new track. August 10 – Officials in China announce plans to extend the Qingzang railway beyond Lhasa to Tibet's second-largest city, Xigaze, which would add another of track to the already controversial line. Chinese officials anticipate the extension to be completed in 2009. August 29 – Amtrak announces the selection of Alexander Kummant to become president and CEO of the company effective September 12 to succeed David L. Gunn. David Hughes, who had stepped in as interim president, will step down from that position but will remain with the company. Before Amtrak, Kummant had served as a vice president for Komatsu America Corporation and as a Regional Vice President for Union Pacific Railroad. September events 1 September – Helsinki-Lahti railway opens. Finnish Railways start 220 km/h operations. September – The new federal railway agency of Finland will begin work. October events October 15 – Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez presides over the opening ceremonies for the first new above-ground train line constructed in Venezuela for more than 70 years, the Ezequiel Zamora Mass Transportation System. November events November 3 – Los Teques Metro Line 1, Ayacucho to Ali Primera route, officially regular operation service to start and first section in Altos Mirandinos, Venezuela. December events December 24 – Opening of Imazatosuji ("orange") Line of Osaka Municipal Subway, Japan, using 80 series linear motor units. December 30 – Guangzhou Metro's Line 4 extension from Xinzao to Huangge (except Guanqiao, Qingsheng) opens. By season Spring events Spring – The first test runs are scheduled to take place on a one-mile segment of the new light rail transit system in Phoenix, Arizona. Unknown date events – The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority expects to switch from tokens to a farecard system that will be called "The Charlie Card" in honor of the unfortunate hero of "Charley on the MTA" (a.k.a. "M.T.A."). – GO Transit in Toronto, plans to begin construction to add a third track on the Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East lines and a second track on the Georgetown line. – Union Pacific Railroad and CSX Transportation will launch new produce unit trains between Washington and New York states. – Vietnam expects to begin construction to upgrade the Hanoi–Lào Cai railway line. – The Deadwood, Black Hills and Western Railroad expects to begin passenger train service between Rapid City, Piedmont, Sturgis, Whitewood and Deadwood, South Dakota. – Feasibility tests of airport-style security systems will