The latest projects, trends, and data from the rail industry
The latest project, trends and data from Rail Industry
In Numbers
$4bn
Cambodia has unveiled plans to invest around $4bn to modernise its existing northern Phnom Penh-Poipet railway, to aid the launch of the first high-speed rail in the country.
$3.96bn
US-based freight transportation provider BNSF Railway Company has revealed its plan to invest $3.96bn this year to improve its operations.
$3.6bn
French firm Alstom and India-based Medha Servo Drives, in alliance with Swiss firm Stadler, have submitted bids for a $3.6bn (Rs300bn) contract related to 100 new aluminium Vande Bharat trains.
€3bn
Siemens Mobility has obtained its single largest-ever locomotive contract with a €3bn order from Indian Railways to deliver 1,200 electric freight locomotives.
$1.2bn
Indonesia and China have agreed on spending an additional $1.2bn for the high-speed railway project in Indonesia.
€1bn
National Express Rail, the German rail arm of British transport company National Express Group, has received a rail contract valued at €1bn in Germany.
£800m
Transport for Wales has launched a new fleet of 77 Class 197 trains to improve services across the Wales and Borders network. Spanish firm CAF manufactured the new £800m fleet at its facility in Wales.
$414m
Logistics software company WiseTech Global has struck a $414m deal to buy rail solutions provider Blume Global from investment funds managed by Apollo, EQT and other minority shareholders.
Projects
China to begin new rail line construction to connect Xinjiang and Tibet
China is reportedly set to start construction on a new railway line, linking Xinjiang and Tibet. The line will operate near the line of actual control and through the disputed Aksai Chin region.
The project will cover new routes that will continue up to China’s borders with India and Nepal. Planned to start in Shigatse, Tibet, the proposed rail line will run north-west along the Nepal border before piercing north via Aksai Chin and ending at Hotan, Xinjiang.
Source: Railway Technology
Kenya Railways begins construction of Nairobi Railway City project
Kenya Railways has started construction works on Phase 1 of The Nairobi Railway City project, which is expected to cost KES12bn ($95m).
The Kenyan Government is focused on the redevelopment of the Nairobi Central Railway station and its surrounding areas into a multimodal, transit-oriented and urban development project under the name ‘The Nairobi Railway City’.
Source: Railway Technology
Victoria Government announces construction of two new stations
The Australian State Government of Victoria has announced the construction of two railway stations at Greensborough and Montmorency, as well as the delivery of more train services on the Hurstbridge line from the middle of 2023.
Work on the construction of the new stations is expected to commence in mid-March. Under the government’s Hurstbridge Line Duplication project, work on the 3.5km track duplication will be carried out.
Source: Railway Technology
Construction work begins on Jurong Region Line in Singapore
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority has commenced construction on the country’s seventh Mass Rapid Transit line, the Jurong Region Line.
The 24km-long elevated line will comprise 24 stations including three interchange stations at Boon Lay, Choa Chu Kang and Jurong East.
Planned to be opened in three stages from 2027 to 2029, the JRL is anticipated to improve connectivity in the Singapore’s western part and support the Jurong area developments.
Source: Railway Technology
In Quotes
David Clarke, The Railway Industry Association technical director, comments on two new reports calling on the Government to speed up the electrification of the UK’s railways:
“The reports by both the Transport Select Committee (TSC) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) clearly show that rail is not on track to help the UK Government achieve net zero by 2050.
"Both the TSC’s report, which urges ministers to go faster when it comes to electrification, and the CILT’s roadmap, which sets out a plan to decarbonise 95% of rail freight by the mid-2040s, are helpful and timely.
“The TSC report is very clear that with just 38% of the rail network electrified and the Government committed to removing all diesel-only trains by 2040, there needs to be a major acceleration of electrification on intensively-used lines and the ramping up of hydrogen and battery trains on other parts of the network.
“The CILT roadmap shows how 80 million diesel HGV miles can be taken off the UK’s roads each year, as well as giving credible evidence that a rolling programme of freight electrification can be delivered at a lower cost than recent schemes, building on RIA’s Electrification Cost Challenge report."
in a statement to Scottish Parliament, Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth announces that Caledonian Sleeper services will be owned and controlled by the Scottish Government:
“With the Caledonian Sleeper franchise ending on 25 June 2023, we have carefully assessed the options for successor arrangements in accordance with the current legislative framework and our Franchising Policy Statement.
“Having regard to continuing uncertainty regarding market conditions, travel behaviours and ongoing UK rail reform, it was decided that a Direct Award was not viable and that Caledonian Sleeper services should be provided by the Scottish Government in line with their Operator of Last Resort duty.
“That is why I have confirmed that, from the expiry of the current franchise, Caledonian Sleeper services will be provided through Scottish Rail Holdings, a company wholly-owned and controlled by the Scottish Government. This is in line with our Operator of Last Resort duty.
“Caledonian Sleeper staff will transfer to the new Scottish Government owned entity, with their terms and conditions protected. This approach will provide a stable platform for Sleeper services and certainty for passengers and staff.”
