CAPTION: Helsinki Transport has started testing the first of 20 Variotrams ordered from Adtranz and Rautaruukki Oy in July 1996. The bodies were built at Otanmäki, to a design styled by Creadedesign, with trucks from Siegen, six IGBT inverters from Mannheim and 12 x 45 kW traction motors from Wien. Floor height is 375mm above rail. To cope with winter conditions it has air-conditioning, electric floor heating and double-glazed windows. Series deliveries are expected to start in April

Three consortia have expressed interest in a 30-year concession to build and operate a 12·8 km light rail line in the Mexican city of Tijuana at a cost of US$240m. Project Director Jesus Torres announced at the end of January that Empresas ICA with Alstom, Bufete Industrial SA with Bombardier, and Grupo Protexa SA with Adtranz are due to submit formal bids in May or June; the winner will be announced in September, with work starting by the end of this year.

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