Europe Archives

Europe

March 30, 2012 | Financial

SBB profits leap 13.5% in 2011

SWISS Federal Railways (SBB) recorded a net profit of SFr 338.7m ($US 378.3m) last year, a 13.5% increase on 2010. Revenues were up by 3.4% to SFr 8bn, while Ebit was up 24.2% to SFr 529.7m. These positive results were recorded despite a 26.9% drop in passenger traffic revenues to SFr 213.9m, although passenger numbers increased by 2.7% to 356.6 million.

March 29, 2012 | High-speed

Portugal abandons high-speed rail project

PORTUGAL'S Ministry of Economy has announced the construction of a high-speed line between Lisbon and the Spanish border will be "definitively abandoned" following a report by the country's audit commission, which claims contracts awarded for the Poceirão - Caia section were illegal.

March 29, 2012 | Financial

Three British franchises attract 13 prospective bidders

THE British government has shortlisted 13 prequalified bidders for three rail franchises which will be awarded in 2013 in what it describes as the biggest programme of refranchising since the network was privatised in the 1990s.

March 29, 2012 | Financial

DB's new 2020 strategy aims to double turnover

THE CEO of German Rail (DB) Dr Rüdiger Grube announced DB's strategy for 2020 in Berlin today.

March 27, 2012 | Europe

SNCF to launch six-point travel guarantee

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) is to introduce on March 31 a six-point guarantee for passengers using its TGV and Intercity services. The travel guarantee is designed to meet SNCF's ambition to be "the reference" for customer relations and the first European transport operator to guarantee its services. The six commitments are based on recommendations by France's National Consumers Association.

March 27, 2012 | Signalling

Network Rail selects four ETCS development partners

BRITAIN's infrastructure manager, Network Rail (NR), has agreed framework deals with Ansaldo STS, Infrasig, Invensys Rail, and Signalling Solutions to develop and design ETCS Level 2 signalling and train control for use in Britain.

March 26, 2012 | Europe

Network Rail awards Great Western electrification contract

BRITISH infrastructure manager Network Rail has awarded Amey a five-year contract for electrification work on the Great Western Main Line (GWML).

March 23, 2012 | High-speed

Frankfurt - Marseille high-speed service launched

THE first daily high-speed rail service, operated jointly by German Rail (DB) and French National Railways (SNCF), started today between Frankfurt and Marseille. The service, which is operated by 320km/h double-deck TGVs and uses the Rhine-Rhône high-speed line, cuts the journey time by 90 minutes.

March 22, 2012 | Main line