Tokyo Metro is nearing the end of a three-year plan to upgrade parts of the network and extend its reach. But, as David Briginshaw reports from the Japanese capital, the complete refurbishment of the Ginza Line is an eight-year project with completion scheduled for 2020.

Despite completing two major projects earlier this year, JR East has announced plans to increase the rate of investment. As David Briginshaw reports exclusively from Tokyo, the emphasis is on growth and measures to make the railway more resilient to earthquakes.

MYANMAR's Ministry of Rail Transport signed a joint contract with Marubeni Corporation and Mitsui on August 1 to supply and install an operational control centre and railway safety equipment for Myanmar Railways (MR).

JAPAN's ruling Liberal Democratic and Komeito parties began discussions on August 7 on the proposed third phase of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which would extend the line from Tsuruga to Shin-Osaka.

THAILAND's transport minister Mr Prajin Juntong announced on August 4 that a new schedule has been agreed for the commissioning of Bangkok's metro Purple Line which will enable the opening of the 23.5km line to be brought forward by several months.

ŠKODA Transportation unveiled its new 27T low-floor LRV for the Chinese market at the UrTran 2015 exhibition, which was held recently at the China International Exhibition Centre in Beijing.

MALAYAN Railway (KTM) has decided to terminate all long-distance passenger trains in Johor Bahru and introduce a shuttle to Singapore instead.

MAXWELL Technologies, United States, has signed a long-term strategic partnership with CRRC subsidiary China Qingdao Sifang Rolling Stock Research Institute (CRRC SRI) to jointly develop new rolling stock energy storage solutions for the Chinese market.

THE president of Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ), Mr Askar Mamin, has announced plans to introduce Talgo trains on three additional routes during the second half of 2015.

BOTH Siemens Mobility and Bombardier Transportation have reported reductions in revenue and profit in their latest quarterly results, while Bombardier has denied reports in the financial press of a merger.