A joint initiative between rolling stock suppliers and major train operators was launched in Zürich on August 28 with the aim of simplifying rail vehicle development and procurement.

IRJ at Fourth Railway Forum, Berlin: German Rail's (DB) chief procurement officer Mr Uwe Günther has urged railway suppliers to ditch their 'conservative approach' to bidding and offer "real technological innovation" in future DB tenders.

DESPITE the expansion of the number of private rail operators in Europe, state funding still makes up 88% of rolling stock procurement.