Canada:On June 27 Calgary city council approved the 3 km Northeast light rail extension from Whitehorn to Westwinds-McKnight (RG 1.05 p10). The C$75m route will open in 2007. The 3 km Northwest extension from Dalhousie to Crowfoot with one station will follow in 2008.
On June 30 Ottawa municipality announced plans for a second phase of light rail expansion, adding 44 cars and extending the network to Barrhaven and the airport by 2021. This would add a further C$275m to the initial C$675m first phase which is due to start next year for completion in 2009.
China: Hong Kong’s Executive Council has approved plans to extend MTR’s Island Line 3 km west from Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town, adding three stations at a cost of HK$7bn. The line is expected to take four or five years to complete.
France:On July 1 EIB signed an agreement to lend an initial tranche of €120m for the second phase of the light rail programme in Bordeaux, which will see the three routes extended by 20 km to reach 44 km by 2008.
Germany:Darmstadt operator HEAG has ordered 18 three-section low-floor ST13 trams from Alstom and Bombardier for €39m. The air-conditioned cars will be delivered from January to December 2007.
Nürnberg metro and light rail operator VAG has ordered six Variotram 100% low-floor cars from Stadler Pankow for €15m.
Braunschweig has placed a €28m order with Alstom and Bombardier for 12 trams, similar to 72 supplied to Magdeburg. There is an option for a further two of the three-section 70% low-floor vehicles, and deliveries will begin in April 2007.
Gera Transport has placed a €12m order with Alstom and Bombardier for six 28m low-floor trams with an option for a further six; rebuilding to light rail standards of Line 1 between Untermhaus and Zw
