This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
A 2·4 km branch of the Fortaleza metro to Pinto Martins International Airport opened for commercial operation on February 9 after a ceremony three days before. The journey between Expedicionários and Aeroporto stations takes 5 min. ‘This facility will enable thousands of people to travel more quickly, comfortably and safely. This delivery represents a significant improvement in quality of life for our population’, said Ceará state governor Elmano de Freitas.
The operator of the inter-urban tramway linking the Czech cities of Most and Litvínov has taken delivery of the first of six Evo2 low-floor 25 m long trams being supplied by Pragoimex under a KC293m EU-backed order placed in April 2024.
A 7·9 km extension of Chongqing metro Line 4 from Min’andadao to Shimahelijiao opened on February 10.
Metrowagonmash has been declared the winner of a 120·5m rouble contract to supply another 15 metro cars to Minsk Metro by December 20 2026. It has already delivered 48 Minsk-2024 cars to the Belarussian capital under two previous contracts.
A 1·7 km extension of Belo Horizonte metro Line 1 west from Eldorado to Novo Eldorado opened to passengers on February 10, following a ceremony the previous day. It has been built at a cost of R$179m, with Novo Eldorado station expected to serve 7 000 passengers/day. The first of a fleet of trainsets being supplied by CRRC was also unveiled, although it has not yet entered service.
København metro authority Metroselskabet has appointed Systra and Vanovis to advise it on land and regulatory issues relating to the extension of Line M4 north to Ydre Nordhavn, which is planned for opening in 2030. Metroselskabet aims to reduce the project’s climate footprint by 50% compared to the existing line through the use of new materials and construction methods.
Rostock operator RSAG is working with Kiepe Electric to modernise 13 Vossloh Tramlink 6N2 trams which are being fitted with collision warning systems from Bosch Engineering.
A system for customers to report issues on the Tyne & Wear Metro in the Newcastle area by sending a discreet text message is switching to WhatsApp, making it easier and free for customers to use. The WhatsApp number 07345 222 710 replaces the previous 66777 alert number. This change removes the network charges that customers pay when sending a text to 66777. Customers will also be able to send relevant images and video footage to support the report at no extra cost. People who do not have WhatsApp can send text messages to the new number. In the event of an emergency, people should still dial 999, and dial 101 for non-emergency situations that require the police to attend.
Epufloor supplied contractor Terlan with prefabricated paved surfaces for Vossloh Switch Systems turnouts at MPK Poznań’s Forteczna tram depot. The individually designed prefabricated Epuslabs have a textured surface designed for durability and to retain an aesthetic finish under intensive use, and composite rather than steel reinforcement to avoid interfering with electrical systems.
A joint venture of AECOM ands WSP is to provide detailed design services for the Sydney Metro West project’s Line Wide Systems package, supporting lead contractor John Holland. The project will feature fully automated modelling for the tunnel fit-out systems, enabling efficient updates and seamless integration across the long linear rail network and the containment infrastructure spanning the two 24 km tunnels. A collaborative digital design environment will be implemented to enhance coordination across design offices in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia.