check your entire journey.

Are Transport for Wales employees on strike?

No, TfW colleagues have not been balloted and are not on strike. This dispute is between the ASLEF union and a number of English-based train operators.

Why are TfW services affected by this strike if your employees aren’t involved?

Some of our services are likely to be extremely busy as a result of the severely-reduced timetable put in place by other operators.

Will services be back to normal the day after a strike?

We plan to run our normal timetables the day after industrial action takes place. However, it’s likely that services will be affected by knock-on disruption while the network gets back to normal. We strongly advise customers to check before travelling throughout the period affected by industrial action.

If the strike is called off, will trains run?

Due to the amount of planning and preparation that we undertake ahead of days affected by industrial action, there is a “point of no return” where even if the action is called off, we will have to go ahead with our service. This is expected to be about 24 hours ahead of a strike.

Why can’t services be reinstated if strikes are called off?

You need at least three things to run a timetable. 

• 1. Train Diagram - That maps out where each train starts and finishes and where it goes in between - including fuelling and maintenance stops etc. To make efficient use of fuel/staff/available infrastructure, any given train will do 3 or 4 journeys a day it starts from one depot and it needs to return to another for fuelling/maintenance overnight. These diagrams repeat over a period of weeks. 
• 2. Staff diagram - That maps out where members of staff need to join the train, when they need to take breaks and how they get back to their home station at the end of their shift. These diagrams apply to train crew, drivers, ticket inspectors, guards etc. So for example X starts their shift in Cardiff, runs up to Holyhead and then to two other destinations before returning to their home depot.
• 3. A train path - Clearance for individual trains (provided by Network Rail) on the track so multiple trains can run to time/interact with each other sensibly and efficiently - including with other track users such as freight and track maintenance teams.
• 4. When we change timetables, it’s not just a case of changing the timing of individual trains, you need to bring all three of those variables together and make them work as a coherent timetable. In the normal course of things, bringing these together to create a timetable can take weeks. 
• 5. For strike days train companies have to build their simplified timetables around the level of staff they have available - they have to assume that some cohorts of staff won’t work because the majority belong to the Union which has called a strike - so they are not rostered (They are replaced by back up and properly safety competent staff to run a strike timetable).  The reduction in services also means staff in non-striking roles are not rostered because there are no trains in the plan for them to work from. In the days ahead of the strikes, trains are moved so they are in the right place to run the much-simplified strike timetable. 
• 6. Short notice cancellation of strike action means that we need to plan all of these diagrams to meet the timetables for a normal week day timetable and that’s made harder because lots of trains, crew etc are not in the right place - i.e. they are for the strike timetable but not a normal one. 
• 7. Finally, all of these plans need to be rationalised by Network Rail to make sure everything lines up.

I’m going to a major event on a strike day - will you be running trains?

We’re aware that there are a number of events spread across the days affected by industrial action. However, unfortunately, we’re not able to make exceptions for these. We’ll provide as much capacity as we possibly can on those services that are running.

Will other train companies be running instead?

People working for 16 train operators will take part in the industrial action:

• Avanti West Coast
• Chiltern Railways
• CrossCountry
• East Midlands Railway
• Greater Anglia
• GTR Great Northern Thameslink
• Great Western Railway
• Northern Trains
• South Western Railway main line and depot drivers
• Southeastern
• Southern/Gatwick Express
• SWR Island Line
• TransPennine Trains
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Travel to russia september 2023 tips welcome - Moscow Forum

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Travel to russia september 2023 tips welcome

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Hello, I am going to travel to moscow and st. Petersburg for 15 days, all recommendations are welcome.

Any way to have a card ? i already have TooMoney APP but it is limited to 150 USD.

I can't find a way to pay for the hotel, train, plane tickets, etc :(

34 replies to this topic

You should find rubles very accessible - they are likely going to be hitting their lowest relative to the dollar and euro every.

I think the question is not so much are rubles available, which of course they are, but how best to get them, and as far as I am aware, practically speaking, one would need to bring dollars or Euros in…

Note that just recently, one of the groups of former Marriott hotels, now has an option to pay for hotel room using WESTERN credit cards. I stress that this is likely NOT widespread, and likely only for upper end hotels.

Thanks, I was able to book the first hotel National hotel, at a good price, I guess in person I can get how to pay the rest of the things....

I'm trying to load money on my yoomoney account, but I can't find how, with binence it seems that I can't if my yoomoney account is not verified....

Absolutely DON'T change at the airport unless you have no choice as the rates will be disgraceful.

Look for the best rates in sites like this https://www.banki.ru/products/currency/cash/moskva/ and go there.

There are plenty of solutions to use cards but I haven't tried any of them personally and you should always bring cash as a safety measure even if you find how to get a card or something else.

Do not agree there are plenty of solutions to use cards…the only REASONABLE one I have heard is to get a local Tinkoff Bank card…one of few banks that has so far been able to skirt SOME sanctions, but increasingly the noose is tightening for this bank as well since the owner, an anti-war type fled the country, and the bank has largely fallen into the state’s hands, which means more sanctions against it will be coming.

And even then, there is the issue of after opening such an account and getting a card (which requires your presence even if only to sign a few papers for a courier, likely will be difficult to get money into the account unless you thru all sorts of hoops like using bitcoin-type vehicles, to me, WAY too complex for a casual tourist…

So, DO agree to bring a fistful of cash…

AndresZCool,

Is it the one?

It's a real museum!

I had the pleasure of staying at the National Hotel back in 1981.

#6, Pedro, I have been using Ostrovok for quite a while but I never managed to make my western card work at it. If I am trying to book somewhere that demands some pre payment I have to simply give up and go elsewhere. Next time I go I will try again to use my card and see if it works

Seaturtlewoman,

Good for you!

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NTTO Releases International Travel Statistics for 2023

• International Visitor Arrivals of 66.5 million Increased 31% from 2022.  
• Overseas Visitation to Four States/Territories Exceeded Visitation in 2019.

International Visitor Arrivals to the United States in 2023

Total international visitor arrivals 1 of  66.5 million in 2023 increased 15.7 million (+31%) from 50.8 million in 2022 to a level 84% of the 79.4 million arrivals in 2019.

Annual international arrivals from 2000 to 2023 covering all countries and world regions are available on NTTO’s  ADIS/I-94 Visitor Arrivals program page or can be downloaded here .

NTTO’s latest forecast expects international visitor arrivals to surpass pre-pandemic 2019 levels in 2025 with 85.2 million.

Major Characteristics of Overseas Visitors to the United States from the Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT)

New York was the most-visited state by overseas travelers in 2023, up from #2 in 2022, followed by Florida and California.

New York City was the most-visited city by overseas travelers in 2023, followed by Miami and Los Angeles.

2023 overseas visitation to the following U.S. states/territories surpassed visitation in 2019: Puerto Rico (+85%), Tennessee (+15%), Texas (+7%) and Georgia (+5%).

These and other characteristics of international visitors to the United States can be analyzed in reports on the SIAT Results Inbound page or can be viewed in the SIAT Inbound Survey Monitor data visualization tool .

U.S. Citizen Departures from the United States in 2023

Total U.S. citizen departures 2 of  98.5 million in 2023 increased 17.6 million (+22%) from 80.8 million in 2022 to a level 99% of the 99.7 million arrivals in 2019.

Annual international arrivals from 2000 to 2023 covering all countries and world regions are available on NTTO’s APIS/I-92 Visitor Departures Program page or can be directly downloaded here .

Travel Trade Statistics

Spending by international visitors to the United States (travel exports) totaled $213.1 billion in 2023, an increase of $47.6 billion (+29%) from $165.5 billion in 2022 to a level 89% of travel exports in 2019. Travel exports accounted for 7.0% of total U.S. exports of goods and services in 2023, up from 5.5% in 2022.  Travel exports supported 1.6 million U.S. jobs in 2023 3 .

Spending by U.S. residents abroad (travel imports) totaled $215.4 billion in 2023, an increase of $53.5 billion (+33%) from $161.9 billion in 2022 to a level 17% above travel imports in 2019.

Travel yielded a $2.3 billion trade deficit in 2023.

NTTO Releases New Data Visualization Tool

NTTO is releasing a Country Profile Monitor, which includes annual visitation, traveler characteristics and economic impact of travel to the United States for 71 countries.

Click here to see this new tool!

1 ADIS/I-94 (with stays of 1-night or more in the United States and visiting under certain visa types)

2 apis/ “i-92” (arrivals + departures), 3 direct and indirect jobs.

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Ukraine war latest updates: Sky News reports from town under attack - as 'fierce fighting' rages in Kharkiv

Fighting is ongoing in Kharkiv, Ukraine's governor for the region has said - as Russia claims it has taken control of multiple villages. It follows a surprise offensive by Putin's military on Friday morning.

Saturday 11 May 2024 14:05, UK

• Civilians being evacuated in Vovchansk, in Kharkiv, after Friday morning's surprise attack by Putin's military 
• Sky's Deborah Haynes reports from town 'under attack'
• Analysis:  Russia's attack in Kharkiv region not a complete surprise - but the force of it is
• Russia says it downed Ukrainian rockets and drones overnight
• Ed Conway :  Russian oil still seeping into UK - the reasons why sanctions are not working
• Live reporting by Jake Levison

Russia says its troops have taken five villages and the Kharkiv region's governor says they are trying to take more as fierce fighting continues.

But Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesperson for Ukraine's military in the east, insists Moscow's troops are being contained in those villages.

"The enemy is contained in the grey zone, and it is not expanding," he said in a Ukrainian television interview, according to the Kyiv Independent.

The so-called "grey zone" refers to the villages of Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pylna and Strilecha, all of which are directly on the border with Russia's Belgorod region.

Russian officials said they had also captured another village, Pletenivka.

As we reported earlier, Kharkiv's governor says fighting is ongoing in all the villages Russia has already claimed to have taken.

More now from Kharkiv's governor, who says 2,500 people have now been evacuated from the danger zone in Kharkiv, up from 1,775 this morning.

Oleh Syniehubov says regional authorities are continuing to get civilians out of the areas where fighting continues. 

And while Russia's defence ministry said earlier its forces had taken five border villages in the Kharkiv region, Mr Syniehubov says clashes are still ongoing in all five of the villages.

"As of now the enemy keeps pressing in the north of our region. Our forces have repelled nine attacks," he said in his media briefing.

Top Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said they do not believe Russia has the capacity to launch a successful operation to capture the city of Kharkiv, home to 1.3 million people.

But analysts have suggested Mr Putin's end goal may not be to capture the entire city, but rather to better protect the Russian border and to spread Ukraine's military more thinly.

Our security and defence editor   Deborah Haynes   is reporting to us from a residential area that was just hit by a Russian strike in Vovchansk.

She's standing by a block that's in flames and says local residents she's spoken to are scared the fire will spread to other residential blocks too.

One of the residents of the destroyed block, who had suffered injuries to her leg as a result of the explosion, spoke to Haynes.

"She doesn't know what to do - she's very confused," Haynes says. "This is a scene of chaos and terror."

She says the rest of the town is also "pretty much destroyed", adding explosions can still be heard nearby.

Haynes adds the town is still very much "under attack".

The Russian military is continuing its attacks in Kharkiv, the region's governor says.

Oleh Syniehubov said President Putin's troops were still trying to advance further after reportedly taking up to 1km yesterday.

The fierce fighting is raging across three villages near the Ukrainian border, he added.

His comments came shortly after Russia's defence ministry claimed its forces had taken five border villages in the Kharkiv region. 

Ukraine is yet to directly comment on Russia's claims.

The UK's Ministry of Defence has highlighted reports suggesting a Russian fighter aircraft accidentally dropped a bomb on a civilian area in Belgorod. 

The intelligence update relates to an incident on 4 May - not on the overnight drone strike in Belgorod we reported earlier. 

Here's what the ministry said: 

"It has been reported that a Russian fighter aircraft accidentally released a FAB-500 munition on a civilian area in Belgorod, Russia on 04 May 2024. 

"The Belgorod Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the explosion and damage on Razdobarkina street, Belgorod without identifying the cause. 

"30 houses and 10 cars were damaged, with five individuals requiring hospital care, illustrating the destructive power of the munition.

"This is not an isolated incident. On 18 February a FAB-250 was reportedly released on Soloti in the Belgorod area which led to the evacuation of 150 residents. 

"Media outlets suggest that such discharges are fairly common with 20 lost munitions accidentally dropped in the Belgorod region alone between March to April 2024.

"These instances indicate Russia's continued inability to successfully employ their munitions on intended targets. Such errors have destructive and lethal consequences for the Russian population."

Russia's defence ministry says its forces have taken five border villages in Ukraine's Kharkiv region since its surprise attack began yesterday.

The ministry says Russian forces have taken the villages of Pletenivka, Ohirtseve, Borysivka, Pylna and Strilechna, all of which are directly on the border with Russia's Belgorod region.

In a briefing, it also said Russian troops have taken the village of Keramik in the eastern Donetsk region, where Moscow has made slow but steady advances in recent months.

Ukraine officials have not yet commented on the Russian defence ministry's claims. 

Our military analyst Sean Bell has been looking at Russia's brutal offensive in Kharkiv, which has led to mass evacuations.

It's been described as a surprise attack - but Bell says Ukraine has been warning over a potential attack by Russia in the region for several months.

"So it wasn't a complete surprise," he says. "But this attack by Russia wasn't just a minor thing - it was a coordinated attack.

"They were using air power, so glide bombs, artillery shells, multi-launch rocket systems and infantry."

He says the attack was clearly designed to "probe Ukrainian defences" and Russia has now made advances, with between 30,000 and 50,000 troops in the area.

Why has Russia opened up a second front in the war?

While Bell says it's a question only President Putin could answer for certain, he believes there are two likely reasons for Russia's latest attack.

First, the Russian border town of Belgorod is a logistics hub for Russian military activity, and is regularly targeted by artillery from Ukrainian territory.

As you'll see from our previous post, Russia said Ukraine targeted Belgorod just last night, killing one man and injuring another in a drone attack.

President Putin has long promised to create a buffer zone to push Ukrainian forces out of artillery range, which would limit the attacks on this frontier town, Bell says.

Secondly, although most analysts believe Russia would struggle to seize Kharkiv, the attack does force Ukraine to spread its limited resources across a broader front, leaving it more vulnerable to further attacks, he adds.

Earlier this morning we told you Russia said it downed 21 Ukrainian rockets and 16 drones overnight across its Belgorod, Kursk and Volgograd regions.

The governor of Russia's Belgorod region now says one man was killed and another injured after a Ukrainian drone hit a parked truck on the border village of Novostroyevka-Pervaya.

The Belgorod region borders Ukraine's Kharkiv region and has come under regular attack since the war began.

Kharkiv's regional governor has provided an update on Telegram this morning, where he's outlined how many civilians have fled their homes since Russia's attack yesterday.

Ukraine's second-largest city has seen a total of 1,775 people evacuate, Oleg Sinegubov said.

1,048 of those were from the Chuhuiv district, where Vovchansk is located. As we said earlier, Vovchansk has a population of around 3,000.

He said another 440 people were evacuated from the Kharkiv district, which encircles the city of Kharkiv, and 12 from Bohodukhiv district, located northwest of Kharkiv.

He added another 275 people were evacuated by volunteers across the region.

By Deborah Haynes , security and defence editor

Smoke hung in the air on the road into the border town of Vovchansk in northeastern Ukraine after a surprise Russian offensive.

Woodland that frames the route had caught fire amid the heavy bombardments.

Sky News followed a rescue team as they raced into Vovchansk in a white van to help evacuate residents amid fears of a wider assault by Moscow.

The streets in the part of the town we entered were largely deserted.

We pulled into a residential road of bungalows.

Part the way down there was a group of five elderly residents, gathered around a bench. They did not appear to be in a hurry to flee, despite the danger and warnings from the authorities for the town's around 3,000 residents to leave.

Read more here ...

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