Joban Line ATO ready to launch
JAPAN: East Japan Railway expects to start automatic train operation in commercial service on March 13, when the equipment goes live for Joban Line (Local) services in northern Tokyo.
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.
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.
New trains enter service as MTR commissions East Rail resignalling
CHINA: The first of 43 nine-car EMUs being built for MTR Corp by Hyundai Rotem finally entered service on Hong Kong’s East Rail Line between Hung Hom, Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau on February 6.
JR Central orders Series 315 commuter EMUs
JAPAN: JR Central has awarded Nippon Sharyo a contract to supply 65 Series 315 suburban electric multiple-units.
DSB awards S-bane automation consultancy contract
DENMARK: National passenger operator DSB has selected a joint venture of international consultants to assist with the automation of the København S-bane network.
EMUs ordered for Gaziantep’s Gaziray suburban rail project
TURKEY: State rolling stock manufacturer Türasaş has signed a €47m contract to supply eight four-car electric multiple-units for the Gaziray suburban rail service which is being developed in Gaziantep.
‘Modern, efficient and sustainable’ trains arrive in Costa Rica
COSTA RICA: National railway Incofer has taken delivery of eight diesel multiple-units for use on commuter services around the capital San José.
Delhi – Meerut RRTS to get ETCS Hybrid Level 3
INDIA: The 82 km Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System will be the country’s first railway to be equipped with ETCS Hybrid Level 3, which adds short virtual sections on top of a Level 2 installation to allow operation at closer headways.
Chicago commuter operator approves ‘transformational’ order for Alstom coaches
USA: The Metra board has approved the award of a ‘transformational’ $1·8bn framework agreement for Alstom to supply up to 500 double-deck coaches, which the Chicago commuter operator said would be ‘more comfortable, accessible, reliable and safe than the outdated gallery cars they will replace.’
Delhi – Panipat Regional Rapid Transit System corridor approved
INDIA: The government of the state of Haryana has approved the 103 km Delhi – Panipat Regional Rapid Transit System commuter rail corridor, along with a contribution of Rs47bn towards the estimated Rs216bn cost of the project.
Indiana double tracking project awarded funding
USA: The Federal Transit Administration has announced a $173m grant for Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s $491m project to double-track 43 km of the South Shore commuter line between Gary and Michigan City.
CAF-Bombardier consortium selected for Paris RER rolling stock contract
FRANCE: National passenger operator SNCF Voyageurs and Paris transport operator RATP have confirmed their selection of a consortium of Bombardier Transpoartion and CAF as preferred bidder for a contract to supply 146 suburban trainsets for the jointly operated north-south RER Line B.
Caltrain operating contract extended to support electrification programme
USA: The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board has awarded Herzog subsidiary TransitAmerica Services a five-year extension to its current contract to operate Caltrain commuter services, which link San Francisco with San Jose.
More Île-de-France EMUs ordered
FRANCE: Acting on behalf of Paris regional transport authority Île-de-France Mobilités, national operator SNCF has awarded Bombardier Transportation a firm order to supply a further three Omneo Regio 2N electric multiple-units.
São Paulo tenders suburban operations
BRAZIL: The São Paulo state government has called tenders for the operation and maintenance of two busy suburban lines, under a programme intended to attract private investment for enhancements.
Indigenous ballastless track for Delhi commuter line
INDIA: Work is underway to build the factory at Shatabdi Nagar which will supply ballastless slab track for the Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System commuter line.
High Capacity Metro Trains enter service in Melbourne
AUSTRALIA: The first of 65 High Capacity Metro Trains being built for the Melbourne suburban network entered service on the Pakenham line on December 26.
New EMUs enter service as first Berlin S-Bahn concession starts
GERMANY: The first Class 483/484 EMUs for the Berlin S-Bahn network began running on route S47 in the early hours of January 1, as the route became the first in the city to be operated under a tendered contract.