Multimodality: Carrying parcels on tram tracks
Using autonomous pods to transport parcel shipments and other goods on existing tram infrastructure could help to mitigate the traffic jams caused by growing volumes of delivery vehicles, suggests Fragile CEO Lukas Kauer.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
Wien pilots parcel delivery by tram passengers
AUSTRIA: The city of Wien and municipal operator Wiener Linien have launched the Öffi-Packerl trial that will see passengers transport parcels on selected tram routes in the north of the city.
Amtrak takes helm of New York Penn rebuild
USA: The Trump administration has stripped New York MTA of its role in redeveloping New York Penn Station, leaving the federal government in charge through the Department of Transportation and Amtrak.
Early morning launch for Liège tram services
BELGIUM: The Liège tramway has opened to passengers, with the first commercial service leaving Liège-Expo at 04.22 on April 28.
Procurement of £1·6bn Manchester Metrolink O&M contract begins after in-house operation rejected
UK: Transport for Greater Manchester has launched the process of appointing the next operating and maintenance contractor for the Metrolink light rail network, after the decision was made to opt for a revised franchising model rather than take operations in-house.
First Bogotá metro trainset starts testing
COLOMBIA: The first of 30 six-car fully automated trainsets for Bogotá metro Line 1 is on test at CRRC Changchun’s plant in China.
London Underground electrical upgrade works begin
UK: UK Power Networks Services has begun work on a £24m project to upgrade sections of London Underground’s high voltage power network to support the introduction of Siemens Mobility trains on the Piccadilly Line.
Service expansion and climate resilience feature in São Paulo suburban rail concession
BRAZIL: Local transport group Comporte Participações has won the bidding auction for the operation, maintenance, modernisation and extension of São Paulo suburban rail lines 11, 12 and 13 for 25 years.
Roma transport enhanced ahead of Pope’s funeral
ITALY: Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, national railway FS Group is to increase passenger services to Roma between April 23 and 27, while city transport operator ATAC is preparing to handle large numbers of visitors.
Bergen light rail expansion signalling contract awarded
NORWAY: Stadler has announced a ‘significant’ contract to supply signalling systems for the expansion of Bergen’s Bybanen light rail network.
Inglewood peoplemover project put on hold
USA: The Inglewood Transit Connector project to build an automated peoplemover in the Greater Los Angeles area has been put on hold.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
New York subway map restyled
USA: The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority introduced a redesigned network map on April 2. The first such full redesign since 1979 sees a more diagrammatic style introduced, with lines shown either on a rectilinear grid or at 45°, instead of the previous flowing curves and irregular geometry.
Unicard meets latest ITSO smart ticketing specification
UK: Unicard has announced that it is the first supplier to have its software partially certified as compliant with the first phase of the latest version of the ITSO Specification for integrated public transport smart ticketing.
Riverside tram link to open in Lisboa by 2028
PORTUGAL: A project to build the first new tramway in central Lisboa for more than 60 years has been formally launched at a ceremony held in the Parque das Nações.
Latin America: Unlocking multimobility
Reliance on proprietary technology and fragmented ticketing systems can constrain the value of public transport. The adoption of open standards in Mexico City offers an example of how integrated multimodal networks can enhance access and contribute to wider economic prosperity.
High speed rail grinding on the Stockholm metro
SWEDEN: Stockholm metro maintenance contractor Strukton Rail has awarded Vossloh a subcontract to use a High Speed Grinding machine to remove corrugations, slip waves and other signs of rail wear.
Agreement secures future of Stadler’s Berlin plant
GERMANY: Stadler says the future of its Berlin plant has been secured through a collective labour agreement between management, employees and trade union IG Metall.
Systra to support Stockholm driverless metro project
SWEDEN: Systra has been awarded its first major metro contract in Stockholm, supporting the control system and rolling stock elements of the Yellow Line project.