Asia – Page 2
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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 ...
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NewsFour-pronged strategy to develop Pakistan Railways
PAKISTAN: A four-pronged strategy for financial autonomy, governance and growth, private sector participation and leveraging technology at Pakistan Railways has been set out by Railways Board Chairman Syed Mazhar Ali Shah. Financial Autonomy Shah said Pakistan Railways’ statutory position as a government ...
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NewsTurkish rail sector receives another bumper budget
TURKEY: The government has announced a 2024 rail programme which includes continued high levels of investment in both infrastructure and operations, and in the domestic design and manufacture of rail vehicles. State railway infrastructure manager TCDD has been allocated TL49·4bn towards its portfolio of agreed capital expenditure ...
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Metro Report InternationalTaichung metro Blue Line approved
TAIWAN: The Ministry of Transportation &Communications approved plans to build the Blue Line metro in Taichung on January 29. The city’s second metro line would run from Taichung Port in the west to Shalu and Xitun in central Taichung, along the busy Taiwan Avenue. It would ...
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NewsDubai backs Karachi dedicated freight corridor plan
PAKISTAN: Plans to establish a dedicated rail freight corridor and economic zone near Karachi are included in two inter-governmental framework agreements signed by the governments of Pakistan and Dubai on January 17. The agreements cover plans for US$3bn+ of investment in railways, economic zones and infrastructure. ...
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Metro Report Internationalİzmir opens third tram line
TURKEY: A 12 km long tram extension opened in İzmir’s Çiğli district on January 27 with a ceremony attended by Mayor Tunç Soyer. Services run in both directions around the ring, meeting at the northern terminus at Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi. The Çiğli tramway serves 14 stops ...
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NewsConstruction of Seoul express Line C starts as part of the ‘first year of the GTX era’
SOUTH KOREA: Construction of Line C of the Great Train Express commuter rail network in Seoul started on January 25 with a groundbreaking ceremony at Uijeongbu attended by President Yoon Seok-yeol. The 86·5 km Line C will link Suwon in the south with Uijeongbu and Deokjeong ...
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Metro Report InternationalTokyo Metro privatisation could begin this year
JAPAN: Tokyo Metropolitan Government is likely to begin selling off its shares in Tokyo Metro in the 2024 financial year, Governor Yuriko Koike said on January 26. The current Tokyo Metro company was founded on April 1 2004 as part of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s policy ...
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NewsDaejeon suburban railway construction starts
SOUTH KOREA: Construction has started on the 35·4 km first phase of the Chungcheong Province suburban railway serving Daejeon.
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Metro Report InternationalSustainable design integrated into metro construction
CHINA: MTR Corp is working with Hong Kong University of Science & Technology to develop software to quantify the embodied carbon of rail projects and assist with the adoption of low-carbon construction. The Hong Kong transport operator has also obtained BEAM Plus Provisional Gold or above ...