All articles by Benjámin Zelki
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In depthPoland: Private operator seeks to grow its niche
SKPL is an unusual example of a private company active across the freight, passenger and rolling stock leasing sectors in Poland. Commercial Director Albert Mikołajczyk sets out the company’s response to a changing local rail market and its plans for the future to Benjámin Zelki.
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Metro Report InternationalIsrael: NofIt project learns from Karlsruhe
Work is under way on the NofIt interurban light rail line linking Haifa and Nazareth, which will run through complex terrain with gradients of up to 8%. Dan Shenbach, CEO of project promoter TransIsrael, discusses the state of progress with Benjámin Zelki.
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Metro Report InternationalBrazil: Salvador turns to the tram
Having dismantled a suburban railway and aborted a monorail scheme, the Brazilian city of Salvador is now developing a tram network using second-hand trams and track assets from Cuiabá. Ana Cláudia Nascimento, CEO of state transport operator CTB, explains the plans to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthSignalling: Low-cost ETCS to support regional roll-out
Kombud Group is developing a range of ETCS products to provide cost-effective interoperability on regional lines. Benjámin Zelki reports from the manufacturer’s newly opened plant in Radom.
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In depthInterview: Ukrainian Railways looks for more international partnerships
Ukrainian national railway Ukrzaliznytsia is looking for international help to boost rail freight traffic, and for assistance in funding major projects including 1435 mm gauge lines, as Board Member Yevhen Liashchenko* explains to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthSouth Korea: Suburban networks take shape
Under pressure to reduce commuting time across the country, policymakers are developing suburban rail services around key conurbations, many making use of spare capacity on existing main lines. Benjámin Zelki reports.
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In depthSouth Korea: Seoul embraces the ‘GTX era’
This year has seen the opening of the first phase of Seoul’s Great Train Express commuter rail Line A, and the start of construction on lines B and C. Plans have also been announced for extensions of all three and three more lines, as the Executive Director of Korea National Railway’s GTX Department Song Hye-chun explains to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthRomania: New rolling stock to support rail market reforms
Romania’s Railway Reform Authority is procuring new multiple-units to operate regional and inter-regional services under competitively tendered PSO contracts, but this is only part of a wider market opening strategy, ARF President Ștefan Roșeanu explains to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthInterview: Arenaways rides again
More than a decade after an abortive attempt to enter the Italian inter-city passenger market, private operator Arenaways is back, with approval to launch seven open access services and PSO contracts to revive operations on two local railways in Piemonte. Chief Executive Matteo Arena explains the company’s renaissance to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthInterview: Full service and multi-system in demand
Polish leasing company Cargounit is seeing growing demand for multi-system electric locomotives and bi-modes with a last mile capability, and CEO Łukasz Boroń tells Benjámin Zelki that customers are increasingly looking for full-service packages.
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In depthInterview: ‘The commuter experience will be back to its best’
South Africa’s Railway Safety Regulator is tasked with overseeing safe and secure rail services on a network ravaged by vandalism and asset theft over recent years. RSR is also implementing the government’s plan to open up the Transnet network to new entrants. Acting CEO Mmuso Selaledi explains the scale of the challenge to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthCzech Republic: Ostrava link leads revised core network plan
With limited progress being made on the planned new line between Praha and Dresden, Czech infrastructure manager Správa Železnic is taking forward an initial section of high speed line in the east as part of plans to develop a 400 route-km high-performance backbone. SŽ’s Deputy Director for High Speed Lines Jiří Merta explains the state of progress to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthAsia-Pacific: ‘We need 20 000 new staff in the next five years’
The Philippine Railways Institute in the Manila area is training staff to support the expansion of the city’s rail network. But as PRI Managing Director Anneli Lontoc explains to Benjámin Zelki, there are wider ambitions for the centre to become a training hub for the Asia Pacific region.
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In depthInterview: ‘We focus on intermodality and resilience’
The Asian Development Bank is focusing on better integration of the many projects it supports, in order to drive intermodality. Meanwhile, any infrastructure ADB finances needs to be climate resilient, its Transport Director Markus Roesner explains to Benjámin Zelki at the bank’s headquarters in the Manila metropolitan area.
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In depthPhilippines: New lines programme puts the metro in Manila
After years of stagnation, major investment in and expansion of the urban rail network in Manila is now on the horizon, with three new lines and one metro extension due to open by the end of the decade. Benjámin Zelki reports from the Filipino capital.
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In depthInterview: Korail grows its international footprint
The South Korean national operator is seeking to enhance the visibility of its overseas business activities, with a recent visit by Korail officials to Kyiv acting as a catalyst. Korail President & CEO Han Moon-Hee explains the company’s international strategy to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthIndia: Maintaining the metro momentum
By February 2026, Mumbai hopes to have more than doubled its metro network, while Indore, Bhopal and Patna are set to open their first lines. A landmark of India’s ongoing metro boom is the imminent opening of the Agra metro, the first tranche of which will serve the Taj Mahal. Benjámin Zelki looks ahead.
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In depthUSA: Manhattan congestion charge is key to New York investment
New York MTA hopes its congestion charging scheme will go live in mid-2024, which could provide a revenue stream to kick-start investment in renewal and expansion of the Subway network, as Benjámin Zelki and Nick Kingsley explain.
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In depthTrack Design: Introducing J-slab to India
Work has started on the installation of ballastless track on the Mumbai – Ahmedabad high speed line, marking the first application of J-slab technology in India. Two local production plants have been developed with support from Japanese consultants. Benjámin Zelki investigates.
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In depthBrazil: São Paulo stands out in uneven picture
Metro, monorail and suburban rail extensions totalling 39km are now being built in São Paulo, but several of the other fastest-growing Brazilian cities, including Rio de Janeiro, have no major projects currently under way, despite optimism among suppliers. Benjámin Zelki reports.