SUMITOMO Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has agreed to purchase Flagship Rail Services, United States, from Perella Weinberg Partners for $US 1.1bn subject to regulatory approval.
THE Metropolitan Transportation Authority of Harris County, Texas, is concluding final test runs on the Houston MetroRail Red Line northern extension, which is due to open early next year.
UTAH Transit Authority welcomed the first passengers to its S-Line tram line on December 7, when residents were offered free rides on the line in return for a donation to the city's food bank.
THE mayor of Chicago Mr Rahm Emanuel and Illinois governor Mr Pat Quinn announced on December 5 that Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will invest $US 492 in the modernisation of the Blue Line O'Hare Branch, which links the city's main international airport with the city centre.
SIEMENS Rail Systems and Cummins jointly announced on December 3 that they are launching a passenger locomotive partnership with the aim of bringing "one of the most modern and efficient diesel-electric passenger locomotives in the world to the US marketplace."
CANADIAN National (CN) announced on November 28 it is launching a $C 10m ($US 9.4m) programme to enhance the early detection of defects in rails and wheelsets.
THE United States Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved plans for the 3km extension of the Phoenix Valley Metro light rail network to Gilbert Road in Mesa, Arizona.
THE board of Bay Area Rapid Transit (Bart) announced on November 21 it has exercised an option worth $US 638.9m for an additional 365 metro cars from Bombardier as part of its "fleet of the future" programme, taking the total number of vehicles on order to 775.
MINNEAPOLIS City Council's Transportation and Public Works Committee approved the further development of two tram projects at a meeting on November 19, 2013.
THE governor of Maryland Mr Martin O'Malley and members of the state's Board of Public Works (BPW) have approved the Maryland Transit Administration's (MTA) plan to implement the construction of the Washington Purple Line as a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
