BOMBARDIER Traxx four-system electric locomotives equipped with ETCS Level 2 onboard signaling equipment have been banned from operating between Germany and the Netherlands because the German Federal Railway Authority (EBA) and the railway department of the Dutch Environmental and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) have failed to synchronise their authorisation procedures.

THE Dutch minister of infrastructure Mrs Melanie Schulz van Haegen-Maas Geesteranus, has decided to impose fines on both Netherlands Railways (NS) and infrastructure manager Prorail for failing to reach the level of performance stipulated in their concession agreements.

After many months of uncertainty, the Dutch government has revealed how it intends to rescue the High Speed Alliance from bankruptcy. Quintus Vosman explains how high-speed services will be merged into the conventional network, and examines the structure of the new 10-year core network concession, which starts in 2015.

OFFICIALS from the city of Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Municipal Transport Company (GVB) attended the unveiling of Amsterdam Metro's new train at Alstom's plant in Valenciennes, France, on November 24.

SIEMENS today confirmed it has received its first firm order for the Avenio LRV with the signing of a Euros 100m contract for 40 vehicles by The Hague Tramways (HTM). The contract includes driver training, documentation, and spare parts, as well as options for up to 40 additional LRVs.