News – Page 78
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Metro Report InternationalProgramme manager selected to oversee Austin’s starter light rail line
USA: Austin Transit Partnership has appointed consultancy Aecom to support Phase 1 of the Texas state capital’s light rail network. Responsibilities will include programme management oversight and initiation, environmental services, design management, railway systems commissioning and operational readiness. The 15·7 km Phase 1 of the light ...
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Rail Business UKDatabases launched to make better use of transport accessibility research
UK: The National Centre for Accessible Transport has launched a database to consolidate accessible transport research, strategy and policy-related documents, along with a transport barriers database highlighting the challenges that disabled people face. NCAT said the initiatives ‘mark a significant step forward in providing robust evidence ...
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Metro Report InternationalMinsk trams delivered
BELARUS: Belkommunmash has delivered 20 Type T811 low-floor four-axle trams to Minsk transport operator Minsktrans.
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In depthRegional Railways: A reversal of fortunes in Catalunya
Threatened with closure in the mid-1980s, Catalunya’s Lleida – La Pobla de Segur branch has been revitalised by the regional government over the past two decades. Targeted investment is paying off with steadily increasing ridership, reports Mike Bent.
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NewsHigh speed bypass line contract awarded
SPAIN: High speed rail infrastructure manager ADIF Alta Velocidad has awarded Sacyr Construcción a €49m contract to build 6·3 km of the future 19 km Loja bypass on the high speed line from Antequera to Granada. The double-track bypass will start near Los Abades service area on ...
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NewsRER NG trains launched on Line D as Paris fleet renewal accelerates
FRANCE: The renewal of the rolling stock fleet used on the RER suburban network around Paris is continuing, with the latest generation RER NG trainsets entering service on Line D in December. The RER NG fleet comprises two subclasses, Z58000 for Line E and Z58500 for ...
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Rail Business UKVirtual work experience programme showcases rail careers
UK: Train operator TransPennine Express has launched a free virtual work experience programme aimed at anyone interested in a career in rail. The course developed with Springpod gives an insight into what it’s like to work at the operator, exploring how timetables are put together, what ...
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Rail Business UKDigital twins help ScotRail reduce station and depot energy consumption
UK: ScotRail has partnered with Optimise AI to create digital twins of its stations and depots which will help the operator identify opportunities to save energy. The technology monitors energy usage and carbon emissions in real time, assesses the data against the UK Energy Performance Certification ...
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Metro Report InternationalRailway innovation and talent development MoU signed
CHINA: City University of Hong Kong, MTR Corp and MTR Academy have signed a memorandum of understanding covering railway-related research, talent development and innovation. The partners are to explore opportunities to exchange researchers, students and faculty members, with the possibility of CityUHK offering railway-related research topics ...
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In depthRegional Railways: Technology offers hope of secondary line revival
Around 17 000 km of abandoned or poorly used lines in France and Germany could be revived using small, frequent or on-demand vehicles as part of a decarbonisation drive. Thanks to rapidly progressing technologies with minimal investment and low operating costs, there is an opportunity to tap political support to make them a reality. Reinhard Christeller reports.
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Rail Business UKHigh Speed 2 ATO over ETCS train control contracts awarded
UK: Project promoter HS2 Ltd has let contracts for the supply of signalling and train control systems for the high speed line between London and the West Midlands.
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NewsSaudi Arabian trains to blend modern aesthetics and advanced technology
SAUDI ARABIA: National operator Saudi Arabia Railways has selected Swiss design consultancy Nose Design Experience to support the development of its next-generation of inter-city trainsets. In February 2024 SAR awarded Stadler contracts worth SFr600m to supply and maintain 10 trainsets for use on the East line ...
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NewsPrototype 450 km/h high speed trains unveiled in China
CHINA: Two prototype CR450 high speed trainsets designed for a maximum speed of 450 km/h and an operating speed of 400 km/h have been unveiled in Beijing, ahead of testing to optimise the design and enable the sets to enter service as soon as possible. China ...
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Metro Report InternationalDelhi RRTS extension opens as India targets second spot in world metro rankings
INDIA: The 13 km Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar extension of the Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System line was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 5. The Rs46bn extension takes Namo Bharat (commuter) services into central Delhi; there is an ...
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Rail Business UKSoutheastern Class 376 EMU fleet to get mid-life refresh
UK: Contracts have been awarded for a mid-life refresh of the Class 376 electric multiple-units used on Southeastern’s London suburban services since 2004. The work is be undertaken in collaboration with leasing company Eversholt Rail and Alstom, the successor to Bombardier Transportation which originally built the ...
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NewsMoskva – St Petersburg high speed line financing agreement signed
RUSSIA: Agreements on the organisational structure, financing and risk allocation for the Moskva – St Petersburg high speed rail project were signed on December 23. A syndicate of lenders including Sovcombank, Sberbank and VTB has been formed to finance the project. Sberbank will organise two syndicated ...
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In depthSoutheast Europe: Recovery fund provides a belated catalyst for Romania
The European Union’s Recovery & Resilience Fund is the latest opportunity to fund much-needed improvements in the Romanian rail network, but the looming deadline for project completion is proving tough to meet. Toma Bačić explains.
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Rail Business UKOpen access ‘at a crossroads’ as government sets out more stringent tests for approval
UK: Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander has set out her expectations for how applications to run open access services should be considered as the rail industry is restructured.