First tram for Raide-Jokeri line delivered
FINLAND: The first Smart Artic X54 tram for the future Raide-Jokeri orbital light rail line linking Helsinki and Espoo was delivered by Škoda Transtech on April 9.
Trams with custom lighting enter service as Paris T9 opens
FRANCE: Île-de-France tram line T9 opened on April 10, connecting Porte de Choisy metro station with Place Gaston Viens in Orly in the southeast suburbs of Paris. T9 runs via Ivry-sur-Seine, Vitry-sur-Seine, Choisy-le-Roi and Thiais.
Ufa tramway modernisation agreement signed
RUSSIA. Sinara Urban Transport Solutions, the Ministry of Economic Development and the government of the Republic of Bashkortostan have signed an agreement for a comprehensive modernisation of the tram network in Ufa.
Interurban tramway upgrade begins
CZECH REPUBLIC: Work has begun on a major project to modernise the infrastructure on the 10 km interurban light railway linking the towns of Most and Litvínov with a large petrochemical complex in Ústí nad Labem region, close to the German border.
Work underway on Cagliari tram extension
ITALY: Work has started on a long-planned extension of Cagliari’s 950 mm gauge tramway to link the existing terminus at Piazza Repubblica with the main railway station.
Study sets out the benefits brought by Manchester Metrolink
UK: The £1·5bn Metrolink expansion programme which tripled the size of Greater Manchester’s light rail network has had a major impact on the region, according to research undertaken by Transport for Greater Manchester.
Dallas City Council backs DART D2 Subway plan
USA: Dallas City Council has unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Dallas Area Rapid Transit D2 Subway project.
Ferrovie Luganesi tram-train delivered
SWITZERLAND: Ferrovie Luganesi has taken delivery of the first of nine Stadler Tramlink tram-trains ordered in 2018 at cost of SFr47m for use around Lugano.
Sarajevo tram and trolleybus investment to cut congestion and pollution
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA: The European Investment Bank has signed a €40m loan ‘on the most favourable terms’ to support the modernisation and extension of Sarajevo’s tram and trolleybus networks.
Transport security changes after social justice concerns
USA: San Diego Metropolitan Transit System has made changes to its security procedures in response to national concerns about law enforcement.
Frankfurt studies cargo tram opportunities
GERMANY: A project to investigate the possibility of introducing a freight tram service in Frankfurt has been awarded funding by the Land of Hesse.
Torino brake contract awarded
ITALY: Knorr-Bremse has been selected to supply brakes, doors and HVAC for the next generation of Sirio trams which Hitachi Rail is to build for Torino operator GTT. The contract is valued in the ‘low double-digit million euro’ range.
English urban rail services get financial support extension
UK: Further government funding has been agreed to ensure the continued operation of English urban rail services while ridership is severely reduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Dubai RTA picks Keolis-led joint venture to operate metro and tram networks
UAE: Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority has selected a Keolis-led consortium to operate and maintain its metro and light rail networks for nine years with options for up to a further six.