EAST Japan Railway Company (JR East) began scheduled operations at 320km/h on the Tohoku Shinkansen with the timetable change on March 16.

FOLLOWING an extensive judicial review, the High Court in London today rejected nine of the 10 legal challenges brought against the first phase of High Speed 2 from London to Birmingham and Lichfield.

KAZAKHSTAN Railways (KTZ) has awarded a contract to Systra to oversee the design and construction of the country's first high-speed line. Systra has already conducted a feasibility study for the project.

THE Thai cabinet will consider a plan on March 19 to borrow Baht 2 trillion ($US 65bn) to fund infrastructure projects during the next seven years, of which 80% will be allocated to rail. If the cabinet approves the plan, a bill will be presented to parliament by the end of March.

CHINA is to push ahead with plans to dissolve the Ministry of Railways (MOR), following a report submitted by state councillor Mr Ma Kai to the national legislator on March 10.

THE Turkish government has presented a bill to parliament to split up Turkish State Railways (TCDD) to form a separate infrastructure manager and a train operating company, while at the same time paving the way for open-access operators.

A DISPUTE between Italy's open-access high-speed operator NTV and infrastructure manager Italian Rail Network (RFI) over NTV's plan to launch a new service between Milan, Rimini and Ancona on the Adriatic coast came to a head this week.

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) and Spanish passenger operator Renfe have reached an agreement to start direct TGV services between Paris and Barcelona next month.

THE Spanish Government has issued a decree outlining its final plans to partially open profitable passenger rail routes to competition, particularly those which operate on the extensive high-speed rail network.

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) says turnover increased by 3% last year thanks mainly to growth in passenger income and the infrastructure maintenance it carries out on behalf of French Rail Network (RFF).