Rail supplier updates from Bombardier, Alstom, Morton and STV (Nov. 30)

Bombardier Transportation will supply four additional Bombardier FLEXITY trams to Australia's Gold Coast Light-Rail Transit system. Valued at $18 million, the order is an exercise of an option included in a 2011 contract. The new vehicles will be used on the northern extension of the Gold Coast line to Helensvale, Queensland. The extension is slated to be operational in 2018 for the Commonwealth Games to be held in the city of Gold Coast.

Beijing Metro has awarded Alstom and its local joint venture Shanghai Alstom Transport Electrical Equipment Co. Ltd. a $28.6 million contract to provide traction systems to equip 160 metro cars for the third phase of the city's metro line 6. This phase of the line is expected to enter commercial service by the end of 2018. Alstom and the joint venture will provide the Optonix traction system specially designed and developed by Alstom for the Chinese market.

Morton Rail Products has announced a new authorized distribution partnership with Unity Railway Supply. The partnership will focus on the rail repair market to drive improved service and delivery to customers, company officials said in a joint press release.

Charles Belser has joined STV Inc. as a vice president of transportation facilities and senior project manager. Belser will be responsible for directing major maintenance facility projects and leading business development efforts for the firm's Mid-Atlantic transit clients. He's currently managing the design of major rail maintenance facility projects for the Virginia Railway Express and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Prior to joining STV, Belser worked for architectural and engineering firms, major corporations and railroads, including Amtrak.