AUSTRALIA: Following a successful four-year trial in Queensland, Transdiagnostics has launched Transend, which is designed to replace outdated wagon monitoring technologies and provide real-time data and predictive diagnostics to reduce derailment risks and optimise operations.

This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.

UK: A rail-based ‘Northern Arc’ infrastructure and development programme could help Britain ‘move on from the embarrassment of High Speed 2’ and restore the country’s reputation as a world leader in railway construction, believes Greater Manchester elected mayor Andy Burnham.

NETHERLANDS: Public transport operators have signed an agreement to help balance demand on the heavily-loaded national power grid.

BULGARIA: Plans for a major restructuring of the national railway’s freight business BDZ Tovarnni Prevosi has been announced by Minister of Transport & Communications Grozdan Karadjov.

The first of 25 two-car AGT trainsets for the Sengkang-Punggol Light Rapid Transit network have been handed over to SBS Transit.

SPAIN: Trainline has agreed to acquire Barcelona-based online train and bus ticket retailer Trenes.com.

UK: HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Mark Wild has set out his aim to reset the project over the course of the next year to ensure that a realistic cost and schedule can be maintained for the outstanding work on the high speed line.

AUSTRALIA: A stable pipeline of rail infrastructure projects is critical to Australia’s future economic growth and supporting growing cities and regions, Australasian Railway Association CEO Caroline Wilkie said after the incumbent Labor party led by Anthony Albanese won the May 3 election.

RUSSIA: Tramway operator Moskva Metro has awarded PK TS a contract to supply 100 four-axle fully low-floor single-section trams capable of 4 km of off-wire running at a speed of at least 20 km/h.

News from the world rail freight market.