BRITAIN’s Department for Transport (DfT) announced on August 10 that Abellio has been selected as preferred bidder for the new East Anglia franchise, which begins in October, in a deal which includes more frequent and faster services and wholesale renewal of the train fleet within four years.

SCHLESWIG-Holstein transport authority NAH.SH invites bids by September 9 for a contract to supply and maintain a fleet of multiple units which will initially be used on mainly non-electrified lines.

GOLDSCHMIDT Thermit Group announced on August 9 that it has acquired Swedish road-rail vehicle company SRS Sjölanders for an undisclosed sum.

METROPOLITAN Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (Marta) has issued requests for information by August 30 for a fleet of new trains and for the life-extension of two-thirds of its existing fleet.

CHINA Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) has signed a Taka 276.5bn ($US 3.5bn) contract on August 8 with the Bangladeshi government to build a new east-west railway via the 6.2km road-rail Padma Bridge.

THE Infrastructure Committee of the Philippines National Economic Development Authority (Neda) has approved the adoption of standard gauge for all future railway projects in the country.

TRANSPORT for New South Wales (TfNSW) has appointed Downer EDI as managing contractor for the Newcastle light rail project.

POLISH regional operator Silesian Railways (KS) has selected Pesa as preferred bidder for a contract to supply 13 160km/h EMUs with an option for eight additional trains.

QATAR Rail has awarded an 80:20 joint venture of Hill International, United States, and Astad Engineering Consultancy, Qatar, a 30-month extension to its contract to provide project management services on the Doha metro Green Line.

THE government of the Australian state of New South Wales has announced the two consortia that have been shortlisted for the contract to construct twin tunnels under Sydney Harbour that will link Sydney Metro North West project, which is already under construction with the planned Sydney Metro City & Southwest.