Light metro extended across Macau bridge
CHINA: The 3·2 km Barra Extension of the Macau Light Rapid Transit automated metro has opened, using a guideway installed in a dedicated lane on the 2·2 km Sai Van cable-stayed bridge to connect the 9·3 km Taipa Line to the Macau Peninsula.
São Paulo light rail plan to be studied
BRAZIL: São Paulo municipality is working on a plan to build two circular light rail lines totalling 12 km in the centre of the city.
Washington Metro Loop plans under development
UK: Tyne & Wear transport agency Nexus has begun the process of appointing a legal adviser to support the development of the proposed Washington Metro Loop.
Bangkok Pink Line monorail opens
THAILAND: Passenger carrying test operations have begun on the 34·5 km Pink Line straddle monorail in Bangkok.
Sanctions lead to withdrawal of Moskva’s Polish trams
RUSSIA: The use of Moskva’s Pesa Fokstrot 71-414 trams was suspended from December 4, because international sanctions imposed as a result of the war against Ukraine have made the vehicles difficult for the operator to maintain.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
High altitude underground metro fully opens
ECUADOR: Full revenue services on the Quito metro finally began on December 1, with local residents cutting ribbons to officially open each of the 15 stations.
Monterrey World Cup monorail cars unveiled
MEXICO: The first of 13 six-car automated monorail trainsets that CRRC Nanjing Puzhen is building for Monterrey lines 4 and 6 was unveiled on November 21.
Manila express EMUs ordered
PHILIPPINES: Mitsubishi Corp has awarded CAF a subcontract to supply seven eight-car electric multiple-units for limited-stop express services on future North-South Commuter Railway in Manila and its hinterland.
Parand metro extension inaugurated
IRAN: President Ebrahim Raisi inaugurated the Shahr-e Parand extension of a branch of Tehran metro Line 1 on November 30.
Alstom selected to renew Portuguese regional fleets
PORTUGAL: CP has named Alstom and local partner Domingos da Silva Teixeira as preferred bidder for a contract to supply 117 electric multiple-units.
Airport metro platform screen door contract
AUSTRALIA: ST Engineering Urban Solutions is to supply its AGIL platform screen doors for the Western Sydney Airport metro line, the Singapore-based company announced on November 30.
Tramway crossing accident investigation prompts safety guidance
UK: The Light Rail Safety & Standards Board has developed a comprehensive guide to road safety audits in response to an investigation into a collision on the Manchester Metrolink light rail network.
St Louis light rail vehicle order approved
USA: The St Louis city region’s Bi-State Development Agency has approved a $390·4m order for Siemens Mobility to supply up to 55 light rail vehicles.
Siemens working on €1·3bn light rail scheme in Luanda
ANGOLA: Siemens Mobility has confirmed to Metro Report International that it is working with the Ministry of Transport on a light rail scheme in Luanda.
Thales to supply signalling, security and ticketing for Alexandria metro
EGYPT: Thales has been subcontracted to supply signalling, security and ticketing systems for the first metro line in Alexandria.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
Dubai Blue Line automated metro scheme formally launched
UAE: Construction of Dubai’s 30 km metro Blue Line was formally approved on November 24 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Metro and monorail testing underway as Cairo network grows
EGYPT: Test running on Cairo’s East Nile Monorail and on two branches of metro Line 3 started on November 5.
Moorgate branch ETCS goes live
UK: Revenue-earning suburban services have started to use ETCS Level 2 over London’s Northern City Line from Finsbury Park to Moorgate.