Bodyshells ordered for Praha tram rebuild programme
CZECH REPUBLIC: Praha transport operator DPP has awarded Pragoimex a contract to supply its VarCB3LF partly low-floor tram bodies to replace the life-expired and corroded bodies of the city’s Tatra Type T3R.P and T3R.PV trams.
Osaka’s Hankai Line expands low-floor tram fleet
JAPAN: A three-section low-floor tram supplied by Alna Sharyo has entered service on the Hankai Tramway in Osaka, where it is operating alongside the oldest trams in the country which are still in commercial service rather than run as heritage vehicles.
Northern Lights tram delivered to Bremen
GERMANY: The first of 77 Avenio trams ordered by Bremen operator BSAG arrived in the city from Siemens Mobility’s Wien plant on March 31. Another is currently undergoing trials at the Wildenrath test centre.
Urban transport news round-up
EBRD intends to appoint a consultancy to undertake a feasibility study to determine the scope and viability of plans to modernise the Almaty trolleybus network. The city envisages the acquisition of 200 hybrid trolleybuses to replacing the existing deteriorating fleet, provide vehicles for new routes should it decide to expand ...
Sofia Metro cars to be modernised
BULGARIA: Sofia Metro has awarded Transmashholding’s Metrowagonmash subsidiary a firm contract to modernise an additional 40 Series 81-717.4/714.4 metro cars. This is intended to improve the passenger experience, reduce operating costs and maintenance requirements, and ensure a further 15 years of service.
Samara Metro train delivered
RUSSIA: Samara Metro has taken delivery of another four-car trainset from Transmashholding’s Metrowagonmash factory, augmenting the 46-car fleet used on its single 11·6 km line.
Krasnodar orders 56 trams
RUSSIA: UKVZ has won four separately-tendered contracts to supply a total of 56 unidirectional trams to the city of Krasnodar
Stadler wins €3bn Berlin U-Bahn car order after legal dispute
GERMANY: Stadler announced on March 20 that it had won an order to supply up to 1 500 metro cars to Berlin operator BVG. The framework agreement has a nominal value of €3bn and includes the supply of spares over a period of 32 years.
RATP trials pedestrian crossing warning system
FRANCE: RATP is trialling an experimental safety system near Vélizy’s town hall T6 tram stop.
Strasbourg orders 17 more trams
FRANCE: Compagnie des Transports Strasbourgeois exercised a further option on March 3 to order more Alstom Citadis trams.
Bordeaux tramway Line D extended
FRANCE: A 5·5 km extension of Bordeaux tram Line D was opened on February 29, connecting Mairie du Bouscat to Eysines Cantinolle.
Calgary orders 15 S200 light rail vehicles
CANADA: Siemens Mobility announced a further contract to provide 15 S200 light rail vehicles to Calgary Transit on February 25.
Odense Letbane takes delivery of its first tram
DENMARK: The first of 16 Stadler Pankow trams for the light rail line under construction in Odense was delivered on February 20, with Mayor Peter Rahbæk Juel watching the vehicle being unloaded from the lorry which brought it from Berlin.
First Stadler M110 metro trainset enters service in Minsk
BELARUS: Minsk Metro’s first Stadler M110 trainset has entered revenue service on the Awtazavodskaya Line on February 5.
First of 12 Panorama trams arrive in Olsztyn
POLAND: The first of 12 Durmazlar Panorama trams was delivered to Olsztyn on February 14.
Fast-charge battery development funded
AUSTRALIA: The development of fast-charge lithium-ion batteries to power catenary-free trams is among the projects which have been awarded A$11m of government funding under a programme to develop the national minerals sector.
Iași orders 16 more trams
ROMANIA: The Ministry of Regional Development & Public Administration has awarded Polish manufacturer Pesa a €38·5m contract to supply 16 trams to the city of Iași on February 5.
First of 10 trams delivered to Katowice
POLAND: Modertrans delivered the first of 10 single-section trams to Tramwaje Śląskie on February 12.
Singapore Jurong Line trains ordered
SINGAPORE: Land Transport Authority has awarded Hyundai Rotem a S$416·5m contract to supply of 62 three-car trains for the Jurong Region Line.