THE European Parliament and the Dutch presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) reached an informal agreement on April 19 to increase competition in domestic passenger rail transport and ensure a level playing field for operators.

TRANSPORT for London has named Mr Mark Wild as the next managing director of London Underground and he will start his new role in June.

IRJ at SmartRail Europe, Amsterdam: Denmark's largest rail freight operator DB Cargo Scandinavia (DBCS) has warned it could be forced to pull out of the market because of the cost of equipping its locomotives with ETCS.

ITALIAN State Railways (FS) achieved a 53% increase in net profit to €464m in 2015 thanks to growing passenger traffic both in Italy and Germany, particularly from its domestic high-speed services.

TENDERS have been published in Official Journal of the European Union for concessions to operate regional passenger train services in the German state of Thüringia and the Rhine-Rhur area.

LONDON Luton Airport (LLA) has announced plans to build a peoplemover between the airport terminal and Luton Airport Parkway station to replace the existing bus link.

POLISH regional operator Silesian Railways (KS) launched a tender on April 17 for the supply of 13 new EMUs with an option for an additional seven vehicles.

ISRAEL Railways (IR) and the Israeli transport and finance ministries are considering a recommendation by Louis Berger Group to construct a 26km twin-bore rail tunnel beneath Tel Aviv to double rail capacity through the city.

BELARUSIA Railway (BC) has completed electrification of the final section of the Minsk - Gomel line between Zhlobin - Gomel, close to the borders with Ukraine and Russia.

LISBON Metro inaugurated a short but important extension to its Blue Line to Reboleira in the district of Amadora on April 13. The opening ceremony was attended by the Portuguese prime minister, Mr Antonio Costa.