Infrastructure news
Tai Wai – Kai Tak extension to open on February 14
CHINA: The first section of Hong Kong MTR’s long-awaited Shatin – Central Link project will open for revenue service on February 14, the operator announced on January 17.
EBRD finances Izmir metro civil works
TURKEY: The European Bank for Reconstruction & Development is to provide Izmir Metropolitan Municipality with a loan to finance the €754·5m construction of civil works for the planned Üçyol – Buca driverless metro line serving the southeast of the city.
Bogotá Regiotram de Occidente contract awarded
COLOMBIA: A contract to design, build and operate the 39·6 km Regiotram de Occidente inter-urban commuter line linking Bogotá with its western suburbs was signed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corp on Janaury 7.
Elizabeth Line through central London now expected to open in summer 2021
UK: The London Paddington to Abbey Wood central section of the Elizabeth Line is now expected to open in ‘summer 2021’. The full service from Reading and Heathrow Airport in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east is now expected to commence by mid-2022, promoter Crossrail Ltd ...
BART board approves CBTC, connectivity and security programmes
USA: The award of a $798m contract for Hitachi Rail STS USA to roll out communications-based train control on the San Francisco Bay Area’s BART metro network was approved by the operator’s board on January 9, along with projects to improve passenger connectivity and deploy security staff.
Plzeň expands tram network
CZECH REPUBLIC: Plzeň transport authority PMDP has opened the first tramway extension in the city for almost 30 years, with the inauguration on December 16 of a 1·4 km extension of Line 4 to the Borská Pole industrial zone.
Hamburg automated metro financing agreed
GERMANY: Confirmation of a grant to finance construction of the first driverless metro line in Hamburg has been formally handed over to operator Hamburger Hochbahn by the city’s government.
Beijing Capital International Airport peoplemover to be upgraded
CHINA: A consortium of CRRC Puzhen Bombardier Transportation Systems and Bombardier NUG Signalling Solutions Co has been awarded a 215m yuan contract to upgrade the automated peoplemover at Beijing Capital International Airport.
Shibuya station shift sorted
JAPAN: Tokyo Metro’s Ginza Line services began using a new station at Shibuya on January 3, following the successful completion of a six-day blockade to realign the tracks and connect up the new platforms.
Metro opening wave continues
CHINA: December 28-30 saw the opening of metro and tram extensions in seven Chinese cities, as the country’s urban rail expansion programme continues unabated.
Chengdu metro and tram networks expand
CHINA: The Chengdu urban rail network was increased by more than 100 km with the simultaneous opening on December 27 of five new metro and tram lines.
Songjiang tram network phase 1 completed
CHINA: The final 3·9 km section of the first phase of Shanghai’s Songjiang tram network was opened for revenue service on December 30.