Stockholm metro train digital support agreement signed
SWEDEN: Transport authority Storstockholms Lokaltrafik has awarded Alstom a contract to support and develop digital systems on the Movia C20 and C30 metro trainsets it supplied for the Stockholm metro.
Alstom delivers Atlanta airport Plane Train peoplemover cars
USA: Alstom has delivered the first of 29 Innovia APM 300R vehicles to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Assistance tool aims to make Japanese railways more accessible
JAPAN: Transreport has launched an online tool to make it easier for anyone with assistance requirements to request support at Hankyu Railway’s 87 stations. The commuter operator runs trains serving the Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe areas.
Coventry prepares for Very Light Rail demonstration
A project which aims to develop a more affordable alternative to traditional tramways is taking its next major step. Andrew Grantham reports from the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
Croydon tram control system to be replaced
UK: Transport for London is to call tenders in July for a contract to replace the control system on the Croydon tram network.
Medellín’s ‘Metro de la 80’ makes progress
COLOMBIA: Siemens Mobility has selected Spanish company GMV to supply service planning and vehicle location technology for the Metro de la 80 light rail project in Medellín.
Light rail: France's modern role models
No fewer than 28 cities in France have built modern light rail networks in the 40 years since Nantes turned the tide on post-war car-centricity. With 115 km of new line now under construction and 276 vehicles on order, the outlook remains bright, even if political headwinds are starting to be felt. Michael Dreyer reports.
Mobility-as-a-Service: navigating the post-hype reality
Advances in technology, particularly data analytics, are transforming Mobility as a Service from a failed experiment into a more pragmatic and sustainable real-time travel companion.
San Miguel selects Manila metro Line 7 operator in knowledge transfer partnership
PHILIPPINES: Metro Line 7 concessionaire SMC MRT-7 Corp signed a 150bn won, 10-year contract with South Korea’s national operator Korail on April 22 for the operation and maintenance of Manila metro Line 7.
Multimodality: Carrying parcels on tram tracks
Using autonomous pods to transport parcel shipments and other goods on existing tram infrastructure could help to mitigate the traffic jams caused by growing volumes of delivery vehicles, suggests Fragile CEO Lukas Kauer.
Urban transport industry news round-up
This week’s round-up of news from the urban transport sector.
Wien pilots parcel delivery by tram passengers
AUSTRIA: The city of Wien and municipal operator Wiener Linien have launched the Öffi-Packerl trial that will see passengers transport parcels on selected tram routes in the north of the city.
Amtrak takes helm of New York Penn rebuild
USA: The Trump administration has stripped New York MTA of its role in redeveloping New York Penn Station, leaving the federal government in charge through the Department of Transportation and Amtrak. MTA manages two commuter rail operators with an interest in operations at Penn, as well as the Subway lines.
Early morning launch for Liège tram services
BELGIUM: The Liège tramway has opened to passengers, with the first commercial service leaving Liège-Expo at 04.22 on April 28. The 11·7 km line connects northern termini at Coronmeuse and Liège-Expo with a southern terminus at Sclessin-Standard, with 23 stops.
Procurement of £1·6bn Manchester Metrolink O&M contract begins after in-house operation rejected
UK: Transport for Greater Manchester has launched the process of appointing the next operating and maintenance contractor for the Metrolink light rail network, after the decision was made to opt for a revised franchising model rather than take operations in-house.
First Bogotá metro trainset starts testing
COLOMBIA: The first of 30 six-car fully automated trainsets for Bogotá metro Line 1 is on test at CRRC Changchun’s plant in China.
London Underground electrical upgrade works begin
UK: UK Power Networks Services has begun work on a £24m project to upgrade sections of London Underground’s high voltage power network to support the introduction of Siemens Mobility trains on the Piccadilly Line.
Service expansion and climate resilience feature in São Paulo suburban rail concession
BRAZIL: Local transport group Comporte Participações has won the bidding auction for the operation, maintenance, modernisation and extension of São Paulo suburban rail lines 11, 12 and 13 for 25 years.
Roma transport enhanced ahead of Pope’s funeral
ITALY: Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, national railway FS Group is to increase passenger services to Roma between April 23 and 27, while city transport operator ATAC is preparing to handle large numbers of visitors.