July 4, 2015

EU

EC unveils record EUR 13.1 bn investment plan in 276 transport projects

The European Commission has unveiled a record EUR 13.1 billion investment plan in 276 transport projects, selected under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). This investment will unlock additional public and private co-financing for a combined amount of €28.8 billion. More

New approval systems for rail interoperability and safety

On 30 June 2015, the Council confirmed a deal struck with the European Parliament on faster and less burdensome vehicle authorisation and safety certification procedures for European railways. The European Railway Agency (ERA) will play a key role in this. Together, the updated interoperability and safety directives and ERA regulation make up the technical pillar of the fourth railway package. More

Rail Infrastructure

MAV continues its modernisation with HUF 3 bn worth IT projects

The Hungarian Ministry of National Development and a consortium formed by MÁV Ltd and MÁV-START Ltd. have signed a HUF 1.9 billion worth subsidy contract (as part of the Transport Operational Program 2007-13 KÖZOP). The project entitled "Infrastructure and rolling stock maintenance software and IT application consolidation" (INKA) increases the efficiency of maintenance management and capacity limitation plan, contributing to the improvement of the timetable stability. More

SNCF subsidiary to redevelop Iran’s three main railway stations

SNCF's AREP subsidiary has signed an agreement to design and redevelop Iran's three main railway stations in Tehran and the cities of Mashhad and Qom. The company’s founder and head of its board of directors Etienne Tricaud said the architecture and historical identity of the stations will be preserved in his company’s plan to design and redevelop them. More

Mechel certifies rails to be supplied to Russian Railways

Mechel has obtained a certificate of compliance with the requirements of the Customs Union’s Technical Regulations for its rails of up to 100 meters in length. This certificate will enable the company to begin supplying Russian Railways OAO with Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant (CMP)’s products. More

World Bank approves USD 650 m for India’s Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor Project

The World Bank Board has approved USD 650 million towards the third loan for the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (a freight-only rail line) that will help faster and more efficient movement of raw materials and finished goods between the northern and eastern parts of India. More

Rolling stock

PKP Cargo and Greenbrier to start joint production of freight wagons

PKP Cargo and Greenbrier Europe Wagony Swidnica signed a letter of intent on the production of wagons on 1 July. PKP Cargo will invest nearly PLN 11.5 million in the start-up of the production line. The production will employ about 150 people from PKP Cargo and the labour market and will begin in the first quarter of 2016. More

Bombardier signs major rolling stock and maintenance contracts for Transport for London’s LOTRAIN Project

Bombardier Transportation has signed two contracts with Transport for London (TfL) to build and maintain 45 four-car new electric multiple units (EMUs). The first contract is a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement (MSA) covering the design, manufacture, commissioning and entry into service of 180 new vehicles, and the second is a 35-year Train Services Agreement (TSA) providing maintenance for the new vehicles. More

Alstom to supply 13 Coradia Lint regional trains to Nordjyske Jernbane

Alstom has been awarded a contract worth €45 million by Nordjyske Jernbane in Denmark to supply thirteen Coradia Lint regional trains. The trains will enter into service during the autumn 2017 in Denmark, in particular on the Nordjyllands network. More

New Vossloh LRVs for Karlsruhe approved for railway operation

The Citylink trains of the NET 2012 series from Vossloh’s subsidiaries Vossloh Kiepe and Vossloh Rail Vehicles have been approved by the Federal Railway Agency on June 19, 2015 pursuant to the German Regulations Governing the Construction and Operation of Railways (EBO). More

Rail Freight

The Rhenus Group acquires shares in LTE

The Rhenus Rail business unit is becoming more international: national companies in seven European countries will in future expand the services offered by the Rhenus Group as a result of the acquisition of 50 percent of the shares in LTE Logistik- und Transport GmbH. The agreement between Rhenus and LTE was signed on 17 June 20215, but it still needs the approval of the European anti-trust authorities.