Finland and Sweden will restore international passenger trains in August
From 10 August, VR will launch a twice-daily cross-border passenger service linking Oulu, Tornio and Haparanda; tickets go on sale tomorrow. Leer
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Spain makes five proximity rail services permanent
Spain’s Council of Ministers has confirmed the permanence of five pilot ‘Proximity’ rail services, following a positive performance review, with operations secured under the current Renfe public service contract. Leer
Siemens and Hitachi vie for Renfe high-speed train contract
Only two bidders remain in Renfe’s tender for up to 40 high-speed trainsets after Talgo’s late submission was rejected, setting up a Siemens-Hitachi contest under a tight delivery timetable. Leer
Action plans against noise for main railway corridors approved
Spain’s Ministry of Transport has approved Phase IV Noise Action Plans for key rail corridors, targeting reduced acoustic impact in residential and sensitive areas through enhanced assessment and mitigation strategies. Leer
Madrid-Seville high-speed line hit by three consecutive days of major disruptions
Cable thefts and a signalling failure have disrupted operations for all three operators on the Madrid–Seville high-speed corridor over the past three days. Leer
Lisbon to launch tram line 16E between Praça do Comércio and Santa Apolónia in 2029
Carris confirms Lisbon’s first modern tram line, with segregated right‑of‑way and signal priority, will open in 2029 linking Praça do Comércio and Santa Apolónia station. Leer
Teltronic deploys TETRA system on Buenavista–AIFA suburban rail link
Spanish supplier Teltronic has completed the rollout of a TETRA communications system on the 28 km suburban rail spur to Felipe Ángeles International Airport, including onboard equipment for a fleet of ten EMUs. Leer
Contract signed for feasibility study of Cercanías extension to Navalcarnero
Spain’s Transport Ministry has let a €619k contract to IDOM to assess extending Madrid’s Cercanías from Móstoles to Navalcarnero, including future network interfaces and demand. Leer
Renfe exceeds 2 million journeys made with the nationwide travel pass
Between 19 January and 22 June, more than 2 million journeys have been made on Renfe services using the nationwide pass, with the €30 youth fare accounting for 66.64% of usage. Leer
Bids close for Renfe’s new high-speed train fleet: is the ETR 1000 the frontrunner?
The tender for 30 Renfe high-speed trainsets, with an option for 10 more, has closed. Hitachi’s ETR 1000 is widely seen as the leading contender; we examine the reasons behind this perception. Leer
Alstom to upgrade strategic rail corridors in Egypt
An Alstom-led consortium has secured four ENR contracts to modernise key routes including Alexandria–6th of October and Belbes–10th of Ramadan. Leer
IP resumes Alcântara rail node tunnelling scheme
Infraestruturas de Portugal has restarted plans to place Lisbon’s Alcântara rail node underground, replacing Alcântara-Terra with a new subterranean station and progressing the scheme towards environmental approval in 2027. Leer
Le Train maintains commitment to Talgo Avril fleet
French open-access operator Le Train confirms it will proceed with the upgraded Talgo Avril, stating certification is progressing. Entry into service remains scheduled for 2030. Leer
Indra to renew Washington Metro ticket vending machines
Spanish supplier Indra has secured a WMATA contract to overhaul Washington Metro’s ticket vending machines, with a base value of $38.9m and options that could raise the total to $75m. Leer
SNCF cancels 71 Intercités services pre-emptively amid heatwave
Air-conditioning failures in Corail coaching stock under extreme heat have prompted SNCF Voyageurs to withdraw 71 Intercités services as a precaution. Leer
Trainline Partners integrates Renfe and iryo into Concur Travel
SAP Concur Travel now enables combined Renfe and iryo itineraries in a single booking, following integration by Trainline Partner Solutions, streamlining corporate rail travel in Spain. Leer
Granada metro extension to Las Gabias set for year-end opening
Final fit-out is under way on the Granada Metro southern extension, with signalling installation progressing and revenue service expected before year end. Leer
CP trials Starlink network to improve on-board Wi-Fi on the Alfa Pendular
Comboios de Portugal has launched a pilot using Starlink satellite internet to enhance Wi-Fi on board its Alfa Pendular trains. Leer