ALSTOM and its Chinese joint venture Casco have been awarded two contracts worth a total of Euros 85m to supply its Urbalis Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) technology for metro lines in Shanghai and Kunming.

IRJ at the WCRR: The European Commission's (EC) White Paper on the future of transport over the next 40 years focuses on increasing the modal share of rail, with big plans for high-speed and railfreight.

MTR has signed agreements today with the Hong Kong government for the design, construction, operation and financing of two metro extensions. "Construction works will commence immediately with a view to extending our railway service to the southern part of Hong Kong Island as well as to Whampoa in Kowloon in 2015," says MTR CEO Mr C K Chow.

PHILIPPE Mellier has stepped down from his role as president of Alstom Transport after eight years. Mellier, 55, will join diamond company De Beers as CEO, and will begin his new role on July 1.

EDINBURGH'S troubled light rail project could become a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) under a last-ditch attempt to rescue the scheme from cancellation. The Scottish government has already said it will commit no further funds to the project, but it is reportedly considering proposals to extend the city council's borrowing powers and allow the adoption of a PFI structure.

FINAL testing has begun on the new high-speed line between Beijing and Shanghai. For the first time CR380A trains are operating on the entire 1318km route with testing set to continue for a month before the line opens for commercial services at the end of June.

HARSCO, United States, has secured a $US 50m, four-year contract extension with British track authority, Network Rail (NR), to continue to provide point grinding services across Britain's railway network.

PROPOSED rail infrastructure projects in Australia received mixed outcomes in the 2011-12 government budget which was announced by treasurer Mr Wayne Swan on May 10.

FIRST Group has announced that it will not take up the option to extend its Great Western franchise for a further three years beyond the initial term which is due to expire in 2013. A new tender for the franchise, which includes services from London to Bristol, South Wales and the South West of England, as well as regional and suburban services, is likely to be announced next year.

UNITED States transportation secretary, Mr Ray LaHood, has announced the redistribution of $US 2.02bn in funds for high-speed rail projects from the aborted Florida high-speed scheme.