Jaipur metro Pink Line completed
INDIA: A two-station extension of the Jaipur metro Pink Line was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot via video link on September 23, the day that the metro reopened after a five-month suspension of services because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vancouver Broadway Subway CBTC contract awarded
CANADA: The Acciona-Ghella consortium which is to design and build Vancouver’s Broadway Subway has awarded Thales a contract to supply SelTrac CBTC signalling.
BART celebrates world mask-wearing culture during the pandemic
USA: San Francisco Bay Area metro operator BART is highlighting mask styles from around the world as part of a campaign to change the way passengers think about face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic.
Kunming opens metro Line 4
CHINA: The 43·4 km Kunming metro Line 4 opened on September 23, along with a 7·3 km extension of the existing Line 6.
Tunnelling complete on Milano Line 4
ITALY: Tunnelling on Milano metro Line 4 was completed on September 9, when the project’s two remaining tunnel boring machines reached Parco Solari station, having undertaken a drive from Tricolore station which began in March 2019.
First Line 11 airport metro cars arrive in Istanbul
TURKEY: Test running on the future Istanbul metro Line 11 linking the new airport with Gayrettepe is to start this month, after the first trainset was delivered on September 6.
Delhi Metro traction equipment ordered
INDIA: BEML has awarded Mitsubishi Electric Corp a contract to supply traction inverters, traction motors and train control management systems for 80 metro cars which Delhi Metro Rail Corp ordered last year.
Makati Subway construction contract awarded
PHILIPPINES: The Makati City Subway subsidiary of Philippine Infradev Holdings has awarded China Construction Second Engineering Bureau Co the engineering, procurement and construction contract for a planned metro line in Makati, southeast of central Manila.
Bucuresti opens fifth metro line
ROMANIA: The first section of București metro Line M5 was formally inaugurated on September 15, with a ceremony at Eroilor station attended by President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, and Minister of Transport Lucian Bode.
Nexus unveils livery for future Tyne & Wear Metro fleet
UK: Transport authority Nexus has begun public consultation on the interior layout of the new trains which Stadler is to supply for the Tyne & Wear Metro, and has unveiled the ‘modern and eye-catching’ yellow livery they will carry when they enter service in 2023-24.
New York Subway offers under-river connectivity
USA: New York MTA and Transit Wireless have provided the first mobile phone voice and data connectivity in one of the Subway’s under-river tunnels, with AT&T customers now able to stay connected in the East River bores between 1st Avenue and Bedford Avenue on the L/Canarsie line.
President opens Guadalajara Line 3
MEXICO: Guadalajara’s third light rail line was formally inaugurated by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on September 12. Following the opening ceremony at 11.00, public services began at 16.00, with free travel being provided until September 20.
Hiroshima Rapid Transit Co orders more rubber-tyre light metro trainsets
JAPAN: Hiroshima Rapid Transit Co has awarded Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering a contract to supply a further 13 six-car Series 7000 Automated Guideway Transit rubber-tyre trainsets to replace existing vehicles on the 18·4 km New Transit Line 1, known as the Astram Line.
Shadow operator appointed to support Sydney metro expansion
AUSTRALIA: Ricardo and Seoul Metro have been appointed to act as the shadow operator to support two projects to expand Sydney’s driverless metro network.
Singapore metro onboard communications upgrade
SINGAPORE: Bombardier Transportation has been awarded a contract to enhance communication systems on 92 three-car Movia driverless metro trainsets which it supplied for the Downtown Line in 2013-17
Harbin orders another 390 metro cars
CHINA: Harbin Metro Corp has ordered 65 six-car Type B trainsets from the Changchun Bombardier Railway Vehicles Co joint venture of Bombardier Transportation and CRRC Changchun, under a 1·2bn yuan contract announced on September 7.
Design agency showcases post-Covid metro train concept
INTERNATIONAL: Design company Tangerine has developed a concept for a ‘post-Covid’ metro train, designed to help operators plan for future pandemics by enabling them to readily adapt the interior to minimise the risk of transmission during local outbreaks.
RATP Dev aims to make Cairo Line 3 ‘a world reference’
EGYPT: The government’s National Authority for Tunnels has awarded RATP Dev a €1·1bn contract to operate and maintain Cairo metro Line 3 for 15 years and commission future extensions.
First phase of Toshkent’s circular metro line opens
UZBEKISTAN: The first stage of a planned orbital metro line and an extension to an existing route have opened in Toshkent.
Sydney Metro West tunnelling shortlist
AUSTRALIA: The government of New South Wales has shortlisted three consortia for the first two major tunnelling packages of the Sydney Metro West project, which will link Parramatta with the central business district.