France: With fares income up 3·5% at Fr15·7bn, RATP has reported a profit of Fr143m for 2000, up from Fr27m in 1999. A new record of 2·6billion passengers were carried in 2000 across all modes, with metro traffic up 4·8%, RER 5·1% and light rail 10·3%.
Toulouse transport authority SMTC signed contracts totalling Fr3·5bn with Matra Transport on May 9, paving the way for the construction of VAL Line B and the extension of Line A to Balma (MR 99 p61).
Germany: Nürnberg Transport started work in April on the first phase of automated U-Bahn Line U3. The Land of Bayern has allocated DM685m towards the DM868m civil engineering cost for the 11·6 km line linking the southern suburb of Gebersdorf with Nordwestring. The first stage is expected to open by the end of 2007, and the rest by 2013.
Berlin Transport has taken delivery of the first of 30 GT6-99 ZR bidirectional air-conditioned trams from Adtranz. At the end of March Adtranz handed over the first train of its third batch of H series U-Bahn stock to BVG. Small profile HK stock now on test will enter service shortly.
Nürnberg mayor Ludwig Scholz broke ground on May 3 for a new central tram workshop at Katzwangerstraße, which will replace VAG’s three existing depots in July 2003.
Great Britain: On May 9 Transport Minister Keith Hill announced that Hampshire County and Portsmouth City Councils had been granted a Transport & Works Order to build the South Hampshire light rail scheme (RG 5.01 p285).
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive has shortlisted the GMRT, Greater Manchester Tramways, Maintram, and Manchester Tram Co consortia for the Metrolink Phase III concession, covering operations and network extensions. The four consortia are to submit tenders this autumn, and the winner will be appointed next year.
Spain: Madrid Metro Line 10 has reopened between Campamento and Gregorio Marañón following a 10-month programme to prepare this section for wide-profile Series 7000 trains, including gauge enhancement, platform extensions and the installation of new traction substations (RG 1.01 p51). The new station at Puerta de Bat
