THE Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure has fined both Netherlands Railways (NS) and Prorail for failing to meet contractually-agreed performance levels.

SIEMENS confirmed on April 18 that the first SC-44 Charger diesel-electric passenger locomotives for California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will begin revenue testing on the Sacramento - Oakland - San Jose Capitol Corridor before the end of the month.

HUNGARIAN national train operator MÁV-Start confirmed on April 18 that it has selected Stadler Rail Valencia as preferred bidder for a contract to supply eight electro-diesel tram-trains for the Szeged - Hódmezővásárhely line.

THE Uzbek city of Samarkand inaugurated the initial phase of its tram network on April 15, just six months after the start of construction on the first line.

THE City of Ottawa has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a contract to design, build, finance and maintain the southern extension of the diesel-operated Trillium Line.

SOUND Transit has signed a 10-year agreement with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) which will enable Seattle’s Link light rail network to operate on 100% renewable energy from 2019.

SRI LANKA Railways (SLR) has awarded Rites, India, a Rs 680m ($US 126m) contract to supply 10 1676mm-gauge diesel locomotives and six DMUs.

NEW South Wales transport minister Mr Andrew Constance announced on April 18 that the new light rail line in the city of Newcastle will operate without catenary for much of its length to reduce the line’s visual impact.

INDIAN Railways (IR) has decided to upgrade the 245km Delhi - Chandigarh main line to increase the maximum speed for passenger trains to 200km/h.

ATTIKO Metro published an invitation to tender on April 10 for contracts to build and equip the initial phase of Athens metro Line 4.