Göteborg’s first M33 tram handed over
SWEDEN: The first of 40 Flexity trams ordered by Göteborg transport operator Göteborgs Spårvägar has been formally handed over by manufacturer Bombardier Transportation, following the completion of 8 000 km of test running.
Contactless payment introduced on Málaga suburban network
SPAIN: Indra has deployed contactless EMV bank card payment on RENFE’s Málaga suburban services.
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.
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.
Basel tram extension to Augst proposed
SWITZERLAND:·Plans to extend Basel tram Route 14 to Augst have been set out by Basel canton, the Pratteln and Augst municipalities and Baselland tram operator BLT.
Transport for London closes Twitter accounts
UK: Transport for London has started to consolidate its Twitter communications at its main account, and close the separate accounts it operates for London’s various transport modes and individual lines.
Moscow orders 114 trams
RUSSIA: PK TS was the sole bidder for a contract to supply a total of 114 trams to Moscow operator Mosgortrans.
Pisa plans first modern tram route
ITALY: The city of Pisa has approved plans to build a starter light rail line in the centre of the city, its legacy metre-gauge tram network having closed in 1952.
Citadis X05 trams arrive in Athens
GREECE: Alstom has delivered the first two of 25 Citadis X05 trams ordered by Athens transport agency Attiko Metro.
Cádiz tram-trains make first main line test runs
SPAIN: Overnight on September 2, a CAF LRV made the first runs over ADIF tracks as part of preparations for the opening of the Bahía de Cádiz tram-train route.
Lviv opts for local manufacturer’s trams
UKRAINE: Local manufacturer Electron Concern signed a contract to supply 10 low-floor trams to the city of Lviv on September 2.
Construction contracts awarded as Porto light rail network expands
PORTUGAL: The Metro do Porto management board has approved the award of two construction packages for expansion of the city’s light rail network to a consortium of Alberto Couto Alves and Ferrovial Agroman.
Very Light Rail vehicle prototype under construction
UK: A prototype battery-powered carbon fibre and metal Very Light Rail vehicle is under construction at NP Aerospace’s plant at Foleshill in Coventry.
Tram leasing deal signed
RUSSIA: State-owned leasing company GTLK was the sole bidder for a contract to supply 29 trams to the Ulyanovsk Region State Procurement Agency.
‘Most beautiful and cheapest’ metro line opens in Sofia
BULGARIA: The first phase of Sofia Metro Line M3 opened on August 26, running 7·8 km east–west from Hadzhi Dimitar on Bulevard Vladimir Vazov to Krasno Selo with eight stations.
Moscow ends trolleybus operation
RUSSIA: Moscow’s last six trolleybus services have ended, with five routes switching to diesel operation on August 25 and one route to battery buses.
Olsztyn tramway expansion preferred bidder named
POLAND: Kraków-based ZUE SA has been named preferred bidder for a contract to build an extension of the Olsztyn tramway.
Liepāja orders Končar trams
LATVIA: Croatian manufacturer Končar Električnih Vozila has been awarded a €8·8m firm order to supply a further six trams to Liepāja.
Cork light rail study commissioned
IRELAND: Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority have appointed Jacobs Engineering to analyse route options and develop initial designs for a €1bn light rail line in Cork.