THE BOARD of Ile-de-France Transport Authority (STIF) has approved funding for the acquisition of 22 additional class Z 50000 Francilien EMUs from Bombardier for use on Paris suburban services.

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) and French Rail Network (RFF) are making considerable progress under the €410m four-year Vigirail project to improve the safety of points and modernise track maintenance according to a report presented to the SNCF board.

FRANCE's National Assembly approved late on June 18 the first reading of a bill put forward by the secretary of state for transport, Mr Frédéric Cuvillier, to restructure the national railway by bringing train operations closer to the management of the infrastructure.

AN emergency programme is underway to adapt platforms across the French railway network after it emerged clearances at many stations are insufficient to accommodate new-generation regional trains, which are due to enter service over the next few years.

CAPTRAIN, the international railfreight subsidiary of French National Railways' logistics unit SNCF-Geodis, has restructured the management of its Dutch and port services businesses, placing them under the control of Captrain Germany.

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) revenues totalled €7.9bn in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 1.7% from the same period in 2013, with all business units reporting growth apart from SNCF Voyages, which is responsible for long-distance passenger services, and recorded a 1.9% fall in revenues.

THE FRENCH Public Institution of Rail Safety (ESPF) has granted an Authorisation for Commercial Operation (AMEC) for the new-generation Alstom Régiolis multiple unit, which has been ordered by 12 French regions.

THE Association of French Regions (ARF) has called on the French government to liberalise the market for the operation of regional rail services by 2019 as tensions between its members and French National Railways (SNCF) continue to increase.

MASSACHUSETTS Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR), which has operated Boston's commuter rail network since July 2003, is seeking an injunction to prevent Keolis Commuter Services from taking over in July, alleging numerous deficiencies during the 30-month procurement process which it claims violate state bidding laws.

SERVICES are being launched today on a tram-train line in northwestern France linking Nantes with Châteaubriant. Passengers will be able to try the new service free of charge until March 2.