Skoda has reaffirmed its interest in modernising the Uzbek transport sector. At a meeting in Brussels chaired by Uzbek President Mirziyoyev, Skoda CEO Petr Novotný presented plans for a joint venture (JV). The Czech manufacturer is planning to use the JV to assemble rolling stock locally, maintain the vehicles throughout their entire service life and establish the Skoda Academy for training and further education. Uzbekistan is aiming for a long-term market presence and the transfer of know-how from Europe. The cooperation with the Uzbek Ministry of Transport covers rail and urban transport. The projects will be implemented under the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) and the EU\'s Global Gateway initiative and financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) with the support of the European Commission\'s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG-INTPA).
Source: Railway Pro 30.10.2025

The infrastructure operator of German state railway DB, DB InfraGO, has signed a supply contract with Saarstahl Rail for around 1,000 t of low-emission steel for rails. The steel is produced at the Saarstahl Ascoval plant in France using an electric arc furnace from scrap and old rails. This reduces CO2 emissions by up to 70% compared to production using traditional blast furnaces. The rails will be installed immediately in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland and will cover a length of around 22 km.
Source: DB press release 05.11.2025

South Western Railway (SWR) has awarded Alstom a contract worth EUR 75.6 million (GBP 66 million) for 4.5 years of technical support and spare parts supply for its Aventra and Class 701 electric multiple units (EMU). Services to be provided under the Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA) include 24/7 support and spare parts delivery for heavy and light maintenance of 60 ten-car and 30 five-car units operating on suburban rail lines from London Waterloo. The work will be carried out by 40 Alstom employees at the Wimbledon depot of the UK passenger rail transport operator and at Network Rail\'s Rail Operations Centre in Basingstoke. The EMUs, known as Arterio by SWR, were manufactured by Alstom and put into operation in early 2024 (SCI RAILDATA Issue 03/2024).
Source: Alstom press release 05.11.2025

European Sleeper has acquired the GreenCityTrip brand from Flywise Travel in order to expand its range of package tours by overnight train and offer transport and accommodation from a single source. GreenCityTrip will remain independent, with its own image and portfolio, which will be gradually expanded geographically and into new segments. Pascal van de Sande has been appointed Managing Director. European Sleeper operates the overnight train service Bruges - Amsterdam - Berlin - Prague and is planning to expand to Milan and Barcelona. GreenCityTrip has been offering sustainable city trips on night trains since 2021 and works with major retailers in the Netherlands. The companies have been cooperating since the beginning of 2024.
Source: Railway Pro 31.10.2025

Polish bus manufacturer Solaris has signed a contract with Danish transport company AarBus from Aarhus for the delivery of 50 Urbino 18 electric articulated buses. The electric buses have batteries with a capacity of 700 kWh and can operate all day without recharging. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2027. The contract also includes an option for 36 additional Urbino 18 units to be delivered in 2028.
Source: Solaris press release 30.10.2025