This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
The Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia, centred on Katowice, and the Śląskie voivodship have applied to the government’s Centre for EU Transport Projects for co-financing to support the purchase of 32 electric multiple-units with an option for 20 more. Half of each batch would be owned by GZM and half by the voivodship. The trains would be used to launch Metrokolei -branded suburban rail services, for which GZM is to call tenders for an operating contract. A funding decision is expected in the second half of this year, which would allow the trains to enter service from the December 2029 timetable change.
Sinara’s first three-section Type 71-223A tram has started dynamic test running with passengers in Yekaterinburg, following its formal acceptance and certification. It is a variant of the manufacturer’s Type 71-233 which was on show at the Innoprom trade fair in Yekaterineburg last August.
The Brasília Federal District government has called tenders for feasibility studies and preliminary design of a 15 km light rail line linking the Taguatinga and Ceilândia areas via Pistão Norte.
European Investment Bank has approved a €36m loan to support the procurement of 20 trams for Ploiești; the European Commission has also confirmed a €9m grant. A supplier is expected to be selected by the end of May, with deliveries planned from the beginning of 2027. The project will also include depot modernisation.
Plans are moving forward for the development of a 44 km light rail line in Campinas, linking Sumaré to Viracopos International Airport via the city centre. The project is to be pursued through a public-private partnership, and the Inter-American Development Bank has invited expressions of interest for comprehensive feasibility studies at a cost of R$8m.
The city of Yaroslavl has agreed to cascade 20 second-hand UKVZ 71-619 KT trams built in 2007 to Biysk, with deliveries expected by mid-March.
On February 25, Budapest city council backed the rollout of the Pay&GO contactless bank card fare collection system, following successful tests on metro Line M1 and the 100E Airport Express bus since 2023. A pilot operation on metro lines M2, M3 and M4 is expected to start from mid-April, while tenders are to be called for a wider rollout across the entire metropolitan area from the beginning of 2028.
Philadelphia’s SEPTA has expanded its Small Business Enterprise programme which was created to reduce barriers for smaller and newer businesses that might not have been able to compete for work procured under traditional contracting models. The SBE set-aside contract threshold has been increased from $3 000 to $250 000.
UKVZ has completed the delivery of 16 three-section 100% low-floor Type 71-639 Castor trams to Yekaterinburg.
Delhi Metro has made arrangements for school pupils who are sitting exams to have priority access to security checks and ticket machines at metro stations.