This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
Tram Route 12 in Wien was opened for revenue services on September 1. It shares existing tracks with routes 33 and 2 from Josefstädter Straße on U6 to Rebhanngasse, from where a 2·2 km extension has been built to Hillerstraße, serving five new stops. Construction of the extension began in summer 2024; the work included the construction of a cycle lane and the planting of 100 new trees.
Napoli regional transport operator EAV has called tenders with a total value of €3·1bn for the design and construction of civil works, railway systems and rolling stock for the first 4 km section of metro Line 10. This will link Casoria-Afragola main line station to an interchange with the new section of Line 1 at Piazza Di Vittorio.
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport has approved the investment review for Ulsan’s planned tram Route 2. The project will now go forward for a financial evaluation by the Ministry of Strategy & Finance, and is expected to receive final approval in November. The 13·6 km north-south line would connect Bukulsan main line station with Yaeum via the city’s airport. Construction is expected to start in 2029 with completion envisaged for 2032.
DT Výhybkárna a Strojírna has supplied contractor Rhomberg Sersa with a double-slip turnout using recycled plastic sleepers for the second stage of the Nürnberg metro’s Langwasser depot, following the supply of 23 simple turnouts. ‘This contract was exceptional in many respects’, said Sales Director Dušan Kadlec. ‘Our customer placed extraordinary emphasis on absolute precision – from the exact measurement of the geometric accuracy of the manufactured units, through top-class workshop quality, to the strict adherence to delivery deadlines. Before each dispatch, their inspectors personally came to check whether the turnouts fully complied with the design documentation.’
Dallas Area Rapid Transit has announced that the 42 km Silver Line linking Plano, Richardson, Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, and Grapevine with DFW International Airport is to open with a day of celebrations on October 25. Free travel will be provided until November 8.
Nantes transport operator Semitan has opened a new tram depot at Babinière, served by Route 1 and the tram-train line to Châteaubriant. The 8 ha facility has 12 tracks for maintenance and 15 for stabling.
The first of 30 six-car fully automated metro trainsets being supplied by CRRC Changchun for use on Bogotá metro Line 1 arrived at the Colombian port of Cartagena on September 2. The 23·8 km line is scheduled to open in 2028.
Chicago Transit Authority’s Innovation Studio initiative has invited proposals for the provision of tools enabling station attendants to assist passengers with limited English proficiency. CTA is also seeking tools to provide simulated training opportunities for train drivers to gain additional hands-on experience, complementing its existing cab simulator.
Halland regional transport authority Hallandstrafiken has launched a mobile pay-as-you-go rail and bus ticketing pilot project with Fairtiq. The authority wants to evaluate the app’s user experience and gather passenger feedback, and will also trial new fare-capping models, analysing customer preferences and travel patterns, with a particular focus on occasional travellers. Insights from the pilot project are expected to inform the Swedish region’s long-term ticketing and pricing strategies.
Lyon transport authority Sytral Mobilités has unified all its networks under the TCL brand.