ATHENS metro operator Attiko Metro announced on August 10 that four consortia have expressed an interest in bidding for a contract to build and equip the initial 13km section of Line 4.

DHAKA Mass Transit Company (DMTCL) has awarded Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) and Mitsubishi Corporation a Yen 40bn ($US 360m) contract for the supply of 24 six-car metro trains for Dhaka MRT Line 6, together with maintenance depot equipment.

TRIAL operation began on the initial phase of Beijing maglev Mentougou Line (Line S1) on August 5.

TRANSMASHHOLDING subsidiary Oktyrbrsky Electric Plant (OEVRZ) has handed over the first of a batch of 27 six-car metro trains for St Petersburg.

THE US federal government has unveiled new proposals which it hopes will spur private investment in public transport.

PRASARANA Malaysia has awarded a Ringgits 1.56bn ($US 360m) contract to supply 42 driverless trains for Kuala Lumpur metro Line LRT3 to a consortium of CRRC Zhuzhou, Siemens China, and Malaysian partner Tegap Dinamik.

ALGIERS Metro Company (EMA) has awarded CAF a contract to supply 12 six-car Inneo metro trains to run on its 13.5km line, which is currently being extended.

THE Thai cabinet has approved a Baht 101bn ($US 3bn) project to double the length of the Purple Line of the Bangkok metro by adding 23.6km from Tao Poon south to Rat Burana.

THE Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has awarded a joint venture of Hitachi Rail Italy and Ansaldo STS USA, Hitachi Ansaldo Baltimore Rail Partners (HABRP), a $US 400.5m contract to provide a new fleet of metro railcars and a CBTC system for the Baltimore Metro Subway Link.

ALSTOM has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Industrial Development and Renovation Organisation of Iran (IDRO), and Iranian Rail Industries Development Company (IRICO) to create a joint venture for the localised production of metro and suburban rolling stock for Iranian cities.