Engineering company Prose and software company Informatik Consulting Systems are to co-operate to offer rolling stock modernisation services, with a particular focus on operators with smaller fleets who may lack specialist skills. ‘Rail vehicles in local passenger transport have their first life behind them after 15 to 20 years. Modernising them for their second life instead of scrapping them or selling them to distant countries is becoming more interesting for operators’, said Andreas Langer, Head of Business Operations at ICS.
EBRD has invested 200m dirhams in a certified green bond issue of 1bn dirhams which Moroccan railway ONCF will use to refinance debt for the Tanger – Kénitra high speed line which opened in 2018. EBRD is the only international investor in the bond, which will be aligned with the Low Carbon Land Transport Criteria of the Climate Bonds Standard as verified via a second party opinion and certified by the Climate Bonds Standard Board. It will also benefit from a guarantee provided by state guarantee provider Tamwilcom.
The Greenbrier Companies’ Greenbrier Leasing subsidiary has entered a new $150m term loan to finance the continued growth of its fleet. The loan is non-recourse to Greenbrier, matures in July 2027 and has terms similar to a term loan completed in August 2021. Half was drawn at closing and the remaining balance is expected to be utilised in the next six months. ‘Strong liquidity, combined with our new railcar backlog valued at $3.6bn as of May 31 2022, and continued high lease fleet utilisation, positions Greenbrier well to navigate current macroeconomic conditions’, said President & CEO Lorie Tekorius on August 3.
Engineering, design and environmental consultancy Ramboll has appointed Johnny Ojeil as Head of Transport Planning. He joins following a 33-year career with Arup.
Trainline has introduced a ‘where next?’ feature within the live tracker function of its app, using Apple MapKit to enabled passengers to obtain directions to their final destination without leaving the Trainline application. It was devised within two days, including user testing, and is available for all 45 countries in which Trainline provides train tickets and in 14 languages. It can be used with VoiceOver for access by people with impaired vision.
Sopra Steria has acquired Graffica, a specialist provider of transport simulation software and consultancy services which has 30 employees. Sopra Steria said this would complement its existing digital twin capabilities, and Graffica would have access to additional investment and an extensive client base to potentially double the size of its existing business.
Fred Mudge rejoined the board of RJ Corman Railroad Group on August 1. He has previously been Chairman, Interim President and CEO.