In Numbers

$154bn

China is reportedly set to invest around $154.88bn (RMB1trn) to expand the railway network in the Yangtze River Delta region over the 14th five-year plan period (2021-25).

$27.2bn

Canadian Pacific Railway has signed a $27.2bn cash-stock deal to acquire Kansas City Southern.

$7.7bn

Serbia is set to invest around $7.7bn to modernise and rehabilitate railway infrastructure in the country.

$3.84bn

The US Department of Transportation has announced plans to provide up to $3.84bn in Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans for the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority.

$3bn

Siemens Mobility has secured a $3bn contract from Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels to supply a rail system.

40%

French asset manager Meridiam has taken a 40% stake in Setrag, operator of the Transgabonese railway, following a capital increase of $35.50m (€30m).

300

Scottish operator ScotRail has announced plans to reduce 300 rail services per day from its timetable.

Projects

Stump Spezialtiefbau completes rail tunnel extension at Munich Airport

Porr subsidiary Stump Spezialtiefbau has completed the tunnel shell for the extension of the rail tunnel at Munich Airport in Germany. The official ground-breaking ceremony for the extension took place three years ago.

This tunnel, which ends at the Terminal 2 satellite building, will offer a link for rail traffic between Freising and Erding spanning through the airport. The eastward extension of the tunnel will enable trains and S-Bahn light rail services to move through the airport.

Munich Airport invested nearly €115m on the tunnel’s construction work.

Source: Future Rail

TransLink commences new Canada Line SkyTrain Station construction

Canadian public transport operator TransLink has started construction on a new Canada Line SkyTrain station.

The new Capstan Station, which is expected to open in 2023, is expected to provide improved transit to the City of Richmond and the Capstan Village area.

The new station will feature dual escalator sets, commercial retail space, a larger concourse, as well as public art. It will also provide a waiting space, along with an increased platform length.

Source: Future Rail

Plans revealed for £2bn of investment in West Midlands transport

The West Midlands Combined Authority Board has sanctioned bids for two government funds, which, along with local funds, could fetch investment of up to £2bn over the upcoming five years for transport in the region.

The two government funds include the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and Bus Service Improvement Plan funds.

Source: Future Rail

In Quotes

Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Railway Industry Association, calls on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to deliver on his levelling-up promise and commit to the completion of HS2’s Eastern Leg in full:

“To unleash the benefits of HS2, increasing rail capacity, reducing carbon and boosting the UK’s connectivity, the scheme needs to be delivered in full, including the Eastern Leg. Only with the whole scheme can we truly unlock the jobs, investment and economic growth the new rail line will provide to cities, towns and communities across the country.
 
“UK businesses around the country are backing this scheme, and as shown by this letter, rail companies up and down the UK require clarity on the future of the project. We therefore urge the Government to publish the Integrated Rail Plan soon, commit to the full HS2 scheme, including the Eastern Leg, and to get on with delivering this crucial project, for the benefit of passengers, freight users and the UK as a whole.”

Source: PMLive

German Green MEP Terry Reintke talks to The National about the German Green Party's proposed European night train network.

"Bringing people together is one of the main aims of the European project. The next years will be crucial for investing in a European rail network.

"We want to create a climate-friendly, comfortable, affordable and accessible train network across Europe. That is why the European Commission and the member states have to step up the efforts to build a European network for night trains. The next German Government can play a crucial role in this."