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.
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.
States seek to emulate Virginia passenger rail expansion model
USA: The Commonwealth of Virginia is making progress with its passenger rail investment initiative, which will see the number of passenger trains operating in the state double from 2019 to 2030.
Napoli metro network edges towards the airport
ITALY: A 1·9 km one-station extension of Napoli metro Line 1 from Garibaldi to Centro Direzionale opened on April 1, as work progresses to take the line to the airport.
Next Docklands Light Railway operating contract begins
UK: KeolisAmey’s latest contract to operate the Docklands Light Railway automated light metro in east London came into effect on April 1.
Cats and dogs to be permitted on light rail services
CHINA: MTR Corp is to allow cats and dogs to be carried on Hong Kong light rail services during weekends and public holidays for a two-month trial period starting on May 1.
South Coast Rail commuter services launched
USA: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and operator Keolis Commuter Services have launched passenger services on Phase 1 of the South Coast Rail project, providing Fall River and New Bedford with trains to Boston for the first time in more than 65 years.
Viewpoint: Winning the battle against antisocial behaviour
Keolis UK operates the Nottingham Express Transit network, where an array of enforcement and outreach policies have been used to cut antisocial behaviour on and around trams. Chief Executive Alistair Gordon explains the company’s approach.
Luxtram cleared for takeoff
LUXEMBOURG: A 3·9 km tramway extension to Luxembourg airport opened on March 2, with an opening ceremony attended by Helge Dorstewitz, Managing Director of Luxtram, with Minister of Mobility & Public Works, Yuriko Backes, the city mayor and other municipality representatives.
Light rail sightseeing tour launched to boost tourism
CHINA: Hong Kong’s MTR Corp has launched the Tuen Mun Voyager light rail sightseeing tour to boost tourism in the Tuen Mun area.
Second metro line opens in Taiyuan
CHINA: The capital of Shanxi province gained a second metro line on February 22 with the opening of Line 1, celebrated at an event held at Xiayuan station.
Tunis suburban rail Line D opens
TUNISIA: Line D of the Tunis Réseau Ferroviaire Rapide suburban rail network was launched on January 25, with 10 000 passengers carried on the first day.
Trieste’s partly funicular tramway reopens
ITALY: The unusual tramway which links Trieste with Villa Opicina via a cable-hauled incline has reopened after being suspended in 2016.
Heart for transplant delivered by metro train
INDIA: Hyderabad Metro has taken part in the express transfer of a heart between two hospitals for a life-saving transplant.
Ottawa’s O-Train starts phased reopening
CANADA: Ottawa’s O-Train reopened its extended north-south Trillium Line on January 6, with services to be ramped up over the next month.
Turquoise tram route added to Lusail network
QATAR: Revenue-earning Turquoise Line tram services in Lusail north of Doha began on January 6.
Delhi RRTS extension opens as India targets second spot in world metro rankings
INDIA: The 13 km Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar extension of the Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System line was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 5.
Ho Chi Minh City joins the metro club
VIETNAM: Ho Chi Minh City’s 19·7 km metro Line 1 opened for commercial service at 10.00 on December 22 with free travel for 30 days.
Orange Line launch completes Riyadh metro openings
SAUDI ARABIA: The last of the six metro lines in Riyadh opened on January 5 when services began on Line 3, the Orange Line.