USA: Amtrak’s twice-daily Mardi Gras Service between Mobile and New Orleans launched on August 18, after an inaugural train ran two days before.

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp is investing in technology to manage surging demand while it awaits the arrival of more trains.

FINLAND: Rolling stock owning company Suomen Ostoliikennekalusto has been created to facilitate government plans to tender the operation of publicly-funded passenger rail services.

GERMANY: ForCity Plus 47T trams supplied by Škoda Group officially entered passenger service in Cottbus on August 15.