Briefs from around the globe

Serbia borrows $104M for transport repairs The European Investment Bank approved a $104 million loan to help Serbia repair transport infrastructure in the capital city of Belgrade, according to the Serbian government. The loan, which has a 20-year repayment period, will be used for repairing 31 miles of tram tracks, refurbishing 120 trams and reconstructing some 75 miles of streets. Repair work is slated for completion in 2006. Coalition formed for international route Iran, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan signed a memorandum of understanding on an international transport route among the three countries, reported The Tehran Times. Under the agreement, which stressed expansion of the tripartite cooperation to set up a transit route and establish required infrastructures, the central Asian countries would gain access to Europe and international waters through Iran and Afghanistan, said The Times. New Zealand develops cell phone updates New Zealand rail service Trans Metro is developing Internet-based software to communicate with its customers via cell phones. The software, which would send text messages to mobile phones and also electronic signs considered for installation in larger stations, would allow Trans Metro to give updated information on trains such as arrival times, according to the Wairarapa Times-Age.