AFTER achieving efficiency savings across it operations and revamping its internal loan policy, Russian Railways (RZD) has added Roubles 64bn ($US 2.04bn) to its 2012 investment programme which now totals Roubles 492.2bn.

THE Scottish government is to develop plans for a new 225km/h railway between Edinburgh and Glasgow which could reduce journey times between Scotland's two largest cities to less than 30 minutes within 12 years.

TEL AVIV Metropolitan Mass Transit System (NTA) issued an invitation to bid on November 8 for a contract to design, supply, commission, and maintain a fleet of 90 LRVs for the city's light rail network, with options for 30 additional vehicles.

FOLLOWING delays caused by a legal dispute, Miami-Dade County Commission has agreed to award a $US 313m contract for 136 metro vehicles to AnsaldoBreda.

BELARUS Railways (BC) has awarded CZ Loko, Czech Republic, a contract worth almost €20m to supply 20 two-axle 1520mm-gauge diesel shunting locomotives.

THE International Association of Public Transport (UITP) today unveiled two initiatives on November 9 which aim to boost public transport ridership and funding for transit projects.

NETWORK Rail (NR) has achieved efficiencies of £775m over the last three years and is on target to achieve the targets set for the remainder of the current five-year funding period, according to the Office of Rail Regulation's (ORR) annual assessment of the British infrastructure manager, which was published on November 8.

RUSSIAN Railways (RZD) will step up its fleet modernisation programme next year by spending a record Roubles 85bn ($US 2.7bn) on new locomotives, transport minister Mr Maksim Sokolov confirmed on November 8.

BRAZILIAN mining giant Vale has received the first of an order for 14 SD70ACe diesel locomotives from EMD, which will be used by the company's newly-established logistics subsidiary, VLI.

TRANSNET officials were all smiles at the South African rail and logistics interim results presentation last week as revenue continues to rise on the back of increased rail shipments.