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March 07, 2013

International & UK Railway News Thursday 7th March 2013

DC Summit Wrap-Up Video- USHSR


International Railway Journal

A DISPUTE between Italy's open-access high-speed operator NTV and infrastructure manager Italian Rail Network (RFI) over NTV's plan to launch a new service between Milan, Rimini and Ancona on the Adriatic coast came to a head this week.

BMZ Bryansk, a subsidiary of Transmashholding (TMH), Russia, has awarded a contract to Wärtsilä TMH Diesel Engine Company (WTEC) for 12 Wärtsilä 20L generating sets for installation in series TEM 18B diesel shunters..





www.progressiverailroading.com US News



  • Rep. Sires introduces MOVE Freight Act to strengthen national freight policy
  • BNSF to test liquefied natural gas on long-haul locomotives
  • Gov. Cuomo reveals federal funding details for MTA's Hurricane Sandy cleanup costs
  • CHS, Mid-Kansas Cooperative to build UP-served grain loading facility
  • Sound Transit to hold meetings on future transit expansion
  • Progressive Railroading seeks rail industry's 'Rising Stars'
  • RTA: Crosstie production surged, purchases crept up in January
  • CTA to expand apprenticeship program for ex-offenders


  • www.railway-technology.com Updates


    Škoda Transportation wins low-floor tram order in TurkeyŠkoda Transportation has secured a €104.7m contract to deliver 60 low-floor trams to the Turkish city of Konya. 
          
    Deutsche Bahn backs Stuttgart 21 project despite cost increase
    German rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) will proceed with the controversial Stuttgart 21 station project after approving an additional €2bn. 
          
    Baltimore Red Line plan in US gets environmental approval
    The US Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has given environmental approval to the Maryland Transit Administration's (MTA) proposed $2.5bn Baltimore Red Line project in Baltimore, Maryland, US. 
          
    Stadler to deliver 21 four-car FLIRT EMUs to Serbian Railways
    Swiss train manufacturer Stadler has won a €100m contract from Serbian Railways (&#381S) to deliver 21 four-car fast light innovative regional train (FLIRT) EMUs for suburban services in the Belgrade area.


    Transport for London (TfL)


    New figures from the end of 2012 show that London Underground (LU) customers continue to enjoy strong and steady reliability performance on the Tube.

    The figures, covering periods 9 and 10 of 2012/13 (11 November to 5 January), show that reliability was maintained despite passenger demand continuing to exceed expectations.

    In total there were three million more passenger journeys than forecast during the two four-week periods, with LU operating more than 97 per cent of scheduled train services.
    Customer satisfaction, measured quarterly through independent surveys of LU customers, rose to a new record high of 84 for Quarter 3 of 2012/13.

    The continuing trend of long-term improvement follows the success of the London Underground Reliability Programme.
    London Underground continues to implement this Programme to meet the Mayor's commitment of reducing delays by a further 30 per cent by 2015.

    Mike Brown, Managing Director of London Underground and Rail, said: 'We continue to focus on reducing delays. Journeys are already more reliable across the Tube network, which is vital if London is to continue to drive the UK economy.
    'These improvements are coming at the same time as we're carrying record numbers of passengers while modernising large parts of the network. Every journey matters for our passengers and we've got to see continued investment alongside our performance so we can continue to improve further.'



    Crossrail
     
  • All parts of the UK benefitting from Crossrail contract awards
  • Crossrail generating enough work to support the equivalent of 55,000 full time jobs throughout the project and its supply chain
  • 43 per cent of businesses winning Crossrail work currently based outside London and the southeast
  • 58 per cent of businesses in Crossrail’s supply chain are SMEs
  • The impact of Crossrail on the UK economy and employment is revealed today as new statistics show that businesses from right around the UK are benefitting from work connected to Europe’s largest construction project.

    To date, Crossrail has awarded direct, tier 1 contracts with a value of more than £5.5bn, which in turn are contributing to the creation of at least 75,000 business opportunities covering the project’s direct contractors and their supply chains.
    New figures published today by Crossrail show that:
    Throughout the project and its supply chain it is estimated that enough work will be generated to support the equivalent of 55,000 full time jobs.
    Companies right across the UK are benefitting. Of the contracts monitored by Crossrail, 43 per cent of businesses winning work are based outside of London and the southeast and 62 per cent are based outside the capital. Click below to download a map of businesses that have benefitted from contracts related to Crossrail.
    Download Crossrail supply chain map, March 2013
    It’s not just large companies that are benefitting. To date, 58 per cent of businesses in the project’s supply chain that have been monitored by Crossrail are small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).
    Crossrail is also urging businesses around the UK to seize the opportunities that the project has to offer. The majority of contracts throughout the supply chain are yet to be awarded as the project’s main contractors still need to buy a wide range of goods, works and services from companies of all sizes.

    Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail Chief Executive said: “Crossrail is proving to be a much needed boost for a range of industries, creating and safeguarding jobs and providing tens of thousands of opportunities for UK businesses.
    “Crossrail will not just benefit London and the southeast - the project’s economic benefits are being felt well beyond the confines of the M25. Firms right across the UK are winning business on the back of Europe’s largest construction project. Work is set to peak over the next two years, so it’s vital that businesses continue to seize the opportunities that Crossrail has to offer.”

    The Rt Hon Dr Vincent Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business said: “Crossrail is the type of project that will help the UK build a stronger economy by improving our infrastructure and creating jobs across the country. With over £5.5bn of contracts awarded and 75,000 business opportunities throughout the supply chain, this is now the time for the UK’s small and medium-companies to capitalise."

    Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport said: “These new figures show just how much major transport projects like Crossrail boost the economy. Crossrail is not only transforming London’s travel system, it is delivering benefits for the entire country and the wider business opportunities are enormous.”

    The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “I have long championed the fact that investment in infrastructure in the capital means investment, growth and jobs for the entire United Kingdom. Crossrail is the perfect example, with this innovative and game changing London transport project delivering thousands of jobs across the length and breadth of the UK.”

    John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Crossrail is the perfect example of the benefits that come from investment in the UK’s transport infrastructure, and we hope its success is replicated in future infrastructure developments across the country. Although based in London and the south-east, Crossrail has created business confidence, jobs across the country in the medium term, and will improve the UK’s competitiveness in the long term. A project of this magnitude should benefit the whole country and we are delighted that the economic benefits are being felt across the UK.”
    Businesses that have benefitted from work related to Crossrail include:

    Express Reinforcements: Based in Neath, south Wales, this firm manufactures steel cages to reinforce concrete which have been used at ten Crossrail sites. The work has resulted in the creation of 80 temporary jobs and many more have been preserved.
    Street Crane Co Ltd: Based in High Peak, Derbyshire, has manufactured and installed ten cranes on the Crossrail project, weighing in at 180 tonnes with an equivalent overall length of 19 double decker buses end-to-end. Up to 60 employees were involved in the Crossrail contracts.
    Cleveland Bridge, based in Darlington, County Durham, has supplied Crossrail with 2,500 tonnes of steel, which has gone to Bond Street and Canary Wharf stations.
    Crossrail has today issued a three point plan for businesses looking for Crossrail work:
    • Sign up to the CompeteFor website. A bit like an online dating service for businesses, the website automatically matches suppliers to opportunities that suit them and allows them to apply for contracts quickly and easily.
    • Go to the suppliers section of the Crossrail website where they can see the latest summary of all the direct contracts awarded and download a supplier guide, which is designed to help businesses find out more about Crossrail and how to become a Crossrail supplier.
    • Get in touch with their recognised trade association, many of which are in contact with Crossrail about the opportunities available for the sectors that they represent.

    Ends

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