About the author

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith joined IRJ in 2009 as Features Editor and since then has travelled the world reporting on developments in the world's railways. He was appointed Managing Editor in 2017 and Editor-in-Chief in February 2020. Before joining IRJ, Kevin worked for several local newspapers in the United States and as a freelance technical writer for a university engineering magazine. Kevin graduated with a first class honours degree in American Studies from Lancaster University, Britain, in 2006, and with a Master's degree in American Studies from Purdue University, United States, in 2008.

October 15, 2017 | Light Rail

Putting the customer first Ruter’s recipe for future public transport

Oslo’s public transport administrator Ruter is adopting a pioneering approach to digitalisation as it prepares future public transport services in the Norwegian capital region. Kevin Smith travelled to the city to meet with CEO Bernt Reitan Jenssen to find out what the company has achieved and what it is planning for the future.

September 27, 2017 | Kevin Smith

Will Alstom-Siemens merger check CRRC’s international expansion?

THE merger of Alstom and Siemens’ Mobility division on September 26 might be read as a reaction to another recent tie-up in this age of consolidation in the railway rolling stock supply market: the combination of Chinese state-owned companies, CSR and CNR, in June 2015.

September 26, 2017 | Rolling stock

Sydney Metro receives first driverless train

THE first of 22 six-car driverless Alstom Metropolis trains for Sydney’s North West Rail Link automated metro project has arrived at Sydney Metro Trains depot in Rouse Hill.

September 25, 2017 | Financial

Bombardier confirms German reorganisation

BOMBARDIER Transportation announced on September 25 that the company’s Management and General Works Council has signed a general company agreement formalising the transformation strategy for its German sites, announced on June 29, which will result in 2200 job losses.

September 25, 2017 | Asia

SMRT and Prasarana to form JV for cross-border link

SINGAPORE public transport operator SMRT and Kuala Lumpur operator Prasarana signed a memorandum of understanding in Kuala Lumpur on September 25 to form a joint venture company for the Johor Baru Singapore rapid transit link.

September 25, 2017 | Asia

Thailand unveils $US 81bn rail development plan

THAILAND’s Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning has released a 20-year masterplan for rail development worth more than Baht 2.7 trillion ($US 81.57bn).

September 15, 2017 | Track

Tracklaying complete on London’s Crossrail project

CONTRACTORS working on London’s Crossrail project have completed track installation work, marking another key milestone in the £14.8bn project ahead of the opening of the Elizabeth Line in December 2018.

September 12, 2017 | Main line

From Silicon Valley to Gare du Lyon: SNCF embraces design thinking

SNCF’s Gares & Connexions is embracing design thinking, a concept famed in Silicon Valley, to enhance passenger experience at its stations across France. Kevin Smith visited the division’s headquarters in Paris to see what it has achieved so far.

September 12, 2017 | North America

Canadian transit enters a brand-new world

As Canada embarks on an unprecedented public transport infrastructure spending progamme, Kevin Smith asks Canadian Urban Transit Association president and CEO, Patrick Leclerc, how transit agencies can make the most of this new era of investment.

September 12, 2017 | North America

The sky’s the limit: Translink gears up for major investment

Spurred on by the Canadian federal government’s infrastructure investment agenda, Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (Translink) is embarking on a wide-reaching public transport enhancement programme. Kevin Smith met CEO Kevin Desmond at the authority’s headquarters in New Westminster to find out more.