Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting the Singapore Urban Mobility Week (SUMW), which will take place from 4-6 November 2026 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore.
The Singapore Urban Mobility Week (SUMW) is a premier biennial event, connecting global transport leaders, policymakers, solution providers, and industry experts who are passionate about shaping the future of urban mobility. Jointly organised by the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, MSI Global Pte Ltd, and MP Singapore, with support from the Ministry of Transport, the inaugural edition will take place from 4 – 6 November 2026, under the theme, Drive the Future Autonomous Innovation, Smart Infrastructure, and Urban Mobility. Join 120+ speakers across the Leaders Summit and Industry Forums for three days of strategic perspectives, real-world case studies and actionable insights into autonomous mobility and the wider forces transforming urban transport.
For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://tinyurl.com/mu9e84y5
Our Job of the Week this week is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. We are looking for a Chief Specialist, Interior Designer.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
3 September 2026. Australia. Rail Industry Awards recognise innovation
More than 700 rail industry representatives gathered in Sydney on Tuesday for the 2026 Rail Industry Awards, Australia and New Zealand, recognising achievements across 16 individual and organisational categories. The awards recognised projects, people and initiatives contributing to innovation and excellence across the rail sector during 2025-26, including infrastructure delivery, passenger operations, sustainability, safety and technical innovation.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
3 September 2026. Australia. Rail capacity call follows $1.7B train commitment
LeadWest, an advocacy alliance comprising the western metropolitan municipalities of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham, has welcomed a $1.7 billion commitment for 25 new hybrid-electric trains, while calling for further investment in rail infrastructure across Melbourne’s west. LeadWest Chair and Maribyrnong Councillor, Susan Yengi, said the commitment recognised the urgent need for greater rail capacity as communities across Melton and Wyndham continue to grow.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
The Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been recognised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for modernising railway fare collection through its automated fare collection system. The initiative introduces tap-to-pay using EMV credit and debit cards and NFC devices, alongside QR-based scan-to-pay, across MRT Line 3 and LRT Line 2. The project aims to reduce queues, improve passenger convenience and support a more seamless cashless commuting experience.
Source: Southeast Asia Infrastructure
Thane’s long-awaited metro connectivity to Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Ulhasnagar is moving closer to reality. With the Central Government approving the revised alignment on August 29, 2026, Mumbai’s suburban metro network is set to expand through Metro Line 5 and the proposed Line 5A, linking Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Ulhasnagar.
Source: Metro Rail News
2 September 2026. Germany. CAF battery train achieves 273 km in test runs ahead of German deployment
CAF announced in late August that its Class 557 battery-electric multiple unit had achieved a range of 273 km during testing at the Siemens Mobility-owned test circuit at Wildenrath in the northwest of the country. The Civity BEMU, equipped with lithium-titanate-oxide batteries, operated entirely on battery power during the trials. The result is around 24% above the 220 km range specified by Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr for the batch of trains it has ordered for RE10 and RB37 services.
Source: Railway Gazette
The governments of Syria and Lebanon have agreed to take forward restoration of the Tripoli – Abboudieh – Homs railway, potentially reopening a cross-border rail connection that has been out of use for decades. Syrian Transport Minister Yarub Badr and Lebanese Public Works & Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny agreed the next steps during talks in Damascus on August 25, with both sides agreeing to establish a joint technical team to co-ordinate the cross-border project and its phased implementation.
Source: Railway Gazette
The prequalification process for the US$10bn Infra 2 railway systems and rolling stock contract for the US$60bn Tel Aviv Metro programme has been launched by government-owned project promoter NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System. The planned network comprises three entirely underground lines totalling 150 route-km and 109 underground stations.
Source: Railway Gazette
The first of 10 new Derby-built Class 345 Aventra Elizabeth line trains has begun passenger service in London, following an extensive period of testing on the mainline railway by Alstom, Transport for London, and the operator GTS. The new trains, delivered with Government funding, will support increased passenger demand, including at High Speed Two’s (HS2’s) Old Oak Common railway station when it opens.
Source: Rail UK
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation initiated the civil work tender for the long-awaited Red Line extension spanning from Rithala to Kundli. The civil package D2C-04 covers the design and construction of an elevated viaduct and double-deck structure between UER-II and Bawana Industrial Area Sec-1,2 Station, along with 10 metro stations under Delhi Metro Phase 4. The remaining viaduct and stations of the corridor have been covered through a separate civil package D2C-05.
Source: Metro Rail News
The Government of Thailand has been developing the 323 km Den Chai–Chiang Rai–Chiang Khong double-track railway with an investment of more than THB72.8 billion. The project is expected to improve passenger connectivity across northern Thailand and is targeted to begin operations by 2028. The railway will extend from Den Chai in Phrae province towards Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong near the Laos border, providing rail access to areas that are currently heavily dependent on road and air transport.
Source: Southeast Asia Infrastructure
Job of the Week
Chief Specialist, Interior Designer, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job ID#: 15474
Discipline: Architecture
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Chief Engineer, Interior Design to lead and provide expert guidance in interior design for rail stations, ensuring all designs meet the client's safety, sustainability, accessibility, and aesthetic standards. The role oversees the development of interior design standards, reviews architectural and interior design submissions, and coordinates with stakeholders to deliver passenger-centric station environments. This position drives design excellence across the full project lifecycle from concept through to construction and commissioning.
This role is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and there are 2 positions, 1 for UAE Nationals and 1 for non-UAE Nationals.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Strategy
• Produce review, evaluation, and recommendation on design proposals focusing on design merits, suitability and Dubai and client's vision
• Provide technical review of regulations & guidelines related to rail and mass transit systems operating on fixed routes within client's scope, specifically in the domains of interior design, architecture, and construction.
• Oversee and review planning and design standards, technical requirements, and specifications for rail and mass transit projects in coordination with relevant internal departments and external authorities.
Operations
• Review and audit preliminary and final interior design submissions, including architectural, structural, and landscape elements, ensuring compliance with client standards, safety codes, and project requirements across all rail projects.
• Review and validate final designs, materials, and manufacturer specifications for all architectural and interior design packages prior to consultant and contractor engagement during project execution.
• Attend technical inspections, factory acceptance tests, and site visits to verify installation quality, manufacturing compliance, and factory capabilities against project requirements.
Product/Process Improvement
• Apply value engineering principles across all interior design packages for rail and mass transit projects to optimize cost efficiency without compromising quality or passenger experience.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in interior design processes, material selections, and specification standards to enhance performance and reduce lifecycle maintenance costs.
• Drive continuous enhancement of design documentation, BIM standards, and digital design review systems to improve accuracy, collaboration, and stakeholder alignment.
Job Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related. (REQUIRED)
- Master's degree in Interior, Arts, and Design Architecture or Rail/Transit Design with a focus on public transport environments. (PREFERRED)
Experience:
- Bachelor's degree: 11+ years of experience in interior design Master's degree: 9+ years of experience in interior design (REQUIRED)
- 14+ years of experience with solid Interior Design project portfolio demonstrated leadership in interior design for rail stations, airports, or large-scale commercial/public transport environments in the GCC region. (PREFERRED)
Qualification:
- Professional certification in Interior Design or Architecture (e.g., NCIDQ, RIBA, or equivalent). (REQUIRED)
- Certification in BIM for Interior Design, LEED AP, or Value Engineering (SAVE International) and membership in a recognized professional body. (PREFERRED)
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
