Spanish manufacturer CAF is planning to take over Polish manufacturer Modertrans. According to Poznan\'s mayor Jacek Jaskowiak, CAF intends to submit a bid as soon as the construction of a paint shop has been approved. The city of Poznan currently holds 15% of the shares, while the municipal public transport operator MPK Poznan holds the remaining 85%, which are now to be sold. The aim is to expand production capacities and improve access to international orders. Stadler and Hyundai Rotem had also previously shown interest.
Source: Rolling Stock World 27.03.2025

The transport working group of the coalition negotiations between the CDU, CSU and SPD is planning to introduce a railway infrastructure fund as a binding funding commitment for an infrastructure plan. This is to be established as a statutory control instrument. Investment in the German railway network is to be increased, with general refurbishments being financed from the special infrastructure fund. The digitalisation of the lines, including digital interlocking systems and comprehensive equipment with the European Train Control System (ETCS), is to be financed from the Climate and Transformation Fund. A reform of the track-access charge system is also planned. In addition, a fundamental railway reform is being sought in which infrastructure operator DB InfraGO is to be further unbundled from the DB Group. A reorganisation of the Supervisory Board and Management Board of DB is being sought in order to achieve greater expertise. Funding for local public transport is to be placed on a new legal basis and the Deutschlandticket (D-Ticket) is to be retained. The negotiators are planning to increase funding for the Municipal Transport Financing Act GVFG and introduce closed financing cycles for modes of transport.
Source: Rail Business 26.03.2025

India\'s Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Madras to develop a centre for Hyperloop technology. This project is funded with EUR 2.3 million (INR 208.9 million) and aims to advance India in the field of next generation transport. The focus is on the development of a sub-scale model, a test track and a vacuum tube. IIT Madras, which has been researching Hyperloop technology for over seven years, is home to India\'s longest Hyperloop test track. A notable outcome of this collaboration is the involvement of TuTr Hyperloop, a start-up that will launch the world\'s first commercial Hyperloop project in India (SCI RAILDATA Issue 09/2025).
Source: Metro Rail Today 21.03.2025

Transport company Flix is about to award a contract for the purchase of 63 push-pull trains of the Talgo 230 intercity platform from Spanish manufacturer Talgo for EUR 1 billion. These trains are to be used for rail transport services in Germany. The contract includes an initial direct order as well as purchase options for further trains. Flix and Talgo have not yet commented publicly on the negotiations. Talgo is currently producing trains of the same model for German state railway DB (SCI RAILDATA Issue 21/2024) and Danish state railway DSB (SCI RAILDATA Issue 40/2024), although there have been delays in the supply chain. Flix is considering operating the passenger coaches supplied by Talgo with electric locomotives of the Vectron type from Siemens Mobility. Flix is also planning to purchase up to 100 used intercity passenger coaches from DB in order to expand its long-distance passenger rail transport network.
Source: El Economista 26.03.2025

Bus manufacturers Ikarus and Yutong have submitted the most competitive bid for Budapest\'s trolleybus tender, which was launched by BKK at the beginning of 2024. The tender includes up to 160 battery-powered solo and articulated trolleybuses and is to be financed by EU funds, although financing is still uncertain. The official results are expected in the next few months. BKK is planning to double the trolleybus network by 2030. Ikarus-Yutong, represented by Electrobus Europe Zrt., offered the lowest prices. Solo buses for EUR 451,500 and articulated buses for EUR 649,500. The vehicles are based on Yutong\'s U12 and U18 platforms.
Source: Sustainable Bus 21.03.2025