FRANCE’s Court of Auditors has expressed concern over the fragility of French National Railways’ (SNCF) freight operations in a communication to government ministers which calls into question the “coherence and effectiveness” of French freight transport policy.

THE Indian government confirmed on September 5 that Mr Piyush Goyal will replace Mr Suresh Prabhu as the country’s railways minister.

IRJ at the 5th Railway Forum, Berlin: GERMAN Rail (DB) CEO Dr Richard Lutz has urged the supply industry to support DB by delivering the innovative solutions the company requires to flourish in a changing mobility market.

ACCORDING to a new metro policy endorsed by India’s union cabinet on August 16, the government will only approve or fund metro projects after state governments have firmed up public-private partnership (PPP) agreements and last mile connectivity plans have been finalised.

FINLAND’s passenger rail market will be opened to competition in the early 2020s, ending the monopoly of incumbent operator VR Group, under plans unveiled by minister of transport and communications Mrs Anne Berner and minister of economic affairs Mr Mika Lintilä on August 9.

RÈGIONS de France, an association representing 18 French regions, says its members are ready to work with the national government to set terms and conditions for the competitive tendering of regional passenger services.

IRJ is pleased to announce the promotion of Keith Barrow from associate editor to senior editor and Kevin Smith from features editor to managing editor with effect from August 1.

CHINA’s bold Belt and Road Initiative to develop new rail links to Europe and southeast Asia poses difficult questions regarding the title and security rights of rolling stock crossing borders, says Howard Rosen, chairman of the Rail Working Group.

A survey of 351 experienced mid-career professionals at 30 railway companies from around the world found that a vast majority felt as though their career had plateaued. But as Dr Janene Piip, talent and career consultant at SkillSmart, Australia, argues, engaging with this untapped resource of knowledge and experience could deliver the innovation railway companies are looking for.

THE European Commission (EC) and the Japanese government agreed on July 6 to remove the Operational Safety Clause (OSC) non-tariff barrier which impacts European rail equipment suppliers within a maximum one year after entry into force of a free-trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Japan.