Seven companies became members of UIC at its 80th general assembly in Philadelphia: Californian High Speed Rail Authority; Bulgaria‘s BDZ PP; Hungarian national transport authority NKH; open access operators Westbahn and Student Agency; UK high speed promoter HS2 Ltd and Russian Railways’ Federal Passenger Co.
Airport rail service operator Aeroexpress has established its own rolling stock maintenance depot in Moscow.
In an effort to encourage the growth of leisure traffic, Lombardia regional operator Trenord has launched ‘Free Time’ tickets which offer combined rail and boat travel with discounted access to tourist attractions.
Plans have been announced to redevelop Poland’s Olsztyn Gówny station on a similar basis to Poznan Gówny by the end of 2014. Retail Provider is to invest €115m in the development of a rail, tram and bus interchange integrated with commercial, shopping and cinema facilities.
Israel Railways has completed a US$800m project to modernise the Ramla – Be’er Shiva’ University line, including double-tracking and level crossing elimination.
EIB is lending Warszawa suburban operator WKD €39m to fund the purchase of 14 EMUs and track, power supply and passenger information upgrades.
The HZ Traction division of Croatia’s national railway group is to be split up, with all locos to be allocated to either the passenger or freight business units.
ADB and the government of India have signed a $150m loan to fund 840 km of double-tracking and 640 km of electrification, as well as new signalling and accounting reforms.
FleetConnect and Icomera have rolled out free wi-fi across Iarnród Éireann’s entire inter-city fleet, and Dublin commuter services are to follow by the end of the year.
