Poland: Tram development continues apace
Polish cities have invested significantly in tram network reconstruction and expansion over the past two decades, and the trend is expected to continue. Rolling stock renewals enabled domestic suppliers to strengthen their businesses, and order prospects remain strong, as Michael Dreyer explains.
Roma metro funding agreed as more tram extensions studied
ITALY: The municipality of Roma has reached an agreement with the Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport for financing the next phases of metro Line C.
Stadler trams begin entering service in Milano
ITALY: The first of 74 Stadler Tramlink trams being supplied to Milano transport operator ATM has entered passenger service on routes 7 and 31.
Tram collects real-world data for driver assistance development
NORWAY: A CAF tram operating in regular service is Oslo has been fitted with sensors and cameras to collect data. This will be used to develop driver assistance technology as part of the EU-backed R2DATO research project.
Paris metro MF19 train unveiled as next order planned
FRANCE: The first MF19 trainset for the Paris metro was unveiled by operator RATP, manufacturer Alstom and transport authority Ile-de-France-Mobilités on February 14.
Dnipro orders low-floor trams
UKRAINE: Dnipro’s transport operator has awarded local company Tatra-Yug a contract to supply five K1T306 three-section low-floor trams.
Green energy sought to power Manchester light rail services
UK: Transport for Greater Manchester is planning to award a virtual Power Purchase Agreement contract for the long-term supply of wind or solar energy equivalent to the energy needs of the Metrolink light rail network.
Tramwaje Śląskie orders 50 trams
POLAND: Tramwaje Śląskie has awarded Pesa Bydgoszcz and Modertrans Poznań contracts to supply 50 trams worth 777m zloty.
Warszawa seeks next-generation tram fleet
POLAND: Tramwaje Warszawskie has called tenders for up to 160 trams under a framework agreement seeking a proven design but delivering improved passenger comfort. It wishes to increase the proportion of low-floor vehicles in its fleet, but also provide capacity as the network grows.
HS2 invites Birmingham Interchange peoplemover bids
UK: High speed line project promoter HS2 Ltd has invited shortlisted companies Poma and Doppelmayr Cable Car UK to tender for contracts to supply and operate a cable-hauled automated peoplemover to link the future Interchange station with the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham International station and the airport.
Zagreb tram deliveries begin
CROATIA: Local manufacturer Končar KEV has delivered first of 40 NT2400 trams ordered by Zagreb public transport operator ZET.
Sevilla metro Line 3 contracts awarded
SPAIN: The Junta de Andalucía has awarded a joint venture of Vías y Construcciones, Lantania and DSV Empresa Constructora y Ferroviaria a €173m contract to build Section 3 of the northern part of Sevilla metro Line 3.
Trieste’s partly funicular tramway reopens
ITALY: The unusual tramway which links Trieste with Villa Opicina via a cable-hauled incline has reopened after being suspended in 2016.
Modertrans delivers updated tram to Poznań
POLAND: The first of 30 Moderus Gamma LF 04 AC BD trams that operator MPK Poznań’s in-house manufacturer Modertrans is supplying has arrived at Franowo depot.
Warszawa receives 2bn złoty to complete metro and tram extensions
POLAND: An agreement has been signed for Warszawa to receive 2bn złoty of co-financing from the EU for the completion of metro Line 2 and ongoing tramway projects.
Tram on test as Praha network grows ‘like mushrooms after rain’
CZECH REPUBLIC: The first ForCity Plus 52T tram for Praha is now on test at Škoda Group’s Plzeň factory, 13 months after the signing of the order and eight months after the start of production.
Longer trams increase capacity in Göteborg
SWEDEN: Göteborgs Spårvägar began putting its longer and higher capacity Alstom trams into passenger service on Route 11 on January 19, following a preview trip for invited guests two days before.
Trams return to Reșița after 13 years
ROMANIA: Tram services restarted in Reșița on December 20 after a hiatus of more than 13-years. The city’s sole route links Kaufland in the north to Reșița-Montana in the southeast, a distance of 9 km.
Lille orders more metro trains
FRANCE: Métropole Européenne de Lille has awarded Alstom a €210m firm order to supply 15 more rubber-tyre automated light metro trainsets, following on from 27 ordered previously.
Resignalling programme to create Madrid’s first driverless metro line
SPAIN: Metro de Madrid has awarded Alstom a contract to upgrade the signalling on Line 6 to make it the city’s first driverless metro line.