Mohamed Mezghani, who took over as secretary general of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) on January 1, outlines the trends and challenges that the public transport sector faces at what he feels is a critical juncture for global urban mobility.

January saw the publication of an eagerly-awaited strategic plan for the development of road and rail networks in Northern England. Keith Barrow outlines the key elements of the plan, which includes proposals for a new line across the Pennines.

Swiss-designed trains are slowly making their mark in the United States, with Stadler notching up its ninth order since 2002. Anitra Green met Stadler US CEO Martin Ritter at the company’s plant in Salt Lake City.

Henrik Hololei, director general at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG Move), talks to Kevin Smith.

Raymond Betler, Wabtec president and CEO, talks to Kevin Smith.

Bernard Tabary, international CEO of Keolis Group, talks to Keith Barrow.

IRJ Pro market researcher Jonny Dearden reviews the winners and losers in the rolling stock market in 2017.

Automatic Train Operation has been widely used on metro lines for decades, but the technology is now starting to unlock benefits in more challenging main line environments. Keith Barrow reports from Vienna on how the industry is preparing to seize the opportunities offered by ATO on heavy rail networks.

SOUTH Africa has some of the world’s richest mineral reserves, with an estimated value of more than Rand 20 trillion ($US 1.56 trillion), and the country is estimated to have the world’s fifth-largest mining sector based on GDP value.

Shahar Ayalon, general manager of Israel Railways, talks to Kevin Smith.