THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE
www.lrta.org www.tramnews.net
AUGUST 2014 No. 920 RIGA: MODERNISATION IN THE BALTIC STATES
UK Transport Minister: ‘Light rail benefits are clear’ Minneapolis trams reach St Paul Alstom Transport partners with GE Metrolink Airport line to open early ISSN 1460-8324 £4.10 Charlotte Brussels 08 Urban rail diversifies Centenary of the in North Carolina remarkable line 81 9 771460 832036 London, 1 October 2014 ENTRIES OPEN NOW Best Customer Initiative Best Environmental and Sustainability Initiative Employee/Team of the Year Manufacturer of the Year Most Improved System Operator of the Year Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award Project of the Year
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 315 News Alstom partners with General Electric Board approves the establishment of three joint ventures in power, but transport stays in France
n 21 June the signalling operations, which French Government has around 1200 employees, for announced it had EUR602m. chosen to back a Alstom Chairman & CEO Orevised bid from General Electric Patrick Kron was keen to in the battle to acquire the energy point out the company’s assets of Alstom. This was despite transportation ambitions in the a bid of EUR14.6bn from Siemens North American market, where in partnership with Mitsubishi GE Capital could support the Heavy Industries on 16 June. new business through financing The GE deal is worth solutions ‘on a case-by-case EUR12.34bn and involves basis’. The new transport giant the establishment of three is estimated to have sales of 50/50 joint ventures in power EUR6.2bn and 28 200 employees. generation and transmission, Multiple collaboration renewable energy and nuclear agreements are expected to technology. The French allow Alstom to grow its market Government is to hold a 20% share in freight and the rail preferred share, the holding technology supply chain in Under the new deal, Alstom Transport will continue supplying its Citadis trams to currently held by Bouygues SA, North America, complementing Paris in the future. These examples are on the T3 service at Pont du Garigliano, a line giving it veto and governance Alstom’s worldwide position in that will become a full circle around the city centre under current plans. N. Pulling rights over issues related to passenger transport. security and technology of GE Chairman and CEO Jeff headquarters’ decision-making achieved later in 2014 for closure nuclear plants. Immelt said: “The alliance will in France, and ensures that the in early 2015. The French company will retain and strengthen France’s Alstom name will endure.” Some market analysts foresee retain and strengthen its presence in the energy business The deal is subject to that there could still be a future transport division through the and reinforce Alstom Transport. regulatory and shareholder merger of Siemens’ and Alstom’s acquisition of 100% of GE’s rail It creates jobs, establishes approval, which could be transport divisions.
Guangzhou’s new supercap trams Albania to get new tramway? When the 7.7km (4.8-mile) circular tramway in the Haizhou One of Europe’s more remote development district of the capital cities, Tiranë in Albania Chinese city of Guangzhou opens (population 321 000), is in late 2014/early 2015, passengers starting the development of will be carried on seven 100% a tramway project designed low-floor trams – but there will be to run 9km (5.6 miles) on an no OLE. Instead the CSR Zhuzhou- east-west alignment from built trams will be powered Kinostudio to Kombinat. by supercapacitors, which are The city hopes to attract recharged during braking, or international interest in a PPP from a ground level power supply concession, estimated to cost at stops. A recharge period of EUR155m. This is a different 10-30 seconds is expected. project from that proposed last The trams will be able to run year, although may be better for 4km (2.5 miles) per charge, described as a re-ordering of and braking energy recovery priorities in terms of which efficiency is around 85%. Siemens route is built first, following is supplying propulsion, control The first Guangzhou tram in the workshops of CSR Zhuzhou. CSR Zhuzhou a further study by Italian and braking equipment, as well as company Italferr. powered bogies, under a technical and can carry a maximum of 386 The tramway will link Canton It is understood that licensing agreement. The four- passengers. Maximum speed is Tower and Wanshengwei, where funding from the European section 36.5m trams have a floor 70km/h (43mph). The first car there will be interchange with Bank for Reconstruction and height at entrances of 325mm, was shipped in June. metro lines 4 and 8. Development is available.
Edinburgh: Trams Public Inquiry called the first week of operation. It is which has boosted the takings of expected that traffic numbers will restaurant and cafe outlets. Scotland’s First Minister Alex will begin after the Scottish remain buoyant over the summer Thoughts have also turned to Salmond has announced a Public Referendum on independence and the Edinburgh Festival period the future use of the mock-up Inquiry into the Edinburgh from the UK in September. in particular. An unexpected tram car that was located on tram project. The Inquiry will Following the opening on bonus has been the numbers of Leith Walk and Princes Street be conducted by former Lord 31 May, more than 130 000 Edinburgh concessionary pass for 18 months where it attracted Advocate Lord Hardie and passengers used the service in holders travelling to the airport, around 74 000 visitors.
316 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org Canberra reduces light rail ambitions Manchester Airport line to The Australian Capital Territory Government has received a light rail business plan suggesting a open over one year early reduction of the proposed line to a 3km (1.9-mile) starter section from Alinga St to Exhibition Efficiencies allow last ‘Big Bang’ line opening to be brought forward to 2014 Park, leaving the 12km (7.5-mile) Gunghalin section to be built onstruction of the so far ahead is down to several Centre, would serve six new when funding permits. Manchester Metrolink marginal gains adding up to a stops near key destinations – However, the Government has contributed AUD21.3m Airport line (UK) has significant result: early delivery Wharfside for Old Trafford, the (EUR14.7m) for the Canberra proceeded so well that of a number of lines allowed us Imperial War Museum North, project and says it will spend up theC route should open before the to move resources onto the line Trafford Park Village, Parkway, to AUD614m (EUR423m) in total. end of 2014, more than 12 months earlier; lessons learnt during the EventCity and the Trafford earlier than originally planned. early phases of the expansion Centre. It is hoped that funding Tampere’s overwhelming Testing began on 23 June. drove efficiencies across work and legal matters will allow the vote for light rail On 16 June the city council in The 14.5km (nine-mile) line areas; creating a desktop line to be operational in 2019-20. Tampere, Finland, voted 48-18 will have 15 stops; Sale Water simulator cut the timescales for The new route would serve to go ahead with the project for Park stop is to include a park-and- driver training in half. more than 1300 businesses and a new tramway linking the city ride site with 300 spaces. “These are just a few examples 35 000 jobs at Trafford Park, centre and western suburbs. When passenger services of how, by working closely with and is expected to encourage Trams could be running by begin, trams will operate to the local authorities, utility firms, further regeneration and 2019, although the project will not standard 12-minute headway our principal contractor MPT, economic growth in the areas complete until 2023. of other lines but will terminate stakeholders and the operator it passes through, including Bogota tram-train study at Cornbrook, with passengers MRDL, we’ve become an ultra- the Trafford Wharfside area Following April’s announcement transferring to other services for efficient machine – and this is with its emerging new media of a feasibility study for a 21km the city centre and Altrincham our collective reward.” industry. It would also allow for (13-mile) tramway for the or Eccles. This is due to the Manchester City Council an increase in services for cricket Colombian capital of Bogota – to lack of capacity on the existing leader Sir Richard Leese said: and football match days and be conducted by Alstom and SNC cross-city line. Services will be “The early opening of this events at Old Trafford through Lavalin and delivered in March 2015 – in June Mayor Gustavo extended across the city centre vital new line to Wythenshawe a new turn-back facility at Petro approved the final stage of a once the Second City Crossing and Manchester Airport Warren Bruce Road. The terminal similar study for a 63km (39 miles) project is complete in 2017. is a tremendous boost for arrangements at the Trafford tram-train route serving the city. The line has been built by Manchester. For Wythenshawe, Centre will be arranged to The Región Tram project is the MPT consortium (Laing it will be a pivotal moment in safeguard a future extension being developed by a consortium O’Rourke, VolkerRail and the town’s regeneration which to Port Salford. of Vossloh, Torres Cámara and Thales); major structures include will significantly enhance its The project has been estimated Conconcreto, which envisages bridges over the M60 and M65 pull as a place in which to live in at GBP350m (EUR441m) and that the USD1.05bn scheme could be funded through a PPP. motorways, an underpass at and do business… this line will Greater Manchester Combined The proposed line would Manchester Airport, and a be a major new artery helping to Authority officials are exploring run from Sabana Facatativá to viaduct over the Mersey Valley. pump investment into the heart funding opportunities. The GMCA Bosa via El Dorado International Some nine trams will be needed of our region.” has already approved an initial Airport, serving the capital’s for services. A public consultation on GBP37m (EUR46m) to prepare western suburbs. Councillor Andrew Fender, proposals to build another new the scheme to contract award Gold Coast opening date Chair of the Transport for Metrolink line, to Trafford Park, stage and this includes an order Australia’s Gold Coast LRT system Greater Manchester Committee, is to take place this summer. for an additional ten trams as will begin passenger services on said: “The sheer scale of the The 5.5km (3.4-mile) line, which part of the option agreement 20 July with a day’s free travel; challenges this project presented would run from the existing with Bombardier – these alone fare-paying operations will begin make its early completion a truly Pomona stop on a largely will absorb some GBP20m the next day. phenomenal achievement. To be off-street route to the Trafford (EUR25m) of the advance costs.
Contractors’ vans occupy the east end of the Northern Moor tram stop as Tracks to Manchester Airport approach via an underpass below Ringway Road finishing touches are applied to this section of the Metrolink Airport Line on West, seen from platform 3b of the mainline station. An additional heavy rail 12 June. Mike Haddon platform is under construction, in the middle of the image. Mike Haddon
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 317 News
Ethiopa seeks A pair of Siemens S70 LRVs on the Green line in St Paul on opening Addis Ababa day, 14 June. V. Simons operator Ethiopian Railways Corporation outlined its plans for the light rail system in the country’s capital Addis Ababa to potential bidders on 30 June, local media has reported. The ERC is looking for bids for operations and maintenance of the under- construction system, which is being delivered by China Railway Engineering Corporation and is expected to open in 2015. Addis Ababa’s USD475m network is to have two lines; East-West (17.35km/10.78 miles) and North-South (16.9km/ 10.5 miles), with 2.7km (1.7 miles) of shared route. Trams, which are to be built Minneapolis – St Paul by CNR Corporation and delivered in 2014/15, are to be 70% low-floor, and 29m long with three sections. opens Green Line LRT Finance has come from a loan from the Export and ‘Twin Cities’ light rail project opens after four-year construction period Import Bank of China (85%), as well as equity. wo days of free rides passengers/day, a level of Half of the project’s funding marked the opening of patronage predicted for 2015. came from federal sources, the USD957m,19.2km A route length of 2.5km 30% from the Counties Transit IN PICTURES (11.9-mile), Green line (1.6 miles) at Minneapolis is Improvement Board, and 9% TLRT between Target Field in shared with the Blue line, opened from the State of Minnesota. Bridge seals Nottingham and Ningbo friendship Minneapolis and Union Depot in in 2004. Construction on the The new line re-introduces trams The Ningbo Friendship Bridge in St Paul on 14-15 June. new line began in late 2010. on University Avenue, where Nottingham, UK, was officially Although many of Saturday’s Service is provided 24 hours a they last ran in October 1953. named in a special ceremony special events were cancelled due day, with a ten-minute daytime Metro Transit plans to extend held on 11 June. to rain and high winds, 45 000 frequency – journey time is 46 the Green line south-west to Eden Installed as part of the NET passengers were recorded in the minutes. A fleet of 47 Siemens S70 Prairie (24km/15 miles), but the Phase Two extension, the 62m first eight hours, and 75 000 Avanto LRVs operate from a new project is mired in controversy steel bowstring bridge passes over over the weekend; after one week depot in St Paul, with three-car over the need to share the corridor Nottingham’s A52 ring road and the line was carrying 27 800 trains scheduled at peak periods. with an existing freight railway. is named in celebration of the links between the two cities; the ceremony itself coincided with the tenth anniversary of the opening of the University of Nottingham’s Unexpected delays hit NET expansion campus in Ningbo, China. Ian Malcolm, Lord Mayor of Nottingham’s GBP570m to delays; with overhead cabling City Council, has stressed that Nottingham, and Zhang Minghua, (EUR719m) tram extension has and over 10km (6.2 miles) of in a project of this scale and Vice Mayor of Ningbo, were been hit by ‘unforeseen’ hold- tracklaying still to complete. complexity the “delay will only present at the ceremony to ups, requiring moving water Michael Anderson, TWA Deputy be slight”, and an expanded officially name the bridge. The bridge is one of a series pipes and power cables, meaning Project Director, commented: tramway will bring wider benefits of structures installed along a that the project will miss its “It has been a complex project. including inward investment, 300m elevated route through the target of December 2014 and not Getting approvals externally more city jobs, and regeneration Queen’s Medical Centre, over the open until 2015. has taken time and when you opportunity along the route. A52 and into the University of Programme Director Paul dig into the ground there are She has also confirmed that Nottingham’s campus. This section Harris, from joint venture always surprises… The surveys we neither council nor taxpayer will is on the new line to Chilwell. contractors Taylor Woodrow and do before projects like this can lose out financially due to the Alstom (TWA), confirmed: “Yes, only take us so far but you do not delay, with responsibility being the project has presented some really know until you dig down.” absorbed by the concessionaire challenges, but we are on target A phased introduction and contractors, and businesses to substantially complete all key on parts of the line is being continuing to receive infrastructure works over the considered, although TWA’s discretionary compensation next two to three months and target remains to open all parts to support them during the we are working towards handing as early as possible – but not, ongoing construction hiatus. the new lines over for passenger however, to ‘rush’ the final stages August will see the first five services in the first part of 2015.” to meet the original deadline. new trams enter service on Line 2 (Nottingham – Clifton) Councillor Jane Urquhart, Line One, with testing being Tracey Whitefoot/Nottingham City Council and Line 3 (QMC, Beeston and Portfolio Holder for Planning and progressively rolled out across Toton Lane) have been subject Transportation at Nottingham the extension.
318 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org Alstom to build Qatari tram system Four-line catenary-less tramway for the city of Lusail expected to be completed in 2018-20
he Gulf state of Qatar has up of Qatari Diar and VINCI 7km (4.3 miles) running in If subsequently taken up, an selected a consortium Construction. subway; 36 passenger stations are option for a further 32 Citadis led by Alstom for a Lusail is a new city for around planned, including interchanges vehicles would increase the EUR2bn design and 200 000 residents on Qatar’s with the Doha metro. contract value for the French Tbuild contract for a new four-line coastline north of Doha, Alstom’s share of the contract company to EUR750m. tramway system to serve the city and which will have a metro is worth EUR450m, for trackwork, Lusail is the second Gulf of Lusail; completion is expected connection to the country’s signalling, electrification city to specify the APS surface in 2018-20. The civil engineering biggest city and capital 15km (including APS ground-level current collection system after partner is QDVC - a Qatari (nine miles) away. Lusail’s 33km current collection), and the Dubai; Dubai’s line is due to shareholding company made (20.5-mile) tramway will include supply of 35 Citadis 32m trams. open in November 2014.
Keolis Amey to takeover DLR operations
Multi-national transport appoint Keolis Amey Docklands operator Keolis and its joint was reached after a thorough venture partner Amey has and competitive procurement been awarded the operating process, which will ensure the concession for London’s DLR continues to deliver an Docklands Light Railway, beating ever-improving high quality, competition from incumbent value for money service for operator Serco and Stagecoch. Londoners well into the future. A Go-Ahead/Colas joint venture I would also like to thank Serco dropped out before the end of the for their support since 1997 procurement competition. in helping make the DLR the Serco has operated the DLR since success story it is today.” 1997 over two franchise terms. The DLR opened in 1987, Keolis is majority stakeholder and has grown into a key in the joint venture, with transport service for east Amey taking responsibility London, carrying a record for maintaining the stations, 101m passengers in 2013-14. track and trains. The seven-year Alistair Gordon, Keolis UK concession begins on 7 December Chief Executive, said: “This 2014 and runs until April 2021 win is a major achievement for Serco has operated the DLR for 17 years, with high levels of reliability; the contract transfers to Keolis/Amey in December 2014. Neil Pulling with a two-year option taking it Keolis and we are delighted to be until 2023. The contract is worth working with Amey and DLRL more than GBP700m (EUR881m), to deliver the next chapter in the management expertise will Keolis is also one of five not including performance- successful history of the DLR.” deliver a specialist service that shortlisted bidders (in a joint related bonuses or deductions. Mel Ewell, Amey Chief provides value and ensures venture with Go-Ahead) to Managing Director of London Executive, added: “Keolis’ London’s travelling public run Crossrail trains from 2015, Underground and Rail, Mike global experience combined experiences a reliable and when services partially open Brown, said: “The decision to with Amey’s UK rail and asset high quality service.” overground in east London.
Memphis tramway operation The heritage tramway service infrastructure was in good operated by the Memphis Area condition, the trams needed suspended over safety concerns Transit Authority (MATA) in rebuilds before they could Memphis, TN, was suspended continue to operate safely. for an unknown period from This conclusion applied not 11 June and replaced by bus just to the seven ex-Melbourne operation. cars, but also to the six former The temporary closure Porto two-axle trams used on comes after MATA received a the Main St line that opened report by independent experts 21 years ago, and the 1997 from the American Public Riverfront line. Transportation Association MATA has a total of 15 into the condition of the trams, which carried 1.3m tramway operation. The report passengers/year, and will was commissioned after decide in the next three fires caused by fuse failures months whether it can afford occurred on two ex-Melbourne the complete renovation W2 trams used on the 2004 of the fleet, estimated to Madison Avenue line. cost USD37.5m, to permit It concluded that whilst the resumption of operation.
An ex-Porto tram on Main St, Memphis, passing the Orpheum theatre. P. Ehrlich
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 319 News
Orange line light rail ban to be overturned? Tube services increased to California could be on the way to overturning a ban on surface light rail on the Los Angeles Orange line corridor that cope with record passengers would allow the BRT route to be converted to rail. State politicians have voted to overturn the ban; Jubilee and Piccadilly lines get more frequent services in peak hours the move must now be signed off by the Governor. he London Underground Currently, only busway or network (UK) carried underground metro are allowed on the Orange line corridor. a record 1.265bn The 29km (18-mile) Orange line passengers in 2013-14, Tup from 1.229bn in 2012-13. is one of two BRT routes in Los Angeles Country Metro’s Metro To meet the increased Liner system. demand more frequent services Buses replace trams after have been introduced on two Jerusalem riots of the network’s busiest lines Buses are replacing trams on part – the Jubilee and Piccadilly. of the Jerusalem light rail system, The Piccadilly line has seen after rioters damaged a number evening and Saturday headways of stops in early July. improved while the Jubilee line Tram services were reduced has seen peak hour timetables to the section between Mount extended to occupy longer Herzi and Giv’at Ha-Mivtar with time periods. These and other articulated buses taking over improvements have seen an other services, as a result of riots that followed the murders of additional 600 000km (around Israeli and Palestinian teenagers. 370 000 miles) of train operation No date has been given for the during the year. resumption of services. A second public consultation on the proposed rebuilding of GHD and CRA merge Consultancy GHD has merged the Bank/Monument station with Conestoga-Rovers & complex was held in mid-June, Associates (CRA). The result is following an initial consultation The London Underground’s Jubilee line has seen the launch of more frequent an engineering, environmental last October. The interchange is services during peak hours to help meet record passenger levels. Neil Pulling consulting, architecture and the fourth busiest on the system project management company and includes interchange with The amount of money held to publicise more effectively that is more than 8500 strong. the Docklands Light Railway on unused Oyster pre-payment the opportunities for owners to Ongoing employee shareholders and the Waterloo & City shuttle cards has increased by a third to redeem their unused cards. in CRA become shareholders service. Transport for London GBP60m (EUR75m) in the last TfL believes it is not a problem of GHD. The two companies will intends to apply for a Transport year. This sum is attached to that worries the majority of work together on a progressive & Works Act Order later in the cards that have not been used holders, who are mainly people integration programme. summer; work could commence for at least a year. It has led to who only make occasional in 2016 for completion in 2021. calls for the Mayor of London journeys to the capital.
TVZ West Midlands transport boost for trams and BRT
On 7 July UK Prime Minister local authorities and local David Cameron announced enterprise partnerships (LEPs) a GBP350m (EUR440m) for projects which create jobs. package of investment for the The 16.5km (10.2-mile) West Midlands designed to ‘Sprint’ rapid bus scheme will boost employment, including receive an initial GBP34.3m extensions to the Midland (EUR43m) for a system to Metro light rail system and a run from Birmingham city new BRT-style system. centre to a planned high The new tramlines include speed station near the NEC in links to Edgbaston and Solihull – a further GBP357.3m Curzon Street, the site of the (EUR450m) is available over a proposed new High Speed 2 five-year period. New Moscow firm’s prototype tram station – due for completion Sir Albert Bore, leader of in 2026. There will also be an Birmingham City Council, Engineers and marketing personnel from other manufacturers have extension linking New Street said: “The announcements will joined the new company PK Transportnye Systemy to build a 16m bogie Station to Centenary Square help kick-start a range of major tram aimed at tramway systems not interested in low-floor articulated on Broad Street. projects that will support cars. The company is based in Russsia’s capital Moskva (Moscow). The investment comes the delivery of an improved A prototype using bogies from a factory in Tver and Russian traction from the UK Local Growth transport system for the equipment (two 75kW asynchronous traction motors and hydraulic Fund, which is to distribute city, particularly with some brakes) has been assembled and will be tested on the Tver system. GBP10bn (EUR12.6bn) to further Metro extensions.”
320 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org Advertorial
FUND FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF COMPETITION IN THE FRENCH PUBLIC TRANSPORT SECTOR:
Operators bidding for certain urban transport contracts in France over the 2012-2016 period should be entitled, under certain conditions, to the compensation of all or part of their bidding costs.
n the context of the French concerned in order to contribute to as to increase the number of bidders and Competition Authority’s decision the payment of all or part of outside enhance competition between them). no. 10-DCC-198 of 30 December consulting costs). The above mentioned fund relates 2010, a fund has been put in place To contribute to the compensation, by to the contracts which will be put to to enhance competition in the the PTAs concerned, of bidding costs tender between 2012 and 2016 for the urbanI transport services sector, with a view: incurred by players challenging the operation of 44 urban transport networks, To finance consulting services incumbent operator (grant of lump which are currently operated by purchased by public transport sums to the PTAs concerned in order VEOLIA TRANSDEV and/or its affiliates/ authorities (“PTA”) concerned, so as to to contribute to the compensation by subsidiaries1. strengthen the role of such PTAs in the such PTAs of all or part of the bidding effectiveness of the tender procedures costs incurred by unsuccessful bidders For the period from 2014 to 2015, the (grant of lump sums to the PTAs other than the incumbent operator, so contracts concerned are listed below:
URBAN TRANSPORT NETWORK DATE OF EXPIRY OF CURRENT CONTRACT Chamonix 30/11/2014 Chartres 31/12/2014 Antibes 30/06/2015 Antibes 30/06/2015 Creusot-Montceau-les-Mines 31/07/2015 Epernay 31/07/2015 Vannes 31/08/2015 St Dié-des-Vosges 31/08/2015 Calais 31/12/2015 Fos-sur-Mer / Istres 31/12/2015 Ajaccio 31/12/2015 Beauvais 31/12/2015 Thonon-les-Bains 31/12/2015
1 The detailed description of the fund is attached FOR FURTHER INFORMATION to the decision of the French Competition Authority no. 10-DCC-198 of 30 December Operators interested may contact the relevant PTAs or the Manager in charge of the operation of the fund, under the supervision of the Trustee appointed by the French 2010 relating to the setting-up of a joint venture Competition Authority: between Veolia Environnement and Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, available on the
Mr Gilles Panetto / Mme Caroline Montane (Tel: +33 1 58 19 30 42 / +33 1 58 19 34 67) Authority’s website at:
[email protected] / [email protected] Natixis, 68-76 quai de la Rapée 75012 Paris www.autoritedelaconcurrence.fr/user/ avisdec.php?numero=10-DCC-198.
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 321 Delivering worldwide
transport solutions
keolis.co.uk Comment EDINBURGH TRAMS AND THE PLANNED INQUIRY
Paul Tetlaw looks at some of the questions Transform Scotland want the answers to, and why the tram project is being singled out for a Public Inquiry amongst other delayed and over-budget transport schemes.
ransform Scotland has been a long-term supporter of • Was the correct relationship established between CEC and TIE? the Edinburgh tram project. In January 2001, along • Did the contractors take advantage of the situation that arose with Passenger Focus we organised the first ever in Edinburgh? international conference in Scotland on trams, with To provide a valid account of the cost of building the tram speakers from across the UK and Europe discussing infrastructure in terms of a significant long-term investment, theT benefits that trams had brought to other cities. It was the estimated costs of replacing the utility services, and the therefore with relief and delight that on 4 March 2003 we heard costs of the consequent delays, should be subtracted, as being a the Scottish Executive announcement that the City of Edinburgh separate utility responsibility that had long been neglected. would receive GBP375m (EUR472m) for two tramlines. To what extent were difficulties and additional costs in replacing Since then we have gathered support utility services responsible for the from organisations across the city, protracted dispute between the and produced briefing papers for Council and the contractor? key votes in the City of Edinburgh Politicians of all parties here in Council in 2006 and 2011, and in Scotland might like to reflect on the the Scottish Parliament in 2007. above key issues and also why it is Additionally we submitted evidence that this public transport project is in favour of the construction of the sole subject of the inquiry and the two lines during the period of not the similarly over budget road parliamentary scrutiny. schemes. However, we will be willing As readers will know, the project to give evidence to the inquiry in our has suffered from a series of disputes role as ‘innocent bystanders’ from and delays, so it was a relief to witness inception to launch of the trams and crowded trams take to the streets trust that the terms of reference will of Edinburgh on 31 May 2014. allow for a close scrutiny of the part Whilst the service is still bedding in TAUT played by all players. it is clear that the public mood has shifted – 130 000 people flocked to A plan for the future use the new services in the first week. “Politicians might like to As far as the current first tramline is This appears to have taken reflect on why it [Edinburgh concerned it is clear that extensions elements of the local media by are needed and there is every reason surprise, as well as some of those tramway] is the sole to believe that they will happen. politicians who were hostile towards That is the pattern with all new tram the project. subject of inquiry and not schemes and Edinburgh has a fleet of However, given the history of trams, a depot and indeed the rails all the project it came as little surprise the similarly over-budget ready for the construction of further on 6 June to hear the First Minister lines. For all of the problems some announce that a judge-led inquiry road schemes.” aspects have been proved to be well will be held. founded; the CAF trams with a large capacity have certainly been needed Raising some difficult questions and the decision to create a new combined company to run the Clearly it is important to establish the causes of the delays in trams and buses will surely be a model that others will follow. construction, and the roles of the key agencies and individuals Happily, there does now seem to be a political consensus involved. Some questions are: developing on Edinburgh Council that what has been built • Why did the Government withdraw Transport Scotland from can only be the start of a new era of public transport in the city, this major project of international significance? and that tram extensions must follow. • Why was the funding for this major public transport project so rigidly capped by the Government, no matter what adverse circumstances might arise? Paul Tetlaw spent most of his career in environmental management in the • What was the purpose of this financial constraint, which water industry, retiring as General Manager, Key Customers for Scottish seems to be unique, when so many road schemes have been Water. Paul has been a Board Member with Transform Scotland for over ten allowed to over-run their initial budgets very considerably years and served as Chair for four years. (e.g. the M74 extension and the Aberdeen western bypass)? Transform Scotland is the national alliance promoting sustainable transport in Scotland with a membership representing all major public • Did the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) and Transport transport operators. The broadly-based membership also includes local Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) have the appropriate skillsets to authorities, universities, transport consultants, car clubs and a range of manage a project of this scale? active travel organisations.
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 323 9th UK Light Rail Conference A PROMISE FOR THE UK’S FUTURE
There were some trong political commitment was light rail is an excellent way to get more shown at the 9th UK Light Rail people into city centres. It helps the growth heavyweight names Conference in Nottingham (UK) of our high streets, it’s good for labour, it’s amongst the 80-plus in June, with Baroness Kramer, the good for our businesses, and it helps people UK Minister of State for Transport link with jobs.” speakers at this year’s UK tellingS delegates that the reasons for light That, she said, is “why this Government Light Rail Conference, rail’s popularity “are clear”. is continuing to invest in light rail and will The Liberal Democrat Peer said that light continue to do so.” converging in Nottingham rail is “good for passengers, it’s good for the Baroness Kramer’s comments came on the to offer a promising local economy, it’s good for the environment, second day of the conference that this year and I think it’s one of the most user-friendly had grown to the point that multiple halls glimpse of what could be ways to get around our cities. were used to allow presentations and panel the future for UK’s light rail. “We want more people to discover the debates to take place simultaneously. It also benefits of light rail, particularly urban car offered delegates the chance to see progress on TAUT rounds up some of users. Not just to reduce congestion, local the Nottingham system’s extensions that are the key debates. pollution, and carbon emissions, but because expected to open in early 2015.
324 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org A PROMISE FOR THE UK’S FUTURE
ABOVE LEFT: Transport Minister Baroness Kramer indicated the current UK Government’s support for light rail and urged cities and regions to come forward with new schemes.
ABOVE RIGHT: Shadow Rail Minister and Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood said: “The industry and transport planners need to continue to develop proposals… for integrating light rail with the conventional rail network and for connecting to HS2.” LEFT: Delegates were treated to a first ride on one of Alstom’s new Citadis low-floor trams on 11 June, embarking from Nottingham Trent University stop before a trip to see the extension works at the city’s main station. All images by Neil Pulling – 11-12 June.
TRAM-TRAIN: ‘LET US LEARN FIRST, BUT TALK TO US’
With work on the UK’s tram-train pilot beginning in earnest in 2014 (see TAUT 918 for more detail), Network Rail’s Simon Coulthard reiterated a message for interested parties he says he’s given before, that “we are here, come and talk to us.” Tim Kendall, Infrastructure Technical Manager from the UK’s Department for Transport echoed these comments, adding: “We want to be able to spread this out – we’re documenting everything… and we’re happy that the learning is securer and more robust. Let us learn first, so you can get it right, but do talk to us.” Nils Jänig, Deputy Director of TransportTechnologie-Consult Karlsruhe, From left: Nils Jänig, TransportTechnologie- identified a threat to tram-train schemes coming Consult Karlsruhe; Simon Coulthard, Network Rail from Europe-wide rules, which threatened to and panel Chair Colin Walton, Light Rapid Transit impose heavy-rail style rules on aspects like Forum President. crashworthiness onto tram-train. Once again, the message on the need for Said Jänig, leadership was “one of the success unity and leadership in the longer term was factors we identified…” emphasised. In Karlsruhe, Jänig explained, it The Conference audience heard that Sheffield’s came from a person; in France the leadership has vehicles are to arrive towards the end of 2015, with come from state railway SNCF, which is effectively services beginning in spring/summer 2016. The offering tram-train solutions to communities. pilot is scheduled to last two years.
Shadow Rail Minister Lilian Greenwood an environment… that makes it easier for LEFT: – who is also the (Labour) Member of communities to develop light rail services.” Nottingham Parliament for Nottingham South – shared City Council her vision of light rail immediately after Light rail’s strategic role Portfolio Holder for Planning and Baroness Kramer. Ms Greenwood described Nottingham City Council's Portfolio Transportation the environmental benefits of light rail as Holder for Planning and Transportation Jane Urquhart “compelling” and said she was “convinced Jane Urquhart said the East Midlands said that light of the economic and environmental benefits centre wants to be “a city that shows that rail had been of trams and light rail. The industry and you can have economic sustainability transformational transport planners need to continue to alongside environmental sustainability in for the East develop proposals for new systems, for terms of the way you build… your city and Midlands, both in terms of integrating light rail with the conventional your transport systems.” sustainability and rail network and for connecting to HS2.” Ms Urquhart explained that “in terms social inclusion, If Labour wins the forthcoming of developing a city as a place where but also in making UK General Election in 2015, said Ms people want to live, work and spend their Nottingham a Greenwood, “we’ll do our best to create leisure time, I think that light rail has had “European city”.
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a considerable impact in Nottingham… OTHER HIGHLIGHTS because we’ve done that as part of an overall vision of a city that becomes a European city, and a city that puts economic sustainability ON SOCIAL MEDIA… and environmental sustainability at the heart “We’ve noticed that over the last six of its planning and transport strategies.” Taking part in the panel debate on light months, as we’ve utilised social rail’s role as a potential strategic city-building media more to communicate with our tool together with Ms Urquhart were Régis passengers, that dissatisfaction has Hennion, Keolis Group Metro and Light Rail Director, and Eran Melamud, Planning diminished. Passengers understand and Design Manager at NTA – Tel Aviv that from time to time there may be a Metropolitan Mass Transit. slight disruption to service, but what Hennion recounted the experience of they don’t like is not being told about it. many French cities – where trams have become important drivers of regeneration. You also need to give out positive He explained that in contrast to the UK, messages, such as ‘Great news, service French networks tend to be run as a ‘whole’ running smoothly with no delays including such aspects as marketing and today’.” PR, and therefore that operators become comparatively more closely involved with Joanne Bentley, Customer Services Manager, town planning and wider local authority Nottingham Trams planning agendas than in the more split Anglo-Saxon models. Hennion singled out the key point in the ON THE NEXT GENERATION OF LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES… revival of French public transport as being “We need to put the ‘light’ back into light rail.” the launch in the 1970s of a tax dedicated to transport – the Versement Transport (VT). Colin Robey, Metro Operations Manager, Centro VT is a hypothecated local tax levied on the total gross salaries of companies with more than nine employees that is used to invest ON CARBON REDUCTION AND ENERGY RECOVERY… in local public transport infrastructure and cover operating expenses. Employers “We often talk about light rail being the environmental solution, that grow beyond nine employees after the the low-carbon solution, but we mustn’t underestimate the rate establishment of VT are exempt for three of progress that the automotive sector is making in this area. years and receive a 75% discount in the fourth year, 50% in the fifth year and 25% in year six. They will be carbon neutral, or carbon-free, long before we are The sizes of communities liable to VT has on the basis of the current trajectories.” dropped from 300 000 when the system Richard McClean, Managing Director, DB Regio Tyne & Wear was first introduced in Paris in 1973, to just 10 000, with variable rates depending on the size of the population – since 2011, it is ON THE FUTURE OF CATENARY-LESS limited to 0.9% for public transport zones RUNNING… with fewer than 100 000 population. Hennion went on to ascribe the remarkable “We’ve proven that we can operate growth of LRT schemes in the country as 20 hours per day, with no need for wayside power or opportunity charging. We keep the batteries as cool as we can, and between 40-75% of full power at all times. In this way we have proven we can double the manufacturer’s warranty.” Brad Read, President, TIG/m LLC
ON RUNNING MIXED FLEETS… “Maintaining operational and maintenance efficiencies while maintaining undisrupted service can create quite a stressful environment.” Emma Doherty, Head of Engineering, London Tramlink
ON FUTURE-PROOFING UK SCHEMES… “For any new schemes we build from now on, in ten years’ time many of the vehicles currently on offer may not be made any more... so it’s about trying to think outside the box and to The UK Light Rail Conference brought expertise future-proof the systems for compatibility.” from around the world, including Eran Melamud Mark Terry, Associate Director and Head of LRT Rolling Stock, Mott MacDonald from NTA (Tel Aviv) and Régis Hennion, Keolis’ Group Metro and Light Rail Director.
326 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org ABOVE: Roger Harrison, Chairman of both Tramlink Nottingham and the Light Rapid Transit Forum, acted as Chair and moderator for both days.
LEFT: Delegates heard presentations and panel debates on a wide range of themes, including LRT funding, planning, design, and technical and operational topics. largely down to the lack of capacity for The relative merits of busways and trams developers’ to look at the further progress buses to meet growing demand and how were also a topic of discussion, and Melamud of transit-oriented development in the UK, systems had the wider benefit of developing explained that in Tel Aviv five LRT and three while Jan große Beilage from TTK (Karlsruhe) the urban realm: “So the light rail came BRT lines are being developed and “we’re argued that the model of transport and urban back as a good idea, and then the way to treating... the design of them to the same development co-ordination needs stronger have the population accepting [them]... level.” The selection was made on expected land usage policies to move away from car was to refurbish the place the light rail was capacity demands – buses being chosen domination and to support higher density going through. So this is the original idea where demand is expected to be lower, development around public transport hubs. of how light rail became a tool to refurbish but “the stops for the BRT will be the same the city centre.” design and the same level of service as the Raising revenues However, Hennion was just one of those LRT”. This allows for a modular approach to A key issue that’s increasingly of interest at the conference who argued that realising construction, continuity of service and to to light rail operators and promoters is light rail schemes needs strong political allow future conversion to LRT for the BRT generating revenue from other avenues than leadership. Describing the process of initial routes where demand exceeds capacity. just the farebox. pain versus later benefits, Hennion said of the Panellists with experience of light rail Delegates listened keenly to, among others, creation of light rail systems: “I usually say schemes across Europe and North America Graeme Craig who is responsible for non- it’s ‘two years in hell, 30 years in heaven’, but also discussed the integration of LRT systems fares revenue at Transport for London. Such you know these two years are quite critical. into the urban environment and ‘complete monies are currently running at GBP240m So if you don’t have a strong politician… street’ design. Alan Jones from consultant EUR301m) per year – but the target is to it doesn’t work”. Steer Davies Gleave called for more ‘visionary generate an additional GBP1bn (EUR1.25bn)
Richard McClean, Managing Director of DB Regio Tyne & Wear, moderated the debates in the technical and operational hall – bringing considerable Centro’s Metro Operations Manager (and UKTram Managing Director) Colin Robey led two panels focused on expertise as the operator of the Tyne & Wear Metro. both adapting existing LRV products to the UK and also what the future holds in terms of more efficient vehicles.
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over the next ten years. The potential, argued “The good thing is that the organisation Working on projects to deliver managed Craig, is there: “In the case of TfL, we’re just has entirely bought in to the fact that this is mobile networks that offer equivalent quality about London’s largest landowner but we’ve money that we can generate, and it’s money connections to those found in buildings, he done remarkably little with our assets for that we can generate by providing housing argued that passengers now “want free several decades… we’ve got a thousand retail that London needs, products and services Wi-Fi… the big challenge for transport units in stations that bear little relation to the that our customers want. There is operators is delivering that and funding quantity and quality of the people using our no downside whatsoever to these things, it. There is absolutely a monetisation networks each day. In general there’s vastly, we just need to assemble the team, and get opportunity there when joining together the vastly more that we can do, that’s based in the support and find the investment in transport within a wider city network.” part on the quality of assets, the scope of the order to make it all happen.” A further perspective came from Nicole assets, and the numbers of people who we Recent innovations include making Gueretta of Exterion Media – which works have on the network each day.” stations collection points for online ‘click with TfL, as well as many other light and He argued that “…we might not have seen and collect’ services, which started last heavy rail, and bus businesses. She explained ourselves as being a car parking business, November. The task, argued Craig, is that “at the moment there’s a disconnect but we’ve got 61 car parks,” adding that as “therefore to have hundreds of locations between what a passenger wants and what’s part of the organisation’s strategic vision across London, each of which connects into available at stations. Running trains on time it had actively sought out car park and the unique circumstances of that part of and safely is a given, what else are you going retail management expertise. “There’s a London and the people who use that station, to do to improve my customer experience?” large variety of things we can be doing, but also providing an integrated solution for Mr Craig summed up TfL’s forward- and huge opportunities, it’s just a question people whilst they’re on the network.” thinking strategy as: “It’s about us of prioritising and working out the most Taking part in the same panel was Peter understanding who the people are that use effective place to start and where do you Kingsland from Icomera, which provides each of our stations, what is it that they want, find the partners to make this happen. mobile broadband services for transport. and how do those stations connect into the
Graeme Craig, TfL Commercial Development Bernard Tabary, CEO International for Keolis hosted László Szedlmajer, from BKV in Budapest, shared Director, led a fascinating interactive panel debate on a networking dinner on 11 June and complimented his experience of mixed fleet operation from the driving additional revenue from system assets. Nottingham and the UK on promising light rail growth. Hungarian capital and its 600-strong tram fleet.
INIT Rowe Hankins EXHIBITION Light Rail Awards SRS Rail System International
The exhibition and networking sessions were busy over both days of the Conference. Trade stands featured a range of innovative light rail suppliers.
The UK Light Rail Conference also featured Mainspring Stanton Bonna an exhibition of leading suppliers and service Mott MacDonald STRAIL providers to the industry, with showcases from: Prosperity Law Tramlink Nottingham / Taylor Woodrow-Alstom QHi Rail TransportTechnologie–Consult Karlsruhe CIRAS Railway Industry Association Turner & Townsend Ian Rowe Associates Rosehill Rail Vossloh Cogifer
328 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org different parts of London and what is it use by trams. that those different parts of London need… NOTTINGHAM EXPRESS TRANSIT EXPANSION TOUR that might be retail or hotels, but it could also be cycle parking or a library, or a post office or a police station.”
Carbon-free transport An exciting vision of a completely carbon-free future for light rail was delivered by Brad Read, President and Co-founder of TIG/m LLC. Read explained the detail behind the tramway in Oranjestad on the Caribbean island of Aruba, supplied by his organisation. The Oranjestad tramway serves cruise passengers and locals on its just over 1km (0.6-mile) route – which functions without overhead wires using hydrogen fuel cell technology. In fact, Read explained, eliminating the need for electrification can bring a 40%-50% reduction in costs, as well as reducing any undesirable effects on the surrounding environment by making wires, masts and substations unnecessary. TIG/m has never built a tramway that needs continuous wayside power, Read explained, and said “our mission is to reduce Delegates enjoyed a tour of the redeveloped Nottingham Hub, which will better integrate the tramway streetcar infrastructure impacts and costs into a refurbished station. by eliminating the need for continuous A chance to take a ‘guided tour’ of the ‘Nottingham Hub’ and Simultaneously with the off-board electrification systems.” of some of Nottingham’s adjacent to the now-refurbished conference, the new structure Instead, he reported, TIG/m trams use light rail construction sites station, at a location made taking the Chilton line over a mixture of onboard energy storage, as well as a ‘sneak preview’ possible by the building of the the A52 road has been named regenerative braking, and power generation ride in one of NET’s new new Karlsruhe Friendship the Ningbo Friendship Bridge, aboard the vehicle. Six different motive Alstom Citadis trams was Bridge, which spans the recognising the partnership eagerly taken up by a number of platforms and follows the between the UK and Chinese power systems are on offer from the firm – conference delegates. alignment of the old Great cities (see News). from biodiesel to hydrogen. Participants were picked up Central Railway that once did The 62m steel bowstring With the use of hydrogen won using from the Nottingham Trent the same thing. bridge – weighing around electricity generated by wind power, Read University stop next to the From there, participants 1000 tonnes and created at said his organisation has achieved “the first conference hall, and rode to were shown construction sites an estimated cost of GBP3m zero-carbon transit system. All of the energy the station in one of the new including at Queen’s Walk on (EUR3.75m) – was named by used onboard the vehicles is derived from generation trams that is now to the Clifton line just the other Nottingham’s Lord Mayor renewable wind energy.” augment the tramway’s original side of the junction where it Ian Malcolm on 11 June in a Bombardier Incentro fleet. and the Chilwell lines split; ceremony that also involved What’s more, he said, the avoidance of They were then shown the and walked to the historic Ningbo’s Deputy Mayor Mr overhead power brings further benefits: “The new station stop that will soon Wilford Toll Bridge over the Zhang Minghua, who visited beauty of the system is that we have a very low replace the original outside the River Trent, which is currently Nottingham with a delegation impact streetcar infrastructure installation station. The new stop is part being adapted to allow its from the Chinese city. because we have no need to go deep into the streets. We can generally get away with a 12in [30cm] deep substrate, utilising sub-base system now open however – and discussions that’s existing below the streets.” already taking place on possible extensions – The result in Oranjestad is “a real boost, it’s she said, “this is very much the beginning of TAUT WORLD CUP a place-maker that is regenerating a city that the journey, not the end of the journey”. LIGHT RAIL QUIZ! is 600 years old and bringing it back to life.” Another city facing a journey right now is the UK Light Rail Conference’s host this As returning media partner for the event, Edinburgh: The start of a journey year. Nottingham faces an exciting time Tramways & Urban Transit ran a World City of Edinburgh Council Chief Executive in coming months, as the extensions of Cup-themed light rail quiz, with the first prize of an official Honduras World Cup shirt, won by Sue Bruce made her second visit to the UK its Nottingham Express Transit system to David Steele of SYSTRA. Light Rail Conference in as many years to Clifton and Chilwell near completion ready update delegates on the tramway scheme for their planned opening (see also News). in the city; this time her attendance came When open, they will expand the system’s less than a fortnight after the long-awaited length by 17.5km (11 miles). launch of public services. Tramlink Nottingham Chief Executive Bruce noted that some key road corridors Phil Hewitt gave an update on the system and in Edinburgh display among the worst air explained that “in a matter of weeks we’ll pollution in Scotland – and raised the hope start seeing the first trams running over to that trams can make a significant difference. the south side and the dynamic testing of In addition to the ‘bounce’ seen as the UK Phase Two will start.” emerges from the economic crisis of recent Delegates also heard from Fred Garner, years, Bruce said that investors “are coming Director of Rail Projects at Taylor Woodrow, to the city in their droves, property values are and were able to inspect some of the ‘on the going up… along the tram corridor and what ground’ progress first hand with a guided tour we’re seeing is a real bounce.” of some of the extension sites and a ride in A public inquiry into the handling of the one of NET’s new Alstom Citadis trams. tramway project in the Scottish capital has been announced (see also News, page 319) The 10th UK Light Rail Conference will be and Bruce reported “we will of course play held in Nottingham; the dates have now all of our information into that”. With the been confirmed as 17-18 June.
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 329 with Alstom
Shaping the future of urban rail www.alstom.com/uk
teamwork still delivers....
Structures | Rail Systems | Stations
Taylor Woodrow is part of VINCI, a world leader in concessions and construction. www.vinciconstruction.co.uk Charlotte LRT EXPANSION IN QUEEN CHARLOTTE’S CITY
LYNX S70 116 at the elevated Charlotte Transportation Center stop, the current Blue line terminus; the extension will take the line north-east from here. A Gold line connection will also join the Blue line here.
With a very successful light rail city could thrive in the new world, and one At suburban Atherton Mills, a group of operation already undergoing of the ways to do so was via comprehensive electric transit enthusiasts began the process improved local transportation. In order to of restoring car 85, the last streetcar to expansion, Herbert Pence pay for the improvements, a 1998 sales tax operate in the city. With halting steps, the updates on progress from referendum was passed; a later attempt to car was reconstructed and in August 1996 repeal the tax was defeated by a 70/30 margin. began weekend running on Norfolk Southern Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte is nicknamed The Queen City. Railroad metals. To provide electric power, including the new project This comes from before the Revolutionary 85 trailed a four-wheel civil-works trolley on War when the North American lands which sat a welding generator. This was not for an urban streetcar. belonged to various British colonies. quite an epiphany moment, but people began The city is named for Queen Charlotte to recognise the potential of light rail transit. ow many of us have pounded (1744-1818), consort to King George III, The 2025 Integrated Land Use/Transit our foreheads onto meeting and is still showing amazing growth for a Plan was passed in 2002, and this called for tabletops, as planners droned mature city. The 2010 US Census has the a variety of improved transit options: diesel on about what projects were population at 735 800, with an estimated bus, LRT (34km/21 miles), streetcar (18km/ going to take place in 10, 20, 2013 population of 792 700. The availability 11 miles) and commuter rail (48km/30 miles). Hor 30 years? Their maps present attractive of good public transportation plays a role in The first half of the LRT programme is cityscapes, futuristic equipment and seemingly this statistic. The local transit undertaking built and diesel bus service has been limitless travel opportunities. Except when the is the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), expanded. Presently, the LRT system, branded presentations are complete, the consultants headed by Carolyn Flowers, CEO. LYNX and coded as the Blue line, is being and designers paid off, many of these urban extended by 15km (nine miles). All of this is travel schemes are filed away, except for the Early seeds of a light rail return to be operated by or under contract to CATS. ones involving more asphalt and motorways. As early as 1981, Charlotte’s Historic Thus, there is a slow confluence of actions, Not so with Charlotte in the US State of Landmarks Commission thought a historic which taken together are redefining transit North Carolina. About 20 years ago, civic streetcar service would provide a valuable in the Queen City. leaders wished their fair city to continue visitor attraction and therefore funded a to be a desirable place to live and conduct one-person fact-finding trip around the US. Latest developments business. Charlotte is in Mecklenburg County With community financial assistance, In 2014, two exciting developments are and, as with many large Southern cities, the commission purchased and restored a taking place simultaneously. The first is the faced challenges as racial desegregation was Greek single-truck car. No running of the car LYNX northward extension, approved by enforced. The city was, and is, a national occurred. In 1987, a suitable former Charlotte Charlotte City Council on 16 April 2014. banking centre; now the second largest in streetcar, 85, was discovered as part of a The second is the establishment of the city's the US behind New York City. Bankers and dwelling and was purchased and transferred first streetcar route since March 1938. businessmen were willing to invest so their to The Charlotte Trolley Inc. for restoration. The LYNX extension effectively doubles
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the present route length, which runs Scaleybark. Ordered in 2004, the initial of three-car trains along the existing line, between a southwestern point on the LYNX Line opened 24 November 2007, with while the remainder will arrive in time for Interstate-485 circumferential highway and 16 Siemens S70 Avanto cars. In 2008, four the extension’s opening in the spring of 2017. Uptown Charlotte. Uptown is the centre of additional S70 cars were acquired, due to Extending the LYNX to the University of commercial activity and the location of the sustained ridership increases. North Carolina at Charlotte will increase Charlotte Transportation Center; here all Demonstrating the success of the system, ridership. Along the route there will be four radial bus service commences. The LYNX a 2007 survey of LYNX passengers revealed car parks, with capacity for 3000 vehicles. now operating is 15.4km (9.6 miles) long, that 72% claimed they were not previous As mentioned above, management plans with 15 stations. transit users. In 2012, the rail cars travelled to meet this demand by adding one car to Two-car trains operate the service, at 1 384 360km (860 200 miles), about the two-car trains, as opposed to increasing passenger speeds up to 88.5km/h (55mph), 69 000km (43 000) miles each, or 2263 train frequency. The current schedule runs with 105km/h (65mph) capability. It ends return journeys. A further 22 Avanto cars every ten minutes in peak times and every in Uptown at 7th Street, with the depot are on order; four will be delivered in 15 minutes at other times. A small running between the stations New Bern and November 2014 to allow for the running repair depot will be built at the north end. The additional length of the trains will require the lengthening of a few original LYNX stops. As it is, passengers on the Cascade/NC 150 platforms are protected from falling in the gap between stopped cars by a rank of yellow pylons. A second set of pylons is Mooresville required to protect the gap between the Mt. Mourne second and third cars.
Davidson Where Blue meets Gold Major contracts for the northern extension Cornelius have been awarded: USD199m to Lane Construction for civil construction, including building bridges, adjusting Sam Furr arterial highways, water and sewer main construction and highway traffic control signals; USD130.8m to Balfour Beatty for Car 115 proudly displays the Blue line’s badge. 1-77 track and signal installation, overhead Huntersville contact systems and communications, and USD16.4m for preparation of the existing line to accommodate three-car trains. The end terminal at I-485 will be expanded to store the three-car trains. Hambright
1-485
Eastfield
Harris/NC 115
1-85 UNIC Charlotte JW Clay Blvd Derita McCullough University City Blvd Tom Hunter Old Concord Rd Charlotte 1-85 Gateway Sugar Creek Station 36th St 9th St 3rd St Convention 25th St Center Tryon Parkwood Government Center 7th Bland St East/West CPCC Central New Bern Carson Charlotte Scaleybark Stonewall Transportation Center/Arena Woodlawn Tyvola Archdale
Arrowood Sharon Road West LYNX Blue line (LRT)
1-485/South Blvd LYNX Blue line extension (LRT, Northeast corridor)
LYNX Red line 1-485 (Regional Rail, North corridor) CityLYNX Gold line (streetcar)
Stations/Stops
Interstate roads
332 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org There is a bit of unintended wit in between streetcar and LYNX services in the a local restaurant is named the Light Rail light rail marketing efforts: the Carolina city, so they will be shopped together. Family Restaurant. Panthers (American) Football team plays at The three vintage streetcars from Charlotte’s mayors have played a key Bank of America Stadium, within walking Gomaco will be the initial equipment. role in building the initial LYNX Line and distance from the existing LYNX Blue line. This construction will cost an already funded planning its expansion, and in turn this has The city also hosts the major sports car USD37m: USD25m in federal funding and led to further, higher political office. Mayor racing organisation in the US, NASCAR. USD12 million in locally-raised finance. Pat McCrory is now the state’s Governor, Real Carolina men don’t even think about When phase 2 is complete – adding 3.2km while Anthony Foxx became the US Secretary riding a streetcar, or heaven forbid – a bus. (two miles) to the western end of the line and of Transportation in 2013. Yet come football days, they jam onto the 0.8km (half a mile) to the eastern end – the Unfortunately, the trend did not continue light rail vehicles without a thought. Gomaco cars will be withdrawn and the six with Mayor Patrick Cannon (47). In early Having had a favourable experience on game initial stops modified for the modern cars. June 2014, Cannon was convicted of days, they are more likely to make another There will be an additional 11 stops. This will accepting bribes in relation to planning journey at a later time. provide the connecting link to Uptown and applications, with the New York Times stating: The streetcar civil works are also under other CATS rail and bus services. “The court filing said that Cannon solicited construction. Consequently, the most The immediate area is to be made into and accepted bribes, including payment prevalent road sign is currently an orange, a multi-modal terminal for inner-city from the owner of an adult (entertainment) diamond-shaped item reading “Detour.” buses. North Carolina has a state-funded, club whose business was threatened by the Trading on the successful and already Amtrak-managed, intercity passenger planned expansion of Charlotte’s light rail established brand, the streetcar line is named railroad service and it is hoped that as system.” Mr Cannon, who resigned his office the City LYNX Gold line and is designed to the programme expands, Charlotte will on 26 March, faces up to 20 years in prison provide convenient rail transit service along become a service destination. and fines of up USD250 000. east-west arterial highways in the densely Charlotte’s long and thoughtful planning populated areas. Beyond LRT and implementation process is resulting in Due for construction in two phases, the The Red Line Regional Rail project is a key a comprehensive local public transit system, first phase is well underway with sleepers 48km (30-mile) component of the 2025 to serve for decades. Other US cities should and rails currently being laid on Betties Ford Transit Plan, and is expected to run with take note. What is to be avoided is decades of Road, Trade Street and Elizabeth Street. Diesel Multiple Units. It will make more waiting for the next shovel to be dug into the In total the streetcar route will be 2.4km attractive to development a segment of the earth and turned. (1.5 miles) long, with six stops, and is City and County northwest of Uptown, intended to replace and extend the Gold and its terminal will be called at by the Acknowledgement for assistance in the Rush Circulator, a faux-trolley equipped, Gold LYNX streetcar. preparation of this article is due to: gratis route. At the west, Johnson C. Smith Critics question the impact of light rail John Muth, Deputy Director, Jean Leier, University anchors the line’s end and in the on daily life, but the LYNX system is now Manager of Public and Community Relations, east it is the Novant Health Presbyterian an integral part of the city of Charlotte – The Charlotte Observer, The Charlotte Post Medical Center. There will be a connection one indicator is that at the Hebron crossing and The New York Times.
LYNX Blue line 102 at the Interstate-485 terminal, showing connecting bus Roadway installation of metals and sleepers into Trade Street for the services below. Gold CityLYNX streetcar.
Gold line construction between Alexander and Davidson, looking west, Car 107 outbound on right-hand running metals; Convention Center station in mid-June. CATS is the next stop.
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THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Riga
Neil Pulling explores systems the tramway serving the biggest city www.lrta.org in the Baltic Riga www.tramnews.net factfile States. Largely LATVIA SUBSCRIBE NOW! No. Riga, a traditional AUGUST 2014 N O. 920 operation, aspects of modern light 83 Latvia rail are being extended across the system. RIGA: MODERNISATION IN THE BALTIC STATES Now in its 77th year, Tramways & Urban Transit is the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely
ormally established as a city Literally an to light and urban rail developments. Riga’s public transport network in 1201, Riga’s prominence advertising vehicle, reveals inheritances from both of the In two key ways, Riga is not what rose as a trading centre of the Skoda 15T it was. Once considered (if at all) former economic blocs. Rail-based the Hanseatic League – a ForCity is popular from a western perspective as being modes, both using ‘Russian’ 1524 mm confederation of merchant for promotional inaccessible and obscure, the city guildsF that dominated trade and liveries: 57136 is near gauge, the tramway (tramvaji ) and that is now home to around a third of the National Theatre local trains remain largely dependent defensive interests across the coast Latvia’s population has a well-justified on 12 May 2014. upon Soviet-era or earlier resources. of Northern Europe between the reputation for tourism. Combining a As for Latvia generally, Riga’s less UK Transport Minister: ‘Light rail bene ts are clear’ 13th and 17th Centuries. With commanding site by the wide Daugava capital-intensive public transport, bus industrialisation, it became the focus river, a picturesque and historic Minneapolis trams reach St Paul (53 routes) and trolleybus (19 routes) of the region’s railway network. centre, its international airport at the have enjoyed greater modernisation. Latvia was, however, embattled and city’s edge and comparatively low Just off the Baltic inlet termed the Alstom Transport partners with GE occupied across the centuries, latterly prices, Riga’s identity has risen. being part of the USSR until that Gulf of Riga, the capital’s topography mirrors that of the country, low-lying More problematic has been a union collapsed in 1991. Becoming significant population decline that and with little vertical variation. Metrolink Airport line to open early a parliamentary republic, Latvia has followed Latvia’s independence. ISSN 1460-8324 Punctuated by green space and water, £4.10 since pursued western associations, According to the municipal authority, 08 industrial and residential expansion joining the European Union and an approximate 15% fall between All pictures by has clearly been influenced by transport Brussels NATO in 2004 and adopting the Neil Pulling 2000 and 2013 brought Riga’s Charlotte corridors. Riga is designated as a Euro in January 2014. 12-14 May 2014 population down to 650 500. This is a Centenary of the European Capital of Culture for 2014. Urban rail diversi es 9 771460 832036 very different situation from the 1970s in North Carolina remarkable line 81 We deliver comprehensive news and analysis, www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org august 2014 / 335 07/07/2014 10:11
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Neil Pulling explores the tramway SYSTEMS serving the biggest city Riga in the Baltic FACTFILE States. Largely LATVIA a traditional No. Riga, operation, aspects of modern light 83 Latvia rail are being extended across the system.
ormally established as a city Literally an Riga’s public transport network In two key ways, Riga is not what in 1201, Riga’s prominence advertising vehicle, reveals inheritances from both of the it was. Once considered (if at all) rose as a trading centre of the Skoda 15T former economic blocs. Rail-based from a western perspective as being the Hanseatic League – a ForCity is popular modes, both using ‘Russian’ 1524 mm inaccessible and obscure, the city for promotional confederation of merchant liveries: 57136 is near gauge, the tramway (tramvaji) and that is now home to around a third of Fguilds that dominated trade and the National Theatre local trains remain largely dependent Latvia’s population has a well-justified defensive interests across the coast on 12 May 2014. upon Soviet-era or earlier resources. reputation for tourism. Combining a of Northern Europe between the As for Latvia generally, Riga’s less commanding site by the wide Daugava 13th and 17th Centuries. With capital-intensive public transport, bus river, a picturesque and historic industrialisation, it became the focus (53 routes) and trolleybus (19 routes) centre, its international airport at the of the region’s railway network. have enjoyed greater modernisation. city’s edge and comparatively low Latvia was, however, embattled and Just off the Baltic inlet termed the prices, Riga’s identity has risen. occupied across the centuries, latterly Gulf of Riga, the capital’s topography More problematic has been a being part of the USSR until that mirrors that of the country, low-lying significant population decline that union collapsed in 1991. Becoming and with little vertical variation. followed Latvia’s independence. a parliamentary republic, Latvia has Punctuated by green space and water, According to the municipal authority, since pursued western associations, industrial and residential expansion an approximate 15% fall between joining the European Union and All pictures by has clearly been influenced by transport 2000 and 2013 brought Riga’s NATO in 2004 and adopting the Neil Pulling corridors. Riga is designated as a population down to 650 500. This is a Euro in January 2014. 12-14 May 2014 European Capital of Culture for 2014. very different situation from the 1970s
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 335 Riga
THE FLEET
Tram numbers identify different features, with the first digit indicating depot; thus all are now either No. 3 (Fridriķa iela) or 5 (Brīvības iela). The second digit is the tram type, the third and fourth being the vehicle number, with the fifth being a check. The last depot west of the river, No. 4 (Tipogrāfijas iela) closed in 2010, although it was still storing stock in May 2014. Modernised and extended, all the depot buildings retain some common styling, dating from the 1900-01 creation of the electric tramway. With over 240 received from the mid-1970s with fleet modification from 1992, paired TatraT3A (second digit 0 or 1) remain the most numerous type. Each vehicle has space for 167, 32 seated. The T3 is the donor for the water tanker/track clearing vehicles frequently seen around the system. The later T3M/T6B5 (type 2 or 5) from 1988-90 are from the same Czech manufacturer, with 62 originally delivered. Also running as pairs and with similar capacity, they were modified from 2005. They have an external destination display; T3A has this on a card in the front window. All types have an audio announcement of the present and next stop, also of doors closing. The two Tatra types each have different blue and white liveries. Spacious, kept smart inside and out and with good external viewing, the main drawback of the Tatras for passengers is entering or leaving from kerb or road level. Seating The central market (Centrāltirgus) is one of several traffic generators on loops near the main reserved for the mobility impaired becomes an interesting railway station. notion given the achievement of having got on board at the more challenging locations. Upholstered seats, air conditioning and service information including internet mapping contribute to Riga’s modular Škoda ForCity being a radical upgrade. Unlike the earlier types which retain trolley poles, the Škodas are pantograph-fitted. Bogies which help make the newcomers compatible with an essentially traditional tramway are beneath the ends with a Jacobs bogie between sections. Creating slight internal sloping (the floor height varies by 100mm) and narrow gangways over the articulations, there is however unbroken floor space. The driver cab is higher than the passenger area and has an external door. Little of the infrastructure currently permits level entry, although these trams are fitted with a wheelchair lift. The 2.5m- wide ForCity is seen in two lengths, 20 three-section, 31.4m 15T (classified as 7) capacity 318, 60 seated, and six four-section 15T1 (8) about ten metres longer for 432 passengers. All the trams mainly feature 2+1 seating. The greater exposure afforded by trams working lines 6 and 11 and the association with modernity have made the 15T trams popular for advertising liveries, now comparatively rare on Tatras.. In a district best known as home to Latvia’s biggest brewery, Aldaris stop incorporates a loop for the infrequent line 9 service.
when a projected Russian-designed Originating in 1882, with electric metro reached the advanced planning operation begun in July 1901 and in stages, being based on an expectation civic ownership since 1931, the of the population of Riga reaching at uni-directional tramway serves least a million residents. The capital’s both sides of the Duagava. Like the region now has around 1.15 million city, it has a greater proportion on people, but this is across a large area the eastern/right bank. Akmens tilt far beyond the scope of such a (Stone Bridge) provides the only tram project, leaving the tramway as the crossing of the Daugava, with twin principal rail-based transport for the tracks set between carriageways, a city proper. common configuration around the The thinning of population is system. The radial pattern converges evident in vacated properties and on the city centre, not in the sizeable cleared ground dotting the urban Old Town but slightly to the south area, a contributor to localised falls near the main railway station, Rīgas in public transport use. Although Centrālā dzelzceļa stacija. ABOVE: T3M trams work the modern developments are apparent, The term ‘converges’ is used north-south line industry has clearly also undergone advisedly, as the tramway’s core is 7: 32091 near changes. Parts of the tramway were fragmented with multiple stops around Central Station. once crucial for transporting the a street loop near the National Opera workforce, but that role has fallen as and a larger one encompassing the LEFT: A typical labour-intensive activities declined main station site, central market and platform layout and car ownership rose. riverside. This area also includes the bus between road For better planning and station for the long distance services carriageways: Nacionālā co-ordination, separate municipal that represent the most comprehensive bibliotēka stop administrations for trams, buses national public transport. with the railway trolleybuses and parking were With the scatter of stops, passengers museum to combined under the Rīgas satiksme changing lines may still need a the left. (Riga Traffic) name in 2003. fair walk for the connection, often
336 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org
Dedicated space on the tramway’s only “For better planning and co-ordination, municipal Daugava crossing, a section where trolleybuses (left) use diesel power. The new National Library administrations for trams, buses trolleybuses and parking dominates the background. were combined under the Rīgas satiksme name in 2003.”
needing to use the dowdy passages beneath the wide roadways. To the north however, tram tracks are attractively located between the curving tree-lined canal and the edge of the Old Town up to the National Theatre. Rīgas satiksme identifies a total track length of 99.53km (62 miles). The system is mainly double track, with termini being either free- standing loops, some with separate arrival and departure platforms, or routing around streets. With twin wires for use by trolley-poles as fitted to the greater part of the fleet, line 10 has sections of bi-directional single track. The forest-fringed outer residential suburb of Imanta has the system’s most recent expansion, line 4 in autumn 1984. Particularly at its eastern end, line 6 presents the system’s most modern face. Diverging to serve the eastern and northern city fringes but sharing route along the main shopping street Krišjāņa Barona iela, lines 6 and 11 both now use the variant designated as 15T ForCity Alfa by manufacturer One of the longer Škoda low-floor trams, 15T 58033 on the rebuilt section west of Jugla.
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 337 Riga
“Boarding validations in April 2014 showed that trams carried 3 062 216 passengers, 23% of Rīgas satiksme’s network total for that month.”
Škoda. Not having to contend with accounts for oddities like Tallinas iela That route also hosts line 3’s not quite Rail-based public steep inclines, they are less powerful being the name of entirely different hourly schedule – and even these transport around than their counterparts developed for stops on diverged sections of lines 6 are at irregular intervals. In practice Riga remains the Prague system. Rīgas satiksme’s and 11, plus the recurrence of ‘iela’ track-sharing means that such quirky reliant upon aged infrastructure only low-floor trams, they were in stop names. The same line number arrangements should not hinder and stock. ordered in 2008 and delivered from may exist as a tram, trolleybus or bus travel, but having several line numbers March 2010 with the first entering service, thus checking the mode using shown at a stop does not necessarily service that June. a particular stop is recommended: mean a profusion of services. Line 6 infrastructure rebuilding minibuses and the night bus network Benefits from the system’s began in April 2012, including new do however use distinct identifiers. dedicated space often seem undone power supply and track, with clearer Contrasting with minimal ‘on the by protracted stop-starts through definition of the tramway’s space ground’ system information, often road junctions where trams are held including grassed track, a contrast at best a single line diagram and back with all other traffic. This is to the sandy ground elsewhere on timetable, the web-based resources also so with line 6 when it leaves the unpaved parts of the system. From are extremely comprehensive, modernised section which follows the outer terminus Jugla, several stops something extending to the the A2 main road, with trams, towards the centre now have proper English language section. Advance trolleybuses and general traffic all platforms that enable level access to downloading or printing of funnelled into restricted street space the Škoda fleet. There are also distinct information, especially for overall and over a series of intersections. With platforms, albeit very low, at some network information, may help refreshing directness, ‘Schedules are stops set between main roads which intending visitors. Principal transport subject to traffic delays’ appears on have controlled pedestrian crossings signage is in Latvian, the only official timetables. or subway access. language, with some sections in English Riga has used rechargeable Many locations have little more and the widely- spoken Russian. electronic tickets (E-Talons) since May than a sign to indicate the existence Marked timetable variations apply 2009, now sold at machines (not at all of a stop, with road traffic expected within each line’s schedule and stops) or agencies. Several blue plastic to halt when a tram is stationary to between lines. Extreme examples versions of the ticket are aimed at allow safe passenger movement. Some are in the busiest and least-busy regular network users, with the yellow stops have different names for the two services. Line 6 has seven-minute peak card e-ticket likely to suit visitor needs: directions, or different again from an headways, yet line 9 has a total of eight all need to be validated at on-vehicle adjacent bus stop. This results from services during an entire working readers for all trips. Bought from naming after intersecting streets day. These eight are commuting time the driver, paper tickets are limited relative to travel direction. It also additions, mainly over line 7’s tracks. to single trips or night use. Revenue
338 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org LEFT: City-bound 35130 passes home NETWORK FACTS depot Lubānas Opened: 1882 (electrification 1901) iela (No.3). Riga broadcasting tower Lines: 9 merges with low Stops: 231 cloud to the far right. Depots: 2 BELOW LEFT: Approx. weekday hours Although new (wide variations): 05.00-00.00 investment is Main frequency: 12 minutes evident, industry Gauge: 1524 mm around Mīlgrāvis terminus is now
Power: 600V dc much less reliant Fleet: Approx. 250 upon the tramway. City network: Rīgas satiksme BELOW: Line 10 INFORMATION includes several bi-directional single City network: www.rigassatiksme.lv track sections: note Civic information: www.riga.lv the separate wires Tourist information: www.latvia.travel above 30591 near Viesītes iela.
protection is by travelling teams. Part of the passenger operation (Pasažieru vilciens) of the state railway LDz, Riga has a local rail service centred on the main station (Rīga Pasažieru). There are a few stations in the urban area also served by trams, but local rail is not part of the city fare structure. Under the name Retro, a May to September weekend heritage service operates between central Riga’s Ausekļa ielas terminus loop, near the ferry terminal and canal, and Mežaparku in a wooded area that includes the zoo. For timetable Interior of a Tatra T3M (T6B5). and special fares, follow links on Radically different from its Czech predecessors in Riga, the low-floor www.rigassatiksme.lv. Škoda 15T. To the right are a ticket machine and wheelchair lift. Riga intends to continue tramway modernisation with an increase of the system usable by a bigger fleet of low-floor trams for much-needed ESSENTIAL FACTS access improvements. Boarding Local travel: A lack of official non- What is there to see? Fine River trips depart from near validations in April 2014 showed that digital information is offset by free buildings – notably art nouveau Stone Bridge, also on the canal that trams carried 3 062 216 passengers, city maps that show the lines, stops – shops, restaurants and bars defines the Old Town’s eastern edge. 23% of Rīgas satiksme’s network total and service numbers: outer reaches make the Old Town the main The railway museum is next to the for that month. may need commercial maps. focus. A tightly-defined ‘Historic prominent new National Library Ticket machines are at some Centre’, covering just under 1.5% at the bridge’s western end. Check Maps with detailed timetable and stops and (with a limited range) on of the city’s core, was UNESCO locally for access to the landmark Škoda trams. Amongst the agency World Heritage-listed in 1997. radio and television tower. journey planning information are on outlets, the easiest to spot are the Merchandise in the central market The Jūrmala beach resorts are www.rigassatiksme.lv. Potentially useful Narvesen kiosks, many near stops (Centrāltirgus) is as intriguing 24km (15 miles) by suburban train on for the city and farther afield is Trafi, a and at the airport. These sell the as the premises which were the Tukums line from Riga for main national public transport website, www. widely-used visitor tickets. converted from airship hangars. stations like Dubulti and Majori. trafi.lv.Both have English versions.
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 339 Advertorial A TRICKY OPERATION TO RUN Lisa Hosking, MD Australia, The UIC, looks at how Kestrel has helped Yarra Trams analyse and improve its network.
oftware is only as good as its user. This is particularly true of software designed for the reporting, analysis and improvement of operational performance, i.e. punctuality and reliabilityS or, put another way, delays and cancellations. Yarra Trams, as a private sector operator, is closely monitored and contract managed by Public Transport Victoria. So, as well as professional pride in running a slick operation, there are ‘commercial consequences’ if targets are not met. Tram swap on Route 96 at Southern Cross station. Photo by Richard Capper The targets are comparable to many heavy rail operations running on dedicated, closed problems such as auto-points and overhead Early Running. In a variable environment networks. Yarra Trams has to meet targets lines. On top of that, Melbourne has an with timetables derived from historical or Network Service Level Guarantees of 77% impressive programme of sporting and performance, it can be easy to run early punctuality (0.59’ early to 4.59’ late) and 98% cultural events – many of which impact on on quiet days. By ensuring the data is reliability (services run compared with the the service. Kestrel allows analysis of these available to see the who, when and where, timetable). The network figures for May 2014 factors and many others, not only reporting the Team Manager, Drivers can work with were 83.56% and 98.99%. Yarra Trams has against them but also allowing analysis by his or her team to improve results in this beaten all previous years’ punctuality results variables such as day of the week, season, fundamentally controllable area. Rolling in 11 out of the past 12 months. This is in a tram class, location, time of day and many this up to a network view, Yarra Trams context of a highly complex network, the more. This is delivered through a series of can see improvements from around 8% vast majority of which is shared with motor standard modules – dashboards, reports, punctuality lost to Early Running prior to vehicles. These excellent results are even enquiries and analytical tools. the introduction of Team Manager, Drivers, more remarkable given massive growth in As I said at the start of the article, software and these reports, to around 3% now. motor traffic, patronage and the number of in general and Kestrel in particular is only This has played a key part in the significant tram services provided. as good as its user, and Yarra Trams is an improvement in results, and only available So what part does my business play in this? excellent client to work with. Our main point through the combination of managerial work We are a small part in a number of initiatives. of contact in the organisation is Ian Cushion, and data that is transformed into decision- The Universal Improvement Company (the Manager Network Performance. Ian and his making information through Kestrel. UIC) has amongst its products performance team work closely with my colleagues to A further example is the ‘Think Tram’ reporting, analysis and improvement identify system requirements that we then initiative, involving targeting specific software called Kestrel. Kestrel has an eclectic build for the organisation. That is where locations on the network for targeted analysis mix of users including Docklands Light Kestrel differs from many software products. and improvements. New functionality was Railway in London, TransLink, the passenger Each version is fully customised for that added to Kestrel to show before and after transport division of the Queensland client – data sources, performance regimes comparisons of performance, overlay route Government which has a multi-modal and, essentially, everything else. images, present average running times, version and, of course, Yarra Trams who Taking one simple example, Yarra Trams show variability of these alongside deviations included Kestrel as part of their tender when has recently introduced new positions at from schedule, and allow for commentary bidding for the franchise. each of its depots – Team Manager, Drivers. on operational issues. All of this information At its simplest, Kestrel imports the A key element in thinking around this role was presented in an easy to read single timetable, imports what actually happened is the recognition that drivers on an urban page format. on the day, and then compares the two for tramway have far more autonomy, and hence As Yarra Trams celebrates its fifth both reporting and analysis. As you might a greater impact on performance, than say a anniversary of taking over the franchise imagine, this is somewhat more complicated driver on a heavy rail network. Therefore the back in November 2009, we at the UIC than it might at first seem. For example, level of performance reporting and analysis look forward to continuing our working delays can be caused by a massive number needs to be pushed down to a level of detail relationship and playing our small part of factors. A tram in an urban environment that allows the Team Manager, Drivers – and in ensuring a highly complex operation can experience many small delays in a short indeed the drivers themselves – to see what is runs smoothly. period of time – cars parking (Melbourne impacting on performance, thus identifying loves its on-street parking), car drivers improvements. My colleagues this week have The Universal Improvement Company turning right in front of the tram (unlike a been out at Essendon and Camberwell depots has consultants based in Australia, the bus, the tram can not drive around them), scoping the next set of reporting tools. These Netherlands and the United Kingdom. traffic light sequences, passengers loading are busy people, and features in Kestrel need For more details visit: and unloading, and so on. Then there is the to be intuitive and straightforward to use. www.theuic.com usual plethora of other possible causes of An example of an initiative that has Contact: [email protected] delay – rolling stock faults, infrastructure come out of this approach is managing
340 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org Worldwide Review
ALGERIA line U6. The first entered service GENERAL. A nationwide on 17 April. public transport fare adjustment took effect on 26 May. On the AZERBAIJAN tramways of Algiers, Constantine BAKU. The masterplan prepared and Oran the single ticket was by the state planning institute reduced from DZD50 (EUR0.46) to includes a light rail line from DZD40 (EUR0.37). A ten-journey Pl. Aznefti in the central area carnet for DZD400 (EUR3.7) along the Caspian waterfront therefore no longer offers a saving. to Zykhskoe Shosse. The first- A monthly ticket for young generation tramway system closed people aged under 25 has been in January 2004. www.zerkalo.az introduced for DZD990 (EUR9.15) GYANDJA. Trams have not and for seniors at DZD830 run here since 1976, but the (EUR7.66). A. Senut second-largest city in Azerbaijan now plans to re-introduce AUSTRALIA them on a line between Vokzal MELBOURNE. AUD190m and the hospital. N. Semyonov (EUR131m) is to be spent A coupled set of Melbourne’s new Bombardier E class trams, 6007+6009, pass upgrading Preston Workshops, BELARUS Flinders St station on trial. This mode will be used only for tram recovery. Y. Sos with the south end of the facility INDUSTRY. Belkommunmash package for metro line 6, a 13.3km HONG KONG. A topping-out rebuilt as a depot for the 50 E class delivered 49 trams in 2013, (8.3-mile) line to open in 2020. ceremony for the new Wong Chuk trams that are being delivered by including 12 to Novokuznetsk Hang metro depot on the South Bombardier; 7km (4.4 miles) of new and one to Kemerovo. N. Semyonov CANADA Island Line was held on 24 June. track will be laid, a new substation MINSK. Metro line 1 was EDMONTON. The Federal Initially ten three-car trains will installed, and a training facility extended 1.8km (1.1 miles) and Government has set aside an be based there. RGI with a driving simulator built. one station from Petrovshchina to additional CAD150m (EUR103m) WUHAN. Metro line 1 was Coleman Rail has been awarded Malinkova on 3 June. urbanrail.net for the light rail expansion of extended by 5.7km (3.5 miles) the AUD102m (EUR70.2m) design from Mill Woods to 102nd St, from Dijiao to Hankou North and construction package, to be BELGIUM bringing its total contribution to on 28 May, bringing the line to completed in mid-2016. BRUXELLES/BRUSSEL. CAD400m (EUR274m). E. B. Havens 34.6km (21.5 miles). urbanrail.net A coupled set of E class trams On 15 May the commune of ONTARIO. The provincial WUXI. Trials on the city’s first (6007+6009) made night-time Drogenbos succeeded in getting election on 12 June saw the Liberal metro line began on 26 May, and trials in the city on 5/6 June. Route the environmental permit for Party win a majority with 59 out it was hoped to carry passengers changes from 27 July add 471 the new Marconi tram depot of 107 seats. The new premier is on the 29km (18-mile) line from trips/week, and see route 11 annulled. The consequent delay Katherine Wynne, and the result the end of June. CSR Zhuzhou has becoming an all-day service and to a project already in progress is good news for transit advocates supplied 23 six-car trains. a new route 12 created between will cause difficulties for STIB in Toronto and Mississauga. Wuxi is a 45-minute train ride St Kilda and Victoria Gardens. in accommodating the last 30 The Toronto mayoral election from Shanghai. RGI Route 78 becomes a full-time Bombardier Flexity trams, to be is in October. Toronto Star service from North Richmond delivered by spring 2015. TORONTO. It now seems likely CZECH REPUBLIC to Prahran, and route 79 will no The northern extension of the that the re-opening of the MOST. Tatra T3 263 is now a longer run in the evenings or north-south metro to Bordet has Harbourfront tramway will be works car and similar 277 has been at weekends. Part-time services been approved by the regional delayed from 31 August to 11 refitted to carry bicycles (operating numbered 24, 31, 79 and 95 are Government, but work on the new October, after the collapse of a route 4 at weekends from 1 May withdrawn. G. Sutherland, J. Chuang section will not start until 2018 utility duct under the right-of-way. to 31 October). M. Weyell SYDNEY. The 12km (7.5-mile) for completion in 2022. T-2000 TTC is planning to eliminate OLOMOUC. Not reported before Circular Quay – Randwick/ over 100 tram stops in order to was the start of full service on University tramway project BRAZIL speed up service; 42 are Sunday the 1.4km (0.9-mile) Tmkova has received formal planning SALVADOR. A ten-minute service stops, introduced in the 1920s extension from 15 December 2013 approval. Completion is scheduled on the new standard-gauge 7.6km to reduce walking distances to (there was a temporary shuttle for 2019-20. (4.7-mile) metro line started on churches. The average stop spacing service from 29 November). The New South Wales 11 June (two days before the first is currently 250m, but TTC hopes Two new routes serve the line: Government has committed FIFA World Cup game in Salvador) to achieve 350m. route 5 to the railway station via AUD10m (EUR6.9m) to a feasibility between Lapa and Retiro using 11 The last H6 subway train was the east side of the city centre study for the 30km (18.6-mile) four-car Siemens trains. The line withdrawn on 20 June. and route 3 to the station via the Parramatta LRT proposals. The is electrified at 300V dc overhead. National Post west side (at weekends route 3 is a Government has also announced Full service is planned to start WATERLOO-KITCHENER. The Tmkova – nám Hrdinu shuttle). that it will extend the North on 15 September. Construction ground-breaking ceremony for Both routes use the 14 Pragoimex West rail line through a second started in 2000, but has suffered the new CAD818m (EUR560m) VarioLF single-ended cars with Harbour rail crossing with three repeated delays. urbanrail.net tramway took place on 27 June. doors on both sides operating new stations in the city centre. SÃO PAULO. Metro drivers A legal challenge to the project has back-to-back. I. Mitchell Meanwhile, the operator went on strike from 6 to 10 June now been dropped. E. B. Havens PRAHA (Prague). Delivery of of the line has been named (just before the FIFA World Cup) the first 100 of the 250-car order as a consortium formed by demanding a 12% pay increase. CHINA for Skoda 15T trams has been MTR Corporation/John Holland/ The governor declared the strike HEFEI. A CNY0.9bn (EUR110m) completed, with the remainder Leighton Contractors/UGL illegal and a court ordered the contract has been placed with delivered over a longer timescale Rail Services. J. Chuang union to pay a fine of BRL100 000 Nanjing SR Puzhen to deliver (by four years). In return Skoda will (EUR33 000)/day. The strike was metro trains for phases 1 and 2 of include air conditioning and Wi-Fi AUSTRIA lifted for two days while a union line 1 in 2015-16. RGI on the remaining cars. A. Prescott WIEN (Vienna). Bombardier is vote was undertaken; they decided HANGZHOU. Metro trains for delivering type T Stadtbahn cars to keep the system operating. the first phase of line 4 have been FRANCE 2725-44, which will form five The state government has ordered from Nanjing SR Puzhen BORDEAUX. The single-track extra trains to increase capacity on approved a PPP financing for CNY1.1bn (EUR130m). RGI extension of line B from Claveau
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KASSEL. The first Duewag/ HUNGARY Siemens NGT6C to receive a BUDAPEST. CAF has agreed to mid-life overhaul was 455, now assemble the 47 Urbos trams on fitted with an enclosed cab and order at the Bombardier MÁV driver air conditioning. Dunakeszi plant in Hungary, KÖLN (Cologne). The official safeguarding 400 jobs. A 2km launch of the rebuilt Stadtbahn-B (1.2-mile) test track will be added cars was on 13 June, involving to the facility. IRJ 2412+2422 (ex-2112-22), and the stock entered service on line 13 the INDIA following day; 2428 is ex-2199. DS DELHI. The Violet line metro KREFELD. Bombardier Flexity was extended by 3.2km (two 661 arrived by rail on 27 June; miles) from Central Secretariat Stadtbahn-M car 846 was removed to Mandi House (interchange for scrapping on 12 June. DS with the Blue line) on 26 June. MAGDEBURG. Everysecond urbanrail.net tram on route 10 resumed KOCHI. DB International has operation to Barleber See from 2 been chosen to provide technical June. The line was damaged in the assistance in the areas of quality 2013 Elbe floods (see TAUT 908). DS and safety for the development The short new extension of the Takaoka tramway in Japan takes it up to the first MÜLHEIM/Ruhr. The dispute of the planned 26km (16.2-mile) floor of the railway station. Y. Hanafusa between the city council and the metro line. IRJ to Berges de la Garonne (750m) The EUR1.38bn project will NRW regional council about the MUMBAI. Metro operation opened on 19 June. A 5.8% carry passengers to Marie de St- future of tramway operation seems was finally inaugurated on 8 increase in ticket prices takes effect Ouen in 2017. A. Senut to have finally been settled. June, when the 11.4km (seven- on 1 August. A ten-journey carnet Düsseldorf has given its approval mile) section of elevated 25kV will cost EUR12 compared with a GERMANY to the closure of sections of ac overhead east-west line 1 single fare of EUR1.50. A. Senut BRAUNSCHWEIG. The first tramway between Hauptfriedhof from Versova to Ghatkopar was GRENOBLE. North-south of the 18 new Solaris Tramino and Flughafen (104, in practice opened. Most of the 16 four-car tramline E from Louise Michel to 100% low-floor trams was due for ‘temporarily’ closed in April 2012), trains supplied by CSR Nanjing in Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux opened delivery on 18 July. It is expected between Waldschlösschenbrücke China have been at the depot since on 28 June. Construction of the to enter passenger service and Uhlenhorst (102) and January 2013. EUR300m line began in September in October. DS between West S-Bahnhof and The metro is a PPP project 2011. The 4.8km (three-mile) first BREMEN. The first test run Friesstrasse (110), provided by a joint venture of Reliance phase includes eight stops; the on the extension of line 4 to accessible interchanges are Infrastructure, Veolia Transport second phase – to open in early Lilienthat took place on 24 June provided between feeder bus and Mumbai Metropolitan Region 2015 – will extend north to Palluel, with Wegmann rail grinder and tram at Hauptfriedhof and Development Authority. Service is taking it to 11.5km (7.1 miles) 3985. Passenger service starts on Waldschlösschenbrücke. provided 05.30-24.00 with a four- with 18 stops, including four 1 August. DS The right of way of the Flughafen minute peak headway. park-and-ride sites. COTTBUS. Route 3 is replaced by line has to remain for possible A promotional fare of INR10 LYON. The new T3 terminus at buses from 14 July until the end of future transport use (though much (EUR0.12) was available for one Meyzieu-Les Panettes (a 400m October to permit reconstruction of the overhead was removed month, but it is believed that extension) was brought into use of stopping places. DS following storm damage on 9 Reliance wants to increase this to from 9 June. A new public inquiry ERFURT. EVAG has announced June). No other tramway closures INR40 (EUR0.5). urbanrail.net for the Grand Stade extension that it expects to withdraw the are permitted. DS PUNE. T h e M u n i c i p a l started on 10 June. A. Senut remaining Tatra KT4D trams MÜNCHEN (Munich). Tenders Corporation has approved the NICE – DIGNE. The Chemin de from regular service at the end of have been invited for 13 more 21.6km (13.4-mile) light rail Fer de Provence resumed service this year. Three (512/20/2) will be low-floor trams, four 34m long project from Shivajinagar to between Entrevaux and Annot refitted for city tour service, with and nine 48m (they will be the Hinjewadi. However the financial on 4 June. Through service to lifts for accessible service. longest ever used in the city), for basis is not yet clear; it is hoped Digne resumed on 21 June. RHB A new tramway is to be built delivery in 2017. There is to be an that Japanese backing will be PARIS. The new maintenance linking Hbf and Leipziger Platz, option for up to 107 more trams, forthcoming. Times of India depot at Villetaneuse for the crossing under the railway at with the new cars used to increase 8.45km (5.3-mile) tramline T8 Schmidtstedter Tor. BS capacity. IRJ IRELAND (St Denis – Épinay/Villetaneuse) ESSEN. The 3.5km (2.2-mile) PLAUEN. Car 306, the last of the DUBLIN. The official opening of was inaugurated on 26 May. The extension of line 105 from Frintrop Bombardier low-floor trams, was the new Rosie Hackett Bridge on 20 first Alstom Citadis of series 801- Unterstrasse to Oberhausen delivered on 26 May. All six are May featured the replica DUT tram 820 was presented. The line will Neue Mitte should be open in now in passenger service. DS 224 from the National Transport open at the end of this year. 2019 following approval by the RHEIN-RUHR. Severe storms Museum placed on track laid on The public inquiry has been two city councils. DS that hit the area on the evening the bridge. held for tramline T9 from Porte GOTHA. 120 years of tramway of 9 June saw disruption to public Tram 224 is actually a de Choisy to Orly Ville, which will operation and 85 years of the transport services in the area from reconstruction of a former London require 22 trams. Thüringerwaldbahn will be marked Bochum to Düsseldorf due to trailer car. It was decorated with STIF has authorised the with events on 20 September. BS fallen trees and flooding. It took various period trade union purchase of 15 Alstom Citadis HALLE. Trams returned to more than 48 hours to get some advertisements reflecting the Dualis tram-trains for EUR88m. Grosse Ulrichstrasse from 2 June services restarted. The storm later prominent union background of They will run on the Tangentielle after completion of the year-long affected Kassel. DS Rosie Hackett. Nord between Epinay and Le EUR6.3m upgrading project for Utility works associated with Bourget from mid-2017 and come 420m of tramway infrastructure. GREECE the Luas Cross City programme from the options held by SNCF. Lines 1, 3, 7, 8, 17 and 18 returned ATHINA. Attiko Metro has put its have now started in the College EUR256m is to be spent to their normal routing. HAVAG fleet of 17 Hyundai Rotem six-car Green area and are being carried automating métro line 4 from HAMBURG. A mock-up of the trains into service on lines 2 and out during the summer months, 2020, while the ground-breaking new class 490 S-Bahn EMU was 3. A 7.6km (4.7-mile) extension when traffic numbers are lower ceremony for the northern unveiled on 16 June; 60 three-car of line 3 from Aghia Marina to than at other times, in order to extension of automated metro line trains have been ordered from Dimotiko Theatro in Piraeus is minimise delays and disruption 14 took place on 11 June. Bombardier for EUR327m. IRJ under construction. IRJ to road users.
342 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org ISLE OF MAN at Laan van Meerdervoort/ DOUGLAS. The horse that died Waldeck Pyrmontkade. suddenly while pulling a tram at In addition to newly-restored the start of the summer operation interurban tram 52, and bogie (TAUT 919) had a cardiac failure, trailer 779, a third car has joined a veterinarian carrying out a the Tramweg Stichting museum post-mortem for the Corporation fleet this year. Two-axle works found. The horse died on 13 May tram H42 has been restored as one- and had not shown any previous man car 77 and is authorised to use signs of illness. the HTM network. MANX ELECTRIC RAILWAY. A contract has been awarded The new Manx Electric Railway for construction of a new terminus Museum opened on 1 June. It is for RandstadRail Erasmus line E located at the depot at Derby Castle (Den Haag – Rotterdam) outside and will be open to the public station HS. This will enable station 11.00-15.00 on the second and platforms 11 and 12 to be returned last Sunday each month during to NS in 2016. digitaletram.nl the 2014 season. Admission is free. The collection includes items NEW ZEALAND found in the MER workshops and CHRISTCHURCH. The city 1 June was the first day in service for Moskva’s PESA-built low-floor trams.A. Demo artefacts previously stored out of council has allocated NZD1.69m view at the Public Transport offices (EUR1.1m) to complete the second Kieveskaya and Severniy Vokzal. BARCELONA. D u r i ng a n at Banks Circus, as well as items tramway loop, through High It is hoped to be running five such inspection of work sites on from private collections. St that was under construction lines in time for the 2018 FIFA 4 June, the Catalonian President when the earthquake struck. World Cup. N. Semyonov announced that passenger service MALAYSIA It could be ready for the ICC World KRASNOYARSK. KTM-5 tram on the 20.7km (13-mile) section of KUALA LUMPUR. A seminar Cricket Cup in February. 251 from the early 1990s has metro line 9 to the airport should on 3 June heard that a street The tram fare will be increased been rebuilt in local railway start in the first half of 2016. tramway is being considered for from NZD10 (EUR6.4) to NZD15 workshops with a small low-floor Trial running should start this the city centre. Proposals are (EUR9.6) in November; 60 000 centre section. N. Semynov autumn; 23 million passengers/ due to be presented shortly. J IR passengers have been carried MOSKVA. The first PESA trams, year are expected. R. Felski since the tramway re-opened last classified type 71-414 and MEXICO November. The Press now numbered 3500-2, entered SWEDEN GUADALAJARA. The EUR156m service on route 6 on 1 June. STOCKHOLM. Car 551, the first contract for the first 8.7km PHILIPPINES transphoto.ru of seven 40.6m CAF Urbos low- (5.4-mile) section of light rail MANILA. T he C N Y5 4 0 m NABEREZHNYE CHELNY. Two floor A36 trams that will serve line 3 has been awarded to a (EUR63.6m) order for 12 four- KTM-23 partly low-floor bogie the re-opened Lidingö tramway, Spanish/Portuguese consortium. section 31m LRVs for LRT-3 was trams have been delivered by was tested at the Petit Fôret test The line will eventually extend to signed with CNR Dalian on UKVZ of Ust-Katav. transfoto.ru track near Valenciennes in June. 21.5km (13.4 miles). RGI 16 June. Delivery will start at the NIZHNIY NOVGOROD. Since However the re-opening of the MEXICO CITY. Part of the end of 2015. federal funding is not available refurbished line with new stock 25km (15.5-mile) metro line 12, The only bidder for the 32-year for a metro extension, the city is has been postponed from the end opened in October 2012, has PPP contract to extend LRT-1 by now considering a light rail link of 2014 to 28 March 2015. been closed since March due to 11.7km (7.3 miles) from Baclaran from Moskovskaya metro station RGI, D-E. Göransson severe wear caused by the wheel/ to Bacoor came from the Light to the site of a new stadium by the rail interface. SYSTRA has been Rail Manila consortium (MPIC/ Volga river. Uraltransmash has SWITZERLAND brought in to analyse the problem Ayala/Macquarie) and was valued demonstrated its 71-409 double- BERN. The Marzili funicular and determine responsibility at PHP65bn (EUR1.09m); 10.5km articulated low-floor car, which will close from 29 September to between train provider CAF and (6.5 miles) will be elevated and could be used on the new line. mid-February 2015 for construction consortium ICA/ 1.2km (0.75 miles) at street level. N. Semyonov refurbishment and new stations. EA Carso/Alstom. IRJ Six other bidders withdrew, LA CHAUX-DES-FONDS– citing low expected returns. SINGAPORE NOIRMONT (CJ). B 756 has been NETHERLANDS E. B. Havens MASS RAPID TRANSIT. rebuilt as a control trailer, ABt 715, AMSTERDAM. Following A fleet of 91 four-car automated and works with De4/4 411 while accident damage in April, the first POLAND metro trains have been ordered twin-sets 611-4/711-4 undergo two sections of Combino 2069 have KRAKÓW. A referendum on 25 from Kawasaki/CSR Qingdao overhaul. EA been mated with the rear three May showed 55% approval for a Sifang in a contract valued at MENDRIDIO – VARESE (FMV). sections of 2052. The damaged metro project. SGD749m (EUR439m). Kawasaki The Swiss section of this new line sections of both trams have been MPK has ordered 36 PESA Swing is leading the project, with will be inaugurated between returned to Siemens for repair. OR Duo low-floor trams for PLN350m CSR Qingdao responsible for Mendridio and Stabio with DEN HAAG. From 6 June to (EUR84m). KrakówGazeta bodyshells and final assembly. the timetable change on 31 August, due to the replacement The new trains will be used on the 14 December, but until the whole of Valkenbosbrug, a temporary ROMANIA 21km (13-mile) Eastern Region line to Italy is complete, only tramline 20 replaces part of TIMISOARA. Electroputere VFU line from Changi to Marina Bay, a peak-period service will be line 12. The eastern end of and Astra Vagoane have been due for completion in 2020. provided. EA line 3 features a shuttle service awarded a EUR14.5m contract The first of 13 new automated ST MORITZ – DAVOS. Federal 3L between Loosduinen and to refurbish and modernise 30 light metro cars was delivered approval has been given to Goudenregenstraat, with trams Wegmann-built four-axle trams. to the Bukit Panjang line on replace the 1903 Albula tunnel reversing at Lijsterbesstraat. The first two to be dealt with are 23 June. RGI with a new 5.8km (3.6-mile) bore Four cars based at Lijsterbesstraat 3504/17. TR costing CHF345m (EUR284m). depot provide a 15-minute service. SPAIN St Moritz station is being At the western end, service RUSSIA A CORUÑA. Suspension of completely rebuilt. RGI 3Z reverses at a new temporary KALININGRAD. Inaugurated the heritage tramway service ZÜRICH. Limmatalbahn has terminus in Fahrenheitstraat on 1 April was the so-called continues, with the overhead invited tenders to manage from 16 June to 29 August. This surface metro, in practice railcars removed from the eastern end of procurement of its CHF715m is to permit junction replacement running on local rail lines between the line. A. Beech (EUR588.5m) tramway project,
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on which construction is expected National Treasure?’ public vote. to run from 2017 to 2019. Winners will be aanounced in The CHF2.3bn (EUR1.9bn) cross- November. city rail tunnel (Durchmesserlinie) LONDON (DOCKLANDS). from Altstetten to Oerlikon, Transport for London is with its station Löwenstrasse continuing to evaluate bids for a under Zürich-HB and the 5km new concession and is expected to (3.1-mile) Weinberg tunnel to select an operator shortly. The new Oerlikon, was brought into use by concession is expected to start in services S2, S8 and S14 on 15 June September. after demonstration rides the The current concessionaire, previous day. Serco Docklands, is one of three Associated work on extending organisations shortlisted, the and remodelling Oerlikon station others being Stagecoach Group will continue until mid-2016, the and a Keolis/Amey joint venture. stop for tramlines 10 and 14 being A Go-Ahead/Colas joint venture moved to the underpass where did not proceed to final bid stage. passengers will have direct access TfL has agreed that the separate to the rail platforms. Route 11 is maintenance agreements for being moved from Nansenstrasse the City Airport and Woolwich to the station forecourt. Arsenal extensions, which were Sheffield Supertram rail replacement in progress in May 2014. . R. Buckley In December, when the held by companies acquired by TfL Altstetten flyover is completed, in 2011, be fully incorporated in The next phase began on 27 available. This will allow the Bern – St Gallen InterCity the new concession; the acquired May affecting Cricket Inn Road, council to prepare detailed plans trains will start using the companies, which had become TfL Parkway Viaduct in both directions for the balance of a GBP1.54m Durchmesserlinie. A. Moglestue subsidiaries, will be wound up. and the junction at Woodburn (EUR1.93m) project intended to NOTTINGHAM. T he tram Road. It was expected that these see provision of a visitor centre and THAILAND network carried 7.85m passengers works would be completed early ticket office at Aquarium station, PHUKET. A public hearing on in 2013-14, an increase of 6.2% in July to allow a normal service replacing the existing ex-Brighton 3 June endorsed the concept of a from the year before. However, this on the weekend of 5-6 July when Corporation tramway shelter that 60km (37-mile) tramway linking is still down on 2007-8 when 10.2 the city hosted the Tour de France was placed there in the late 1940s; Phang Nga and Chalong Circle in million journeys were recorded. A cycle race. A fourth phase of work creation of a new conservation the city centre via the international fall after 2008 is considered to have is still to be carried out during depot at Halfway with a viewing airport. It is hoped construction been due to the loss of the ability 2014, with a further programme gallery, new maintenance pits and can start in 2017 for completion to use the trams with Nottingham of tram service reductions and restoration facilities; restoration of in 2022. Final plans are due in City Transport Ltd season tickets substitute bus services. three out-of-service cars, 4, 6 and November. phuketwan.com after a change in operator. The last TYNE & WEAR. The Metro 10, to full working order to increase 12 months have seen ticket offers, modernisation programme is service capacity; development TURKEY including reducing the monthly moving on to refurbish Jarrow, of new learning materials and BURSA. Light rail lines 1 and 2 pass price over the summer and Hebburn and Bede stations in educational sessions for schools. were extended 1.6km (one-mile) Christmas holiday periods. South Tyneside. Modernisation WEST MIDLANDS. The second and one station further east, from Main line rail operator East work will see the stations given the public display of one of the new Gürsu to Kestel, on 5 June. Midlands Trains has launched latest Metro colourscheme with Midland Metro trams took place urbanrail.net a new Nottingham tram add- improved seating and lighting. at Wolverhampton St. George’s ISTANBUL. A fleet of 21 six-car on ticket. The offer has been The work is due to be completed terminus on 14 June prior to their automated metro trains have been launched ahead of the opening in the autumn; there may be introduction to service. Subject to ordered from CAF/Mitsubishi for of the new station tram stop later platform closures on weekday test running, that is likely to take EUR119m. They will be used on in the summer, which will make evenings. Also due to be replaced place around the late Summer the new 19.7km (12.2-mile) line interchange between tram and are the passenger lifts at Manors Bank Holiday in August. M5 that is being built on the station platforms easier. and Jesmond Metro stations in It is unlikely the new vehicles Asian side to link Üsküdar with PRESTON. TramPower has Newcastle. will be seen at St. George’s until Ümraniye and Çekmekköy. submitted an application A new GBP6.4m (EUR8m) digital later in the year as the section of Delivery is planned for 2016-17. RGI to Preston Council for the first radio system is being installed in street track between Priestfield and phase of its demonstration drivers’ cabs on Metro’s 90 trains St. George’s is due to be replaced in UNITED ARAB EMIRATES tramline. It proposes to use and in the control room at South a two-phase programme starting DUBAI. Tramway infrastructure the former railway line in the Gosforth. The new technology in July and lasting five months. work was expected to be completed Deepdale area, amounting to is replacing an analogue system The works include adaptations in July. Tram testing, driver 0.45km (0.3-miles) between a that has been in use since the to the island platform at training and systems integration former coal yard off Deepdale early 1990s. The first installations St. George’s to accommodate the will continue until the opening on Street and St. Chads Road. on trains are to be in spring next new fleet, although long-term 10 November. Khaleej Times The application includes year for completion in the autumn. there remains doubt about the construction of a tram stop and VOLK’S RAILWAY. Brighton stop’s future when the extension UNITED KINGDOM a storage facility for the City Class & Hove City Council has been to Wolverhampton station is built. CAMBRIDGE. The County tram currently in open storage successful in a first round bid to In the first phase of track Council has agreed to the option at Preston Docks. It is eventually the Heritage Lottery Fund for the reconstruction, works will begin of an ‘unguided’ road for the new hoped to construct a 6.5km rejuvenation of the historic Volk’s at Priestfield and work towards 600m route from Milton Road (four-mile) line from the city Railway, which runs for 1.6km/ the city centre. The second phase to the new Cambridge Science centre to Fulwood. one-mile along Brighton seafront will affect the section from Park station, due to open in 2016. SOUTH YORKSHIRE. The from Palace Pier to Black Rock. The Royal to St. George’s, which However the new section will be second phase of Sheffield’s The VR is the world’s oldest could allow trams to return as far as protected by short guided track ongoing tram rail replacement working electric railway, having The Royal before full completion. sections at each end, meaning only works for 2014 between White opened in 1883. guided buses will be able to use it. Lane and Halfway by contractor The first round funds USA LLANDUDNO. The Great Orme VolkerRail was completed on the development phase, for ATLANTA, GA. The new Tramway is taking part in the UK time and Supertram services were which a grant of GBP96 000 city centre tramway loop National Lottery’s ‘What’s Your restored on 26 May. (EUR120 000) has been made was energised from 28 May.
344 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org Testing of the four Siemens trials. Ten of the 21 Newark some time on the EMA museum Heaton Park Tramway Trust for cars is in progress. E. B. Havens cars, and 25 more Hudson– tramway. OR preservation. AUSTIN, TX. The Capital Metro Bergen cars out of the 52 on BALLARAT (AU). The tramway In mid-June the body of board has endorsed the proposed that line will be involved as 35 museum has received an Oldham Corporation Tramways north-south light rail line. The new centre sections are ordered AUD10 000 (EUR6886) federal 43 was moved from its long-term city council will now decide under a USD55m contract that grant for restoration of 1913 resting place on a farm above whether to put a funding proposal will be fulfilled in 2015-16. Duncan and Fraser two-axle Oldham to the Heaton Park on the November referendum. NEW ORLEANS, LA. car 18. BTTP Tramway to become part of the E. B. Havens Construction will start this year on BEAMISH (UK). The Heritage Manchester Transport Museum CHICAGO – SOUTH BEND, IL. the new tramline along Rampart Lottery Fund has given initial Society’s collection as a future USD1.6bn in investment is St and Elysian Fields Avenue. support towards a hoped-for restoration project. The tram planned for the South Shore It is hoped to start passenger GBP10.75m (EUR13.5m) grant to was built in 1902 by the Electric interurban, including an service in 2016. E. B. Havens develop facilities at the open-air Railway and Tramways Carriage extension to Dyer. E. B. Havens NEW YORK, NY. The oldest museum. This comprises GBP603 Works, on a Brill 21E truck as a DENVER, CO. The refurbished remaining subway cars, the 800 (EUR755 000) of development short-canopied open topper. In Union station, providing 222-strong R32 fleet dating funding; the HLF will then 1927 its top deck was extended to interchange between rail, light from 1964-5, have been moved consider a final application increase its seating capacity and rail and bus services, will be to line J. E. B. Havens towards the end of 2015. then in 1933, it was converted inaugurated on 26 July. E. B. Havens PHILADELPHIA, PA (SEPTA). Proposals include development to become a single-deck car in DETROIT. Delays on the private Friday/Saturday all-night service of a 1950s-themed town and farm order to operate the Oldham to Woodward Avenue tramway have on the Market-Frankford and and a 2.4km (1.5-mile) trolleybus Middleton route. led to the predicted cost increasing Broad Street subway lines began route, running anti-clockwise On 6 July Manchester California by USD12m. The M-1 consortium from 15 June. around the current road network car 765 celebrated its 100th has said it is committed to Regional rail services were and taking a new route to the east birthday with an event at Heaton finishing the 5.3km (3.3-mile) halted by a strike that started of the present town to serve the Park following completion of line by 2016, and the city council on 14 June. However later that 1950s area. The museum presently its recent overhaul. Over the issued the necessary construction day President Obama signed an only possesses one trolleybus and winter the body has been lifted in permits on 24 June. E. B. Havens executive mediation order and will need at least two more to order to allow work to be carried EL PASO, TX. T he Texas services resumed on 15 June for allow the service to be provided. out on the running gear, as well Transportation Commission has at least 240 days. E. B. Havens These would be backed up by the as to allow repair of the platform awarded the city USD97m towards PHOENIX, AR. The light rail acquisition of at least a pair of bearers and strengthening of the its proposed tramway; it is hoped extension to Tempe is now 1950s-era motor buses. tram’s underframe. to complete the project in 2017, expected to reach Apache The tram route would be HOBART (AU). The body of bogie with the city renovating the PCC Boulevard, adding 640m unaffected by the proposals, but tram 116, withdrawn 54 years ago, bodyshells that have been stored at (0.4 miles) to the planned line. an extension to its depot and has been retrieved for restoration. the airport since 1974. E. B. Havens E. B. Havens improvements to the environs KENNEBUNKPORT, MN (US). HUNTSVILLE, AL. Civic leaders SALT LAKE CITY, UT. would be required to house the The Seashore Trolley Museum are debating whether a tramway An application has been submitted tram and trolleybus fleet and is marking its 75th anniversary project should be included in the for a USD10.6m federal TIGER provide additional maintenance on 5 July by unveiling restored city’s long-range plan. E. B. Havens grant to extend the Sugar House facilities. Montreal open sightseeing tram KANSAS CITY, MO. T he modern tramway that opened last The present proposals for 2, built in 1906 and acquired by Streetcar Authority has voted in year to Highland Drive and 2100 the tram fleet/depot include: the museum in 1963. E. B. Havens favour of a white, black and silver South. The cost of the project is completion of overhaul of ROCKHILL FURNACE, PA (US). livery for the CAF trams ordered put at USD13.7m. E. B. Havens Sunderland 16; progress Sheffield San Diego Siemens U2 LRV 1019 for the city centre line. SAN FRANCISCO, CA. The 264’s overhaul and repaint; plan arrived at the Trolley Museum for A judge has given former tunnel-boring machines have for Gateshead 10’s overhaul and preservation on 19 June. E. B. Havens resident Clay Chastain permission completed work for the Central repaint; re-varnish Oporto 196; WANGANUI (NZ). The first to put a funding proposal for Subway LRT project to Chinatown. completion of depot overhead day of public operation along light rail/commuter rail/trams Work on completion and fitting line works (road 4/5); restoration the waterfront at Moutoa Quay on the November ballot, which out will continue until 2019. J. May of Gateshead 52 (longer term); for restored 1912 tram 12 was will also contain a city proposal TUCSON, AZ. T he public rebuild of ex-Blackpool Balloon 2 June. B. Efford for tax funding to expand the dedication of the SunLink ‘Sunderland 101’ (longer term). starter tramway. E. B. Havens tramway is scheduled for 09.00 CRICH (UK). The National CONTRIBUTORS LOS ANGELES, CA. Metro staff on 25 July, followed by three days Tramway Museum has embarked UK and Ireland items are welcomed are recommending a new light of free rides. United Streetcar on a longer-term restoration of by the Home News Editor, John rail station at Aviation/96th St trams 101-8 should all be ready London County Council tram 1 Symons, 17 Whitmore Avenue, (on the Crenshaw/Green lines) for service by then. E. B. Havens with a view to returning it to Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 to connect with the future LAX WASHINGTON, DC. The city operating condition. 0LW, UK. E-mail [email protected] peoplemover to the airport. council is supporting tax cut Work on the restoration of Contributors this month Santa Monica City Council measures that could reduce the body of Blackpool Box 40 include Mike Ballinger, R. Ellis, has approved a Memorandum of funding for the proposed continues at Blackpool Transport Mike Haddon and Richard Buckley. Understanding with LAMTA to tramway network by more than Services’ Rigby Road depot. Acknowledgements are also facilitate operation of the Expo 50% (USD900m to USD400m). The motors and wheelsets have due to BS Blickpunkt Strassenbahn, line, including street operation A decision was expected in June. been overhauled at outside digitaltram.nl, DS Drehscheibe, EA on Colorado Ave between 4th Meanwhile, inauguration of the H contractors and will be transferred Eisenbahn Amateur, Edinburgh and 17th Streets. The line should St line seems to be slipping closer to the Crich workshop and fitted Evening News, Fylde Tramway open in early 2016. to the end of the year or early 2015. into the truck frames, which have Society, IRJ International Rail Journal, Plans have been unveiled to Five new Silver line metro been overhauled in the Crich Khaleej Times, KrakówGazeta, extend the San Pedro heritage stations will open on 26 July as workshop. The complete trucks Manchester Evening News, National tramway to link Wilmington and service is inaugurated between will then be sent to Rigby Road Post, North Wales Weekly News, Cabrillo Beach. E. B. Havens Reston and Largo via Tyson’s and reunited with the body. Nottingham Evening Post, OR Op De NEWARK/HUDSON-BERGEN, Corner. E. B. Havens HEATON PARK (UK). Rails, phuketwan.com, RGI Railway NJ.NJT is moving ahead with a Following the charity’s last run of Gazette International, T-2000 Tram project to fit additional centre MUSEUM NEWS representatives of the Manchester 2000, The Scotsman, Times of India, sections to more of its Kinkisharyo AMSTERDAM (NL). Den Haag Metrolink fleet of T68 vehicles, Toronto Star, transphoto.ru and LRVs, after successful prototype PCC 1227 has arrived to spend tram 1007 was presented to the urbanrail.net
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 345 Letters
MAILBOX Get your views into print Letters should be clearly typed and preferably not handwritten. [email protected] +44 (0)1733 367615 We reserve the right to shorten contributions for publication.
Edinburgh trams: A case for integration, not invisibility
It was my great pleasure to be aboard the first Edinburgh tram at 05.00 on 31 May. There are a great many positive aspects of Edinburgh's tramway, and I am sure that many others will report in great detail. Certainly, during the rest of the morning I encountered many Edinburgh citizens who were very appreciative, and they were present in huge numbers. The Edinburgh Trams team deserve hearty congratulations for their efforts. It might seem churlish to report any negatives at this early stage, but I encountered two examples: Firstly, as an airport connector, the awkward additional walking distance from the terminal building (in the open, and it does rain sometimes!) is a major disadvantage compared with boarding the much-touted airport express bus to Waverley station. Trams at Edinburgh Airport on opening day, 31 May 2014. TAUT Secondly, Ingliston park-and-ride. I was distressed (and astonished) to find that absolutely no publicity was believed that competition in public transport provision given about even the existence of a tram connection. In fact, was a virtue. It was time there was a concerted campaign the (very smart) information centre was totally bereft of any to end this nonsense for good. reference to trams. Edinburgh maps on display did not even It has done terrible damage to the cause of urban transport include the tram route! improvement. The great Scottish Economist Adam Smith The Ingliston park-and-ride (hailed by many as the great stop is unfortunately hidden “Public transport can only champion of competition and from view (from the Information free enterprise) concluded that centre) behind a substation. achieve its full potential utilities could not be allowed Incredibly, there is not even a to operate under the ‘unseen 'Trams this way' sign and I had (and further the wider public hand’ of market forces, and, after to assist several forlorn would-be deliberation, concluded that they tram samplers as to how to access interest) under legislative would be best provided under the invisible tram stop. public ownership and control. It is therefore difficult to resist conditions that dictate full Public transport is surely a the conclusion that Lothian integration and co-ordination. ” ‘utility’ under Smith's definition. Transport remain a bus- That the lunacy of the airport bus/ orientated organisation. tram duplication is in fact under This brings me to a final conclusion. Public transport public control belies the point. The argument for retaining can only achieve its full potential (and further the wider the bus is no doubt that, in the event of bus withdrawal a public interest) under legislative conditions that dictate full private sector operator might appear and conduct a price war integration and co-ordination. It is a total travesty that a with the tram (permitted under current legislation). public transport infrastructure investment should be beset It is not only Edinburgh that has suffered from this with any competition whatsoever. competition. After an early phase of successful integration, A transport authority should have the ability to specify all the Tyne & Wear metro suffered a substantial decline services provided, together with a uniform fare structure, in earnings following bus deregulation. Nottingham irrespective of the mode used. has recently suffered a major reversal (from 9m to 7.5m Of course, upon introduction of the tram service, the passengers/year) due to withdrawal of integrated ticketing. airport bus should have been withdrawn, or at least re-routed Manchester's Ashton route suffers from competition from the to serve other intermediate destinations, and not provide a 216 bus route run by First Group (at cheaper fares). There are competing duplicate service to the city centre (except doubtless many other examples. perhaps for a night service). This is what applies in the Who is going to conduct this vital campaign? As far as the majority of European cities and city regions (and in the transport establishment is concerned, this issue appears to UK applies in London). be yet another elephant in the room. Also, the same logic demands that the Ingliston park- The revenue loss to Edinburgh trams caused by and-ride be totally re-orientated to trams, bus service being continuance of the airport bus service could well be restructured to serve other outlying destinations (as applies GBP4m plus. This is conservatively assessed at 20 passengers in park-and-ride terminals on new French tramways). per bus, and 144 bus single journeys per day at GBP3.50 The financial benefits of this are immense. Any modest (EUR4.40) per passenger (assuming some concessions etc). profit foregone by curtailing buses will be more than Considering that the tram project overspend is incurring equalled by additional receipts to trams, with no extra financing costs of circa GBP15m per annum, this lost GBP4m marginal costs. is invaluable, and well demonstrates how catastrophic That this common sense is not applied is a legacy of revenue loss due to unwarranted competition can be. the terrible period of the 1980s and 1990s when it was Alan Robinson, Malvern (UK)
346 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org Counting the pennies, not cost cutting is a question for the politicians and the more of the population along the Watford David Gibson’s Comment piece in the business community to answer, not just – St Albans corridor than the railway and latest issue (TAUT 919) raises a number of the well-intentioned engineers who are goes directly to the towns’ centres. excellent points on the topics of tramway seeking to save 10-15% cost. The scale of opportunities lost is cost reduction, but I personally feel that J Klein, by e-mail shown by the major development sites cost reduction is not the real issue when that have emerged along the corridor. it comes to development of the mode in Watford – St Albans: A lost opportunity These included two large long stay the UK. I agree that Hertfordshire County hospitals (closure initiated by the 1987 While many of his quoted figures do Council’s public transport team and their care in the community policy), Hatfield seem extravagant when building an LRT partners deserve a bronze star for trying aerodrome (closed with the end of BAe system, in real terms the savings of a few to get the Watford to St Albans Abbey line airliner production there), and major million here or there when it comes to a converted to light rail. But in the end they expansion of retail at Watford town centre city-building transport network that will haven’t got anywhere. So we are left with and along the A1 in Hatfield and Welwyn. inspire confidence in inward investment a short line from the edge of one town to Redevelopment strategies for these could are actually largely irrelevant. When the edge of another, serving the edge of a have been integrated with CVT planning spending anywhere between GBP300- few small communities, with large trains and implementation. This did not happen, 500m (approx. EUR375-625m on a new running on main line standards and even though in the 1980s the County system, GBP50m (approx. EUR63m) saved managed remotely from London. Truly a Council was responsible for overall spatial through pared-back technologies is not lost opportunity for developing a quality strategies (the County Structure Plan) money well-saved if it doesn’t create an transit system across a populous and active and public transport. inspirational new mode and one that a city region just north of the M25. Subsequently, most land use planning can be truly proud of. The real problem lies in the British has passed to the district councils. Getting the ‘buy in’ from the local framework for such projects, as the They are now required to take an business communities and political scheme’s history shows. Back in the increasing focus on meeting simple leaders is more the key, so if anything we late 1980s a group of local campaigners targets in jobs and economic activity, should be investing more to ensure the proposed the Colne Valley Transit (CVT) while declining budgets and increasing quality of the systems we build are real light rail system. This would run from Government control prevent any additions to a city’s landscape – of course Chesham via Rickmansworth and Croxley imaginative approach. So the this is at the exception of uneccessary Green (Metropolitan line), Watford West opportunities to fund CVT off the back ‘gold-plating’. (the then proposed Croxley link), Watford of major building, while also creating The new system in Besançon, France, Junction, St Albans Abbey (Abbey line) and urban areas with much better access and to me is a case in point. Through fairly on to St Albans City station. Subsequently lower car use, appear to be lost and gone. extreme cost-cutting, that system may the group suggested extension, mostly Indeed the substantial development turn out to be a glorified busway in the over old trackbed, to the University and of the last three decades across central eyes of passengers if it doesn’t deliver an Galleria developments on the edge of Hertfordshire has been heavily geared to effective and ‘special’ mode of transport. Hatfield, with a possible vision of car use, setting commercial centres, If it doesn’t, it won’t attract the right further extensions. public facilities and travel behaviour patronage and will ultimately fail. The proposals attracted wide patterns literally in concrete. As figures in TAUT have shown, UK local support and in the mid-1990s Alissa Ede concludes her review by systems (apart from Edinburgh) aren’t Hertfordshire County Council saying that the County Council may ridiculously expensive compared to their commissioned studies into the proposed still look at possible conversion of the counterparts in mainland Europe – the corridor and extensions and the type of Abbey line in the right circumstances difference is the belief and backing of the operation. They supported the general but that this is “a much longer- term local communities in getting them built. principles but saw a better economic case proposition”. If you create something of real worth, then in building it as a busway. “Tram type Well, as a transport practitioner the money will be found – as we have seen buses will speed across Hertfordshire” and resident, I’ve seen nearly four in Manchester and Nottingham. cried the local press. Alas, even this proved decades come and go without any real I do feel we are finally on the cusp of not economic enough and today the CVT development of the line, including the the next wave of light rail development axis is paralleled by the usual mix of quarter century in which CVT emerged, in the UK and that the next decade may varying coloured buses running at uneven spread its wings and was then smothered. well mark the turning point where we intervals with no common or through What is that if not longer-term?! see new systems being approved. But that ticketing. Though the Arriva 321 serves far Reg Harman, by e-mail
The full list of the year’s meetings and meeting places MEETINGS & EVENTS can also be found at www.lrta.org
JULY 2014 Monday 18. Wickham 19.30. Ian Wednesday 10. Brighton Speaker to be confirmed (TLRS) Gledhill: San Francisco, pt 2. (TLRS) (Southwick) 19.40. Peter Williams: Thursday 25. Manchester 19.00. Saturday 26. Beeston 14.00. Thursday 21. Dartford 19.30. development of tram and trolleybus Different Venue: Metrolink; tour of Modelling challenge and photo Hans Retallick: The trams of Poland, overhead systems. (TLRS) Old Trafford Depot and talk by Chris competition. (TLRS) Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary Monday 15. Liverpool 19.30. Coleman, Metrolink RATP Dev. Thursday 31. Manchester 19.00. and Croatia. (TLRS) AGM followed by a selection of Strict limit of 25 places, which MUST Heaton Park visit and ride the Saturday 30. Beeston 14.00. tramway images. (TLRS) be booked. Contact David Hooker: extended tramway; GBP2.50 Bring A Thing: Your opportunity to Monday 15. Wickham 19.30. Martin [email protected]. suggested donation. Meet at depot, discuss work in progress, your Jenkins: TBA. (TLRS) com no later than 1 August 2014 near Middleton Rd entrance, 18.30. holiday photos or tramway Tuesday 16. London 19.00. for details/booking. memorabilia. (TLRS) Alan Williams: Historic Vicinal Saturday 27. Beeston 14.00. AUGUST 2014 and modern Brussels Martin Chapman: Calcutta SEPTEMBER 2014 Wednesday 17. Bristol 19.30. TBA. Tramways. (TLRS) Wednesday 13. Brighton Thursday 18. Dartford 19.30. Saturday 27. Garstang 14.00. (Southwick) 19.40. Chris Warren: Tuesday 2. Southampton 19.30. Colin Brian Hymas: Bournemouth's Metrolink Director Peter Cushing: European adventure, pt 2: Before and Brading: Confessions of a narrow- electric traction. (TLRS) Manchester Metrolink. Venue: later in Europe. (TLRS) minded enthusiast. (LRTA/SEG) Saturday 20.Taunton 14.00. St. Thomas' Church (not the Hall)
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 347 Classic Trams A BELGIAN CENTENARY Ask students of Belgian tramways their favourite Brussels tram route, and there is a good chance they will name line 81. Mike Russell explains why this route exerts such an influence, and why it merit its own centenary celebration. 1
he world’s great city tramways There were some unusual operational has been at Square Montgomery. seem to have one or two routes features in the early years. Bruxelles used The most substantial route change took that encapsulate the character the conduit system of current collection in place from 30 June 2008 when, as part of that city. Belgium’s capital the central area and at selected suburban of another network restructuring plan, Bruxelles (Brussels) once had points, a system not abandoned until 1942 the Heysel section was amputated and 81 largeT numbers of street-running tramways when conventional overhead collection was projected to a terminus at Marius Renard in threading through closely-spaced streets, extended over the entire system. The original Anderlecht via the tracks of former route 56. but over almost half a century, many have layout in Avenue de la Chasse (between been closed, placed on reservation or Avenue Eudore Pirmez and Place St-Pierre) Centenary celebrations converted to metro or pre-metro operation featured a central boulevard, and to facilitate On 1 May 2014, the Musée du Transport with extensive subterranean sections. borading track roll-overs were laid in at Urbain Bruxellois staged an elaborate In this huge regeneration of tramways, both extremities with left-hand running for commemoration of line 81 with the line 81 has stood out as the city’s premier around 850m. Furthermore, the present-day co-operation of the operator, Société des street-track route. routing between Avenue Fonsny and Barrière Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles Line 81 was created on 1 May 1914, and Ste-Gilles along Rue Théodore Verhaegen (STIB). A special morning journey was made while subject to mutations and alterations was originally single-track; for descending between Square Montgomery and Barrière in the intervening century, has maintained journeys from Barrière towards Midi, the Ste-Gilles with Standard motor car 1428 its basic core route. Even in 2008, when tramway was originally laid in a series of side hauling open baladeuse trailer 29. This car its northern section was excised, the most streets with a succession of sharp right and is trolley-pole equipped and cannot travel characteristic section remains virtually left-hand curves; not until July 1922 was two- unaided over the main part of the Bruxelles unaltered from the day it was created. way working introduced on Rue Verhaegen. system, but managed to traverse most of the route under its own power, works car 46 only Long-lived connection Rolling stock being required to tow it across junctions and On that day a century ago, Les Tramways Standard motor and trailer cars were a assist in intermediate shunting. The choice Bruxellois renumbered its existing lines 51 mainstay of the rolling stock allocation of 1428 was especially apposite, as Woluwe- and 52, linking Place Sainte-Croix (today for many years; indeed, up to four sets based cars of this type worked on line 81 in Place Flagey) and Porte de Tervueren as 81 still provided weekday morning peak the years between the two World Wars. and 82. It also created an associated line 83. reinforcement until final withdrawal on During the afternoon, the public holiday This had been made possible through the 26 May 1975. In 1956 came the 15-minute service was doubled by operation opening of new tracks connecting Place van introduction from Ixelles depot of of up to eight post-war examples of historic Meenen (Maison Communale de Ste-Gilles) the Exposition (5000-class) bogie cars, rolling stock from the museum collection. with Place Sainte-Croix in 1913. That enabled constructed in 1935 for World’s Fair services. Particularly nostalgic was the appearance the lines opened in 1910 between Laeken These cars were always associated with line of Exposition bogie car 5008; traversing the church and Place Bethléem (on Rue Théodore 81 until their withdrawal on 20 September narrow streets of Etterbeek, this could have Verhaegen) to be vastly extended, creating a 1976, with the opening of the city metro and been a scene from 50 years ago. very long-lived cross-city connection. the conversion of 81 to pantograph operation In today’s Bruxelles, tram route 81 exudes The introduction of line 81 saw the in preparation for its diversion into the a special, traditional character. Connecting adoption of green and white route colours, north-south tunnel. This replaced the street densely-populated quarters of the city’s retained until 1985. In 1914, 81 journeys track between the Gare du Midi and Gare du inner suburbs, it threads its way through terminated at Porte de Tervueren and Nord a fortnight later. With the introduction narrow streets lined with parked cars and associated route 82 was projected beyond of one-person operation to weekday evening flanked by street markets, small shops and to Cimetière d’Etterbeek, with a terminus and (later) Sunday operation in 1969, the Bruxelles inner-city housing. Passage is often at Square de Meudon, which definition rolling stock became more varied, and rebuilt obstructed by the manoeuvres of delivery supplanted the original in 1959. The Laeken Standards with or without trailers, 7000-class vehicles or cars, with tramcars’ progress terminus was transferred from the church to PCC bogie cars, 4000-class ‘two-rooms-and- heralded by the sound of their gongs. That the Place Communale, later known as Place a-bath’ articulated cars, and the diminutive line 81 survives in today’s Bruxelles, with its Emile Bockstael, which was to remain served 9000-class rebuilt Standards could all be reserved tracks and segregation, is testament by 81 until 2008. found; after the demise of the Exposition to the importance the STIB still attaches to it, During subsequent years, the route was bogie cars, 7700/7800 class two-section PCC acknowledging its vital function in keeping variously extended to Place St-Lambert and articulated cars and later the 7900 three- the heart of one of western Europe’s most Heysel, the latter notably during the 1935 section articulated cars appeared. vibrant cities beating. and 1958 international exhibitions. On both On 16 April 1968, as part of the last phase Belated happy birthday, line 81! those occasions, a major extension was made of the six-stage tramways restructuring plan, at the other end of the route from Square line 81 reverted to regular operation between > For a much fuller and historically-illustrated Montgomery along the Grande Ceinture and Place Bockstael and Square de Meudon, with account of this route, readers are referred to Les via Pont van Praet to Esplanade, serving the some journeys projected to and from Place Cent Ans de la Ligne 81, 1914-2014, by Axel other main entrance to the exhibition and St-Lambert or Heysel. The section to Square Vandecasteele, published by Tram2000, from creating a huge U-shaped route covering a de Meudon was closed after operation on which much information for this article has been vast swathe of Bruxelles’ tramway network. 14 February 1975, since when the terminus extracted with grateful acknowledgment.
348 / AUGUST 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org 1 Rebuilt two-axle Standard cars of class 9000 could be found on occasional line 81 workings in the late 1960s and 1970s after introduction of evening and weekend one- man-operation. Preserved 9079 is seen at the top of Avenue Paul de Jaer, about to pass in front of the Maison Communale de Ste-Gilles.
2 An impressive line-up of cars from the Bruxelles tramway museum preparing for operation on the line 81 special centenary service. From left to right: PCC 7171; Standard motor car 1376; restored Standard 1428; Exposition bogie car 5008; Standard 1064 + trailer 102; rebuilt Standard 9079; and ‘two-rooms-and-a-bath’ articulated car 4032.
3 Trolley-pole-equipped Standard motor car 1428 and baladeuse trailer 29 negotiating the tramway roundabout at Barrière Ste-Gilles. Woluwe- based car 1428 could have 2 been found in operation on this route in the mid-1920s.
4 PCC bogie cars were regular performers on line 81, first being introduced in 1958 to assist with handling World’s Fair traffic. The last of the series, 7171, proceeds uphill in the recently-reconstructed tracks on Rue Théodore Verhaegen.
5 The archetypal view of line 81 – a narrow street flanked by typical Bruxelles inner suburban housing. One of 3 4 the charismatic Exposition bogie cars (5008) traditionally associated with this route is seen in the delightful Rue de la Brasserie.
6 A remarkable crossing shot in Avenue Victor Jacobs, Etterbeek, with Standard motor + trailer set 1064 + 102 heading towards Gare du Midi and solo Standard 1378 returning to Square Montgomery.
7 ‘Two-rooms-and-a-bath’ articulated car 4032 at Place Eugène Flagey en route for Gare 5 6 du Midi. Cars of this type were allocated to just one morning- peak route 81 working by Avenue du Roi depot between 1972 and 1976.
8 Solo Standard motor cars were a normal part of the allocation to lines 81, 82 and 83 in their glory years. Here is Standard 1378 in the Rue Africaine at Sainte-Trinité. Until 1977, both tracks were located in this street; the Montgomery- bound line was then relocated into Rue du Tabellion on the south-east side of the church. 7 8 All photography by Mike Russell.
www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org AUGUST 2014 / 349 BOOKSHOP Order online from lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 31 Ashton Road, Wokingham RG41 1HL Postage & packing – Any UK address: Add 10% (minimum £2.00, maximum £7.50) All addresses outside UK: Add 20% (minimum £4.00, maximum £15.00)
PCCs of Western Europe 1950-2010 The tram that Belgium made
Authors Geoffrey Skelsey and Yves-Laurent Hansart are well-known for their previous work on the Brussels and Belgian Coastal tramways. Here they vividly describe the development of the PCC car in post-war Western Europe right through to the demise of this iconic type in recent years. Softback, A4 size, 84 pages, with over 150 black & white and colour photographs. Price: £14.50 – An LRTA publication. Trade rates available to bookshops, libraries and museums. Contact [email protected] for more details.
Innsbruck’s Alpine Tramways
This new book from Innsbruck enthusiast Ray Deacon features all aspects of this fascinating system, where city trams link directly with surrounding upland villages, in particular Fulpmes and Igls. With details of cars present and past, descriptions of routes, depot information and much more. Softback 160 A4 pages, around 300 photos and seven maps, gloss cover. Price £17.50 – An LRTA publication. Trade rates available to bookshops, libraries and museums. Contact [email protected] for more details.
A London Trolleybus Experience Author Doug Fairhurst has put a personal slant on the trolleybuses of the UK capital – once the largest fleet of such vehicles in the world and only exceeded by Moscow and St Petersburg some years after LT’s ‘silent servants’ had been withdrawn. Though the various types of vehicle in London tended to look the same – and with only one exception were all three-axle machines – the book explains some of the detail differences and looks at the work they did from 1931 to 1962 as a key component of the city’s vast public transport system. Published by Irwell Press. Other details not available at time of press. Price: 18.50
On Track A Field Guide to San Francisco’s Historic Streetcars and Cable Cars A very useful handbook for both those visiting the city and the armchair travellers with an interest in its two iconic transit brands. The stories of the F-line and the unique fleet of historic trams that operate it, and of the amazing three-line cable car network are told by author Rick Laubscher, President of the not-for-profit Market Street Railway, which supports the San Francisco Municipal Railway in the delivery of both of these tourist attractions. The book gives details of every streetcar and cable car in the MUNI fleet, and is packed with maps and photographs to delight the reader. 120x230mm softback portrait format; 128 pages, fully illustrated in colour. Published by Market Street Railway. Price: £11.00 IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF
BUDAPEST: SPECIAL FOCUS Tinged by controversy over its long development, in March 2014 Budapest’s line M4 project became a showpiece of automatic metro operation. Still only in its fourth year, the Hungarian capital’s transport authority BKK is now focused on renewal and improved co-ordination after decades of underfunding across a multi-mode network that includes one of the world’s great tramways.
MINNEAPOLIS DIJON MANILA France’s capital of Burgundy – Dijon The Philippine capital has three LRT lines – ST PAUL – teamed up with Brest to increase its with daily passenger numbers of more than On 14 June the Green LRT line linking tramway buying power. Neil Pulling a million. The city has ambitions for major Downtown Minneapolis with Downtown St looks at the results in a city where line T1 expansion – and work has already started Paul opened, almost replicating the Interurban opened ahead of schedule in September on a new line 7 heading out to San José which closed in 1953. Vic Simons reports. 2012, followed by T2 that December. Del Monte City. Ciril van Hattum reports. SEPTEMBER PLUS... ISSUE + The latest news, rolling stock orders and movements, new technology and innovation, system developments, transport policy on sale and leading industry comment. August 22 Engineered For Simplicity
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Rosehill Rail TAUT_Advert AUG2014.indd 1 04/07/2014 10:24