How voestalpine’s integrated system solutions can boost rail infrastructure performance
Railway networks around the world are under growing pressure to deliver higher availability, greater capacity, enhanced safety and improved sustainability. As traffic volumes rise and infrastructure ages, the future of rail transport depends on solutions that go beyond individual components. At InnoTrans 2026, voestalpine Railway Systems will show how integrated system solutions can unlock long-term […]
Alstom installs new CEO Martin Sion as Poupart-Lafarge steps down after a decade
Alstom officially has a new boss. Aerospace sector veteran Martin Sion was formally installed as the French manufacturer’s new CEO on 1 April, succeeding Henri Poupart-Lafarge after nearly a decade in charge. Now he faces the task of reshaping Alstom for a harsher competitive era, while fixing the delivery failures that have left the group […]
Belgian railways SNCB ends onboard ticket sales from July to target fraud and aggression towards staff
Belgian state railway operator NMBS/SNCB will stop selling tickets on board of its trains from 1 July 2026, as part of a broader crackdown on fare evasion and aggression towards staff. With the move, NMBS/SNCB follows the example of most other European countries, where it has long been impossible to purchase a ticket on the […]
Budapest–Belgrade passenger launch slips beyond elections, key ETCS experts resign
Passenger services on Hungary’s section of the Budapest–Belgrade railway line will not begin before the April elections and may now slip into summer. Although the government said in its latest update on the politically sensitive project that the ETCS system was “operating flawlessly”, major testing phases will remain incomplete for “several weeks”. And in another […]
Deutsche Bahn reports €2.3bn loss, long-distance punctuality drops to 60%
Deutsche Bahn (DB) reported a significant net loss of €2.3 billion for 2025, despite improved revenue and adjusted operating profit. CEO Evelyn Palla framed the company’s restructuring as an urgent reset. Punctuality in long-distance trains further decreased to 60%, with Germany’s transport minister Patrick Schnieder saying the performance is heading to a “threat to democracy”. […]
Sweden takes on more risk in re-evaluated night train tender after bids exceed budget in 2nd attempt
The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) has cancelled its ongoing procurement for night train services between Stockholm and Upper Norrland after the bids received were too high for the financial framework. Now, the administration seeks a new solution to ensure traffic continuity from December 2026, taking on more risk, including responsibility for ageing rolling stock. The […]
New Great British Railways agreements aim to give Wales and Scotland more influence |
Two agreements between the UK Government and Wales and Scotland, respectively, intend to give the devolved governments greater influence over rail services while ensuring coordination with the national network under Great British Railways (GBR). The UK Government has published a memorandum of understanding with the Welsh Government on 27 March and a separate framework with […]
Czechia’s SŽ targets foreign suppliers with procurement shake-up
Czechia’s infrastructure manager SŽ is using its first-ever “Suppliers Day” next month to set out a major shift in how it awards rail contracts, pushing ahead with procurement reforms aimed at opening its projects to a wider pool of suppliers, particularly foreign companies. That’s as it tries to rebuild its image under new leadership after […]
Ouigo, Iryo say Spain’s dual-gauge network gives Renfe unfair edge on liberalised routes
Spain’s competing high-speed operators Iryo and Ouigo have complained to the country’s competition authority over what they describe as a structural disadvantage built into the rail network, its dual track gauge system, which they say favours incumbent state-owned operator Renfe. Subscribe to gain access to all news Already have a subscription? Log in. Choose your […]
Leo Express to run Prague-Munich services from December
Private operator Leo Express will start operating a Prague–Munich international service from December after winning a five-year Czech government contract for the route, in what marks another step in the operator’s cross-border expansion under Spain’s state-backed rail company Renfe. The Czech Ministry of Transport has awarded Leo Express the EX36 contract covering the Czech section […]