SINGAPORE Land Transport Authority (LTA) and its Transitlink fare collection subsidiary TransitLink announced on August 11 that they are working towards the total elimination of cash payments on the island’s public transport network by 2020.

ATHENS metro operator Attiko Metro announced on August 10 that four consortia have expressed an interest in bidding for a contract to build and equip the initial 13km section of Line 4.

DANISH infrastructure manager Banedanmark marked the completion of its project to electrify the Lundeskov - Esbjerg line on August 6 with a special electric run for invited guests on the 57km route.

TRENITALIA confirmed on August 10 that it is pulling out of the competition to operate Britain’s South Eastern franchise as it focusses resources on developing its British rail portfolio in other areas.

SIEMENS announced on August 9 that it is establishing a new locomotive service hub at New Castle, Delaware, to remotely monitor the operation of Siemens locomotives across the United States.

DANISH State Railways (DSB) announced on August 10 that DSB Sweden has sold its DSB Uppland subsidiary to Transdev Sweden for an undisclosed sum.

BRITAIN’s Department for Transport (DfT) announced on August 10 that it has awarded a contract to operate the West Midlands franchise to West Midlands Trains, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abellio Transport Group with East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Mitsui as minority partners.

CITY of Edinburgh Council announced on August 8 that it expects to make a final decision next year on whether to complete Phase 1A of the city’s tram network, extending the line from its current terminus at York Place in the city centre to Leith and Newhaven.

MPK Wroclaw announced on August 9 that it has selected Modertrans, Poland, as preferred bidder for a contract to supply 40 bidirectional LRVs for the city’s 22-line tramway network.

DHAKA Mass Transit Company (DMTCL) has awarded Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) and Mitsubishi Corporation a Yen 40bn ($US 360m) contract for the supply of 24 six-car metro trains for Dhaka MRT Line 6, together with maintenance depot equipment.