Bosnia: EBRD and EIB are to provide a €140m loan for modernisation of the rail network, following the passing of a law on structural reform that separates accounting of passenger and freight operations and creates an infrastructure management company and a regulatory body.
Europe: On July 13 Eurotunnel presented confidential proposals for restructuring of its debt to the Ad Hoc Committee which represents the majority of the Channel Tunnel operator’s creditors.
France: The département of Essonne is providing €5m towards a €55m three-year emergency investment programme agreed by RFF and SNCF to improve reliability on RER Line D. Work will include remodelling at Corbeil-Essonnes as well as upgrading rolling stock and traction power supplies.
Under an agreement signed on July 7 by Transport Minister Dominique Perben, RFF, promoter Lyon-Turin-Ferroviaire and infrastructure finance agency AFITF, €95m is to be provided for the last phase of studies and preparatory work for the base tunnel on the planned Lyon - Torino high speed line.
Japan: On July 7 the Japan Railway Construction, Transport & Technology Agency announced plans to sell up to 600000 of the government’s 886000 shares in JR Central, equivalent to 40% of the company.
Investment group Privee Zurich has bought a 6% stake in Keisei Electric Railway.
United Kingdom: The Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council has granted the University of Warwick £270000 for further research into non-contact ultrasonic detection of rail defects.
USA: On July 1 the Commonwealth of Virginia established a Rail Enhancement Fund, which will provide $23m annually for selected infrastructure projects.
Zimbabwe: The government has made Z$27bn available for improvements at NRZ, including refurbishment of steam locos used on shunting and commuter services.
