Enhanced ‘comfort and convenience’ as Berlin S-Bahn fleet delivery completed
GERMANY: All 106 of the Class 483/484 Berlin S-Bahn trainsets ordered from a consortium of Siemens Mobility and Stadler are now in traffic, following the entry into service of the final set after a ceremony at Charlottenburg on September 18.
Moskva Central Diameter 4 launched
RUSSIA: The fourth and longest of the Moskva Central Diameter cross-city suburban commuter lines has been launched.
Changes follow review of commuter rail disruption
NEW ZEALAND: KiwiRail is taking action to improve track inspection on passenger routes in Wellington and Auckland following the publication of a report into service disruption during May which Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Daran Ponter said provides ’an eye-opening account of poor decision-making’.
Wellington train operating contract extended
NEW ZEALAND: Greater Wellington Regional Council has extended Transdev’s contract to operate local passenger trains under the Metlink brand until July 3 2031.
More inclusive facilities for train drivers
AUSTRALIA: Enhancements to provide more inclusive facilities for train drivers at Melbourne’s Flinders Street station have been completed.
Three prequalify for København automated train contract
DENMARK: Three potential bidders have prequalified for a contract to supply at least 226 fully automatic electric mutiple-units for the København S-bane suburban network.
São Paulo airport express extended to Palmeiras-Barra Funda
BRAZIL: São Paulo suburban rail operator CPTM has extended its Expresso Aeroporto service from Luz to Palmeiras-Barra Funda with effect from September 1.
East London Line maintenance contract planned
UK: Transport for London has begun market engagement for the next contract to maintain London Overground’s East London Line.
North-South Commuter Railway contracts awarded
PHILIPPINES: The Department of Transportation has signed the final three civil works contracts for construction of the south commuter section of the 147 km North-South Commuter Railway in the Manila area.
Cork Area Commuter Rail programme makes progress
IRELAND: The Cork Area Commuter Rail programme is progressing ‘swiftly’, according to Iarnród Éireann CEO Jim Meade, with the award of the signalling works contract for the project.
Teresina suburban rail investment package approved
BRAZIL: Piauí state Governor Rafael Fonteles has given the go-ahead for the renovation and expansion of the 1 000 mm gauge suburban network in Teresina, which currently comprises a single 13·5 km route shared with freight traffic.
Third Moskva Central Diameter line launched
RUSSIA: The third Moskva Central Diameter cross-city regional express route was opened by President Vladimir Putin and Mayor Sergey Sobyanin on August 17.
Battery train to take Caltrain electric operation beyond the wires
USA: The California Transportation Commission has approved funding for Stadler to supply a battery-electric multiple-unit which will enable Caltrain to extend its future San Francisco – San Jose electric train service to Gilroy over track which is not currently scheduled for electrification.
EFE orders 32 EMUs for Santiago suburban routes
CHILE: National railway EFE has awarded a consortium of CRRC Sifang and local partner Temoinsa a US$171·4m contract to supply 32 three-car electric multiple-units for Santiago suburban services.
Salerno suburban rail extension contract awarded
ITALY: Infrastructure manager RFI has awarded a design and build contract for a 9 km extension of the Salerno suburban rail service to serve Salerno Costa D’Amalfi Airport.
Safety training prepares for commuter rail service launch
USA: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and train operator Keolis Commuter Services have provided emergency responders with hands-on training ahead of the launch of South Coast Rail Phase 1 passenger services later this year.
Battery-electric train fast charging facility ordered
IRELAND: Alstom has been awarded a contract to provide a fast-charging facility for the battery-electric multiple-units that it is to supply to Iarnród Éireann as part of the DART+ programme to enhance commuter services in the Greater Dublin area.
Egypt: Safely expanding Cairo’s rail network
TÜV Nord acted as the independent safety assessment body for Egypt’s Capital Train electric suburban railway that opened last year to link Cairo with 10th Ramadan City and the New Administrative Capital. Lead Safety Auditor Karin Seibold explains the company’s role in ensuring the line’s safe operation to Benjámin Zelki.
Connecticut orders customised commuter train coaches
USA: Connecticut Department of Transportation has awarded Alstom a $315m contract to supply 60 single-deck coaches customised to its requirements, with options for 313 more.
Final design consultant appointed for TEX Rail extension
USA: Fort Worth transport agency Trinity Metro has selected a partnership of Huitt-Zollars and TranSystems as final design consultant for the TEX Rail extension.