Welcome to our sixth sustainable travel roundup, created in collaboration with Flight Free UK, where we will share some of the most recent updates, news, and developments shaping the future of eco-friendly travel.
This month's stories highlight the launch of a new night train which is set to link Brussels and Venice, the greenest Premier League football teams in terms of air miles and the popular commuter train being expanded due to demand.
Electric rubbish truck begins trial in rural areas
A new electric bin lorry trial in Wiltshire Council hopes to benefit the environment and the council’s financial situation. The vehicle is 50% more expensive than the equivalent diesel model but Wiltshire Council hopes to prove it will be cost effective in the long-term.
The Volvo FE Low Entry Cab RCV bin lorry is the first in the country and will soon be collecting rubbish in Calne and Chippenham. Cabinet member for waste and environment councillor Dominic Muns said the council was "on track" to meet its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
Find out more on the BBC website.
East Midlands Railway introduces accessibility maps for passengers
East Midlands Railway (EMR) has launched maps to provide disabled passengers with "key accessibility information" across its stations. The train operator said the maps outline step-free access points, accessible toilets, parking facilities and assistance services.
EMR also said the maps were created using feedback from members of its accessibility panel, made up of disabled customers that regularly engage with the company.
Find out more on the BBC website.
Turkey expands high-speed rail network
Turkey is modernising its railway infrastructure by expanding a high-speed rail network to the EU. The Halkali-Kapikule line will enhance connectivity, cutting travel time and supporting economic growth.
Currently, traveling by train between Istanbul and Sofia takes twelve hours, causing delays for commuters. However, the newly constructed railway will significantly reduce that time and improve regional transport.
Find out more on the Railway Supply website.

Premier League air mile table releasedÂ
A table listing how far Premier League football teams have flown throughout the 2024/25 season so far was compiled by Carbon Boot, a campaign group that aims to tackle Premier League clubs’ damaging habit of flying to domestic away games.
Newcastle United top the table, appearing to travel over 4,500 miles this season. Manchester United and Liverpool feature in second and third place respectively, with estimated air miles of over 2,300.Â
It looks like the greenest teams, in terms of air miles, are Crystal Palace and Brentford, with Carbon Boot’s research yet to find a flight for either team.
Find out more on the Campaign for Better Transport website.
New overnight sleeper train from Brussels to Venice
European Sleeper will be launching its Brussels to Venice service, which is expected to run twice a week, from Wednesday 5 February.
The sleeper will pass through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria before terminating in Italy and passengers will be able to book to and from nine different European cities Antwerp, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Cologne, Munich, Innsbruck and Verona, plus of course Brussels and Venice.
Find out more on Euro Weekly News.

Paris and Milan will once again be connected by a direct service from April
Trenitalia France has just announced the revival of its Paris-Milan (via Turin) service, which will be transporting passengers from the French capital to the Lombardy capital from April 1 2025.
The service has been suspended since a landslide caused severe damage near Maurienne in the French Alps on August 27 2023, but now, booking is open as of January 21. The journey takes between-six and-a-half to seven hours, but according to the Man in Seat 61, tickets start at a reasonable €35.
Find out more on the Time Out website.
Shrewsbury-to-Birmingham commuter route to get longer trainsÂ
A rail operator is introducing new trains on a popular commuter route in a bid to reduce overcrowding on services. New trains with more than two carriages are expected to be added to the line between Shrewsbury and Birmingham in the spring.
The increase was confirmed after the MP for Shrewsbury, Labour's Julia Buckley, told Transport for Wales bosses the service was unable to support the area's demand. "Top-end businesses are telling me they want to expand, invest and employ more people, but this is impossible until we get better services".
Find out more on the BBC website.
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By Eveline Vouillemin ©
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