Pakistan: Lahore’s pioneering metro approaches maturity
This month, Lahore’s Orange metro line completes four years of operation serving Pakistan’s second largest city. Its growing ridership and positive socio-economic impact have spurred the local authorities to plan three more urban rail lines, although funding remains an issue.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
Tokyo Metro shares jump after stock exchange listing
JAPAN: Tokyo Metro was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on October 23 in Japan’s largest IPO since the listing of SoftBank’s mobile telecoms business in 2018.
Zagreb tramway extension project launched
CROATIA: Mayor Tomislav Tomašević ceremonially launched work on Zagreb’s first tramway extension for 24 years on October 25, when a construction contract was awarded to Strabag.
Stadler to upgrade Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn signalling
SWITZERLAND: Stadler Signalling and Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn signed a partnership agreement on October 16 covering modernisation of the railway’s signalling using Stadler’s Eurolocking signal and train control.
DART begins construction of Silver Line depot
USA: Dallas Area Rapid Transit held a groundbreaking ceremony for the rolling stock maintenance depot for its future Silver Line commuter route on October 24.
Vietnam: Hanoi ahead in sluggish metro expansion
With Hanoi’s second metro line having opened this summer and a starter route in Ho Chi Minh City due to be inaugurated soon, Vietnam is likely to have 41 km of metro operational by the year end. Yet this is far below the government’s goal, with bureaucratic delays partly to blame. Peter Janssen reports.
Vibrations used to provide tramway safety alerts
UK: Testing on the Sheffield Supertram network has found that the VibeSafe portable track vibration detection system developed by Efficiency Ups Ltd could offer a reliable and cost-effective way of alerting pedestrians to approaching trams.
Funding gap looms over New York rail and Subway investment plans
USA: Further roll-out of CBTC on the New York Subway and renewal of the rolling stock fleet are core rail elements of New York MTA’s next Capital Plan, covering the transport authority’s investment priorities for 2025-29.
Custom machine to renew Paris metro tracks
FRANCE: Scheuzer is to design a build a custom battery-electric track renewals train for use by contractor TSO on the Paris metro network’s steel wheel and rubber-tyred lines from 2027.
Stadler awarded its first US light rail vehicle contract
USA: Stadler has announced its first US light rail vehicle order, covering the supply of up to 80 Citylink cars tailored for Utah Transit Authority’s TRAX service in Salt Lake City.
MTR launches scholarship programme for students interested in rail careers
CHINA: To celebrate 45 years of metro services in Hong Kong, MTR Corp is offering 45 scholarships for local students who are interested in pursuing a career in the railway sector.
Temporary metro operating contract aims to avoid Stockholm ‘chaos’
SWEDEN: Local authority Region Stockholm has signed a temporary agreement for the Connecting Stockholm joint venture of The Go-Ahead Group (55%) and ComfortDelGro (45%) to operate and maintain the capital’s metro for two years from November 2 2025, with the possibility of an extension.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
Paris: Learning lessons from Line 14
Paris metro operator RATP believes it can use the experience it has gained in managing the migration of train control equipment used on Line 14 from one GoA4 platform to another to help upgrade other automated metros. Jérémie Anne reports.
København metro M5 design study
DENMARK: København metro operating authority Metroselskabet has awarded a design studies contract for the future Line M5 to a consortium of Systra Denmark and Rambøll, with Gottlieb Paludan Architects.
Customised battery locos ordered to haul Paris metro maintenance trains
FRANCE: Paris transport operator RATP has placed its first order with Stadler, covering the supply of 12 custom-designed electric-battery locomotives to haul maintenance and repair trains across the entire metro network from 2027.
RATP Dev and JR East join forces for Manila commuter rail bid
PHILIPPINES: East Japan Railway and Paris transport operator RATP’s international business are to co-operate to bid for the contract to operate and maintain the future North-South Commuter Rail line in the Manila region.
Four Chinese metros expand during anniversary events
CHINA: Public holidays marking the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China on October 1 saw metro and suburban lines opened in four cities.
Next generation of trams for Paris T1 unveiled
FRANCE: Transport authority Ile-de-France-Mobilités, operator RATP and Alstom have unveiled the first of the TW20 trams being supplied as part of a major programme to modernise and increase capacity on the busy T1 route across northern Paris.