PRORAIL has submitted its 2015 performance figures to Dutch secretary of state for infrastructure Mrs Sharon Dijksma, revealing that infrastructure-related train delays on the Dutch main line network fell last year.

CENTRAL Saxony Transport Authority (ZVMS) has confirmed it intends to directly award a contract for the operation of the Erzgebirge Diesel Network to incumbent operator DB Regio.

AUSTRIAN Federal Railways (ÖBB) has confirmed it plans to focus on the development of its international passenger and freight business as the company's financial performance continues to improve.

SWISS Federal Railways (SBB) has unveiled plans to improve the performance of international passenger services on the Gotthard route, which with punctuality of 82% are 7% below the national average.

SERBIAN Railways (ZS) launched a modernisation project on the Nis - Presevo line, part of Corridor 10 between Austria and Greece, on April 18.

THE European Parliament and the Dutch presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) reached an informal agreement on April 19 to increase competition in domestic passenger rail transport and ensure a level playing field for operators.

TENDERS have been published in Official Journal of the European Union for concessions to operate regional passenger train services in the German state of Thüringia and the Rhine-Rhur area.

ISRAEL Railways (IR) and the Israeli transport and finance ministries are considering a recommendation by Louis Berger Group to construct a 26km twin-bore rail tunnel beneath Tel Aviv to double rail capacity through the city.

BELARUSIA Railway (BC) has completed electrification of the final section of the Minsk - Gomel line between Zhlobin - Gomel, close to the borders with Ukraine and Russia.

GERMAN private operator BahnTouristikExpress (BTE) will introduce car-carrying overnight services from Hamburg to Lörrach in December 2016.