Complex custom tram junction produced for Bremen
GERMANY: Czech turnout manufacturer DTVS in Prostějov has completed a €2m six-month project to manufacture a custom-design complex junction 82 m long and weighing 162 tonnes for the Bremen tramway.
Teresina suburban rail renewal makes progress
BRAZIL: The state of Piauí has reported progress on a series of investments to enhance the metre-gauge diesel suburban line in its capital, Teresina.
Washington metro reinstates automatic train operation after 15 year hiatus
USA: Automatic train operation has resumed on the Washington DC metro after a 15 year gap.
More walk-through Subway cars in latest New York MTA procurement
USA: New York MTA has approved a $1·27bn firm order for a further 435 Kawasaki Rail Car R211 Subway cars, including 80 R211T cars with open gangways.
Tyne & Wear Metro’s first Stadler train enters passenger service
UK: The first of the 46 custom-designed Class 555 trainsets that Stadler is supplying to replace the Tyne & Wear Metro fleet entered passenger service on December 18.
Double-deckers enter service on Chuo Rapid line
JAPAN: East Japan Railway is to launch regular operation of double-deck cars on its busy Chuo Rapid line services between Tokyo, Shinjuku, Nakano and the capital’s western suburbs.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
TramCité de Québec development agreement signed
CANADA: An agreement defining stakeholders’ responsibilities for the development of the Québec City tram project has been signed.
Shanghai metro extension hiatus ends as networks grow in five cities
CHINA: More than 100 km of new metro line has opened in China in the last quarter, including a link to a key main line station in Beijing and an automated route in Shanghai.
London stations added to Google Street View
UK: Google Street View now includes 18 London rail and Underground stations, with a further 18 to be added by the end of the year.
Riyadh metro Red and Green lines open to passengers
SAUDI ARABIA: The next phase of the Riyadh metro project was completed on December 15 with the launch of passenger services on the Red and Green lines.
‘Green’ train control cuts metro traction energy consumption
SINGAPORE: Hitachi Rail and metro operator SMRT say Phase 1 of their Next-Generation Green Communications-Based Train Control project has reduced traction energy consumption on the North-South and East-West lines by 8%, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 3 000 households.
Trains ordered to increase Medellín metro capacity
COLOMBIA: Metro de Medellín has awarded CAF a contract to supply 13 three-car trainsets, with final assembly and testing to be undertaken at the operator’s own facilities.
Robot cleaners deployed at Singapore metro stations
SINGAPORE: Metro operator SMRT Trains has deployed 89 autonomous cleaning robots at its stations. Supplier Simpple says the robots increase the speed and efficiency of strenuous and repetitive work, freeing staff to undertake more complex tasks.
Santiago orders driverless metro trains
CHILE: CAF has been awarded a contract to supply and maintain six five-car trainsets as part of the project to extend Metro de Santiago’s Line 6 at both ends.
Istanbul tramway approval hints at political détente over transport investment
TURKEY: Istanbul municipality has been given the go-ahead by the city’s governor to develop the planned 21 km Üsküdar – Kadıköy – Maltepe tram line, following a ruling that no environmental impact assessment would be required for the project.
Bengaluru Red Line approval progress
INDIA: On December 6, the Karnataka Cabinet approved Phase 3A of the Bengaluru metro, allowing the project to go forward for central government sign-off.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
Alstom awarded California Metrolink operation and maintenance contract
USA: Southern California Regional Rail Authority has awarded Alstom a combined Train Operation & Maintenance Services contract for its Metrolink passenger rail services.
Hitachi Rail completes Roma metro trainset
ITALY: The first of 14 six-car metro trainsets that Hitachi Rail is supplying for Roma’s metro lines A and B has been completed.