THE Czech region of Karlovy Vary published a prior information notice in the Official Journal of the European Union on September 7 for a contract to operate regional services around Karlovy Vary and Cheb.
MAJOR upgrades to the Australian state of Victoria’s regional rail network will be required over the next 20-30 years to accommodate projected population growth, according to a report prepared by the Melbourne-based Rail Futures Institute, which was released on September 5.
GREAT Western Railway (GWR) launched electric suburban services out of London Paddington on September 5, when the first two of 45 class 387 Electrostar EMUs began operating peak services to Hayes & Harlington.
NORTHERN Ireland’s infrastructure minister Mr Chris Hazzard announced on September 6 that Parkeon has been appointed primary supplier to design and deliver the £45m Translink Future Ticketing System (TFTS).
SWISS Federal Railways (SBB) will introduce a new service for tourists next year on the historic scenic mountain route through the Gotthard Pass called the Gotthard Panorama Express, in addition to a train aimed at hikers and a conventional RegioExpress service.
BRAZIL’s interim federal government led by president Michel Temer is investigating how to revive the country’s ambitious new line construction programme at a time of financial austerity by involving the country’s concessionaire rail freight operators.
FINLAND’s VR Group turned an operating loss of €2.6m in the first half of 2015 into a profit of €1.2m for the first half of 2016 thanks to an increase in passenger and freight rail traffic.
LUXURY train operator Belmond launched Ireland’s first luxury train on August 30, when the Grand Hibernian departed from Dublin Heuston station carrying 40 guests on the first leg of a six-day tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
STATE Railway of Thailand (SRT) launched its first new passenger vehicles for more than 20 years on August 29, when a rake of inter-city coaches supplied by CRRC Corporation, China, made an inaugural run from Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Nakhon Pathom.
THE remaining two shortlisted bidders for the West Midlands passenger rail franchise have been invited by the Department of Transport (DfT) to submit bids by November 29 for the new franchise which starts in October 2017.
