China 和 transport II (French operators sign Chinese urban rail agreements)

CHINA: Two urban rail operating partnerships were agreed on April 26 during a state visit by French President François Hollande to China.

SNCF subsidiary Keolis and Shanghai Shentong Metro Group have formed a strategic alliance to 'respond jointly to tenders for operating contracts covering metros, tram networks and regional rail services', the French firm said in a statement. The agreement 'anchors Keolis' position in the Asian market’ and leaves it well placed to explore opportunities in Chinese cities, the wider Asian region and internationally, the company added. SSMG operates the 437 route-km Shanghai metro network.

Meanwhile, Transdev and RATP Dev have signed an agreement to operate the Shenyang tram network in co-operation with the local municipality. China CNR Corp is leading the project to build the 60 route-km network in the northeastern city under a contract worth 4·9bn yuan; the first sections are due to open this summer.