THE FRENCH city of Besançon celebrated a milestone in the construction of its low-cost light rail network on January 15, when test operation began on the city centre section between Planoise and Viotte stations.

THE official opening date for the second tram line in Hungary's second-largest city Debrecen has been set for March 1 following the start of test operation last month.

THE European Commission (EC) has adopted the seven-year €1bn Shift2Rail public-private partnership (PPP) research project designed to increase passenger and freight traffic within the European Union.

THE first of 26 trains being supplied by CAF, Spain, for Line 5 of the São Paulo metro has been delivered.

SAUDI Railways Organisation (SRO) has invited bids from consultants to study options for a high-speed line between the capital Riyadh and the Gulf port of Dammam.

An electrified commuter rail network is set to begin operating in Auckland in May 2014. Richard Worrall profiles the project's three main elements and considers the impact on the area's public transport.

THE FIRST of 20 Urbos LRVs being supplied by CAF to West Midlands transport authority Centro for the Midland Metro was formally unveiled by the leader of Birmingham City Council Sir Albert Bore at Wednesbury depot on October 16.

KANSAS City has awarded a $US 22m contract to the US subsidiary of CAF, Spain, for four LRVs for operation on its initial 3.5km downtown streetcar line linking North Market with Union Station.

LINE testing of Edinburgh's long-delayed and over budget light rail line will be extended to the 2.1km section from Gogarburn station to Edinburgh Park on October 8, Edinburgh City Council has confirmed, adding that passenger services on the 13.5km line are due to begin in May 2014.