Financial news
Keolis completes Syntus takeover D
UTCH regional transport company Syntus has become a 100% subsidiary of Keolis after the French company completed the acquisition of Netherlands Railways’ (NS) 50% share. Syntus was established in 1999 and operates an
integrated network of bus and train services in the
Netherlands. However earlier this year it emerged that Syntus faced insolvency, largely due to losses incurred through the Veluwe bus concession.
Until now Keolis’ only
presence in the Dutch regional rail market was the cross- border Hamm - Venlo service operated by subsidiary Eurobahn on behalf of Rhine- Ruhr Transport Association (VRR).
Algeria
NS was unwilling to inject capital into the ailing operator, and instead agreed to transfer its shares to co-owner Keolis. However, NS Financial Services will continue leasing rolling stock to Syntus, which operates a fleet of Lint 41 and DM90 dmus.
Signalling supplier Enyse has awarded Mermec, Italy, a contract to supply ETCS Level 1 wayside equipment as part of a project to upgrade and electrify the Thénia - Oued Aissi line east of Algiers. Mermec will provide its new iCAB 1 wayside system, which is based on intermittent track- to-train communications using Lineside Equipment Units.
Australia
Genesee & Wyoming Australia (GWA) has ordered five 1067mm-gauge locomotives from Downer Rail to cater for increased volumes and replace older locomotives on the network it operates for steel producer and miner Arrium in Whyalla, South Australia. The 2.26MW EMD-powered locomotives will be built at Downer’s Maryborough plant in Queensland and will be delivered in March 2013.
Brazil
DB Regio orders 32 electric locomotives: DB Regio has exercised an option worth ƒ108m for an additional 32 class 146 electric locomotives from Bombardier. The Bo-Bo locomotives will be the P160AC 15kV ac 5.67MW variant of the Traxx design, capable of operating at up to 160km/h with six double-deck coaches. The new locomotives will be introduced from 2014 and will replace older locomotives on regional services. Photo: Keith Fender
KiwiRail unable to fund turnaround plan T
HE credibility of KiwiRail’s $NZ 4.5bn ($US 3.6bn) plan to turn the state-owned railway into a profitable business has taken a major hit after the New Zealand government minister for state-owned enterprises, Mr Tony Ryall, cast doubt on KiwiRail’s ability to generate the necessary revenue. Ryall says KiwiRail will not be able to fund its $NZ 3.85bn share of the programme from future profits, as originally envisaged. KiwiRail has struggled to achieve profitability in the wake of the global economic situation and the Christchurch earthquake, which has dampened inter-
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island freight demand. The government has only committed $NZ 750m towards the total costs of the plan. Meanwhile KiwiRail has suspended the delivery of the final batch of 20 DL class diesel-electric locomotives it has ordered from CNR Corporation, China, due to problems with mechanical equipment on the locomotives already delivered. The issues range from software glitches in the control system, to faulty bearings causing traction problems as well as cracks in alternator fans and water pipes, and faults with the alternator design.
Rumo Logistics, a subsidiary of Cosan Group, has placed two orders worth a total of Reais 41m ($US 20m) for 200 sugar and ethanol wagons. The orders comprise 130 wagons from Randon and 70 from AmstedMaxion.
France
Tata Steel is to invest ƒ12m in a new heat treatment plant at its Hayange facility in Lorraine, allowing the plant to produce 108m-long heat treated rails. The new plant will be completed in autumn 2013 and will allow Hayange to increase its output of heat- treated rails to 120,000 tonnes per year.
Germany
DB Regio has issued a tender notice for up to 10 300km/h emus for regional express services on the Nuremberg - Ingolstadt - Munich high- speed line. The 165m-long trains will seat 550 passengers, all in second class, and are due to enter service in 2016.
India
Indian Railways has reported a 20.7% increase in revenues for the first quarter of the
In brief
2012-13 financial year with earnings for April-June reaching $US 6bn, compared with $US 5bn during the corresponding period last year. Total freight revenues rose 26.2% from $US 3.3bn to $US 4.1bn, while passenger turnover increased 9.2% year-on-year from $US 1.3bn to $US 1.5bn.
Italy
ABB has acquired the rail business of RGM, which supplies power electronic equipment for rolling stock. The purchase price has not been disclosed.
Korea
Korea Rail Network Authority has selected a consortium led by LSIS, Korea, and including Ansaldo STS to supply the train control system for the 182km Honam high-speed line between Osong and Gwangju Songjeong. Ansaldo STS’ share of the contract is worth ƒ40m and includes the design of the ATC and interlockings, as well as validation, testing and commissioning, training, and maintenance.
Latvia
National passenger operator Pasažireu Vilciens may have to retender a contract for 34 emus and seven dmus if it fails to conclude negotiations with CAF by October 2. The contract is being adjusted to prevent the withdrawal of ƒ143m in EU funding.
Pakistan
National Logistics Cell has signed a $US 11.1m deal with Korail, Korea, to aquire 10 diesel locomotives. The units will be refurbished and regauged before being shipped to Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia
Two subsidiaries of Italian State Railways (FS), Italferr and Italcertifer, have been awarded a contract by the Saudi-Spanish Al Shoula consortium to act as safety verification engineers for the 450km Mecca - Jeddah - Medina Haramain high-speed line. Engineers will attest all safety requirements according to European standards. IRJ
IRJ September 2012
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