Asia – Page 2
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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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NewsJoint venture to manage upgraded Baku – Tbilisi – Kars railway
ASIA: An equally-owned binational joint venture is to be set up to manage the Azeri and Georgian sections of the Baku – Tbilisi – Kars railway once current upgrading works are completed. Azerbaijan’s and Georgia’s state railways currently hold sole responsibility for the sections of line ...
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NewsTsuruga joined to Shinkansen network
JAPAN: ‘Today’s opening will touch the hearts of many domestic and international users and move the future forward’ said JR West President Kazuaki Hasegawa at the inauguration of the Kanazawa to Tsuruga extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
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NewsTurkish elections bring rail plan announcements
TURKEY: Plans to develop inter-city and suburban rail lines have been announced by the government ahead of municipal elections on March 31. Speaking in the Black Sea port of Samsun on February 28, Minister of Transport & Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the government would push ahead ...
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NewsE500 electric locomotives delivered to Taiwan
TAIWAN: The first three of 68 Toshiba E500 mixed-traffic electric locomotives were unloaded at the port of Hualien on March 5. In October 2019 the national railway’s procurement agent Bank of Taiwan awarded Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions a NT$11bn contract to supply the locos and ...
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In depthInterview: Heavy haul line expands Mongolia’s rail capacity
Interviewed about the challenges of building a heavy haul freight line through the Gobi Desert, CEO of Bodi International Dolgormaa Bukhbat highlights the harsh Mongolian climate and the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on logistics and construction.
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Metro Report InternationalMacau LRT East Line contract awarded
CHINA: Macau’s Public Works Bureau has awarded Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Top Builders Macau Co and Hou Chun Construction & Engineering Corp a contract to supply MHI’s Automated Guideway Transit rubber-tyred light metro technology for the Light Rapid Transit East Line. The 3·66bn ...
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In depthComment: Rail is resurgent despite turbulent times
While emerging markets have long held promise, rail investment is now happening in countries where even in the recent past it would have seemed implausible. Nick Kingsley highlights examples from Iraq to Mongolia.
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Metro Report InternationalTaipei metro extension to Keelung approved
TAIWAN: The Ministry of Transportation & Communications has approved plans to extend the Blue Line metro eastwards by 15·6 km from Nangang Exhibition Centre in Taipei to Badu main line station in Keelung. The total project cost is NT$69·7bn, of which the central government would provide ...
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NewsJR Kyushu speeds up track inspection
JAPAN: JR Kyushu is using image processing with AI capabilities to automate high speed line track inspections, replacing the need for staff to go out on foot.
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Metro Report InternationalTenders called to develop Ulaanbaatar metro plan
MONGOLIA: Mayor Khishgeegiin Nyambaatar has announced a US$1·3bn plan to develop a metro to improve connectivity in Ulaanbaatar. Nyambaatar was tasked with solving the problem of traffic jams and reducing air pollution when the government appointed him as Mayor last year. The city’s procurement department has ...
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Metro Report InternationalIstanbul’s Sirkeci – Kazlıçeşme ‘light rail’ line opens
TURKEY: A ‘light rail’ line on the alignment of the former railway to the historic Sirkeci station on the European side of Istanbul was opened by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan February 26. The Halkalı – Sirkeci section of line closed in August 2013 as part of ...
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In depthChina: Metro networks grow in 14 cities
More than 300 km of new metro lines and extensions were commissioned in China during December 2023, with the completion of 19 projects in 14 cities. This meant that by the beginning of 2024, Chinese cities accounted for nine of the world’s 10 largest networks. Toma Bačić rounds up the latest additions.
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Metro Report InternationalIzmir metro extension opens
TURKEY: Passenger-carrying pre-operation started on the 6·5 km western extension of Izmir metro Line 1 from Fahrettin Altay to Sehitlik on February 24 with a ceremony attended by Izmir Mayor Tunç Soyer. Passengers can travel free of charge until April 15. A ...
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In depthChina: Water Rabbit delivers network growth
More than 3 500 km of new railway was opened in China during 2023, expanding the national network to almost 160 000 route-km. Toma Bačić reviews recent developments.
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NewsEast Japan Railway to work with University of Birmingham
INTERNATIONAL: East Japan Railway has signed a memorandum of understanding to work with the UK’s University of Birmingham on innovative technology and staff skills development. Shunzo Miyake, Director General of International Affairs at JR East, said the partnership announced on February 19 aims to ‘develop railway ...
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NewsFootbath train launched to serve hot springs resort
JAPAN: Private train operator Kintetsu has modified one of its electric multiple-units to operate luxury tourist services between Nagoya and Yunoyama-Onsen, a hot springs resort in the Suzuka area of outstanding natural beauty.
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NewsProgress Rail to supply locomotives to Sumatra
INDONESIA: National railway PT KAI has awarded Progress Rail a contract to supply 54 EMD GT38AC locomotives from 2025 for use hauling freight in south Sumatra. The order announced on February 15 will add to the 91 GT38AC locomotives delivered since 2011. The 1 067 mm ...
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NewsTurkmenistan sends LPG to Kyrgyzstan by rail
KYRGYZSTAN: Turkmenistan has sent 2 000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas by rail to Kyrgyzstan as humanitarian aid, as Bıshkek struggles to cope with gas and power shortages. The LPG was supplied by Turkmenistan’s state gas company Turkmengaz and transported by state railway Demirýollary via Uzbekistan ...
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NewsIndonesian suburban operator orders CRRC EMUs
INDONESIA: Suburban operator PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia has signed a Rp783bn contract with CRRC for the supply of three 12-car electric-multiple units, the manufacturer announced on February 5. The trainsets would replace the some of the oldest EMUs used on the 1 067 mm gauge commuter ...