AUSTRIAN open-access operator Westbahn presented its new-generation double-deck EMU, the Stadler Kiss 2, to the press on May 19.

STADLER presented the first of 29 Giruno 250km/h electric trains to Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) at a ceremony in Bussnang on May 18 attended by the president of the Swiss Confederation, Ms Doris Leuthard, and the CEO of SBB Mr Andreas Meyer.

Abellio Greater Anglia is the first British franchise to embark on complete replacement of its train fleet as part of its growth strategy to fund premium payments to the British government of £3.7bn during its nine-year term. Greater Anglia’s managing director Jamie Burles tells David Briginshaw about the operator’s plans to meet these ambitious goals.

ODENSE Letbane, the public agency responsible for developing the first light rail line in Denmark’s third largest city, has selected Comsa as preferred bidder for the railway systems contract for the 14.4km line from Tarup Centre to Hjallese.

SWITZERLAND’s second-largest railway BLS announced on May 2 that it has selected Stadler Rail for a contract worth around SFr 650m ($US 653m) to supply 58 EMUs for regional and suburban services.

The replacement of life-expired trams on established light rail networks and continued investment in new lines helped to fuel a 43% increase in the sale of light rail vehicles last year, according to data from IRJ Pro. Jonny Dearden, market researcher for IRJ Pro, explores the factors driving growth and looks ahead to the prospects for 2017.

STADLER confirmed on April 24 that it has finalised a SFr 232m ($US 233m) contract with Stockholm County Council for 22 EMUs for the 891mm-gauge Roslagsbanan, which links Stockholm with districts to the north and east of the city.

STADLER, Switzerland, is considering moving the production of double-deck trains from its existing outdated factory in Altenrhein to a new facility in St Margrethen in order to reduce costs and be able to continue producing these trains in Switzerland.

HUNGARIAN national passenger operator and traction provider MÁV-Start has selected Stadler Bussnang for a contract to supply at least 10 high-capacity EMUs, each with 600 seats.

THE first two of four additional Stadler GTW DMUs for the Capital MetroRail commuter rail line in Austin, Texas, arrived at the line’s depot on March 22.