CHINA: Wuhan’s first tram line began trial passenger operations on July 28. T1 serves 23 stops on a 16·9 km alignment in the southwest of the city between Deshenggang and Chelun Square, which is near the southern terminus of metro Line 3.
Services initially run between 07.00 and 19.00 at 10 min headways. Fares are 2 yuan, and the end-to-end journey takes 40 min.
CRRC Zhuzhou has supplied a fleet of 21 four-section trams, which are equipped with Siemens traction and braking equipment. The 100% low-floor vehicles are 36 m long and 2 650 mm wide with capacity for capacity for 400 passengers.
The trams are equipped with supercapacitor energy storage to enable catenary-free operation. The supercapacitors are recharged at stops through a pantograph. Charging takes 10 to 30 sec and a tram can run for 3 to 4 km on one charge. Maximum speed is 70 km/h.
