Trial running on the 18·8 km tram-train line T13 running from Saint-Cyr to Saint-Germain-en-Laye in the western suburbs of Paris began in late December, with opening scheduled for June 2022. The line mostly uses existing rail alignments, and will be operated by SNCF subsidiary Transkeo using 11 Alstom Citadis Dualis LRVs with a maximum speed of 100 km/h.
The Romanian city of Timișoara is to undertake a €87·2m tramway modernisation programme, supported by a €53·6m EU grant and a €20·3m EBRD loan as well as national and local contributions and technical co-operation funds. The package includes renewal of the tram fleet and the rehabilitation of Route T5, as well as public transport reforms.
Simulator specialist Avansim is developing a power management training and testing tool for light rail control centre staff, with support from the UK’s Light Rail Safety & Standards Board.
Towhid station on Tehran metro Line 7 was opened on December 22.
Steve Mabey of Manchester Metrolink has been elected as Chair of the UKTram Operations Group. He has been with Metrolink for 10 years, the last four as Head of Network Operations. He said key projects at the industry group include dealing with the impact of extreme weather and degraded operations.