THE European Commission (EC) has published a call for expressions of interest for associated members to join the Shift2Rail joint technology research initiative, a public-private partnership undertaking which will invest €920m in railway research and innovation from 2014 to 2020.
OSTRAVA Public Transport (DPO), Czech Republic, which operates a 15-route 65km standard-gauge tram network, is inviting tenders for the supply of wheelchair-accessible trams.
THE first of 10 new coaches ordered by Czech open-access operator RegioJet from Astra Vagoane Calaroti, Romania, is currently undergoing testing between Prague and Žilina, Slovakia.
INNSBRUCK Transport (IVB) has issued an international tender for 20 new 28m bi-directional LRVs for its metre-gauge network.
ROMANIA's infrastructure manager CFR SA has awarded a consortium of Alstom and Alcatel-Lucent a €140m contract to upgrade the 167km Sighişoara - Coşlariu - Simeria line, including the installation of ERTMS, new interlockings and a new operations control centre at Simeria.
THREE European railway associations are calling for European Union transport ministers to take decisive action on the Fourth Railway Package and create a level playing field when they meet in Brussels on October 8.
SPAIN's infrastructure manager Adif reopened the Figueres - Barcelona high-speed line on Saturday evening, five full days after the line was closed following severe flooding in the 7km tunnel below Girona.
ALSTOM's new Italian fleet monitoring centre at Sesto San Giovanni in Milan was officially opened on September 30 by Lombardy regional councillor for infrastructure and transport Mr Alberto Cavalli and Alstom Ferroviaria CEO Mr Louis Bertina.
INTERNATIONAL high-speed services between France and Spain have been suspended since September 29 after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in the 7km tunnel beneath Girona on the Figueres – Barcelona high-speed line.
INSOLVENCY proceedings were launched on October 2 by Vienna's Commercial Court against wagon leasing company ERR Rail Rent Vermietungs.