RSSB has selected Altius VA to provide IT and management services for the UK’s Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme from May 2018, while Capita has been selected to provide audit services. RISQS is used by Network Rail, London Underground and 116 other buyers with more than 4 300 supplier members. RSSB said the ‘evolution’ from a concession to a contract, which it will manage on behalf of the industry, would enable the introduction of easier-to-use platform with more functionality, greater responsiveness to changes in requirements, the ability to integrate with buyer and supplier systems, and improved cost effectiveness.
Swiss Federal Railways has become the eleventh member of the EULYNX consortium which aims to standardise signalling architecture and interfaces.
Stagecoach Group has acquired a 20% stake in Global Travel Ventures Ltd for an undisclosed price, in a funding round which included Longwall Venture Partners and existing investors. Founded by CEO Jeremy Acklam in 2012 and with former Trainline CEO Alan Tomlin as Executive Chairman, GTV is behind ticket retailing site ticketclever.com which aims to identify options including split ticketing. ‘Stagecoach leading this important growth funding round is a massive vote of confidence in our new products‘, said Tomlin on June 21.
360 Rail Services has acquired Colorado-based track maintenance company Railroad Specialties Inc. ‘Railroad Specialties has completed many infrastructure projects in the Rocky Mountain region and elsewhere,’ said Larry Stockton, CEO of 360 Rail Services which was founded earlier this year. ‘This acquisition of RSI’s assets, projects and employees will bring valuable expertise to our operations in Colorado and beyond.’
Alstom and Safran have signed an agreement to share expertise in electric and hybrid propulsion systems for public transport and aircraft. According to Alstom, the aim is to enable France to ‘position itself at the highest possible international level in this domain’.
TBM Rail is to represent Captron in the UK market. The German company manufactures rolling stock door switches, optical sensors and LED signalling units.
Engineering consultancy Mott MacDonald has opened an office in Bogotá. 'Colombia is a key market for our infrastructure finance and advisory teams', said country manager Hugo Bermudez. 'Establishing an office comes at a significant time as the government plans to invest US$100bn in transportation, water, energy, healthcare, education and urban infrastructure, mostly through PPPs.'
