Potsdam unveils its ‘true European’ tram
GERMANY: Verkehrsbetrieb Potsdam has unveiled its first Stadler Tramlink tram, which Technical Director Uwe Loeschmann said ‘will help shape Potsdam’s cityscape for decades to come’.
AI project aims to boost tram crossing safety
UK: Cameras are to be installed at foot crossings on several tram networks and the footage analysed by AI tools to identify opportunities for safety improvements.
Cats and dogs to be permitted on light rail services
CHINA: MTR Corp is to allow cats and dogs to be carried on Hong Kong light rail services during weekends and public holidays for a two-month trial period starting on May 1.
Viewpoint: Winning the battle against antisocial behaviour
Keolis UK operates the Nottingham Express Transit network, where an array of enforcement and outreach policies have been used to cut antisocial behaviour on and around trams. Chief Executive Alistair Gordon explains the company’s approach.
Israel: NofIt project learns from Karlsruhe
Work is under way on the NofIt interurban light rail line linking Haifa and Nazareth, which will run through complex terrain with gradients of up to 8%. Dan Shenbach, CEO of project promoter TransIsrael, discusses the state of progress with Benjámin Zelki.
Oradea tram-train plan firms up
ROMANIA: Tenders worth €250m are scheduled to be called in the coming weeks covering work to build a 32 km tram-train network around Oradea. Feasibility studies for the project were approved by Bihor county council and Oradea municipality in November 2023.
Končar tram delivered to Osijek
CROATIA: Operator GPP Osijek has taken delivery of the first of 10 low-floor trams ordered from Končar KEV as part of a programme to modernise the city’s network.
Strasbourg and Le Havre order trams
FRANCE: Alstom has been awarded contracts to supply 27 additional trams to Strasbourg and eight trams for Le Havre’s future Line C, the manufacturer announced on March 19.
CAF to supply Tours Line 2 trams
FRANCE: Transport authority Syndicat des Mobilités de Touraine has awarded CAF a contract to supply 19 Urbos trams for use on the future Tours Line 2.
Porto orders CRRC trams equipped for automatic operation
PORTUGAL: Metro do Porto has awarded CRRC Tangshan a contract to supply trams equipped for GoA2 attended automatic operation on the future Line H (Ruby).
Pineapple tram conversion to de-ice light rail line
FINLAND: Helsinki transport operator Kaupunkiliikenne’s maintenance division has converted an old tram into a overhead electrification de-icing vehicle for use on light rail Line 15.
MPK Kraków selects preferred bidder to replace high-floor trams
POLAND: Operator MPK Kraków has selected Pesa Bydgoszcz as the preferred bidder to supply up to 90 light rail vehicles through three different tenders.
Luxtram cleared for takeoff
LUXEMBOURG: A 3·9 km tramway extension to Luxembourg airport opened on March 2, with an opening ceremony attended by Helge Dorstewitz, Managing Director of Luxtram, with Minister of Mobility & Public Works, Yuriko Backes, the city mayor and other municipality representatives.
Crown Bridges tram deliveries begin
FINLAND: Škoda Transtech’s Otanmäki factory has delivered the first of 23 ForCity Smart Artic X54 trams ordered for Helsinki’s future Crown Bridges light rail line.