CZECH and Slovakian open-access passenger operator RegioJet announced on April 27 that it is planning to launch services between Prague and Vienna, beginning at the start of the 2018 timetable in mid-December 2017.

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an $US 80m loan for the electrification of the Pap - Namangan - Andijan line in central Uzbekistan.

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) announced on April 25 that it is bidding jointly with Virgin and Stagecoach for Britain’s West Coast Partnership (WCP) franchise, which encompasses inter-city services on the West Coast Main Line and the initial phase of operations on High-Speed 2 (HS2).

THALYS has marked the first anniversary of its Izy low-fares services between Paris and Brussels by announcing plans to increase capacity and adjust its operating model to “ensure economic robustness.”

CZECH and Slovak open-access operator Regiojet has awarded Bombardier a contract to supply eight Traxx MS2E multi-system electric locomotives, with an option for 20 additional units.

JAPAN’s Tobu Railway introduced a new timetable on April 21 featuring additional limited-express services operated by its 500 series Revaty trains which are entering service at the same time.

SWITZERLAND’s second-largest railway BLS says it is still pushing for a concession to operate long-distance services beyond its own network, despite the recent failure of talks with Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) on the future of domestic inter-city services.

AN alliance has been formed in Brussels which brings together open-access operators in the passenger and freight sectors with the aim of collectively addressing issues affecting non-incumbent rail companies.

THE Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure has fined both Netherlands Railways (NS) and Prorail for failing to meet contractually-agreed performance levels.

INDIAN Railways (IR) has decided to upgrade the 245km Delhi - Chandigarh main line to increase the maximum speed for passenger trains to 200km/h.