NEW figures released by Trenitalia show ridership on the operator's Freccia high-speed services increased 6.5% last year to reach a record 38.9 million passengers, despite the launch of NTV's competing Italo services.

TENDERS for the construction of a 680km high-speed line between Bangkok and Chiang Mai could be launched as soon as September with the aim of completing the first section of the line by the end of the decade.

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) will today carry its 2 billionth TGV passenger since the first high-speed line opened in 1981, which it describes as a "real popular success and a European record."

FYRA high-speed services linking Amsterdam and Belgium, which were withdrawn on January 17, remain suspended following a ban by the Belgian National Safety Authority (DVIS) on the operation of the V250 emus in Belgium except for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

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.

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.

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.

AUSTRIAN Federal Railways (ÖBB) has published plans for a 250km/h line to link Salzburg and Köstendorf to relieve congestion on the parallel Salzburg – Vienna main line and provide an alternative to the tortuous Salzburg – Steindorf section.

CALIFORNIA's high-speed project has taken an important step forward after the state Public Works Board gave California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) approval to begin negotiations for land acquisition for the 209km Initial Operating Section (IOS) Stage 1.

ITALIAN open-access high-speed operator NTV is to launch a new service between Milan and the Adriatic Coast this summer in the first expansion outside its orignal network.