IRJ at the 60th UITP World Congress Geneva: Vinci, France, together with CAF, Spain, have launched Nextram, a light rail package which could be 30-40% cheaper than conventional systems for cities with a population of between 150,000 and 200,000 which up to now could only afford a bus solution.

DESPITE speculation that Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) might not proceed with its implementation of an Advanced Train Management System (ATMS) on the interstate network, a further $A 50m ($US 49m) was allocated in last week's Federal Budget to allow the technology to be rolled out on the Port Augusta - Tarcoola line.

PILBARA region junior miner Brockman Iron is seeking track access rights to Fortescue Metals Group's (FMG) existing rail infrastructure under the provisions of the Western Australia Railways Access Code.

KIWIRAIL has been allocated an extra $NZ 94m ($US 76m) as part of the New Zealand government's 2013-14 budget, which was announced on May 16.

FOLLOWING a review of its capital structure, Australia's largest railfreight operator Aurizon Holdings is to implement stand-alone debt facilities for both Aurizon and its subsidiary, Aurizon Network, and has also indicated that it would consider a partial sale of its infrastructure assets.

THE council of Velez-Malaga has approved plans to lease three CAF Urbos 2 LRVs, acquired as part of the Spanish town's abandoned light rail project, to Sydney for use on the Metro Light Rail line, which is currently being extended.

THE government of the Australian state of Victoria unveiled its budget for the 2013-14 financial year on May 7, pledging investment of $A 520m ($US 532m) in public transport including a programme of improvements to the rail network.

THE New South Wales government has announced two shortlisted consortia for the operations, trains and systems (OTS) contract for the North West Rail Link (NWRL) between Rouse Hill and Chatswood in the suburbs of Sydney.

With suburban rail traffic forecast to double over the next 20 years, Melbourne is looking at radical solutions to accommodate rising passenger volumes. Keith Barrow examines a new report from Public Transport Victoria, which provides a blueprint for developing the rail network in Australia's second largest city.

RIO Tinto has awarded Wabtec, United States, a $US 15m contract to provide electronically-controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes as well as associated equipment and software for its freight cars and locomotives operated in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.