About the author

David Briginshaw

David Briginshaw joined IRJ in 1982 as associate editor, and was appointed editor-in-chief in 2001. He has travelled the world extensively interviewing many of the CEOs and senior managers of the world's railways and transit systems which has given him an in-depth knowledge of the global railway industry. David Briginshaw is currently consulting editor and associate publisher of IRJ.

January 13, 2017 | Central/South America

Brazil seeks funding to enhance passenger rail study

BRAZIL’s National Transport Agency (ANTT) invites funding offers by January 27 to enhance a technical and economic feasibility study conducted last year into a public-private project (PPP) to construct a 209km passenger railway between Brasilia and Goiãnia.

January 12, 2017 | Africa

Djibouti inaugurates new line to Addis Ababa

A ceremony was held at Nagad station in Djibouti on January 10 to mark the official opening of the new $US 4.2bn 752km electrified standard-gauge railway to the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

January 12, 2017 | Freight

FS launches new Mercitalia freight division

ITALIAN State Railway (FS) has brought all of its freight activities under one roof with the creation this month of Mercitalia which includes the former Trenitalia Cargo division as well as logistics and terminals.

January 11, 2017 | Freight

CER urges rethink on rail customs clearance system

THE Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) says the European Commission (EC) is putting rail freight, which is subject to customs clearance at European Union borders, at risk by imposing a system developed for road transport which is inappropriate for rail.

January 11, 2017 | Commuter Rail

Trenitalia to acquire British franchise from National Express

NATIONAL Express Group has agreed in principle to sell its c2c rail franchise in Britain to Italian State Railways’ (FS) train operating subsidiary Trenitalia for around £70m, subject to approval from the Department for Transport (DfT).

January 9, 2017 | David Briginshaw

The stage is set for rail to deliver

DURING the past year, several major policy initiatives such as global agreements on climate change and sustainability, and Europe’s Fourth Railway Package, have been concluded. We also saw the completion of the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland, continuing rail and metro expansion in China, the completion of several metro projects in India, and the approval of high-speed lines in Britain, Russia, and Malaysia/Singapore. The Shift²Rail research programme in Europe is also now in full swing. These are all positive developments which should strengthen rail’s market position, but only if railways can seize these opportunities.

January 9, 2017 | North America

Rail projects included in $US 32bn New York/New Jersey plan

THE Port Authority of New York/New Jersey Board of Commissioners announced on January 6 a $US 32bn draft 2017-2026 capital investment plan for public comment and review.

December 23, 2016 | Europe

Great speaker line-up at next IRJ rail summit

RAIL leaders will be among the speakers at the next International Railway Summit being organised jointly by IRJ and IRITS Events in association with the International Union of Railways (UIC). The event will be held at the UIC headquarters in Paris on February 15-17 2017.

December 20, 2016 | Commuter Rail

First SWT Desiro City trains arrives in Britain

THE first class 707 Desiro City suburban EMU being built by Siemens for South West Trains (SWT) has arrived in London. Testing of the first two five-car trains will begin in early 2017 and are due to enter service in April between London Waterloo and Windsor.

December 20, 2016 | Rolling stock

Seoul orders Hyundai Rotem metro trains

SEOUL Metropolitan Government’s Urban Infrastructure division has awarded a Won 44bn ($US 36.8m) contract to Hyundai Rotem for 32 metro cars for operation on Line 9.