Berlin S-Bahn tenders invited
GERMANY: Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg has launched the competitive tendering process for the remaining two portions of the 331 route-km Berlin S-Bahn network, covering the North-South and east-west Stadtbahn service groups.
Seoul Metro Line 5 extension opens
SOUTH KOREA: An eastern extension of Seoul Metro Line 5 was opened for revenue service on August 8, following an inauguration ceremony the previous day.
Praha transport to get Tatra tram inspired unified visual identity
CZECH REPUBLIC: A jury of specialists assembled by the Czechdesign association has selected the Superlative.works agency as the winner of a competition to develop a unified brand identity for use across all modes of transport in Praha and neighbouring areas.
Shenzhen metro Line 13 PPP contract awarded
CHINA: The Shenzhen Municipal Government has award a joint venture of MTR Consulting (Shenzhen) Co (83%) and China Railway Electrification Bureau (Group) Co (15%) a public-private partnership contract to supply rolling stock and railway systems for the future metro Line 13 and operate the line for 30 years after completion ...
NYCT orders Wabtec battery hybrid loco fleet to haul Subway works trains
USA: The board of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted on July 22 to procure a fleet of diesel-battery hybrid locomotives to modernise the rolling stock fleet used to haul engineering trains on the New York Subway.
Pays de la Loire launches regional rail and tram-train tenders
FRANCE: Operation of the Nantes – Châteaubriant tram-train route and regional rail services in western France is to be competitively tendered, the Pays de la Loire regional government confirmed on July 17.
Dubai Route 2020 metro extension inaugurated
UAE: Dubai’s 15 km Route 2020 metro line was formally inaugurated by the emirate’s Ruler and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on July 8, although revenue services are not expected to begin until September.
Road traffic expected to fall as Athens metro extension opens
GREECE: A 4 km extension of Athens metro Line 3 was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis on July 6, with revenue services starting the following day.
CAF Urbos tram arrives in Oostende
BELGIUM: The first of 48 CAF-built Urbos 100 trams for De Lijn’s coastal tramway was delivered to the operator’s Oostende depot on the night of June 22-23.
Changsha opens two more lines
CHINA: Two new metro lines totalling 58·9 km were opened for revenue service in Changsha on June 28, being inaugurated simultaneously at 11.28.
Oslo to run metro CBTC over public mobile network
NORWAY: Oslo transport operator Sporveien has decided to use a public mobile telecoms network to support its new metro signalling and train control system, entering into an agreement for Telia to provide the wireless communications backbone.
MBTA seeks cost certainty with Keolis commuter rail contract extension
USA: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Fiscal & Management Control Board has approved an extension of Keolis’ contract to operate commuter rail services.
North American Transit Alliance formed
NORTH AMERICA: Six public transport operating groups have formed the North American Transit Alliance, which aims to promote ‘innovative transportation solutions that ensure transit is safe, clean, and prepared for the challenges that lie ahead’.
Orange County Streetcar operating contract awarded
USA: California’s Orange County Transportation Authority has selcted Herzog Transit Services for a $45m contract to operate and maintain the 6·7 km OC Streetcar which is under construction in Santa Ana and Garden Grove for opening in 2022.
Transdev wins Roslagsbanan operating contract
SWEDEN: Transdev Sverige AB has been selected as the next operator of the capital’s 891 mm gauge Roslagsbanan suburban network, the Stockholm region’s Transport Commission announced on May 12.
Helsinki regional transport authority to award Raide-Jokeri light rail operating contract
FINLAND: The board of Helsinki Regional Transport Authority HSL has approved plans for the future operation of the Raide-Jokeri 25 km inter-urban light rail line which is currenty under construction.
Berlin to resume S-Bahn tendering
GERMANY: Tenders are to be invited this month for contracts to operate the north-south and east-west service groups on the Berlin S-Bahn from the end of December 2027, ending a five-year hiatus in putting the routes out to competitive bidding.
New York to halt overnight Subway service under Covid-19 measures
USA: As part of its Covid-19 measures, New York MTA is to end overnight operation of the New York Subway with effect from May 6. This will allow an intensive programme of cleaning and disinfecting of stations, trains and other equipment between 01.00 and 05.00.
Hangzhou metro expands
CHINA: More than 70 km of new metro line was put into operation in Hangzhou on April 23, taking the total length of the city’s network to 209 km and 133 stations.
Public transport continuity needed to ensure ‘the health crisis does not turn into a social one’
INTERNATIONAL: Ensuring the continuity of public transport services during the coronavirus pandemic is essential to ensure that ‘the health crisis does not turn into a social one’, according to the International Association of Public Transport, United Cities & Local Governments, the International Transport Workers’ Federation and the International Union of ...