Europe
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NewsWinner of 510-train framework contract confirmed
SWITZERLAND: The Federal Administrative Court has rejected Alstom’s challenge to the decision by Swiss Federal Railways, Thurbo and RegionAlps to award Stadler a framework contract for the supply of up to 510 electric multiple-units. The tendering process began in May 2020, with SBB and its two ...
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In depth
France: Newcomers still face market entry hurdles
With France’s passenger market finally open to competition, areport from regulatory body ART finds that various barriers still hinder access for new entrants. Jérémie Anne asks ART President Bernard Roman what lessons have been learnt and what lies ahead.
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Metro Report International
Disability consultancy undertakes Lyon accessibility audit
FRANCE: Accessibility consultancy Direct Access has expanded its rail work into France through a pilot project with Keolis to audit rail, metro, tram and bus interchanges in Lyon. The consultancy is assessing entrances, wayfinding and arrival and boarding points, and will submit detailed recommendations for improvements ...
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Metro Report International
Bonn light rail vehicle contract awarded
GERMANY: CAF has been awarded a contract to supply 22 high-floor light rail vehicles for operation in the Bonn area.
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News
Mérida – Sevilla route to get signalling and telecoms enhancements
SPAIN: ADIF has awarded Siemens Rail Automation and FCC Industrial e Infraestructuras Energéticas a contract to eliminate telephone block signalling on the only remaining section of the Mérida – Sevilla route which has not yet been upgraded.
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News
Composite floors ordered for Danish EMUs
DENMARK: In its largest project to date, Portuguese company MCG Transportation is to manufacture the floors for the 100 five-car Coradia Stream electric multiple-units which Danish national operator DSB has ordered from Alstom. The composite floor units are being designed and produced to meet Alstom’s specific ...
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News
Street-running railway goes underground
SWITZERLAND: Chemin de fer Lausanne-Echallens-Bercher’s 1 km tunnel from the underground Lausanne-Flon terminus to Lausanne-Chauderon has been extended by 1·7 km to Union-Prilly, replacing a street-running section of single track line along Avenue d’Echallens. The double-track tunnel has been built to increase ...
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News
Moldovan railway modernisation gets underway
MOLDOVA: National railway Calea Ferată din Moldova officially launched work to modernise the 233 km Bender (Tighina) – Basarabeasca – Giurgiulești line on May 18. This will remove weight and speed restrictions, increasing the line speed to 120 km/h for passenger trains and 90 km/h for ...
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Metro Report International
Grand Paris Express elevated stations contract awarded
FRANCE: Société du Grand Paris has awarded Vinci Construction subsidiary Chantiers Modernes Construction an €80·9m contract to build the elevated Palaiseau, Orsay-GIF and CEA-Saint-Aubin stations on the future Line 18 of the automated metro. A consortium of Rougnon, Dalkia and Fouassin has been awarded a €12m ...
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News
Izy low-cost train services to end
EUROPE: The Izy-branded low cost train service between Paris Nord and Brussels Midi is to end on July 10, Thalys has announced. Launched by Thalys in 2016, Izy services use the conventional line from Paris to Arras and then LGV Nord and Belgium’s LGV1 from Arras ...
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Metro Report International
Line 10 opens in València
SPAIN: Metrovalencia Line 10 was inaugurated on May 17, running 5·3 km from Alacant to Natzaret. The western 2·3 km with three stops is in tunnel, and the eastern 3 km with five stops is on the surface. Construction of the line ...
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News
Łódz orders multiple-units
POLAND: Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna has awarded Newag a contract for the supply and maintaince of three electro-diesel multiple units for stage four of the Łódź Agglomeration Railway programme, with an option for a further two. The order for the intital three trainsets is valued at 75·6m ...
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News
Sustainable development priority in FS Group’s €190bn 10-year business plan
ITALY: New organisational and governance structures and a focus on sustainability are the centrepieces of a €190bn business plan for 2022-31 unveiled by national railway FS Group.
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News
Four companies launch Spanish passenger operators’ association
SPAIN: Independent high speed operator Iryo, regional railways FGC and Euskotren, and national incumbent RENFE have joined forces to launch a national association of passenger train operators.
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News
Call for rail sector to mobilise to get Ukrainian agricultural exports moving
EUROPE: Rail has a central role in the European Commission’s plan to establish ‘Solidarity Lanes’ for the transport of Ukrainian agricultural exports which would normally use the Black Sea ports that are being blockaded by Russia.
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News
Ferry company forms rail business
EUROPE: Ferry company DFDS has launched a rail business area with the acquisition of German company PrimeRail. PrimeRail was founded in 2019 and provides inland and maritime rail and road transport services. DFDS launched an intermodal transport competence centre in Köln in 2020 in partnership with ...
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News
BOB park-and-ride EMUs to relieve valley roads
SWITZERLAND: Berner Oberland-Bahnen has announced a SFr66m order for six Stadler ABeh 4/8 three-car electric multiple units to enter service in winter 2025-26. The order will enable a 15-min headway service to be provided at the proposed Matten station between Interlaken Ost and Wilderswil, where a ...
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Metro Report International
Grudziądz tram on test
POLAND: One of four trams which is Modertrans is to supply to Grudziądz has arrived in Łódź for dynamic testing and certification. The trams are being supplied under a 23·3m złoty contract awarded in March 2021. They are part of the Moderus Beta low-floor family, adapted ...
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News
Cisalpino trainsets enter service in Greece
GREECE: ETR470 tilting trainsets which were formerly used on Cisalpino services from Italy to Switzerland entered passenger service in Greece on May 15, operating two trains a day in each direction between Thessaloniki and Athens. The journey time on the 502 km ...
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News
CRRC trainset for Westbahn arrives at test track
AUSTRIA: One of four double-deck electric multiple-units which CRRC Zhuzhou is to lease to Austrian open access passenger operator Westbahn has arrived at the Velim test centre in Czech Republic. Testing and certification of the Chinese-built EMUs is scheduled to be completed by mid-2023. ...
