Romanian ministry of transport announced that 1000km of track will be closed and other 4000 will be leased to private operators, said the Minister of Transport Anca Boagiu.

The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), the European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) and the European Rail Industry (UNIFE) welcome the publication of the long anticipated Transport White Paper setting out the EU transport policy for the next ten years including perspectives up to 2050.

Last night the new strike activity was initiated. This time the strike is led by private carriers’ drivers.

Federal Antimonopoly Service head Igor Artemyev announced that the committee had approved a request from France's Alstom to acquire 25% plus one share of Transmashholding (TMH), Russia's largest supplier of rolling stock for the rail sector from Breakers Investments BV, TMH's core shareholder based in the Netherlands.

According to “E 15” newspaper, Czech state owned rail freight transport company CD Cargo in interested in majority stake in Polish state railways PKP Cargo

The EUR 80 million order is for the upgrade of the on-board and ground signalling system.

LDz Cargo invited bids for a delivery of of 100 freight cars. LDz Cargo will be accepting bids until 6 April 2011.

Data concerning ZSSK Cargo transport flows on Slovakian borders were presented during the International Freight Conference in Prague. The biggest cargo shipments in 2010 went to Czech Republic (37.8% of total goods shipped) and from Ukraine (36.2% of goods).

Czech Railways countinues to develop collaboration with regions. The company in collaboration with Karlovy Vary region decided to start a bicycle rental point on the some of rail stations.

During the extending meeting concerning security measurements, head of Russian Railways, Vladimir Yakunin said that ensuring transport security is a complex task that must be solved by complex means. The meeting was attended, among others, by senior managers of RZD, representatives of ministry of internal affairs and Federal Security Service.

During the International Freight Rail Conference in Prague representatives of ZSSK Cargo announced main statistical data concerning company in the last year, including financial results and traffic details.

German minister of transport Peter Ramsauer informed that the state will provide an extra amount for developing rail infrastructure between 2012 and 2015.

During meeting between Czech Railway (CD) representatives and authorities of Zlin region a discussion about new connection has taken place. It would link together Zlin, Kormeriz and Hradiste.

The report prepared for the European Union says that most of the Europeans are ready to pay more and resign from conveniences offered by private vehicles to limit harmful substances. The research prepared by Eurobarometer shows statistics from all 27 EU member countries.

according to information published by Russian Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) the ratio of freight transport turnover has been 5.5% better than year ago.

According to “The Baltic Course” Lithuanian and Russian railways will launch a container train Merkurijus in 2012.

According to Serbian minister of infrastructure and energy Milutin Mrkonjic, all the projects for realisation of the Russian loan worth EUR 566 million for Serbian railways are ready.

Black Sea has a significant meaning in the transport of goods, although it is not mentioned in the context of trade between Europe and Asia. However, port of Varna gives an opportunity to connect South-Eastern Europe with the most important Asian communication routes.

“Central Asia has huge transport potential” said Daniel Giblin, partner of EC Harris, during International Rail Freight Conference meeting in Prague. “Unfortunately freight transport in the region has been dominated by road services”, said expert.

In 2012 Russian Railways will begin construction of shopping complex at the Finland Station in Petersburg. The investment is worth around EUR 4 billion.