AFTER signing the construction contract for the initial 47km Fresno – Madera section of the state's first high-speed line, California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has invited contractors to qualify to bid for the second construction phase of the Initial Operating Section (IOS) Stage 1.
NEW South Wales (NSW) minister for transport Mrs Gladys Berejiklian announced on October 15 that the state government has begun the procurement process for two contracts covering the construction, operation and maintenance of Sydney's $A 1.6bn ($US 1.5bn) CBD and South East Light Rail line.
THE European Commission (EC) has launched an investigation into the use of state aid from the Dutch government for the operation of services on the HSL South high-speed line.
THE Romanian government has announced it will relaunch the sale of a 51% stake in national railfreight operator CFR Marfă after open-access operator Grup Feroviar Român (GFR) failed to meet the October 14 payment deadline for the acquisition.
THE government of Argentina has placed an order with China Northern Rolling Stock (CNR) for 27 three-car metre gauge dmus, which will be used on commuter services on the metre-gauge Belgrano Sur network in Buenos Aires.
OPEN access long-distance passenger operator Thello has announced it will withdraw direct overnight services between Paris and Rome from December 15, instead offering improved connections with Trenitalia high-speed services, which it says will reduce journey times between the two capitals.
PASSENGER Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has signed a Rand 51bn ($US 5bn) contract with the Gibela joint venture led by Alstom to supply 3600 cars to be formed into 600 emus during a 10-year period, plus spare parts for 18 years. Financial closure of the contract is expected in December.
JR East plans to introduce its Advanced Train Administration and Communications System (Atacs) on the busy Saikyo Line in Tokyo from autumn 2017.
PRAGUE City Council has approved plans for the construction of the initial phase of metro Line D, which will link the city centre with the southern suburbs of Lhotka, Libuš, Nové Dvory, and Pisníce as well as Krč hospital.
SWIFAMBO Rail Leasing, South Africa, has awarded a €250m contract to Vossloh for 70 electro-diesel passenger locomotives which will be leased to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) to haul passenger trains. The contract includes options for a minimum of 10 additional units as well as to maintain the fleet.
