Australia: On May 16 Transport Minister Mark Vaile announced A$18·1m of AusLink funding towards a A$60m re-sleepering and loop extensions on the Perth - Kalgoorlie line to permit 1·8 km long trains and speeds of up to 115 km/h.
Canada: On June 16 the Ontario government announced a 50-year transport financing plan for the Toronto area. The province is seeking federal funding for one third of the C$17·5bn capital cost of the 52 projects, which include a rail link to Pearson International Airport, extensions of the Yonge and Spadina subways and nine new light rail lines.
Europe: German national railway DB took a 10% stake in international high speed passenger operator Thalys on June 16. SNCF now has a 62% stake, and SNCB 28%.
France: On May 23 RFF issued €750m of 15-year bonds bearing interest at 4·8%, with the offer nearly twice oversubscribed after 4 h of trading. Since May 2006 RFF has raised €2bn in this way.
Local authorities along the route have agreed with the government to provide €14·4m of the €36m that will be required for studies of a high speed line between Bordeaux and Toulouse. Total cost of the project is estimated at €3bn.
Switzerland: 69% of voters approved funding of SFr59m for the Zürich-West tram proposal in a ballot on June 17. The federal government will meet half the cost of the planned 3·1 km line from Escher-Wyss Platz via the Hardturm stadium and Zürich-West redevelopment area to Alstetten Nord station. Opening is planned for December 10 2010.
USA: Kansas City Southern has applied for a $100m Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing loan from the FRA to fund rehabilitation of its out of use line from Victoria to Rosenberg, Texas. This would shorten KCS's route to Mexico by 110 km, and eliminate the need for KCS to use 260 km of UP tracks.
