Technology, data and business
-
Metro Report InternationalSpeeding up tunnel cleaning on the Helsinki metro
FINLAND: A wall-washing wagon has been produced which can cover 2 km of Helsinki metro tunnel during a single night shift. The metro’s tunnels, including the walls, ceilings, rails, equipment housings, fire doors and escape routes, are washed once a year. The process usually takes around ...
-
Metro Report International
Hands-free facial recognition for Osaka Metro wheelchair users
JAPAN: Osaka Metro is to start verification tests of a ticket gate that has been equipped with facial recognition technology to assist wheelchair users. The equipment being installed at Nagai station on the Midosuji Line is set at the height of a person’s face when they ...
-
Metro Report International
External partners join RENFE’s MaaS platform
SPAIN: The first five external partners have signed up to participate in the Dōcō Mobility-as-a-Service platform being developed by national train operator RENFE Operadora to support multimodal journey planning, booking and payment. Bolt is a taxi and car with driver hire company active in Madrid, Barcelona, ...
-
Metro Report International
Indigenous CBTC to support driverless metro and train operation in India
INDIA: Delhi Metro Rail Corp has signed memorandum of understanding with Bharat Electronics Ltd for the joint development of Indigenous Communication-based Train Control to support driverless train and metro operation. i-CBTC is seen as ‘an important milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in rail and metro ...
-
Metro Report International
App to make Hong Kong transport more inclusive
CHINA: Hong Kong’s transport operator has launched the MTR·Care app which is designed to make travel more convenient for passengers with special requirements. A ‘simplified and elderly-friendly’ trip planner includes larger text and graphics, voice input, auto-setting of frequently visited stations, easy-to-understand route suggestions and recommended ...
-
Metro Report International
Transport for London to award fare collection operation and expansion contract
UK: Transport for London has begun procurement for the Project Proteus contract to operate, maintain and expand its fare collection systems, which envisages a number of changes to the business. The contract has an estimated value of £800m over a seven-year term, which will start when ...
-
Metro Report International
Former Prime Minister Jean Castex named RATP CEO
FRANCE: The RATP supervisory board has confirmed the appointment of former Prime Minister Jean Castex as the new Chief Executive of the Paris transport operator, replacing Catherine Guillouard who stepped down at the end of September. Now 57 years old, Castex served as Prime Minister of ...
-
Metro Report International
Anti-bacterial option added to hanging strap range
AUSTRIA: Plastics manufacturer Faigle Kunststoffe has introduced an antibacterial version of hanging straps in an effort to encourage passengers to use them without fear of coming into contact with potentially harmful bacteria. The additive is compatible with the supplier’s full range of colours and designs. It ...
-
Metro Report International
Thales and SMRT Trains to establish signalling repair facility
SINGAPORE: Metro operator SMRT Trains and Thales have signed a contract to jointly establish of a local rail signalling repair facility.
-
Metro Report International
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
-
Metro Report International
Paris tests metro Line 9 signalling upgrade
FRANCE: RATP has started test running with the Octys train control system being installed on Paris metro Line 9.
-
Metro Report International
Cubic to update Puerto Rican transport ticketing
PUERTO RICO: The Puerto Rico Highways & Transportation Authority has selected Cubic’s Umo platform for the modernisation of fare collection on the San Juan area’s Tren Urbano metro and bus services.
-
Metro Report International
Bringing Bonn’s transport modes into one app
GERMANY: The BONNmobil app has been launched to provide a centralised way to book and pay for all modes of public transport in Bonn, including train, bus, rental bikes and e-scooters. ‘Thanks to our technology, passengers can use all connected mobility services with just one registration ...
-
Metro Report International
RMV launches app as a step to MaaS
GERMANY: Rhein-Main transport authority RMV which covers the Frankfurt region has launched the RMVgo app developed with Siemens Mobility company Hacon. RMVgo includes a journey planner, ticket purchasing and travel information and modes including taxis and car, scooter and bike sharing. There are options for expansion ...
-
Metro Report International
National public transport ticketing contract awarded
NEW ZEALAND: Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency has awarded Cubic Transportation Systems the National Ticketing Solution contract to supply an account-based ticketing platform for rail, bus and ferry services. Local transport authorities will decide on travel products and fares for their regions and control the ...
-
Metro Report International
Hitachi Rail’s Maryland rolling stock factory under construction
USA: Hitachi Rail has unveiled the final designs for the $70m factory being built in Maryland to serve the North American rolling stock market. The first contract to be fulfilled from the site in Hagerstown will be a March 2021 order to produce 256 Series 8000 ...
-
Metro Report International
Very Light Rail R&D partnership
UK: Innovation accelerator Connected Places Catapult has signed a memorandum of understanding to work with the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation to align future R&D and support UK-based innovators in the transport sector. The MoU was signed at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in ...
-
Metro Report International
MBTA introduces online applications for reduced fare cards
USA: People with disabilities, including low vision, can now apply online rather than in person for smart cards providing free or reduced fares on Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority services around Boston. The process is available in English, Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese, and is accessible to screen ...
-
Metro Report International
Active steering tested on Swiss tram
SWITZERLAND: Zürich start-up Traila has demonstrated a prototype sensor-based active steering system which is designed to significantly reduce the friction between tram wheels and rails, reducing noise, wear and dust. A simulation platform is being used to test the prototype in partnership ...
-
Metro Report International
Predictive supply chain partnership
FRANCE: Internet of Things company Stimio and tram and bus component supplier CBM have partnered to offer a predictive maintenance tool directly connected to spare parts supply services. ‘Our end-to-end solution frees our customers from the complexities of IoT projects, letting them focus on business data ...
