News – Page 261
-
-
NewsFART orders new trains
SWITZERLAND: Ticino rail and bus operator Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi has awarded Stadler a contract to supply eight custom-made electric multiple-units to the Centovalli railway in time for the metre-gauge line’s 100th anniversary in 2023. Announcing the SFr94m contract on January 7, Stadler said the replacement of ...
-
NewsChinese trains proposed for upgraded Beograd – Budapest route
SERBIA: A memorandum of understanding for the future procurement of 200 km/h electric trains for the upgraded Beograd – Novi Sad – Subotica – Budapest corridor was signed by Minister of Construction, Transport & Infrastructure Tomislav Momirović and Chinese Ambassador Chen Bo on January 6. The ...
-
In depthInterview: Digitalisation can drive Eurasian freight growth
RZD is achieving efficiency gains from digitalising the administrative processes for intermodal freight traffic, but First Deputy General Director Sergey Pavlov tells Toma Bačić that the acceptance of electronic customs documents in Europe will be essential to ensure the Eurasian rail market can fulfil its potential.
-
NewsHector Rail refinanced to support ambitions for growth
SWEDEN: Private freight operator Hector Rail has raised a SKr519m financing package from Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen and Siemens Bank to refinance its existing debt. The term loan and capex facility ‘will support our ambitions to further expand our fleet, strengthen our position as the leading independent rail freight ...
-
NewsCPCS Transcom and First Class Partnerships to merge
INTERNATIONAL: Specialist transport and infrastructure management consultancies CPCS Transcom and First Class Partnerships are to merge, the two companies announced on January 6.
-
Rail Business UKSTAR Capital Partnership invests in Rail Operations Group
UK: European fund manager STAR Capital Partnership has made a ‘significant’ investment in Rail Operations (UK) Ltd, which owns operating company Rail Operations Group, freight subsidiary Orion and rolling stock storage and disposal business Traxion. STAR is to acquire a majority stake in the group, alongside the ...
-
NewsBNSF and Wabtec test battery-electric locomotive in California
USA: BNSF and Wabtec have begun testing a battery-electric locomotive in revenue service on the 585 km route between Barstow and Stockton in California. The tests aim to assess the future potential of the technology, which as well as the battery features energy-management and system optimisation ...
-
Metro Report InternationalSão Paulo tenders suburban operations
BRAZIL: The São Paulo state government has called tenders for the operation and maintenance of two busy suburban lines, under a programme intended to attract private investment for enhancements. The state’s Secretaría de Transporte Metropolitano has invited bids for a 30-year concession to operate and maintain Line ...
-
NewsMontpellier – Perpignan high speed line inches forward
FRANCE: Initial public consultations are underway on long-standing proposals to build a high speed line between Montpellier and Perpignan, after Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djébbari established a steering committee for the project and commenced the process needed to authorise the 150 km Ligne à Grande Vitesse. Public consultations ...
-
NewsEIB backs CargoBeamer’s modal shift ambitions
EUROPE: The European Investment Bank is providing financing to support the development of three CargoBeamer rail freight terminals at Calais in France, Kaldenkirchen near Germany’s border with the Netherlands and Domodossola near Italy’s border with Switzerland. CargoBeamer’s patented system comprising wagons, transhipment terminals and logistics software enables ...
-
In depthInterview: ‘We have to win back our customers’
Just when the French national operator’s passenger sector is coming to terms with Covid-19 and the collapse of business travel, it faces the arrival of competition in both the regional and long-distance markets. Chris Jackson asked Christophe Fanichet, President-Directeur Général of SNCF Voyageurs, about his strategy at a time of unprecedented challenges.
-
NewsFinnish passenger services secured as VR monopoly ends
FINLAND: The Ministry of Transport & Communications has awarded national operator VR a public service obligation contract for the provision of loss-making but socially-desirable passenger trains during 2021. The agreement takes into account the drop in ticket revenue as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The €30·6m ...
-
NewsIndigenous ballastless track for Delhi commuter line
INDIA: Work is underway to build the factory at Shatabdi Nagar which will supply ballastless slab track for the Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System commuter line. National Capital Region Transport Corp said the RRTS project would include ‘many firsts in terms of technology ...
-
NewsIowa Interstate Railroad to be ‘platform for growth’ as investor takes 40% stake
USA: Infrastructure investor iCON Infrastructure Partners V has acquired a 40% stake in regional freight railway Iowa Interstate Railroad from Pittsburgh-based Railroad Development Corp, which remains the majority owner. IAIS was formed in 1984, with RDC acquiring a minority interest in 1991 and owning 100% since ...
-
Metro Report InternationalHigh Capacity Metro Trains enter service in Melbourne
AUSTRALIA: The first of 65 High Capacity Metro Trains being built for the Melbourne suburban network entered service on the Pakenham line on December 26. The seven-car EMUs are being supplied by the Evolution Rail consortium of Downer, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and Plenary Group under ...
-
NewsModi inaugurates first section of Eastern DFC and control centre
INDIA: The 351 km initial section of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor between New Khurja in Uttar Pradesh and New Bhaupur near Kanpur was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 29. Addressing a socially distanced celebration at New Khurja by video ...
-
NewsVale agrees concession extensions in ‘biggest step in railway history’
BRAZIL: Mining company Vale has agreed terms with the government to extend its concessions to operate the Estrado de Ferro Carajás and Estrado de Ferro Vitória a Minas by 30 years.
-
Rail Business UKVegetable oil-fuelled Class 66 hauls steel train
UK: DB Cargo UK has tested the use of hydro-treated vegetable oil to fuel an Electro-Motive Diesel Class 66 locomotive. Loco 66 150 hauled a consignment of long-welded rail from British Steel’s Scunthorpe site to Network Rail’s depot at Eastleigh in Hampshire on December 16. DB Cargo ...
-
NewsKuala Lumpur – Singapore high speed rail project terminated
ASIA: The project to develop a 350 km high speed line offering a 90 min journey time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore has been terminated, the two governments have announced. The Malaysian government will now undertake a detailed study to explore the viability of a domestic ...