NINGBO became the 20th Chinese city to operate a metro network on May 30, when trial operation began on the initial 20.9km phase of Line 1 from Gaoqiao West to Donghuan South Road.

CHINESE industrial group MA Steel's bid for French wheelset manufacturer Valdunes has been selected by the Commercial Court of Valenciennes, paving the way for a complete takeover of the group's activities, and the creation of a new company, MG-Valdunes.

RHINE-Main Transport Authority (RMV), Westfalen-Lippe Transport Authority (MWL) and North Hessen Transport Authority (NVV) have issued a prior information notice for a contract to operate the so-called North Hessen Network for 15-years from December 2017.

Several projects are in the pipeline or already underway to upgrade rail links in the regional triangle between Germany, Austria and Switzerland, not to mention Liechtenstein a little further south. Anitra Green takes a look at the current state of play.

Ilya Shirokobrod, vice-president and head of the railway products division with Evraz, Russia, takes a look at how the market for rails is developing both technically and commercially, and the company's position in the market.

NEARLY six years after construction began, Edinburgh finally launched its first modern light rail line on May 30, when the 13.5km route was inaugurated by dignitaries including Scottish transport minister Mr Keith Brown and Edinburgh city councillor for transport Mrs Lesley Hinds.

WAGON leasing company VTG has announced it is working with Chart Ferox, a manufacturer of storage and distribution equipment for hydrocarbon and industrial gases, to develop a new generation of tank wagon for the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

NETHERLANDS Railways (NS) is to rebrand its NS Hispeed operations NS International from June 15 as the operator seeks to restore the image of its high-speed operations following the Fyra crisis.

BRAZIL's minister of transport Mr Cesar Borges has announced that tender documents will be issued in August for the PPP concession to build and maintain the 901km line from Lucas do Rio Verde, in Mato Grosso state to Campinorte in Goiás, which will be operated on an open-access basis.

CSR Zhuzhou, China, has unveiled what it claims is the world's first 100% supercapacitor-powered low-floor tram.