FYRA high-speed services linking Amsterdam and Belgium, which were withdrawn on January 17, remain suspended following a ban by the Belgian National Safety Authority (DVIS) on the operation of the V250 emus in Belgium except for testing.

BNSF Railway, the second largest Class 1 railway in the United States, says it will increase capital investment this year by 11% to $US 4.1bn. This includes $US 2.3bn for infrastructure improvements, and $US 1bn for motive power and rolling stock.

BRAZIL's National Development Bank (BNDES) announced on January 18 that it will invest up Reais 6.6bn ($US 3.17bn) in the 511km high-speed line from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo and Campinas.

BIDS will be submitted to Hungary's National Info-communications Services Company (NISZ) this week for a contract to extend GSM-R coverage to a further 905 route-km of the country's main line network.

RUSSIA's Gorkovskay Railway announced on January 11 that it will invest an additional Roubles 1.4bn ($US 46.1m) in 2013 to complete improvements to railway infrastructure in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan ahead of the World Student Games that is being held in the region in July.

ALL Fyra V250 high-speed services between Amsterdam and Brussels were cancelled on January 17 and again on January 18 as a precaution following damage to the underside of three trains.

SINGAPORE's Land Transport Authority (LTA) has unveiled ambitious plans to double the length of the city's rail network by 2030 with the construction of two completely new lines and three additional extensions.

SPAIN's infrastructure manager Adif has outlined plans to sell 333 non-operational station buildings and more than 1500 staff houses in an effort to reduce maintenance expenses and reduce a small part of its €15bn debt, which this year will incur interest payments of €350m.

ITALY's prime minister Mr Mario Monti officially inaugurated Turin Porta Susa station on January 14 marking completion of a project to rebuild and expand the station to provide the city with a high-speed rail hub.

PERU's private investment agency Proinversión issued tender documents on January 16 for the PPP concession to finance, build, and operate the second metro line in the capital Lima.