Urban transport news from Europe – Page 80
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Metro Report InternationalSevilla metro extension progresses
SPAIN: Rails and sleepers are being laid on the final section of Alcalá de Guadaíra branch of the Sevilla light metro, the Andalucía regional government announced on November 7. This covers a section between two viaducts near the line’s western end. Tracklaying is due to finish next ...
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Metro Report InternationalPraha tests automatic tram speed control software
CZECH REPUBLIC: Three Škoda 15T trams equipped with automatic speed control entered service on the Praha network on November 21. Together with onboard track lubrication equipment, this aims to minimise wheel squeal, track wear and passenger comfort. The prototypes will be tested until next year, and if the trial proves ...
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Metro Report InternationalUkraine and EIB agree transport loan
UKRAINE: The government and European Investment Bank signed a €200m loan agreement on November 11 to support a nationwide public transport investment programme. The 22-year loan has a five-year grace period. The funds will contribute to the €408m urban transport programme that covers investment in 11 cities. The remainder ...
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Metro Report InternationalComparing suburban rail best practice
INTERNATIONAL: Catalunya regional operator FGC hosted the annual meeting of the International Suburban Rail Benchmarking Group on November 9-11. The event in Barcelona brought together 15 rail operators as part of an international project which aims to identify synergies and drive continuous improvement by providing a confidential ...
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Metro Report InternationalTfL seeks composite conductor rails
UK: As part of a long-term programme to replace London Underground’s steel conductor rails with more energy efficient composite designs, Transport for London is seeking options for conductor rails which could be used on parts of the deep level tube network where clearances are too tight for currently approved conductor ...
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Metro Report InternationalWheel and axle group to be sold to Chinese investor
GERMANY: Georgsmarienhütte Holding GmbH has reached an agreement to sell 100% of its wheel and axle subsidiary GMH Railway Systems to group of Chinese investors led by Full Hill Enterprises Ltd. GMH Railway Systems includes Bochumer Verein Verkehrstechnik which is a certificated wheel and axle manufacturer for China’s high speed ...
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Metro Report InternationalStockholm Citybanan to open in July 2017
SWEDEN: The 6 km Citybanan cross-city tunnel under Stockholm is to open for revenue service at 05.00 on July 10 2017, national infrastructure manager Trafikverket announced on November 3. Under construction since 2009, the north-south link is intended to carry the capital’s suburban services, doubling rail capacity through the ...
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Metro Report InternationalRebuilt Abbey Wood station takes shape
UK: Austrian timber construction firm Weihag has installed glued laminated timber panels which in combination with 31 tonnes of 45 m long steel beams will form a ‘landmark’ roof for Abbey Wood station. This is being rebuilt for its future role as the southeastern terminus of London’s Elizabeth Line. Network ...
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Metro Report InternationalPublic inquiry for Line 3 extension in Saint-Etienne
FRANCE: A public inquiry is being held from October 17 to November 21 in order to consider plans to extend Line 3 of the 1 000 mm gauge tram network in Saint-Etienne. Developed following initial public consultation that took place between June 2015 and May 2016, the route would run ...
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Metro Report InternationalLiège tram prequalification restarts
BELGIUM: Three consortia have submitted bids to prequalify for a revised design-build-finance-maintain concession to build the planned 12·5 km tram route in Liège. The three proposals opened on October 12 were submitted by: Alstom with BAM PPP PGGM;CAF, Colas and DIF; Škoda Transportation with Vinci, CFE and Meridam. Société Régionale ...
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Metro Report InternationalT4 extension gets underway in Paris
FRANCE: Ceremonies were held to the east of Paris on October 18 to mark the start of work on the 6·5 km tram-train route T4 extension to Clichy-sous-Bois and Montfermeil. Participating in the event were Valérie Pécresse, President of the Ile-de-France region, and Minister of Cities, Youth & Sport Patrick ...
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Metro Report InternationalStockholm Citybanan tracklaying completed
SWEDEN: National infrastructure authority Trafikverket has completed the final tracklaying for the Stockholm Citybanan project. Tracks had already been laid through the 6 km cross-city tunnel, where test running is already underway. The final phase of the work began on August 30, when InfraNord’s SWM 1000 tracklaying train was used ...
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Metro Report InternationalATO to boost capacity on Paris RER Line A
FRANCE: Alstom Transport has been selected to develop and install automatic train operation on Paris RER Line A under a €20m contract awarded by city transport operator RATP, the Ile-de-France region and transport authority STIF. The introduction of attended ATO that meets Grade of Automation 2 is expected to improve ...
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Metro Report InternationalBudapest receives CAF tram
HUNGARY: The first of 47 CAF Urbos low-floor trams arrived in Budapest from CAF’s factory in Spain on March 11. Budapest transport authority BKK signed a €90m contract for 37 bidirectional trams in March 2014 and has placed a firm order for a further 10 under options for 87 more. ...
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Metro Report InternationalEdinburgh tramway opens
UK: The Edinburgh tramway was officially opened on May 30, ahead of the start of regular passenger services the following day. ‘The tram project has been hugely challenging for the people of Edinburgh but now there seems to be a growing positivity in the city about ...
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Metro Report InternationalBudapest orders CAF trams
HUNGARY: Budapest transport authority BKK signed a €90m contract on March 5 for CAF to supply 37 Urbos low-floor bidirectional trams with an option for 87 more. The order is being funded by the EU. Of the initial order, 25 five-section trams would be 34 m long ...
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Metro Report InternationalMoscow Metro train production begins
RUSSIA: In April Transmashholding’s metro rolling stock manufacturing subsidiary Metrowagonmash began series production of 632 Type 81-760/761 cars ordered by Moscow Metro for delivery by the end of 2013. The cars will be equipped with air-conditioning, and onboard CCTV able to transmit images to the control centre. ...
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Metro Report InternationalKeolis to operate Bergen light rail line
NORWAY: The Fjord1 Partner AS consortium led by Keolis has been awarded a seven-year contract with a two-year extension to operate the 9?8 km Bybanen light rail line in Bergen. The operating contract is valued at NKr400m, although this does not take into account the value of ...