The publication of a government report on the finances of TGV has ignited debate in France on the future development of the high-speed network. Keith Barrow examines the main findings of the report.

RAILROAD Development Corporation (RDC) announced on January 12 that it has acquired a 25% stake in Belgium-based railfreight operator and logistics company Eurorail.

THE president of SNCF, Mr Guillaume Pepy, and the director-general of Moroccan National Railways (ONCF), Mr Mohamed Rabie Khlie, have agreed to set up a joint company to maintain the fleet of TGV Duplex trains being supplied by Alstom for Morocco's first high-speed line.

ILE-de-France Transport Authority (Stif) and SNCF Mobility have placed a €397m order with Bombardier for 42 Regio 2N double-deck EMUs for delivery starting in September 2017.

PARIS celebrated the completion of the latest addition to its rapidly-expanding light rail network on December 16, when Line T8 was officially inaugurated the presence of Mr Jean-Paul Huchon, president of Ile-de-France regional council, Mr Mathieu Hanotin, member of parliament for Seine-Saint-Denis, and Paris Transport Authority (RATP) president Mr Pierre Mongin.

NEW train schedules were launched across Europe on December 14, and according to the December issue of the European Rail Timetable, the improvements outnumber the number of services being withdrawn.

NICE Côte dAzur Metropolitan Council has signed a €250m loan agreement with the European Investment Bank to finance construction of a light rail line linking Nice's harbour area and city centre with the city's airport.

THALYS is now authorised to operate passenger services on high-speed and conventional lines in France under its own safety certification after the French Railway Safety Board (EPSF) granted the operator a certificate Part B, which demonstrates the operator complies with national safety provisions.

SIEMENS and Tisséo, the operator of the VAL light metro in Toulouse, are to conduct a three-year study of the adhesion of rubber-tyred metro trains with a view to improving their safety.

FRENCH transport minister Mr Alain Vidalies announced on November 20 that the government will form a commission of politicians and industry experts to develop proposals for the future development of the country's loss-making network of conventional Intercity services.