All the important rail news of the past week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider Week 42 for 14–18 October 2019:
Corinna Salander has been appointed the head of the German Centre for Rail Transport Research – DZSF. She will start on 1 January 2020. She has previous experience at Deutsche Bahn, Bombardier Transportation and the ERA. She has also written a book on the European railway system.
Read more | Corinna Salander Becomes Head of the DZSF
Skoda Transportation has won a contract to supply trains for the Warsaw metro. The Czech company will deliver the first unit within 2 years. The deal is worth nearly 310 million euros.
Read more | Skoda Wins Subway Train Contract in Warsaw
Germany will cut VAT on long-distance rail journeys to 7%, down from the current 19%. It will also increase taxes on air passengers. This is part of the government’s climate change commitments. Proponents argue that it is not fair for rail to be penalised in a way that aviation is not, following the ‘polluter pays’ principle.
Read more | Germany to Cut VAT on Long-Distance Rail Journeys
Stadler has won its first major rolling stock contract in the Pacific region, with the Taiwan Railways Authority ordering 34 locomotives. The contract for the diesel-electric locomotives is worth approximately 165 million euros.
Read more | Stadler to Supply 34 Locomotives to Taiwan
Stadler and NAH.SH have signed the contract for 55 FLIRT Akku trains that will enter service in Schleswig-Holstein in 2022 and beyond. This formalises the agreement from June 2019. This contract is worth in the region of 600 million euros.
Read more | NAH.SH Signs Contract with Stadler for FLIRT Akku Trains
The EU says that it is seeking applications for funding for transport projects worth up to 1.4 billion euros. 50 million are set aside for the deployment of ERTMS.
Read more | EU: 1.4 Billion Euros for Sustainable Transport Projects
The Vienna-Bratislava line is seeing upgrade works to make it a faster, electrified railway. 1 of 14 level crossings has now been eliminated.
Read more | Vienna-Bratislava Upgrade Works: 1st Overpass Complete
Alstom Ubunye has opened its rail factory in Ekurhuleni, South Africa. It will supply components to Gibela Rail where the 150 new PRASA trains are being built.
Read more | Alstom Ubunye Inaugurates Rail Factory in South Africa
Stadler has signed the contract with ADIF for 22 rescue locomotives following the company’s announcement on 31 July that it won the tender. The contract is worth 115 million euros. Stadler, in a consortium with Erion, will also maintain the locomotives for eight years.
Read more | Stadler Signs Contract for 22 Locomotives for ADIF
Industry Insider Week 41 – 11 Must-Read Rail News Stories
Industry Insider Week 39 – 18 Must-Read Rail News Stories
Industry Insider Week 37 / 38 – 20 Must-Read Rail News Stories
Industry Insider Week 36 – 7 Must-Read Rail News Stories
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