Construction is underway on the initial 8km section of Lagos' first metro line. Doing business in Nigeria has traditionally been a difficult proposition for foreign companies, but as Kevin Smith discovers, by enacting an effective PPP financing structure the Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority has attracted the international project management expertise required to get the Blue Line up-and-running.

Ouigo, SNCF's new low-fare TGV service, has got off to a flying start since its launch at the beginning of April. As David Briginshaw reports from Paris, the service has already achieved a high satisfaction rating with passengers and attracted more people to rail than expected.

This month the French government will publish its draft proposals to restructure French railways with the expectation that a fully-fledged infrastructure manager will emerge. Rather than waiting for legislation to come into force in 2015, French National Railways (SNCF) has already started working more closely with French Rail Network (RFF), as SNCF president Mr Guillaume Pepy revealed in an exclusive interview with David Briginshaw in Paris.

ŠKODA Transportation's newest LRV, the 26T, began testing in Pilsen, Czech Republic, on May 15 ahead of delivery of the first two vehicles to the northern Hungarian city of Miskolc in July.

SOUTHERN California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) has become the first US operator to place an order for diesels meeting the latest US EPA Tier 4 emissions standards, after awarding Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) a contract to supply 20 F125 Spirit Locomotives.

ŠKODA Transportation has agreed a 10-year technology licensing contract with CSR Qingdao Sifang to produce up to 400 ForCity (15T) low-floor LRV cars for the Chinese market.

NETHERLANDS Railways (NS) has appointed Dr Timo Huges as CEO following Mr Bert Meerstadt's decision to step down from the position on October 1.

TGV Lyria is forging ahead with new and improved services between France and Switzerland. Director general Alain Barbey spoke to Anitra Green about the company's progress.

MTR Shenzhen, the operator of Shenzhen Metro Line 4, has awarded Nanjing SR Puzhen Rail Transport (NPRT) a Yuan 420m ($US 67.74m) contract to supply 56 metro cars which will be delivered in 2013-14.

IRJ at the 1520 Strategic Partnership: Mr Vladimir Yakunin, president of Russian Railways (RZD), has confirmed that the first high-speed line to be built in Russia will connect Moscow with Kazan.