Kyiv metro trains get mid-life overhaul
UKRAINE: Kyiv metro’s rolling stock repair workshop has rolled out an initial set of five Type 81-717/714 cars which have undergone a 35m hryvnia mid-life modernisation.
China: Metro openings hit record high
Almost 700 km of new metro and tram lines and extensions were opened in 15 Chinese cities during the closing weeks of 2020 as 29 separate projects came to fruition. Toma Bačić investigates.
Scale Transport programme to bring together technology innovators and industry leaders
UK: PwC and GrowthBuilders have launched the Scale Transport programme with the aim of connecting transport authorities, operators and infrastructure managers in PwC’s network with high-tech scale-ups to drive innovation and support the sector in adapting to changing public needs and behaviours after the pandemic.
Mersin metro electromechanical tender result
TURKEY: Mersin municipality has announced the results of a tender for the supply, installation and commissioning of electromechanical systems for the Mezitli – Üçocak metro line.
Casablanca tramway construction contracts awarded
MOROCCO: Casablanca transport authority Casa Transports has awarded Colas Rail two contracts for the construction of tram routes T3 and T4
Hamburg S-Bahn EMU deliveries complete
GERMANY: All 82 of S-Bahn Hamburg’s fleet of Class 490 EMUs have now entered service, the operator has confirmed.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector
ITSO on Mobile goes multi-modal
UK: ITSO on Mobile ticketing is now available on buses as well as tram and rail services in the West Midlands, after Transport for West Midlands extended its Swift mobile ticketing scheme to bus operators.
Smart windows on Paris airport peoplemover
FRANCE: One of the Orlyval shuttles at Paris Orly airport has been fitted with smart LCD windows which show information including flight departures and weather forecasts for the destinations. .
Kolkata Line 1 reaches Dakshineswar
INDIA: Commercial services began running on a northern extension of Kolkata Metro Line 1 on February 23, following a formal opening ceremony the previous day.
Siemens Mobility to develop Dutch MaaS platform
NETHERLANDS: The RiVier joint venture of national rail operator NS and urban operators HTM in Den Haag and RET in Rotterdam has selected Siemens Mobility subsidiaries Hacon and eos.uptrade to develop a country-wide Mobility as a Service platform.
Series 17000 EMUs enter service in Tokyo
JAPAN: Tokyo Metro put its first Series 17000 EMUs into revenue service on its 1 067 mm gauge Yurakucho and Fukutoshin lines on February 21, with minimum publicity as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Dubai’s smarter tram stop saves energy
UAE: Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority has undertaken a green buildings initiative to reduce power consumption at tram stops
Metra to test electric shunting locomotive
USA: The board of Chicago commuter operator Metra has approved a plan to procure seven low-emission shunting locomotives, including its first zero-emission electric loco.
App to keep passengers up to date with Tyne & Wear Metro depot works
UK: Contractor VolkerFitzpatrick has worked with software developer SitePodium to launch a community engagement app to help people living and working around the Tyne & Wear Metro’s Gosforth depot gain a better understanding of the works to rebuild the facility to accommodate new Stadler trainsets.
Dubai RTA launches metro engineering information platform
UAE: Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority has launched an electronic platform for railway engineering information, containing about 800 000 documents relating to assets on the metro’s Red and Green lines as well as data about the authority, consultants, project contractors, rail operators and other bodies.
Three cities place joint tram order
GERMANY: The cities of Frankfurt an der Oder, Brandenburg and Cottbus have jointly awarded Škoda Transportation a €110m contract to supply 24 trams, with an option for a further 21.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector
Commuter line to metro conversion contracts awarded
AUSTRALIA: Contracts have been awarded for the upgrading of 13 km of Sydney’s T3 Bankstown Line commuter route between Sydenham and Bankstown to metro standards as part of the Metro City & Southwest project.
Mauritius light rail Phase 2A contract awarded
MAURITIUS: India’s L&T Construction has been awarded a contract to build Phase 2A of the Mauritius Metro Express.