Brazil: IBRD has granted a US$44m loan to improve suburban rail services in Rio de Janeiro and encourage private-sector participation in operations and management.

Czech Republic: CD has inaugurated a train washing and toilet emptying plant at Praha-Odstavné depot. The KC296m facility built by Tchas Ostrava includes a 93 m washer supplied by KMS, Follert and Roediger.

France: On February 14 the management board of Syndicat des Transports d'Ile de France approved operations contracts with SNCF and RATP that specify service standards, funding and investment in 2008-11. STIF will pay SNCF €6bn and RATP €7·3bn over the four-year period.

India: Kolkata Port Trust has appointed Rites to advise on increasing capacity on the rail networks serving the docks at Kolkata and Haldia.

Latvia: On January 31 Affiliated Computer Services announced it had won a 13-year contract to supply Riga bus and tram operator Rigas Satiksme with a contactless smart card ticketing system.

Lithuania: Nortel and local partner Belam are to supply a €50·5m GSM-R package which will cover 88% of the LG network by 2010.

Poland: Warszawa-based independent rail freight company CTL Logistics has sold its 75% stake in CTL Car Transport Logistics to partner Gerald Binz, who jointly developed the business with CTL.

Spain: Catalan regional operator FGC is to form a subsidiary to seek operating licences for the national network, which may include passenger operations. EWS subsidiary Euro Cargo Rail Spain is now able to apply for a safety certificate following registration with the Ministry of Development.

UK: The joint venture of Balfour Beatty and Carillion responsible for main works on Phase 1 of the rebuilding of the East London Line has awarded Thales a £12·3m contract to supply fixed telecoms infrastructure.

USA: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has awarded Giesecke & Devrient a contract to supply 5 million CharlieCard smart card tickets over three years.

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