RUSSIA: Alstom and its Russian strategic partner Transmashholding are to develop an 'express' tram for St Petersburg within the framework of a memorandum of understanding signed with city governor Georgy Poltavchenko on November 16.
The companies will also advise the city on modernising its 1 524 mm gauge tram network, once one of the largest in the world but cut back in recent years.
Under the agreement, Alstom and TMH plan to provide consulting services for the development of a modern urban transport network, bringing expertise in power supplies, infrastructure and signalling, and assisting with project management and passenger flow optimisation.
The proposed low-floor modular tram would be adapted to St Petersburg's needs, and particularly the winter weather. Design, production and maintenance would be undertaken at a tram competence centre which Alstom and TMH would establish at TMH's Oktyabrsky Electric Railway Car Repair Plant in the city. OVERZ currently employs 1 000 people and undertakes rolling stock maintenance and refurbishment work.
- The strategic partnership between Alstom and Transmash was described in detail in the November 2011 issue of Railway Gazette International, which subscribers can access in the digital archive.
