Confederation Line opens in Ottawa
CANADA: The Confederation Line was inaugurated in Ottawa on September 14. Also known as O-Train Line 1, the 12·5 km light rail line links Tunney’s Pasture in the west with Blair in the east.
Warszawa metro extension inaugurated
POLAND: An eastern extension of Warszawa metro Line 2 was inaugurated on September 15, with a day of free travel on the entire line.
PK TS selected for two Tatarstan tram orders
RUSSIA: PK TS has been selected as preferred bidder to supply fully low-floor trams to two cities in the Republic of Tatarstan.
Seoul’s Shinansan Line breaks ground
SOUTH KOREA: A groundbreaking ceremony for the Shinansan suburban railway was held on September 9 at Ansan City Hall, southwest of Seoul.
Chengdu metro Phase 4 approved
CHINA: The National Development & Reform Commission has approved the fourth phase of the Chengdu metro. The plan includes eight projects to be completed by 2024, by which time the network would total 692 route-km.
First Lionet tram arrives in Ulan-Ude
RUSSIA: PK TS delivered the first of 15 Lionet trams to Ulan-Ude on September 4. The tram left the company’s St Petersburg factory on August 28.
Köln smart city transport agreement signed
GERMANY: The city of Köln, Deutsche Bahn and Nahverkehr Rheinland have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-operate for three years on ‘smart city’ transport initiatives.
Jurong Region Line station contracts awarded
SINGAPORE: Land Transport Authority has awarded two design-build contracts for civil works on five stations on the future Jurong Region Line, it announced on September 10.
Wuppertal Schwebebahn adopts ETCS Level 3 train control
GERMANY: ETCS Level 3 train control has been successfully commissioned on the Schwebebahn suspension monorail in Wuppertal, which reopened in August following a nine-month closure for infrastructure renewals.
Solaris to supply 50 buses to Vy Buss
SWEDEN: Operator Vy Buss has awarded Solaris a contract to supply 50 buses, the manufacturer announced on September 3.
RER Line A control centralised
FRANCE: Operational control of Paris RER Line A has been concentrated at a single location with effect from September 2, although ownership of the route remains split between SNCF and RATP.
Kochi metro expands again
INDIA: A further 5·6 km section of the Kochi metro opened for revenue services on September 4, following a formal inauguration the previous day by the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan and Minister of State for Housing & Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri.
Shanghai driverless metro train unveiled
CHINA: The first of 49 driverless trains to operate on Shanghai metro Line 14 was officially rolled out by CRRC Nanjing Puzhen on September 3.
Bern orders Stadler trams
SWITZERLAND: Bern transport authority Bernmobil has selected Stadler to supply its next generation of trams, placing a framework contract for up to 50 vehicles and a firm order for 27.
Lineside trees issued with electronic ID cards
CHINA: Hong Kong’s MTR Corp has assigned electronic ID cards to around 33 000 trees growing along open air sections of its routes, as part of plan to reduce the impact of fallen trees during the typhoon season.
First battery trolleybus delivered to Salzburg
AUSTRIA: Swiss manufacturer Hess delivered the first of 15 battery trolleybuses that it is supplying to Salzburg AG to the operator’s depot on August 27. The vehicle travelled to Salzburg on a low-loader.
Preferred bidder selected for Hurontario LRT project
CANADA: Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx have selected the Mobilinx consortium as preferred bidder for the contract to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Hurontario Light Rail Transit project to the west of Toronto. The contract is expected to the be awarded later this year.
Phoenix voters reject plan to block light rail funding
USA: Residents of the city of Phoenix have voted overwhelmingly to reject a local legislative measure that would have halted funding for expansion of the city’s Valley Metro light rail network.
St Petersburg’s Chizhik tram route completed
RUSSIA: The Chizhik fast tram route in St Petersburg has been completed, with revenue services on the third section commencing on September 1.