THE autonomous region of Inner Mongolia joined China’s high-speed network on August 3 with the opening of the 126km Hohhot - Ulanqab section of the 287km Hohhot - Zhangjiakou high-speed line.

GERMAN Rail (DB) has begun testing a new app-based fare verification system which eliminates the need for onboard ticket checks.

INDIA’s cabinet gave the go-ahead on August 3 for three track-doubling and electrification projects in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, which have a total value of Rs 36.2bn ($US 569m).

CAF has delivered a Netherlands Railways (NS) New Generation Sprinter (SNG) EMU to the Rail Tec Arsenal facility in Vienna for testing in the company’s climatic chamber.

MAURITIUS Metro Express signed a Rs 18.8bn ($US 572m) design-and-build contract with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), India, on July 31 for the construction of a 26km light rail line linking the island’s capital Port Louis with the town of Curepipe.

NEW Zealand’s National Railway KiwiRail says it expects to re-open the Christchurch - Picton section of the South Island Main Trunk Line by September, 10 months after an earthquake caused significant damage to the route.

JACOBS Engineering Group announced on August 2 that it has entered a definitive agreement with CH2M to acquire all of the company’s outstanding shares in a cash-and-stock transaction with an enterprise value of $US 3.27bn, including CH2M’s $US 416m net debt.

RÈGIONS de France, an association representing 18 French regions, says its members are ready to work with the national government to set terms and conditions for the competitive tendering of regional passenger services.

AN agreement was signed in Bergamo on July 27 to move forward with the construction of the city’s second light rail line.

US intermodal freight company RailRunner launched its first services in Europe on July 31 with the start of a daily flow between Bratislava and Braunschweig.