FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) in cooperation with French Rail Network (RFF) and intermodal operator Kombiverkehr operated a 1500m-long freight train on January 18 between Sibelin yard near Lyon and Nîmes as part of Europe's Marathon project to operate longer freight trains.

THE Urban Community of Marseille Provence Métropole has issued a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union for a contract to carry out feasibility studies for a 4.1km eastern extension of metro Line M2 from Dromel-St Marguerite to St Loup-Pagnol.

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.

FRANCE's deputy minister of transport, Mr Frédéric Cuvillier, has instructed French National Railways (SNCF) and French Rail Network (RFF) to implement three recommendations to improve track safety made by the Office of Land Transport Accident Inquiries (BEA-TT).

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) has awarded Tata Steel a contract to supply more than 200,000 tonnes of rail for use on conventional and high-speed lines across France.

FOR the first time since Eurostar services linking London, Paris and Brussels started in 1994 annual passenger traffic has reached 10 million journeys.

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) has exercised an option for an additional 30 Régio 2N double-deck emus from Bombardier in a €277m deal which is being funded by the regions of Picardie, Midi-Pyrénées and Pays-de-la-Loire.

FRENCH transport minister Mr Frédéric Cuvillier and Alstom Transport France CEO Mr Jerome Wallut were among the dignitaries attending the official inauguration of the €150m third phase of the light rail network in the northeastern city of Valenciennes on December 13.

THE BOARD of Ile-de-France transport authority Stif has voted to fund the acquisition of 91 new Bombardier trains for the Paris area Transilien suburban network as part of its €787m 2014 budget, which was announced on December 11.

LYON transport authority Sytral celebrated the completion of the second metro tunnel under the river Rhône on December 11 with the inauguration of the southern extension of Line B from Stade de Gerland to Oullins mainline station in the district of La Saulaie.