TP FERRO, the build-operate concessionaire for the international high-speed line between Figueres, Spain and Perpignan, France, has sought judicial protection in a final attempt to avoid bankruptcy proceedings.

OSLO airport express operator Flytoget has awarded CAF a NKr 1.3bn ($US 160m) contract to supply eight four-car Oaris EMUs for services from Gardemoen Airport to Oslo Central and Drammen.

BUDAPEST Transport Company (BKV) began operating over the 3.2km southern extension of its circular tram Line 1 on March 20, when trams began using Rákóczi Bridge across the Danube, which was built 20 years ago with space allocated for the track.

MTR Corporation launched its first European open-access venture on March 21, when MTR Express began operating its initial timetable of four trains a day between Stockholm and Gothenburg.

FIRST Great Western (FGW) has selected Hitachi as preferred supplier for a contract to supply 29 bi-mode trains to replace the fleet High-Speed Trains (HSTs) currently used on services from London to Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance.

SWISS railfreight operator BLS Cargo announced its annual results on March 17, revealing a 75% increase in profits to SFr 2.5m ($US 2.5m) and a 49% increase in Ebit to SFr 4 million in 2014 despite an 8% drop in net earnings, which fell to SFr 167.9m.

GERMAN Rail (DB) recorded a 5.7% reduction in Ebit to €2.1bn in 2014 despite a 1.5% increase in total revenue to €39.7bn.

GERMAN Rail (DB) has unveiled plans to significantly enhance its long-distance services in Germany in a bid to attract 50 million more passengers annually by 2030.

FOLLOWING a joint procurement, Düsseldorf light rail operator Rheinbahn and Cologne Public Transport (KVB) have signed contracts with Bombardier for a total of 62 high-floor Flexity LRVs.

A special committee of the French Senate adopted a legislative amendment on March 17 which will pave the way for the introduction of competitive tendering for regional rail services by the end of the decade.