THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE HEADLINES l Paris network reaches 65km

l AnsaldoBreda enters Chinese LRT market

l Edinburgh tramway to open early?

dubAi: CREATING THE WORLD’S LONGEST DRIVERLESS NETWORK INSIDE: Light Rail Awards 2012 special

Olsztyn Halberstadt Poland’s first How do you new-build sustain a system tramway in with a declining

over 50 years population? DECEMBER 2012 No. 900 w w w . l r ta . o r g l w w w . t r a m n e w s . n e t £3.80 PESA Bydgoszcz SA 85-082 Bydgoszcz, ul. Zygmunta Augusta 11 tel. (+48)52 33 91 104 fax (+48)52 3391 114 www.pesa.pl e-mail: [email protected]

Layout_Adpage.indd 1 26/10/2012 16:15 Contents The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association 448 News 448 DECEMBER 2012 Vol. 75 No. 900 Three new lines take Paris tram network to 65km; www.tramnews.net Mendoza inaugurates light rail services; AnsaldoBreda EDITORIAL signs Chinese technology partnership; München orders Editor: Simon Johnston Siemens new Avenio low-floor tram. Tel: +44 (0)1832 281131 E-mail: [email protected] Eaglethorpe Barns, Warmington, Peterborough PE8 6TJ, UK. 454 Olsztyn: Re-adopting the tram Associate Editor: Tony Streeter Marek Ciesielski reports on the project to build Poland’s E-mail: [email protected] first all-new tramway in over 50 years. Worldwide Editor: Michael Taplin Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. 457 15 Minutes with... Gérard Glas 454 E-mail: [email protected] Tata Steel’s CEO tells TAUT how its latest products offer News Editor: John Symons a step-change reduction in long-term maintenance costs. 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST9 0LW, UK. No tea party in Boston E-mail: [email protected] 459 Against a climate of increased US funding, light rail in Contributor: Neil Pulling Boston faces service cutbacks. Richard Buckley explains. Design: Debbie Nolan Production Executive: Carla Corrado 463 Systems Factfile: Hannover Tel: +44 (0)1832 281134 E-mail: [email protected] Following radical changes to its light rail operations, Worldwide Contributors: Aare Olander, Nikolai Hannover continues to modernise, as Neil Pulling reports. 459 Semyonov, Sergei Tarkhov (CIS), Mike Russell, Norman Bartlett, Halberstadt plans for closure Thomas Wagner, Pedro Costa, Richard Felski, Jordi Ibanez (Europe), 469 Yoshiri Nogi (Japan), Anthony Bailey, Ian Hammond, Paul Nicholson Tony Streeter talks to HVG Managing Director Axel Wohlbier (Australia), Vic Simons, Charles Lietwiler, Steve Morgan, Tom Swinney. about the city’s plans to close its 125-year-old tramway. LRTA Website and Diary: Brian Lomas 472 Worldwide Review E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Oran undertakes first tramway testing; Belkommunmash Commercial Manager: Vicky Binley Tel: +44 (0)1832 281132 E-mail: [email protected] and Stadler sign joint venture for a new factory; Edmonton commits CAD800m (EUR622m) towards the Southeast Advertising Manager: Andy Adams 472 Tel: +44 (0)1832 281135 E-mail: [email protected] light rail line; Work begins on the 129km Doha Metro. Eaglethorpe Barns, Warmington, Peterborough PE8 6TJ, UK. 477 Letters Publisher: Howard Johnston What if aren’t the right solution?; Differing views of Tramways & Urban Transit is jointly published by the LRTA and LRTA cycles on mass transit. Publishing on the third Friday of each month preceding the cover date. 480 Classic Trams: Brussels works car day LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up members of the Mike Russell reports from an event that celebrates the Light Rail Transit Association. You are welcome to join the LRTA. great unsung heroes of tramway operation – the works car. subscriptions: LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. BACK ISSUES: Tel: +44 (0)1406 373070 Growth in the east... but decline in the west? PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION: Warners () plc, The Maltings, SIMON JOHNSTON, Editor West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391000. LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE: c/o 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling, Kent DA16 2BY. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 Another month and another vehicle from Halberstadt, . Faced in England and Wales. manufacturer heads east as we see with a declining population and shift in LRTA Chairman: Andrew Braddock. LRTA Deputy Chairman: Vic Simons AnsaldoBreda sign a deal with CNR economic focus, this city with a proud LRTA PUBLISHING REGISTERED OFFICE: c/o 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Dalian that should see wire-free low-floor 125-year tramway legacy faces the Garden City, Herts AL7 4TU. Private Limited Company, No. 06169422 trams running in China by 2013. prospect of closure. Financing isn’t the in England and Wales. In related news, after signing a direct issue, it’s an issue of low take-up © LRTA Publishing 2012. mega-order with German national rail from passengers: what do you do when Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution is accepted on the basis that operator DB, PESA unveils its first Russian your passengers disappear? its author is responsible for the opinions expressed in it, and such opinions tram contract with a modest requirement Despite all the good news and growth are not those of LRTA Publishing or the LRTA. All rights reserved. for Kaliningrad – the snowball is really in emerging markets, I fear we may No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording gathering pace in the East. be entering an age when LRT schemes or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior In our special focus this month, we look conceived in boom times may have a permission in writing from the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the at another impressive project – the Dubai very hard time justifying themselves if contents of the magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. Metro. Built with a ‘money no object areas they are designed to serve wither approach’, this underground/elevated away, or new developments they are

THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE HEADLINES system was built in record time and at planned to serve are cancelled. l Paris tram network reaches 65km

l Ansaldobreda enters Chinese LRT market one point had a staggering 24 000 As you’ll see from our letters pages,

l Edinburgh tramway to open early? workers engaged on the scheme! there are some strong views on this topic Dubai’s Metro is now officially recognised State-of-the-art in every respect and and I think that even the most staunch as the world’s longest immaculately maintained, this showpiece light rail advocates are re-evaluating driverless rail system. system is a model for how mass transit the affordability and sustainability of See our special review can transform the urban landscape. With schemes in many parts of the world. dubAi: CREATiNG THE WORLd’S further schemes planned (albeit slightly The bubble hasn’t burst, as the wealth of LONGEST dRiVERLESS NETWORK for the full story of INSIDE: Light Rail Awards 2012 special delayed), Dubai is a city in transition and exciting projects from the Light Rail Awards Olsztyn Halberstadt its construction and Poland’s first How do you new-build sustain a system tramway in with a declining it is fantastic to see urban rail at its heart. shows, but the way in which LRT grows is over 50 years population? DECEMBER operation. 2012 No. 900 w w w . l r ta . o r g l w w w . t r a m n e w s . n e t £3.80 On the flipside, we report with concern ever more under the microscope. TAUT_1212_Cover.indd 1 30/10/2012 15:03 Melissa Beattie

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org december 2012 447 News Three Paris tramway openings take expanded network to 65km

THREE of Paris’ separated tramlines are be- ing extended in November and December, bringing the network to 65km (40.3 miles). On 15 November, the original line, T1 (St- Denis – Noisy-le-Sec), was to expand at its western end by 4.9km (three miles) from Saint- Denis RER to Asnieres-Gennevilliers, with ten new stops. The existing fleet of 35 Alstom TFS partially low-floor trams (101-119 and 201-216) will suffice for the extended service. A few days later, on 19 November, line T2 (Porte de Versailles – La Defense) will be extended north by 4.2km (2.6 miles) from La Defense to Pont de Bezons, with seven new stops; 19 new 302 trams (442-460) were delivered some months ago ready for this extension. Then on 15 December line T3 (Pont du Garigliano – Porte d’Ivry) will be extended by 14.5km (nine miles) around the eastern side of the inner boulevards from Porte d’Ivry to Porte de Chapelle. The 22.4km (13.9- mile) line will be operated in two sections: T3a from Pont du Garigliano to Porte de Vincennes and T3b from Porte de Vincennes to Porte de Chapelle. A total of 25 new Alstom Citadis 402 trams (322-46) have been delivered to line T3. Top right: A map of the T1 extension west from Saint-Denis. RATP Right: The new section of line T3 around the eastern side of central Paris. RATP Below: The alignment of the T2 extension crosses the Seine to reach its new terminus at Pont de Bezons. RATP

The new Paris line T2 terminus at Pont de Bezons with a pair of Alstom Citadis 302 trams on trial. ORTF

448 december 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org LRT industry celebrates CNR reveals domestic low-floor tram The first aluminium-bodied 2012 success in London 100% low-floor tram was unveiled at CNR’s Changchun UK PARLIAMENTARY Under-Secretary of State plant on 19 October, the first Norman Baker addressed the largest ever Light Rail A capacity crowd celebrated an such domestically-developed Awards audience on 3 October, speaking in London outstanding year for LRT innovation vehicle in China. to nearly 300 people gathered from seven countries. and success at this year’s Light Rail The lightweight car has Mr Baker’s speech described light rail as “good Awards on 3 October. Jon Hill a top speed of 70 km/h news for passengers, business and our environment” (43mph) and bogies with and said the LRA’s judging panel had “been espe- independent wheels capable cially impressed by the sheer quantity of this year’s of negotiating tight curves. entries”. He also extended invitations for the event’s Unlike its rival, CSR, CNR international guests to stay and experience the best has stated its aim to concentrate that the UK’s light rail systems have to offer. primarily on small and medium- The evening proved a particular success for Man- sized chinese cities, as well as chester, with the UK city’s Transport for Greater providing feeder services to Manchester authority picking up the Best Customer metro lines in larger cities. Initiative and coming joint first (with Express Transit) in the category UK Project of the Year for Metrolink’s Oldham Mumps extension. Metrolink operator Metrolink RATP Dev’s Ben Rodriguez won Employee of the Year, while TfGM’s Lindsay Moyles won the Rising Star Award; TfGM also picked up Highly Commended certificates for Most Significant Safety Initiative and Innovation of the Year. TfGM Metrolink Director Philip Purdy, returning to Australia next year, was also given a special men- tion for his work in Manchester. Highly Commended awards went to the Brest Joint UK Project of the Year winner was Notting- Tramway (), for a system that opened on time Manchester testing ham Express Transit’s entry, which revealed how and under budget, and the Casa Tramway (Casa- underway the city was able to secure funding for its two new blanca, Morocco), which is to open in December. Dynamic testing of tramway extensions. Operator of the Year was awarded to Serco Manchester’s Metrolink line Emphasising the increasingly international flavour Docklands, which runs London’s Docklands Light to Droylsden (UK) started in of the event, the Environmental Initiative award Railway that has just played such a large part in October. Transport for Greater was won by France’s Dijon Tramway; the tram- transport provision for the Olympic and Paralympic Manchester is hoping to way boasts that not a single drop of drinking water Games held in the city. begin operations on the line is used to wash the trams or water the 4000 trees Judges’ Special Awards went to Colin Robey (Head before the end of 2012. planted alongside the track. Solar electricity powers of Operations, Rail & , Centro) and Trams have also been the vehicle maintenance centre. Roger Harrison (Chairman, Tramlink Nottingham). tested on the East Didsbury Worldwide Project of the Year was won by This year marked the seventh time the Light Rail extension from the current Spain’s Tranvía de Zaragoza, a project so respected Awards have been held, the next event takes place St Werburgh’s Road terminus. around the world that it has attracted visits from 87 on 2 October 2013. It is expected that public other cities. Its promoters claim that since the first l For a full list of 2012 winners and reaction from services on this line will begin section of line opened in 2011, road traffic into the the judges and winners, see the special Light Rail in the New Year. busy city centre has fallen by more than a third. Awards supplement that accompanies this issue. Stockholm builds upon MP calls for revisions to UK tramway success story Light Rail safety standards

According to Stockholm possible to maintain a six-minute The Light Rail Transit Association’s campaigning arm TramForward County Author- headway with supplementary has endorsed a call made by a Yorkshire MP for appropriate standards ity SL, passengers on the two- museum trams on part of the line for UK light rail projects. year-old tramway line 7 Spårväg (7N Norrmalmstorg – Skansen). Member of Parliament for Leeds North West, Greg Mulholland, has City (Sergels torg – Djurgården, Planning is underway to extend called on Norman Baker MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Trans- 3km, 1.8 miles), operated by the line 100m towards the port, to look closely at current safety standards for light rail projects. the Swedish Tramway Soci- Central Station and from the Mr Mulholland claimed there is a need to revise the standards to ety’s company AB Stockholms Djurgården bridge via a dock- ensure that light rail projects are not held back by costs associated with Spårvägar, are the most satisfied lands area to Ropsten, where it ensuring projects meet the same standards as heavy rail projects. in the county. Punctuality is the will connect with the refurbished There are a number of European standards for tramway applications, best, and the increase in ridership southern Lidingö line to Gåshaga but also many heavy rail standards that at first sight would appear suit- is remarkable. brygga (jetty), about 14km able but in fact may be less so for light rail applications. In summer 2011 the tramway (8.6 miles). The Lidingöba- Mr Mulholland commented: “High safety standards are an impor- carried 20% more passengers nan will therefore be closed for tant part of any project. However, the European standards currently in than the route it replaced 18 months from summer 2013. place for all rail projects must be revised for light rail projects. and even more this year; in July The Tvärbanan line 22 exten- “While I recognise that these standards have been successful in 2012 there were on average sion north from Alvik to Sundby- ensuring a high level of safety on the UK railway system, they are 25 300 passengers/day. Thanks berg and Solna will open in May inappropriate for on-street trams. Having unnecessarily high safety to the retention on loan of an ex- or June 2013. A new depot for 56 standards has lead to UK tram networks being unnecessarily tra tram from Norrköping it was trams is being built at Ulvsunda. over-engineered and over-expensive.”

www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org december 2012 449 News Wire-free München awards first AnsaldoBreda trams to run German Avenio order in Zhuhai in 2013 On 17 October Chinese rolling stock builder CNR Dalian an- nounced a ten-year agreement with AnsaldoBreda to manu- facture the Sirio low-floor tram under licence. The partners say that up to 1200 low-floor trams could be required in China over the next decade and it hopes to win orders for 200 of these. The first ten cars would be built at Pistoia in Italy, with sub- sequent production taking place at CNR Dalian’s facility in the city of Dalian on China’s eastern coastline. AnsaldoBreda hopes to net EUR200m from the deal. The impression of a Siemens Avenio for München reveals the batch will be numbered from 2801. Stadtwerke München/ergon 3 Last month we reported that Ansaldo STS had signed an Following contracts in re- for eight Avenio cars as part of its “This is an immensely impor- agreement for delivery of its cent months for Den Haag and capacity expansion programme. tant order for us from a lead- TramWave catenary-free surface Qatar, October marked a sig- The 100% low-floor trams (to ing German customer. After all, contact system to the Chinese nificant new order for Siemens’ be designated T1) will be built at MVG as a full subsidiary of Stadt- market. latest Avenio low-floor tram, the Siemens’ Wien factory, with the werke München (München City Local media reports that work firm’s first in the German market. first six delivered within a year Utilities), is one of Germany’s on the first project to utilise With its options for more to allow operation by Münchner largest mass transit operators. both the low-floor trams and the Variobahn trams from Stadler Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG) be- And, as this is the first order to be TramWave catenary-free system cancelled due to continuing fore the end of 2013. They pro- placed for our new Avenio tram in has already begun in in Zhuhai, problems with the first batch, vide capacity for 220 passengers. Germany, it’s something very Guangdong province, and that Stadtwerke München (Munich Siemens is already delivering special,” said Jochen Eickholt, the first tram will be put into City Utilities, SWM) has award- 21 six-car C2 U-Bahn trains to new CEO of Siemens Rail Sys- service in October 2013. ed Siemens a EUR29m contract the city from its Wien plant. tems Division from October 1.

PESA wins first Alstom delivers 12 long EC funding for Alstom energy Russian order Citadis trams to Lyon recovery system Polish manufacturer PESA has been awarded a THE first of 12 seven-section 42m-longCitadis 302 On 26 October, Alstom an- EUR4.5m contract by the city of Kaliningrad to 100% low-floor trams (0874-0885) entered service nounced it had been granted a deliver three Swing low-floor trams in 2014. in Lyon in November to replace older cars of this 50% contribution from the Euro- The cars represent the firm’s first order from a Rus- type on tramline T3 from Part Dieu to Meyzieu. The pean Commission to develop its sian system, but the enclave city of Kaliningrad is un- older cars will boost the city fleet ready for the com- HESOP energy recovery system usual in having a metre-gauge system due to its past pletion of the line T5 extension in December. for metro systems. history as the German city of Königsberg. When the delivery of this batch is complete, the Already operational on the Kaliningrad has curtailed services due to mainte- Lyon fleet will have 85 Citadis trams; earlier five- 750V dc Paris T1 tramline, nance problems with its existing Tatra-built trams section examples are 32m long. A feature of the new HESOP allows unused braking and the new vehicles form part of a a five-year reha- cars is a revised interior design by Avant Premiére energy that would otherwise be bilitation programme to be undertaken by the city. with LED-based strips to vary ceiling colours. lost to be regenerated into the public power grid. The system also allows for CO2 reductions of up to 15%. The funding for the scheme comes from LIFE+, a six-year European Commission pro- gramme to financially support environmentally-friendly ini- tiatives that support sustainable urban development. The first installation should be completed in early 2015, with an initial HESOP 1500V PESA’s Swing low-floor trams are already in service in The first of the 42m AlstomCitadis trams stands at installation for line 3 of the Warsaw. PESA St Priest depot before entering service. E. Stuart Milan metro.

450 december 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Mendoza light rail service begins THE Argentinian city of Mendoza (population 850 000) finally launched regular revenue services on the 12.6km (7.8-mile) standard-gauge light rail line from Estación Central to Gutiérrez in the southern suburb of Maipú, on 8 October. The line, built at a cost of ARS130m (EUR21m), fol- lows the former railway corridor of the FC General San Martin and after a visit by President Kirchner in Septem- ber 2011, and an opening ceremony on 28 February 2012, has been in test operation since 29 April with ex-San Diego LRVs. Service on this Green line is provided 06.00-22.00. An agreement has been signed with San Diego MTS for the purchase of 28 more Düwag U2 LRVs dating from the 1980s for USD5.1m. They will join the 11 acquired last year, but four will be used as a source of spare parts. The line is due to be extended north to Panquehua, with work starting in 2013. ARS120m (EUR19.5m) in funding has been made available for this. Right: Trial running with an ex-San Diego U2 LRV in Mendoza in February 2012. P. Haseldine

Eastward phase of Innsbruck line 3 extension to Amras opens The 350m extension of Innsbruck’s tram- Work began on the extension on 2 May, Work is also well advanced on a 2.3km way route 3 opened to public celebrations when the turning loop at the former termi- (1.4-mile) westward extension from a junction and street parties on 26 October, bringing nal, adjacent to the city’s eastern cemetery, at Anichstrasse to cross the River Inn on the services further along Philippine-Welser- was disconnected. This site is now being University Bridge and continuing to a new ter- Strasse to a stub-end terminus in the eastern landscaped with grass with additional car minus adjacent to the ÖBB station at Hötting. suburb of Amras.AD TRAM URBAN.pdf 2 27/06/12 11:18parking spaces. It is expected to open in December.

C

M

Y

CM With the merger of three of their companies, CAF Group MY has multiplied resources in a single company: CY CAF Power & Automation.

CMY CAF Group promoted the merger of three of its companies (Traintic, Trainelec and DTQ4) K to form a single company: CAF Power & Automation. A new company dedicated to the design and production of onboard power units as well as control and communication systems for any type of rolling stock.

CAF Power & Automation is an evolution in the solution suppliers market for the international rail sector, providing its own technology and human team, which is both adaptable and highly qualified.

www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org december 2012 451 News

South Yorkshire signing 1930s trams bolster The contract for the seven new Vossloh tram-trains intended for Blackpool success story (UK) was expected to be signed in early November. BLACKPOOL’S modified dou- Three tram-trains are to ble-deck Balloon trams were be acquired as part of the in regular service to increase – Rotherham UK passenger capacity on the over- pilot scheme, with four as crowded network during the Supertram fleet additions. school holidays in October. It is anticipated the vehicles Demand for the modernised will be delivered for testing tram service has overwhelmed and driver familiarisation in initial forecasts, leading to com- 2014; services to Rotherham plaints from residents and visitors are to start in 2015. of non-adherance of the timetable and trams skipping stops as they Leeds hopes to speed are already at capacity. up Trolleybus scheme Bob Mason, director of deliv- The Transport and Works ery at Blackpool Transport, said: Act Order submission for “We already have plans in place the Leeds New Generation for next season which will assist Transport trolleybus scheme with capacity and the lessons we will be made in spring have learned to date will be im- 2013, with a public inquiry plemented. Some of Blackpool’s double-decker Balloon trams have been modified so they likely late in the year. “The modified Balloon trams can work alongside the new Flexity 2 low-floor trams; now they’re helping to Construction could begin are available and we have uti- relieve overcrowding. Seen here on 29 October 2012. Tony Stevenson in 2016 with services lised them as and when required commencing in late 2018. to supplement the normal ser- boarding and alighting is slower. tion of the route, with Blackpool However, discussions are vice, but this in itself has op- The combined Flexity/Balloon Transport Services saying the taking place with the UK erational issues as they can slow services provided a six-minute success of the system is forcing Government to speed up this the main service due to fact they service between the Pleasure them to “evolve the timetable” process as part of the move only have one set of doors and Beach and Little Bispham sec- sooner than expected. to devolution of local powers.

Further CAF trainsets for Roma metro Kyiv completes Edinburgh tramway CAF is to supply an additional 15 six-car express tram could open ‘early’ aluminium-bodied trainsets for the Roma metro, in a modernisation Tracks are now in place in the Haymarket and EUR113m deal announced South St Andrew Street areas in Edinburgh (UK), on October 26. The express tramline in Kyiv (Kiev) was officially and tracks towards the airport are almost complete. The trains are to be used re-opened by Ukraine’s Prime Minister Mykola A new five-minute film promoting the tram pro- for Line B, on which a 1.1km Azarov on 24 October, following an extensive ject was unveiled in late October – as the city coun- (0.7-mile) extension to Ionio EUR211m modernisation project. cil confirmed that the launch date for the service is expected to open next The 5.2km (3.2-mile) Myloslavska – Troeschina-2 could be brought forward. year. The contract includes tramline that runs parallel to the River Dnepr The video was released days after it was revealed maintenance for five years. (originally built in the 1970s), saw services sus- that just GBP100m of the project budget remains, pended in 2008, but the city revived its operation despite a new budget of GBP776m being set last Resolution to Buenos pending construction of an extension to the city’s year and trams not due to start running until summer Aires metro row metro to serve the residential area Troeschina, ex- 2014. Although still scheduled for spring 2014, City After a year of political pected to open in 2016-17. transport leader Lesley Hinds has said she hopes the arguments, it seems the move The modernisation programme includes stop and first tests can be brought forward to the end of 2013. of the Buenos Aires metro infrastructure refurbishment on the seven-stop line Around 60 traders in the city’s Shandwick Place from state to city control will and noise mitigation measures, including screen can now claim a reduction in rates due to disruption now go ahead on 1 January, walls, along selected sections. from tramway works, the council has announced. with an ARP1m (EUR162 700) dowry to achieve technical improvements, and government backing for the municipality to seek international lines of credit.

Translohr takeover approved Alstom’s takeover of Translohr received regulatory approval from the EU on 24 September. The Commission’s investigation showed that trams on rails and the rubber- tyred Translohr product were Kyiv 500 is the unique K1-8M three-section articulated Track surfacing between Princes Street and South St rarely in competition. car produced by Yushmash. Seen here at Kiltseva Doroga Andrew Street in late August 2012 show good progress on terminus on the express tramway in July 2011. M J Russell the Edinburgh tram project. Edinburgh Trams

452 december 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org world brand in rail systems

With 1500 km of railways and 275 stations in 34 projects, we provide safe transport for more than Kayseri Tramway, Turkey 2 million passengers daily in three continents

Dubai Metro, UAE

General Contracting In City Mass Transit Systems (rail and road) Intercity Railway and Highway City Planning and Mass Housing Special Buildings Strengthening and Restoration Real Estate Development Post Tensioning and Heavy Lifting Prefabrication Ankara-Konya High Speed Railway, Turkey Concrete Structural Systems Steel Structural Systems Prefabricated Roof Systems Glass Reinforced Plastic Pipe Production Education (from kindergarten to university)

Mecca & Medina Stations, Saudi Arabia

Layout_Adpage.indd 1 26/10/2012 16:23 Olsztyn

Olsztyn: Poland’s first new tramway in 50 years After abandoning its first-generation tramway in the 1960s, the Polish city of Olsztyn is now embarking on a two-year project to build an all-new system. TAUT reports.

REPORT BY MAREK CIESIELSKI

ews of tramway networks being planned or the tramways continued rambling through the cobbled Above: A computer- reinstated fortunately comes more frequently than streets of the city until 1965. At this time the rundown, generated image closures these days, although harsh economic 7km (4.3-mile) single line with loops was deemed obsolete, of the Olsztyn Nrealities in some nations have recently taken their toll and and trams were replaced by , just as in so many other Tramino, expected many projects have been either suspended or postponed. places in Europe at that time. to be running in two Yet one city is having its long-lost tramway reinstated Tracks and overhead wires were soon removed, years’time. Solaris against all odds; and in our series on new ‘small start’ seemingly marking the end of the story for tramways in schemes, Tramways & Urban Transit investigates the Olsztyn. Luckily, this was not to be. exciting project to bring trams back to the Polish city of Since 1965 the situation has changed beyond all Olsztyn after an interval of nearly 50 years. recognition and many things that would have previously In fact, this is also effectively the first all-new tramway in been unheard of are now taking place. Poland joined half a century in a country with a rich tramway heritage. the European Union in 2004, when it became one of the Union’s poorer member states, while the Warmińsko– Tramways strike back Mazurskie region with its capital in Olsztyn is in turn one of The historic city of Olsztyn in North Western Poland has the less-developed regions in this central European country. a population nearing 180 000 and is the biggest city in the However, car ownership has boomed in recent years due to country’s tourism-focused lake district. the ready availability of second-hand vehicles from Western Earlier known as Allenstein, before 1945 Olsztyn was Europe, as well as the fact that Olsztyn has suffered from part of the German province of East Prussia. Despite at general under-investment in public transport. As it is easier the time having just over 25 000 inhabitants, Allenstein to find a job in Olsztyn than in the area of relatively high received its two tramway lines as early as 1907. unemployment surrounding it, the town has also increasingly After a short interval following World War Two when become the focus of car journeys from around the region. the devastated town was being rebuilt under Polish rule, The need for more effective urban transport was apparent.

454 december 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Olsztyn

The seed was planted in summer 2003 by public expansion will be taken into account by the new tramway, transport and tramway enthusiasts who brought a 4N with a line that will serve new districts. tram from Elbląg around 100km (60 miles) away for The new lines are to be: display in Olsztyn’s old town, where it remained for two · Jaroty – railway station (7.29km/4.5 miles, 14 stops) summer seasons. The trunk line of the proposed tramway system connects the southernmost districts of Olsztyn with railway and bus Finding the funding stations in the centre of the town. As EU funding became available after the country’s · Kortowo branch (1.9km/1.2 miles, 4 stops) accession, the possibility of receiving a EUR84.5m grant A single-track line branching off half way from the main (the total value of the tramway reinstatement project was line, connecting Olsztyn’s Warmińsko–Mazurski university estimated at more than EUR105m) was too tempting for the with the main tram line. local administration to easily dismiss. · Wysoka Brama branch (792m, 3 stops) In June 2006 the Olsztyn authorities applied five projects A single-track branch linking the main line with Olsztyn’s to the ‘Development of Eastern Poland’ programme, one old town. The last section of this line will be the only part of which was the ‘Modernisation and development of an of the new tramway sharing the old track alignment. integrated public transport system in Olsztyn’. The contract to construct the new network was awarded to This was accepted by the Polish Government in Spanish company FCC Construcción, a firm so far not widely December 2006, and a detailed study followed in October seen in Poland in terms of rail projects. However contractors 2007 – Olsztyn public transport development study with of the FCC group were responsible for the national stadium in feasibility analysis of the introduction of rail transport. Warsaw in readiness for the Euro 2012 football championships, Bus, trolleybus and tramway options were all taken into as well as sections of the A1 motorway in Silesia. account – the final choice falling to construction of a new Also, although this is the first Polish tramway contract tramway network, supplemented by dedicated bus lanes. won by FCC Construcción, the company has wide experience in such projects, so far being responsible for The new route the construction of tramway lines in Alicante, Parla near The discontinuation of services in 1965 and the subsequent Madrid, Murcia, Barcelona, Malaga and Bucuresti. scrapping of the original line can paradoxically be seen in hindsight as being beneficial for tramways in Olsztyn. The The new trams 7km (4.3-mile) single line with loops that, until closure, Bids for the Olsztyn tram tender were made solely remained virtually unchanged since opening will be by Polish manufacturers – PESA Bydgoszcz, Solaris replaced by 10km (six miles) of mostly double-track lines (Bolechowo) with a varient of the Tramino as delivered to avoiding the old town centre. Below: The Jena in Germany, as well as a consortium of Modertrans The route will consist of a double-track main line and proposed new (Poznań) and Newag (Nowy Sącz) with a new tram design. two short single-track branch lines; only a couple of three-line tramway Originally, the number of trams for Olsztyn was set at 13 hundred metres of the new line will cover the route of the network for Olsztyn. and at one point it was suggested that only 11 were required. original tramway system. Since the original route was built www.tramwaje. However, this was increased to 15 following a suggestion by in 1907 the town has developed southwards – and this olsztyn.eu JASPERS (Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European

PKP OLSZTYN’s new Ratusz tramway network Wysoka Brama Obserwatorium Al Piłsudskiego

UWM Dworzec Glówny Plac Konstytucji 3 Maja ul. Pstrowskiego ul. Kosciuszki od Pl. Konstytucji 3 Maja do Al. Piłsudskiego . ul. Kosciuszki od Al. Piłsudskiego do ul. Zołnierskiej . ul. Zołnierska od ul Kosciuszki do ul. Obiegowej ul. Obiegowa ul. Sikorskiego od ul. Pstrowskiego do ul. Tuwima ul. Synow Pulku ul. Sikorskiego od ul. Tuwima do ul. Wilczynskiego ul. Sikorskiego od ul. Wilczynskiego do ul. Witosa ul. Witosa od ul. Sikorskiego do ul. Kanta . Osiedle Jaroty (skrzyzowanie ul. Kanta i ul. Witosa) REAL

. Rozjazd w ul. Sikorskiego (skrzyzowanie z ul. Tuwima) ul. Wilczynskiego‘ ul. Tuwima od ul. Sikorskiego do ul. Warszawskeij Plac univwersytecki ul. Prawochenskiego

. Rozjazd w ul. Kosciuszki (skrzyzowanie z Al. Pilsudskiego . Al. Pilsudskiego od ul. Kosciuszki do ul. Plenieznego. Os. Jaroty ul. 11 Listopada Plac pod Wysoka˛ Brama˛

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org december 2012 455 Olsztyn

With very little fuss and disruption, initial tramway construction has begun, seen here at the western edge of Olsztyn on ul. Płoskiego in late October 2012. Marcin Bobiński / Olsztyńskie Tramwaje.pl

Regions) which includes, amongst others, the European Commission and the European Bank for Reconstruction ‘The new 10km route will consist of a and Development, and the Polish Ministry of Regional Development, that according to EU norms a tram is not double-track main line and two short expected to cover more than 250km (155 miles) per day. If the services were to be provided at the planned level, each single-track branch lines; only a couple of of the 13 trams would have to cover around 300km (186 miles) a day – and this was assuming 100% availability. hundred metres of the new line will cover The new trams were specified to be of steel construction and at least 50% low-floor with capacity for at least 200 passengers, 15% of them seated. Planned bi-directional the route of the original tramway system.’ traffic arrangements necessitated at least five pairs of wide doors to be located on each side of the vehicles; at the same even further, and awarded the contract to Solaris, whose time the cars were to be fully air-conditioned. Each should Tramino was originally ranked as the second best offer. be equipped with ticket machines. This time PESA did not appeal the verdict and the final Unlike many other tenders in Poland, price was specified contract for delivery of the new trams was signed on to influence the choice of the supplier only to a weighting September 21. of 65%, with the remaining 35% intended to reflect the Solaris CEO Solange Olszewska said “The Tramino for technical solutions chosen. One of these aspects was Olsztyn is not only an technologically advanced world-class noise protection – trams louder than 80dB under specified tram, but also a vehicle with an attractive design. I am sure circumstances would not be accepted. that the passengers in the capital of Warmia and Mazury As is so often the case in Poland, the decision in such a will soon fall in love with their new Solaris trams”. big tender was challenged by the companies whose product The new fleet is to cost PLN120.6m (approx. EUR28.7m was not chosen. In January 2012 the tender procedure was and just over a quarter of the total project budget) and is to completed and the tram offered by Modertrans/Newag be delivered between spring and autumn 2014. received all of the 100 points available. The trams are to be bi-directional, 29.3m-long, with three The tender was soon blocked by the other bidders, who sections, and capable of carrying more than 230 passengers. claimed that it is impossible to construct a tram as quiet as The air-conditioned, low-floor vehicles will be equipped the one offered by the winning consortium – which was to with six pairs of doors to ease passenger exchange. generate only 65.9dB within 7.5m of the track at a passing The two outer bogies will be powered by four traction speed of 50k/mh (31mph). motors in total each delivering 120kW, enough to accelerate The situation was made more difficult because as the the 43-tonne (net) vehicle to 75kph (47mph). Modertrans/Newag tram does not yet exist in physical form, Olsztyn is the second city in Poland to have chosen it was impossible to measure actual noise values. In order to the Tramino, 45 similar vehicles already being in daily resolve the matter the National Chamber of Appeal applied service in Poznań. The Olsztyn trams will be delivered after to a team of scientists from the Cracow University of completion of the order for Jena (which is to receive five Technology, which was asked to decide if such a quiet tram Traminos) and alongside the order for Braunschweig (15); could be produced. the Braunschweig vehicles are to be delivered between May Despite the university team’s view that the declared and December 2014, the batch for Olsztyn between April noise level was not realistic, the appeals of both PESA and and August 2014. Solaris were rejected and it was decided in early June that In the meantime, FCC Construcción workers have now it would be the Modertrans/Newag consortium that would begun the initial infrastructure works on which the new deliver the new vehicles. trams are to run – so this exciting project is now The next twist in the story came in early August, when truly underway. TAUT the winning consortium did not confirm the PLN3m (EUR0.73m) tender bond, despite being urged to do so by · Progress on the Olsztyn tramway project can be followed on Olsztyn town hall. In the end Olsztyn decided not to open the highly informative infoblog www.olsztynskietramwaje.pl, a new tender so as not to extend the lengthy procedure which was indispensable in the preparation of this article.

456 december 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Gérard Glas, Tata Steel Rail Gérard Glas, Rail Sector Head and Tata Steel Rail France SA CEO, Gérard, 56, was born and raised in France. After completing a Business Master at ESCP business school in Paris, he started his career with DAVUM before joining the SACILOR Group at Hayange (acquired by Corus and subsequently Tata Steel) 32 years ago. He 15 has since held various responsibilities in management, operations and sales and marketing for the Group. minutes In addition, Gérard Glas is Vice President of the French Railway Association chairing the Infrastructure Group. with... Tramways & Urban Transit caught up with Mr Glas at the InnoTrans exhibition in in September to discuss the organisation’s latest innovations for the urabn rail sector.

What do the new Tata Steel How much of your product needs and bring new solutions to market in a Q products at InnoTrans bring Q development is undertaken collaborative way. to the urban rail market? in collaboration with operators Our new high performance rail, HPrail®, is For the urban market, the high performance and infrastructure owners? an excellent example of this, where a two-year grooved rail is a new product that we believe A large percentage of our product development programme of trial installations at seven will create a step reduction in the long-term is in collaboration with the railways. Part of challenging sites has led to full Network Rail cost of maintaining tramways. this is funded research projects such as PM [the UK’s mainline rail infrastructure owner] It has a wear resistance three times greater ‘n’IDEA [see TAUT 895 for more background approval for use across its network. than that of standard grooved rail and at least on this project], where we take an active role in This approach compresses the time to market equal to any competing wear resistant product. major industry development programmes. while managing the risks associated with new The ability of our patented weld repair A collaborative approach is an essential part product installations. process to rebuild the gauge corner to provide of bringing all of our new products to market multiple lifecycles makes this product a unique and we proactively involve target customers The growth of Tata Steel’s and valuable addition that will drive down the at an early stage to ensure that our products Q Rail sector has been lifecycle cost of embedded grooved rail. address their needs and to agree the approach to impressive; what is your current trials, assessment and approval. place in the market? How does the cost compare PM ‘n’ IDEA was very successful in We already consider ourselves to be the market Q to existing products, so developing innovation that could improve the leader in terms of the quality and range of infrastructure contractors can future success of the light rail industry. our products. Our unique range of premium evaluate the extra investment? products provides world-leading solutions The installed cost of our high performance to the most challenging of conditions that grooved rail will be just a few per cent higher “We want to be railways of all kinds encounter. than that of standard rail, yet used in the For example, MHH rail is proven at appropriate environment it will last at least three internationally-recognised track trial sites to times longer and can be easily refurbished. part of a successful provide the highest wear resistance of any product tested. Our heat treatment process Do your weld restoration industry that competes produces close to zero foot stresses, which Q services not affect the virtually eliminates the risk of foot fatigue failure market for your new high effectively with other whilst providing excellent wear resistance. performance products? Purely on volume of sales we are number I suppose you could argue that every modes of transport two in Europe and with the recent investment in improvement in our product could reduce future our assets (108m rail in UK and France) and the demand for rail, but we look at it differently. investments made to extend the performance of We want to be part of a successful, cost-efficient and receives the our premium product range, being number one industry that competes effectively with other is an achievable short-term objective. modes of transport and receives the investment investment necessary necessary to support its growth. This will only Which markets and happen if the industry strives for excellence. to support its growth. Q territories do you forsee It is much more likely longer-term to create having growth in light and sustainable railways for the future and to also This will only happen urban rail systems – and how create a strong business for Tata Steel. are you targeting them? if the industry strives for Our first priority is to use our new products to What is currently your most grow our market share in Europe. However, Q popular rail product? growth elsewhere in the world is being tracked In Europe’s mainline railways, 100m-plus excellence.” closely and there will certainly be significant long standard 260 grade rail remains the most opportunities in China and India in the near heavily-used product. Its performance is A total of 60 innovations were developed future. TAUT excellent in the majority of track situations and that will help to lower the lifecycle cost, it offers average rail life of 30-50 years. including automatic track inspection systems, However, approximately 30% of the rail we intelligent infrastructure sensors and an supply is for more demanding environments, improved understanding of the allowable wear in which case the use of our premium products limits within a system. can create a step change in performance. We have developed solutions to address the Do customers ask for main forms of track degradation from wear Q bespoke compositions (i.e. and plastic flow to rolling contact fatigue and for extreme climates) very corrosion. In tramways the R260 grade rail often – if so, how do you performs well in many environments and is the accommodate such requests? obvious choice for tangent and light curvatures. Customers usually purchase proven rail The premium products offer maximum grades because they operate in a safety critical advantage when the life expectancy of standard environment, however we work in close Tata Steel’s high performance grooved rail promises a rail falls below 15 years. co-operation with them to understand their lifespan three times that of conventional rail. Tata Steel

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org DECEMBER 2012 457 60th UITP World Congress and Mobility & City Transport Exhibition

• 21 Congress sessions and 10 Regional workshops: up-to-date knowledge and hot issues • 15 Expo forums to share product development information • Platform for innovations, networking, business opportunities • Multi-modal Exhibition, 30,000m² • Gathering 10,000 public transport professionals • Over 150 speakers from 30+ countries • A special Swiss Day! www.uitpgeneva2013.org

Organiser Local host Supporters Under the patronage of

PubLayout_Adpage.indd Genève_A4_IMove2.indd 1 1 26/10/20125/07/12 9:41:34 16:26 Boston

No tea party in Boston

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is facing cutbacks in services and price hikes in an attempt to close its funding gap. The way forward is neither popular, nor easy, as the Light Rail Transit Association’s Richard Buckley explains.

he Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority refurbished PCC cars, built 1943-46 and the only Above: One of the (MBTA) serves a wide area in and around Boston air-electric types (which use air to operate certain systems) newer partially on the north-eastern seaboard of North America. It still in regular service in North America. low-floor vehicles. Tis the USA’s fifth busiest public transport system. Modes Fully segregated, the line would be categorised as light AnsaldoBreda 5890 include three metro lines, light rail, trams, trolleybuses, rail except for the fact that the bridges will not take the forms the rear car motor-buses, ferries and commuter rail. There is also a weight of the larger cars used on the Green line. of a train stopping dedicated para-transit service for disabled users. The light rail system is the busiest in North America and at Boylston, an Locally the system is known as the ‘T’ and its highest forms a key component of the city’s rapid transit network. A underground stop ever passenger figures were recorded over September and glance at a map shows how the Green line fills in a gap left October 2010 at over 1.3 million trips per month. by the other three ‘heavy’ subway services. that has hardly Boston has one of the few ‘legacy’ light rail systems There are two articulated vehicle types, the high-floor type changed since the in the USA and, like others including Philadelphia and 7, built by Kinkisharyo in 1986-88 (3600-3699) and 1997 tunnel was opened Newark, some of its streetcar lines survived because they (3700-3719), and the partially low-floor type 8 supplied by in 1897. ran into a city centre tunnel, an asset whose loss it was AnsaldoBreda (3800-3894) in 1998-2007. Most trains consist difficult to justify even when most surface-only trolley lines of one car of each type to provide limited level access. were being abandoned. Mean miles between failures for the Green line only The initial segment of the Tremont Street Subway, the measures 3947 (March 2012 figures) against a target of first such line in the United States, opened on 1 September 5500; buses achieve 15 534 and the best subway route, the 1897. It was later extended and branches added and now Orange line, 68 406. Both of these are well above target. forms the core of the Green line (as opposed to the Blue, Orange and Red fully-segregated subway lines). There Growing deficit are four services B, C, D and E to, respectively, Boston However the main problem facing the MBTA as a whole College, Cleveland Circle, Riverside and Heath Street. is a serious and growing deficit. The present financial year Most start on the surface to the east of the subway at runs from July 2012 to June 2013 and revenue would, if Lechmere, reaching this point over an elevated line. no action were taken, be up to USD185m below operating The majority of the Green line is segregated even on expenses. The figure would grow in subsequent years. surface and is classified by the operator as light rail. The authority’s operating costs have risen sharply, However the outer portion of route E between Brigham especially for energy, fuel and health care (an item Circle and Heath Street is on-street and this is still classed reflecting the particular social structures of the USA); in as a trolley (or tram) service. So is the Mattapan High addition, the costs of THE RIDE (the para-transit service) All pictures courtesy Speed Line, a tram-operated extension from the Ashmont have gone up around 400% over the past decade, largely of Richard Buckley, terminus of the Red line. This uses a dedicated fleet of due to increased take-up. April 2012.

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org december 2012 459 Boston

Also, the authority carries a debt burden totalling Charlie on the MTA USD5.2bn. A large proportion results from capital expenditure projects that the state agreed to in connection In the 1949 version of the folk song Charlie on the MTA, with the ‘Big Dig’, which involved burying the major Charlie is unable to disembark due to the lack of a coin to pay Interstate highway that runs through the city. to leave the station. The chorus goes like this: Various environmental offsets to meet the requirements Did he ever return? of the Federal Clean Air Act were demanded before No he never returned permission was given, most of them involving the And his fate is still unlearn’d expansion of mass transit. The only one completed has been He may ride forever a new tunnel for the Silver line (a bus service), but planning ‘neath the streets of Boston is underway to join the Red and Blue subways. He’s the man who never returned. The Green line was to receive two extensions: from the current Lechmere terminus to Somerville and Medford and The MTA – the Metropolitan Transit Authority – was formed in line E to Arborway (a re-extension along a former streetcar 1947 and replaced by the MBTA in 1964. route). The Somerville/Medford extension was priced at USD375m (2003 prices) with 24 new LRVs being required. The MBTA has also had to issue debt to fund capital Daily ridership is expected to be 8420, not far short of half replacements and refurbishments – a recent report of those being passengers new to rapid transit. suggesting the value of the backlog in maintenance and Additionally, a USD105m contract has recently been Below left: PCC repair projects could be as much as USD3bn. Recent signed with Alstom to overhaul 86 of the Kinkisharyo 3268 and 3260 work benefiting the Green line (and Ashmont – Mattapan) type 7 LRVs. However, though this should improve reliability, queue at the has included elimination of weekday single-car trains, it will only worsen the deficit, at least in the short term. departure platform increasing passenger capacity by 5-9%, new passenger A separate plan is to take route D from Government at Ashmont, rebuilt shelters and renovation of the Ashmont interchange between Centre (a subway station) to College Avenue, though this in 2009 to provide the subway and the PCC-operated service. has been put back by several years. better interchange In early 2012, debt servicing had risen to USD448.2m, with Orange line accounting for nearly 30% of the operating budget. trains. Thirdly, the primary source of funding, a 20% share of the state sales tax, has not increased as expected, leaving a cumulative deficit over expected payments of USD375m. Below: Kinkisharyo Other sources of funding, such as fares and assessments on car 3681 runs local authorities, are insufficient to bridge the gap. along the steel Various measures have been taken to reduce expenditure, structure which including continued roll-out of one person train operation takes trains from on the subways, staff reductions, reduced overtime the present ground- payments and automated fare collection. This last, which level Lechmere has reduced labour costs by USD12.5m a year, goes terminus, due to be in Boston under the rather idiosyncratic name of the replaced under the CharlieCard. This is a reference to a 1949 folk song called expansion plans. Charlie on the MTA (see above).

460 december 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Paper and plastic versions are available from machines, A train made up Breda cars, low-floor access, will be lost as the front each can be recharged, and the fare – which is less than of 3652 and 3801 door is in a high-floor section. However the Green line a cash fare – is deducted by the subway turnstiles or by is held up by road has a bewildering variety of platforms heights, anywhere machines aboard Green line cars. traffic at Mission between rail level and near car floor level. Lifts to Park on the outer, access the front (high-floor) doors are available at most Closing the gap? street-based section stops. However these are rarely used as they slow down These measures have helped but still leave the authority of route E, which the service. with an expected USD161m deficit in the present financial will lose weekend The fare increase, which took place from 1 July, was year. The MBTA therefore suggested two options to address service under the pegged to 23% and service cuts are much less severe. this. Amongst other changes two Commuter Rail lines have lost Option one would have involved a 43% fare increase, economy plan. The weekend services, followed by the ferry to Quincy. On the a reduction in annual ridership by 9-13% and a gain of Kinkisharyo car has Green line the only loss will be weekend service beyond USD161m in annual revenue from a combination of higher had a repaint in the Brigham Circle on line E, a distance of 1.13km (0.7 miles) fare box receipts and operating savings. All ferry routes light green carried and one which is covered by bus service 39. would have been abandoned and Commuter Rail (heavy by the low-floor cars. Fare rises will generate USD72.9m and the fairly rail) services suspended after 22.00 and all weekend. The minimal service cuts just USD15.4m, a total of USD88.3m only cuts to Green line/trolley services would have been million, far short of the USD160m-plus actually the loss of weekend service on the E branch and Ashmont – required. This gap will be plugged by USD51m from the Mattapan, contributing USD1.5m. Massachusetts Department of Transport Motor Vehicle Option two involved a 35% fare hike, a loss of 14-17% Inspection Trust Fund, USD5m from a surplus on the of riders (achieved by more draconian service cuts) and a Department’s snow and ice budget, plus the same amount saving of USD165m per year. The same changes to ferries, from the lease of a car park at North Station. Commuter Rail and light rail would have been made but All are one-offs and according to Joseph M Giglio, more bus services would have been eliminated. Professor of Strategic Management at Northeastern A series of public meetings was held to discuss these College, Boston, this is not a solution. The key issue, he options during the early part of 2012 and the proposals says, is that the clamour is always to build new transit were strongly opposed. As a result the MBTA has come up lines but “when we do, we too often budget based only with a compromise proposal, which has now been accepted on the cost of construction, without taking operating and by the Massachusetts authorities. Continued efforts will be l This article maintenance costs into account.” made to seek operating economies, one aspect of which is a is based upon Voters need to accept the need for a more rational pricing crack down on fare evasion. a recent visit system, which will be “far less painful than dealing with the An unfortunate result is that the Green line will become to Boston, the fallout from massive debt and maintenance backlogs.” less convenient to use. Formerly all doors in a train were MBTA pamphlet If this issue is not addressed, the expenditure of a further opened for disembarking passengers at all stops. This will MBTA Fare USD375m on the Somerville/Medford lines will only make continue to be the case in the subway, where passengers and Service matters worse. have to pass ticket gates, but on the surface only the Changes: join the The situation might not be as bad as it was, but the front doors will usually be opened, forcing all boarding discussion, the MBTA’s finances remain in a parlous condition over the passengers to pass the operator (the rear car also has an official website medium term. It is to be hoped that the breathing space will operator). Using one door instead of three will surely slow www.mbta.com permit a fuller resolution of the difficulties before financial services down and also means that the advantage of the and local media. year 2013-14. TAUT

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org december 2012 461 SUPPLIERS To advertise on this page, please contact us on +44 (0) 1832 281135 or e-mail [email protected] & SERVICES

Offering Innovative Solutions THE INFRASTRUCTURE for UK Urban Rail Track systems As part of Vossloh Cogifer and Tata Steel UK Limited, we design, manufacture and assemble all types of light SPECIALISTS rail and heavy rail track layout systems, incorporating Legal | Strategy | Public Affairs | Communications signalling systems and innovative groove rail switches and crossings, individually produced to suit specific geometries and locally hardened to give enhanced product life cycle characteristics. VTS Track Technology Ltd‘The new name for Corus Cogifer’ 80A Scotter Road, Scunthorpe DN15 8EF Tel: +44 0 1724 862131 Fax: +44 0 1724 295243 Web: vosslohtatasteel.com

To reach the global light rail, tramway, metro and interurban markets, there is no better commerical platform for your organisation than Tramways & Urban Transit. For more information on how you can make Contact Robbie Owen, Partner T +44 (0)20 7783 3425 E [email protected] these pages work for you, please contact us on Bircham Dyson Bell LLP 50 Broadway London SW1H 0BL www.bdb-law.co.uk +44(0)1832 281135 or email [email protected]

Discover ITIC

LocaL Presence GLobaL resources International Transport Intermediaries Club Ltd. - ITIC - is the world’s DLA Piper is firmly embedded in the rail industry and has leading niche insurer of professionals who provide services to the transport extensive, market leading experience of light rail, metro and industry. Specialist professional indemnity insurance is available to many tram train procurements, franchising, infrastructure projects businesses including: and PPPs. Our global rail team has a breadth of global and national • Rail consultants • Rail safety & training advisers experience, capability, high value ideas and problem solving abilities. • Rail designers • Signalling system designers DLA Piper is one of the world’s largest law firms with • Track & infrastructure consultants • Expert witnesses 4,200 lawyers in 77 offices across 31 countries. ITIC provides help, advice and security from experts when you, or your “Whenever we ask for support, they go out of their way to client, need it most. As the specialist professional indemnity insurer for provide it.” – chambers 2012 – Transport: rail the transport industry, we offer: To find out more, please visit www.dlapiper.com or contact Cover Advice Confidence Paul Hirst at [email protected] +44 (0)113 369 2468 • Specifically • Specialist • Strong financial Natasha Luther-Jones at tailored policies knowledge position [email protected] +44 (0)113 369 2978. • Worldwide cover • Advice on loss • More than 80 • Including death prevention years underwriting and bodily injury experience

www.dlapiper.com International Transport Intermediaries Club Ltd ITIC 90 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4ST IS MANAGED Copyright © 2012 DLA Piper. All rights reserved. | JUL12 | 2375230 BY THOMAS tel + 44 (0)20 7338 0150 fax + 44 (0)20 7338 0151 MILLER e-mail [email protected] web www.itic-insure.com

462 DECEMBER 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org systems factfile No. 63 Hannover, Germany

hannover One of several German cities to have radically changed urban rail operations, Hannover continues to modernise, including through a GERMANY recent order for new vehicles.

words and pictures by Neil Pulling

he network name Üstra, adopted in 1921, is a Above: An Now served by two separate light rail lines, it was set up to thankfully short derivation of Überlandwerke und expression of help rebuild the economy in 1947 by the British occupying Strassenbahnen Hannover Aktiengesellschaft. Hannover’s tramway foces, then also busy reinvigorating Volkswagen in nearby TheT Hannover public transport body is a constituent of transformation Wolfsburg. Hannover’s river, the Leine, is a relatively Grossraum-Verkehr Hannover (GVH), and easily the largest at Peiner Strasse, minor feature and it was the convergence of overland routes carrier for the transport association covering around 1.1 with 1927-vintage that first built the city’s strong association with transport. million residents in the greater Hannover area. Nordwaggon 129 A hub for city, regional and national rail, Hannover Üstra is in public ownership as part of the city and alongside the first Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) is immediately north-east of the large regional authorities’ joint VVG holding company. The shopping district in the city’s core. Like much of Hannover capital of Niedersachsen (Lower ) state, with a 2011 TW 2000, number it features variously dull or stark structures stemming population of 528 143, Hannover has mediaval origins and 2001 delivered in from reconstruction following World War Two bombing, for centuries has exercised great economic and political 1997. something which also destroyed much of the tramway’s power, extending to the British monarchy for over a century. resources. There are, however, impressively reconstructed Commerce is notably represented by Messegelände civic buildings, a small old town (Altstadt) and splendid Hannover, the world’s largest permanent exhibition site. parklands. But for the pair of intensively used tram tracks ➤

www.tramnews.net www.Irta.org december 2012 463 Systems Factfile

the fleet The elder of two basic types are three- section TW 6000; built 1974-92, 3 mit Haltestelle bi-directional, 2.4m wide. They tram line with stop Stadtbahn Hannover combined features of prototypes by Stadtbahn mit Tunnelstation R2 R4 Düwag and Linke-Hofmann-Busch. underground station (LHB, later Alstom, based at Salzgitter, Bennemühlen Veranstaltungslinie TICKET-/CARDZONE REGION 40km (25 miles) from Hannover). 16 18 special event service S4 An initial 260 vehicles, numbered R8 10 Abweichender Fahrweg Nienburg Hannover Flughafen TICKET-/CARDZONE UMLAND 6001-6260, with several series of für Expressfahrten S2 S5 R8 modifications has reduced to 145. und Nachtsternverkehr Mainly in plain green livery, some have line only at special times S6 and night line service 5 Stöcken /Langenhagen/Langenhagen/ 1 Langenhagen 3 Altwarmbüchen S7 all-over advertising. Some TW 6000s Langenforther Zentrum Platz Kurt-Schumacher-Allee went to Den Haag (again withdrawn) R1 Regionalbahn Langenhagen/Angerstr. and Budapest where they remain active. railway Weizenfeldstr. Berliner Platz Ordering 144 TW 2000 and S2 S-Bahn 4 Auf der Horst/MarshofAuf der Horst/SkorpiongasseFriedhofPascalstr. Auf derWissenschaftspark Horst JädekampAuf Marienwerder der LauckerthofKlappenburg 6 Nordhafen 2 Alte Heide Altwarmbüchen/ TW 2500 from LHB Alstom followed suburban train CARDZONE HANNOVER 2 Zentrum Wiesenau Hannover’s award of Expo 2000. Übergang zum Bus Hogrefestr. Mecklenheidestr. 9 Fasanenkrug Built 1997-2000, in style and silver change to bus Bahnstrift Altwarmbüchen/ Ernst-Grote-Str. S2 R2 Alter Flughafen livery they differ drastically inside and Park+Ride Hemelingstr. Beneckeallee Tempelhofweg out from the conservative TW 6000. Stufenloser Zu-/Abgang Friedenauer Str. Zehlendorfweg Stadtfriedhof Stadtfriedhof Stöcken Kabelkamp Altwarmbüchen/ step-free access Fuhsestr. Bothfeld Multiple formations of twin-cab Fuhse- Krepenstr. Papenwinkel Opelstr. str./Bhf Kurze-Kamp-Str. TW 2000 and slightly shorter single-cab für Linie 10 und 17 hier kein Vahrenheider Markt Chamissostr. Windausstr. TW 2500 for paired back-to-back use stufenloser Zu-/Abgang S4 S5 R4 R8 S1 S2 R1 R2 Bahnhof Leinhausen Reiterstadion Bothfeld Oldenburger Allee are deployed according to demand. Bertramstr. for lines 10 and 17 here no Büttnerstr. Großer Kolonnenweg Bothfelder Kirchweg For greater internal space, step-free access Herrenhäuser Markt Fenskestr. TW 2000/2500 feature slightly Tarifzonen Niedersachsenring Buchholz/Bhf Stadtfriedhof Lahe bulbous bodies above platform level and fare zones Haste Schaumburgstr. S6 S7 Dragonerstr. deep side panels for added protection. S1 S2 Haltenhoffstr. Bahnhof Stand: Dezember 2011 Herrenhäuser Gärten Nordstadt In April 2011 Üstra ordered 50 Vahrenwalder Platz new TW 3000 vehicles for delivery Appelstr. 11 2013-14, with an option for 96 more, Schneiderberg/W.-Busch-Museum Werderstr. Sedanstr./ListerLister MeilePlatzLortzingstr. Pelikanstr.SpannhagengartenKlingerstr.Noltemeyerbrücke Vier Grenzen I. d. Sieben StückenParacelsusweg from consortium leader Vossloh Kiepe An der Strangriede Pappelwiese S1 R1 Leibniz Universität 7 Schierholzstr. in association with Alstom (for final Kopernikusstr. Minden assembly in Salzgitter) and Heiterblick. Königsworther Platz 16 Christuskirche TICKETZONE HANNOVER With styling echoing the TW 2000, S1 S3 S6 S7 R1 R12 11 Zoo Roderbruchmarkt 4 Roderbruch the 25m two-section vehicles will Bielefeld TICKETZONE HANNOVER R9 replace TW 6000 stock in 2013-14. Rheine 8 18 10 Hauptbahnhof Wolfsburg Steintor R1 Medizinische Hochschule Clevertor Hannover Congress Centrum Misburger Str. Glocksee/Bhf Thielenplatz/Schauspielhaus R 9 Kröpcke S3 S6 S7 R9 R10 10 Ehrhartstr.Brunnenstr.HarenbergerWunstorfer Str.Ungerstr. Str. Leinaustr.Am Küchengarten Ahlem 10 Bahnhof Karl-Wiechert-Allee R 10 Braunschw. Clause- Humboldt- Markthalle/ Marienstr. Platz witzstr. Kantplatz Uhlhornstr. Glocksee str. Goethepl. Landtag Nackenberg Waterloo Braunschweig Bauweg Freundallee Annastift R10 Schlägerstr. 10 Aegidientorpl. Kerstingstr. Körtingsdorfer Weg Bleekstr. Nieschlagstr. Geibelstr. Kinderkrankenhaus a. d. Bult Am Soltekampe Schwarzer Bär 17 Mettlacher Str. Bernh.-Caspar-Str. Am Lindener Hafen Lindener Marktplatz Altenbekener CARDZONE Zuschlagstr. Eichenfeldstr. Kaiser-Wilhelm-Str. Allerweg Damm HANNOVER 1 Bünteweg/TiHo R11 R12 Safariweg Stadionbrücke Döhrener Turm August-Madsack-Str. Großer Hillen S1 S2 S4 S5 Tiergarten Hermann-Ehlers-Allee Bf. Linden/Fischerhof Seelhorster Allee Schünemannplatz Fiedelerstr. Emslandstr. Ostfeldstr. S3 Wallensteinstr. 17 Brabeckstr. Empelde 9 Beekestr. Peiner Str. 2 Döhren/Bhf Königsberger Ring Bothmerstr. Feldbuschwende StadtfriedhofAm Mittelfelde8 18 Bartold-Knaust-Str. Seelhorst Kronsberg 5 Anderten Wiehbergstr. Krügerskamp S1 S2 S5 Am Sauerwinkel Messe/Nord With little exhibition traffic evident, paired Mühlenberger Markt Stockholmer Allee Am Brabrinke TW 6000 stock approaches the boarding S1 S2 Tresckowstr. platform at Messe Nord on 9 May. Weetzen 6 16 Messe/Ost (Expo-Plaza) /Werner- Wettbergen 3 7 von-Siemens-Platz Hannover Messe/ 1 Laatzen 2 Rethen CARDZONE HANNOVER 2 Laatzen/ Laatzen/ Laatzen/Eichstraße Laatzen Park der Sinne Zentrum (Bahnhof) Laatzen/ Bünde Rethener Winkel S3 S4 S5 R13 R13 Rethen/ Laatzen/ Laatzen/ Laatzen/ Laatzen/ Rethen/ Nord Rethen/Bf.Rethen/GalgenbergwegGleid./OrpheuswegGleidingen/Thorstr.Gleid./Am Heisede/Marienburger Leinkamp Heisede/Sarstedt/Am Langer Str. KampSarstedt/Röntgenstr. Boksberg1 Sarstedt Hildesheim TICKET-/CARDZONE UMLAND aquaLaatzium Krankenhaus Neuer Schlag Ginsterweg Steinfeld Hbf Paderborn Hameln S4 R11 R12 S4 R11 Bad Pyrmont Braunschweig S5 TICKET-/CARDZONE REGION R12 R11 R13 Göttingen Bodenburg Bad Harzburg Unlike the two other main central interchanges, Hannover Hbf sub-surface Map courtesy of GVH platforms are on one level.

464 december 2012 www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org 3 Stadtbahn mit Haltestelle tram line with stop Bremen Soltau Stadtbahn Hannover Stadtbahn mit Tunnelstation R2 R4 underground station Bennemühlen Veranstaltungslinie TICKET-/CARDZONE REGION 16 18 special event service S4 Uelzen R8 10 Abweichender Fahrweg Nienburg Hannover Flughafen TICKET-/CARDZONE UMLAND für Expressfahrten S2 S5 R8 und Nachtsternverkehr Celle line only at special times S6 and night line service 5 Stöcken Langenhagen/Langenhagen/Langenhagen/ 1 Langenhagen 3 Altwarmbüchen Langenforther Zentrum Platz Kurt-Schumacher-Allee S7 R1 Regionalbahn Langenhagen/Angerstr. railway Weizenfeldstr. Berliner Platz S2 S-Bahn Garbsen 4 Auf der Horst/MarshofAuf der Horst/SkorpiongasseFriedhofPascalstr. Auf derWissenschaftspark Horst JädekampAuf Marienwerder der LauckerthofKlappenburg 6 Nordhafen 2 Alte Heide Altwarmbüchen/ suburban train CARDZONE HANNOVER 2 Zentrum Wiesenau Übergang zum Bus Hogrefestr. Mecklenheidestr. 9 change to bus Bahnstrift Fasanenkrug Altwarmbüchen/ Ernst-Grote-Str. S2 R2 Alter Flughafen Park+Ride Hemelingstr. Beneckeallee Tempelhofweg Stufenloser Zu-/Abgang Friedenauer Str. Zehlendorfweg Stadtfriedhof Stadtfriedhof Stöcken Kabelkamp Altwarmbüchen/ step-free access Fuhsestr. Bothfeld Fuhse- Krepenstr. Papenwinkel Opelstr. str./Bhf Kurze-Kamp-Str. für Linie 10 und 17 hier kein Wunstorf Vahrenheider Markt Chamissostr. Windausstr. stufenloser Zu-/Abgang S4 S5 R4 R8 S1 S2 R1 R2 Bahnhof Leinhausen Reiterstadion Bothfeld Oldenburger Allee Bertramstr. for lines 10 and 17 here no Büttnerstr. Großer Kolonnenweg Bothfelder Kirchweg step-free access Herrenhäuser Markt Fenskestr. Tarifzonen Niedersachsenring Buchholz/Bhf Stadtfriedhof Lahe fare zones Haste Schaumburgstr. S6 S7 Dragonerstr. S1 S2 Haltenhoffstr. Bahnhof Stand: Dezember 2011 Herrenhäuser Gärten Nordstadt Vahrenwalder Platz Appelstr. 11 Schneiderberg/W.-Busch-Museum Werderstr. Sedanstr./ListerLister MeilePlatzLortzingstr. Pelikanstr.SpannhagengartenKlingerstr.Noltemeyerbrücke Vier Grenzen I. d. Sieben StückenParacelsusweg An der Strangriede Pappelwiese S1 R1 Leibniz Universität 7 Schierholzstr. Kopernikusstr. Minden Königsworther Platz 16 Christuskirche TICKETZONE HANNOVER S1 S3 S6 S7 R1 R12 11 Zoo Roderbruchmarkt 4 Roderbruch Bielefeld TICKETZONE HANNOVER R9 Rheine 8 18 10 Hauptbahnhof Wolfsburg Steintor R1 Medizinische Hochschule Clevertor Hannover Congress Centrum Misburger Str. Glocksee/Bhf Thielenplatz/Schauspielhaus R 9 Kröpcke S3 S6 S7 R9 R10 10 Ehrhartstr.Brunnenstr.HarenbergerWunstorfer Str.Ungerstr. Str. Leinaustr.Am Küchengarten Ahlem 10 Bahnhof Karl-Wiechert-Allee Lehrte R 10 Braunschw. Clause- Humboldt- Markthalle/ Marienstr. Platz witzstr. Kantplatz Uhlhornstr. Glocksee str. Goethepl. Landtag Nackenberg Waterloo Braunschweig Bauweg Freundallee Annastift R10 Schlägerstr. 10 Aegidientorpl. Kerstingstr. Körtingsdorfer Weg Bleekstr. Nieschlagstr. Geibelstr. Kinderkrankenhaus a. d. Bult Am Soltekampe Schwarzer Bär 17 Mettlacher Str. Bernh.-Caspar-Str. Am Lindener Hafen Lindener Marktplatz Altenbekener CARDZONE Zuschlagstr. Eichenfeldstr. Kaiser-Wilhelm-Str. Allerweg Damm HANNOVER 1 Bünteweg/TiHo R11 R12 Safariweg Stadionbrücke Döhrener Turm August-Madsack-Str. Großer Hillen S1 S2 S4 S5 Tiergarten Hermann-Ehlers-Allee Bf. Linden/Fischerhof Seelhorster Allee Schünemannplatz Fiedelerstr. Emslandstr. Ostfeldstr. S3 Wallensteinstr. 17 Brabeckstr. Empelde 9 Beekestr. Peiner Str. 2 Döhren/Bhf Königsberger Ring Bothmerstr. Feldbuschwende StadtfriedhofAm Mittelfelde8 18 Bartold-Knaust-Str. Seelhorst Kronsberg 5 Anderten Wiehbergstr. Krügerskamp S1 S2 S5 Am Sauerwinkel Messe/Nord Mühlenberger Markt Stockholmer Allee Am Brabrinke S1 S2 Tresckowstr. Weetzen 6 16 Messe/Ost (Expo-Plaza) Laatzen/Werner- Wettbergen 3 7 von-Siemens-Platz Hannover Messe/ 1 Laatzen 2 Rethen CARDZONE HANNOVER 2 Laatzen/ Laatzen/ Laatzen/Eichstraße Laatzen Park der Sinne Zentrum (Bahnhof) Laatzen/ Bünde Rethener Winkel S3 S4 S5 R13 R13 Rethen/ Laatzen/ Laatzen/ Laatzen/ Laatzen/ Rethen/ Nord Rethen/Bf.Rethen/GalgenbergwegGleid./OrpheuswegGleidingen/Thorstr.Gleid./Am Heisede/Marienburger Leinkamp Heisede/Sarstedt/Am Langer Str. KampSarstedt/Röntgenstr. Boksberg1 Sarstedt Hildesheim TICKET-/CARDZONE UMLAND aquaLaatzium Krankenhaus Neuer Schlag Ginsterweg Steinfeld Hbf Paderborn Hameln S4 R11 R12 S4 R11 Bad Pyrmont Braunschweig S5 TICKET-/CARDZONE REGION R12 R11 R13 Göttingen Bodenburg Bad Harzburg

➤

www.tramnews.net www.Irta.org december 2012 465 Systems Factfile

Left: Surface platforms at Steintor feature Lego-style shelters, one of several different Üstra BUSSTOP project installations from the 1990s.

Above: With the fourth tunnel seemingly a distant prospect, Aegidientorplatz will remain the surface terminus for lines 10 and 17. Left: Built to last: the interior of TW 6000 6157.

Left: Ground-level boarding at the heavy rail interchange Bahnhof Nordstadt. Right: Herrenhäuser Gärten on lines 4 and 5 is one of Hannover’s most attractive areas. network facts . Opened: 1872 (electrification from 1893) . Routes: 12 . Route distance: 120km (75 miles) . Stops: 197 . Depots: 3 . Approximate weekday hours: 04.00-00.30 . Main frequency: 10 minutes . Gauge: 1435mm . Power: 750V dc overhead supply . Fleet: 311 . Transport Network: Grossraum-Verkehr Hannover (GVH) . Operator: üstra Hannoversche Verkehrsbetriebe INFORMATION . City network: www.uestra.de . Area network: www.gvh.de . Civic and tourist information: www.hannover.de

Left: One of the more elaborate surface stops, Noltemeyerbrücke is built over the Mittelland canal.

466 december 2012 www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org curving around Ernst-August-Platz outside the Hbf’s main Above: A small process not met with universal local approval in spite of entrance, there is however little to suggest that Hannover proportion of the overall accessibility improvement. has a comprehensive light rail system, here termed Stadtbahn shares The north-south line 1 is the longest of 12 regular lines Stadtbahn, with around 120km (75 miles) of route. road space: this at 27km (16.9 miles), taking just over an hour to travel The options for rebuilding the city after 1945 attracted is the junction at end-to-end. Two extra lines, 16 and 18, operate between the detailed attention; surface traffic growth would become an Schwarzer Bär on two Messe termini and the centre when major exhibitions added consideration. Hannover authorities and academics 30 August 2008. are held. Turning loops, some with separate arrival and addressed the problem, a challenge shared by other West departure platforms, remain active at some termini. German cities like Köln and Stuttgart where the post-war The Expo 2000 was not regarded as a successful event, ‘economic miracle’ was in full flow. Top right: High attracting less than half the projected visitor numbers, but After a decision in June 1965, construction to transform capacity on line 1 the designation of Hannover as host city for this ‘World the tramway to a Stadtbahn began that November, provided by paired Fair’ did improve local transport. It prompted the rebuilding beginning a long process of putting the system’s core TW 2500 and a of the Hbf, introduction of the striking TW 2000/2500 to below ground. Tram routes were rationalised and clustered TW 2000. the Stadtbahn fleet and saw the creation of the Hannover through tunnels beneath the central area. An aim was to S-Bahn. This seven-line DB-operated network (mainly on allow reaching any part of the system with no more than Above right: The most a 60-minute interval per line) partly shares infrastructure a single change, even if this might mean travelling long evident Stadtbahn with other heavy rail operations and has several stations distances between two points. presence in the city providing interchange with Stadtbahn and bus services. Even with modernisation, Hannover thus retained a radial centre is outside Üstra’s main information centre (Kundenzentrum) is at layout, leaving much of the city and surrounding boroughs Hannover Hbf. 30/32 Karmarschstrasse, south of Kröpcke. Network users now covered by Üstra’s fleet of around 130 buses, which also have access to high levels of information through the also provide the night network. Three of the four projected Üstra website, ranging from attractions in neighbourhoods rail tunnels, A-C, have been built, totalling around 19km bordering the stops (for undertaking ‘Erlebnistouren mit der (11.9 miles), with the first section opening in September Stadtbahn’ – Adventure Tours by Tram) to the progressive 1975. The fourth, D, is seemingly deferred due to high stages for those caught travelling without a valid ticket. costs. It is the intended future route for the current surface With certain restrictions, cycles are carried free on trams lines 10 and 17. These 6km (3.7miles) and 7km (4.3 miles) and buses and there are storage boxes for rent at some stops. long services with partial track-sharing connect the west of Üstra maintains a large heritage fleet for use as Sonderverkehr the city to Aegidientorplatz terminus just east from the Hbf. (special services) including ‘Oldtimer’ hire trams. TAUT There are 19 underground stops, 17 in the city centre, with some such as Steintor and Aegidientorplatz also having hannover: essential FACTS surface platforms. The latter is, along with the Hbf and Kröpcke, one of the interchange points between lines. How do I get there? A short distance south of the Hbf, Kröpcke in the central Local travel: GVH has cross-mode, all-partner ticket validity with three zones: shopping district is the main concentration of the sub- Hannover Stadt (city), Umland (immediately surrounding) and Region. Day ticket surface lines. With platforms on two levels and undergoing prices are less than the cost of two single journeys with equivalent coverage: 1 zone reconstruction in 2012, it handles around 150 000 passengers EUR4.50; 2 zones EUR5.70; All zones EUR7. daily. With mainly ten-minute headways, the service within The Niedersachsen Ticket (EUR21 one-day, single traveller) includes GVB and the branching arms of the network is very intensive. is useful for combining regional rail trips to neighbouring networks like Bremen, The Stadtbahn transition has bequeathed a mix of high Braunschweig and Hamburg, also covered by this ticket. platform and ground level boarding made possible by What is there to see? vehicles equipped with retractable covers over the steps. Information can be gained from the main tourist office opposite Hbf on Ernst-August- Üstra identifies about one-third of stops as having low-level Platz where Üstra also has a kiosk. Visitors can continue along Bahnhofstrasse for the boarding. New extensions like the most recent, mainly pedestrianised and partly underground commercial centre. The Hannover Tram line 7 from Paracelsusweg to Schierholzstrasse in 2010, Museum in the south of the city houses a national collection: www.tram-museum.de. have high platforms. Conversions continue elsewhere, a

www.tramnews.net www.Irta.org december 2012 467 IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY: SPECIAL FOCUS To celebrate the Docklands Light Railway’s 25th birthday, Tramways & Urban Transit looks at how the DLR has helped transform the landscape of East London, and the pivotal role it played in supporting the success of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. KEEPING THE PASSENGERS SAFE Simcha Ohrenstein examines the complex and multi-faceted nature of security on modern light rail systems, from his experience of working on the Red line in Jerusalem. APTA LIGHT RAIL CONFERENCE: SUSTAINING THE METROPOLIS As the US embarks on its own light rail revolution, Tramways & Urban Transit reports from the 12th National APTA Congress on Light Rail from Salt Lake City. REVIEW OF THE YEAR What a year! TAUT takes a tour of 2012’s new system openings, the events, the hot topics and the new vehicle and technology launches from one of the most exciting years for light rail in decades. WORLDWIDE NEWS AND REVIEW For the latest rolling stock orders, new technology, system developments and transport policy, TAUT is the essential light and urban rail reference point.

Personal membership with TAUT subscription: SUBSCRIBE NOW: UK International To December 2013 (13 issues) £46.50 £58.50 ALSO AVAILABLE Tramway Review subscription (Four issues) UK £18.50 International £21.50 Personal membership with TAUT and Tramway Review: ONLINE! UK International To December 2013 (12 TAUT + 4 TR) £61.00 £75.00

Personal membership with online access to TAUT subscription:

To December 2013 (13 issues) £38.00 THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE HEADLINESTHE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE l manchester to HEADLINES ig bang’ HEADLINES complete ‘b ● Dijon opens fi rst l China’s Usd127bn l rat P dev wins two modern tramway line metro and tram plan

new tram systems ● Olympics fuel record l portland streetcar l us pledges biggest London LRT ridership opens ‘loop’ line ever transport fund ● Siemens wins Doha l siemens and s tadler turnkey tram contract join forces for Berlin For online payments visit: www.lrta.info/personal Student membership available online only. Commercial members (12 issues) UK International

BESANCON: LESSONS FROMtomorrow’s world £52.00 £64.00 tram builders head east 5 on display at innotrans: lrt for massive new ordersA LOW-COST TRAM SYSTEM Paris Metro: CBTC best practice examined

TYNEINSIDE: AND WEAR METRO: Two in-depth system updates Brest Tramway: 16-page special focus THREE SUCCESSFUL YEARS OF DELIVERY Le Mans: Tram-train: Brookville Equipment: Tyne & Wear Metro ‘24-Hour’ city Dublin Luas DB International Ghent tramway: US heritage Three years of shows impressive Irish capital’s on the technical Narrow-gauge streetcar specialist successful environmental growing network and operational tramway growth aims for modern modernisation: credentials SEPTEMBER – the inside story: challenges as part of wider Commercial members online only (12 issues) £41.00 low-floor orders 2012 16-page review 24-page special No.A special review897 in city reconstruction association with Nexus OCTOBER £3.80 n e t 2012 NOVEMBER l . t r a m n e w s . w w w . o r g w w w No. 898 . l r ta . o r g l 2012 w w w . l r ta W W W . L R TA . O R G ● W W W w w w t r a m n e w s . T R A M N E W S . N E T £3.80 . . n e t No. 899 £3.80

30/07/2012 16:49 TAUT_1211_Cover.indd 1

TAUT_1210_Cover.indd 1 TAUT_1209_Cover.indd 1 04/09/2012 13:48 01/10/2012 14:03 Invoices available for Commercial membership only. For online payments visit: www.lrta.info/commercial Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms ...... Forename ...... Surname ...... Address ...... Now in its 75th year, Tramways & Urban Transit is ...... the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to light and urban rail developments...... Postcode ...... It provides comprehensive news and analysis, in- I enclose a cheque £ ...... payable to ‘LRTA Subscriptions’ cisive technology features and key interviews with Please complete this form and send it with your payment to: leading industry fi gures from across the globe. LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK

468 DECEMBER 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org

468_TAUT1212_SubsNextMonth v2.indd 1 29/10/2012 14:33 Halberstadt Planning for closure The Halberstadt tramway’s 125th anniversary this year is bitter-sweet, because the German network is preparing for closure. TAUT talks to Halberstädter Verkehrs-GmbH managing director Axel Wohlbier about the reasons – and what happens now. report by tony streeter

n Halberstädter Verkehrs-GmbH (HVG) managing Above: HVG Leoliners Taking difficult decisions director Axel Wolhbier’s wall is an over-sized gold 3 and – receding in Situated in central Germany, Halberstadt is a small town key, marking the handover of the town’s first the distance – 4 at – and it’s getting smaller. The problem is a common one Olow-floor tram in 2006. The beginning of the step-free era in Holzmarkt on across swathes of the former German Democratic this town on the eastern edge of the Harz mountains was the 10 May. Neil Pulling Republic: depopulation. last big stroke in a wave of investment in previous years. Ever since the wall designed to keep them in was Post the absorption of what had been East Germany into broken down, East Germany’s citizens have been drifting the Federal Republic in 1990, money had been put into westwards. That process is expected to continue – and the infrastructure, including expansion in 1993, and now with other factors such as an ageing population, the overall with its first Leoliner Halberstadt had entered the picture in some parts of the region is drastic. modern low-floor era. In 2009 Halberstadt had just below 43 000 people. Yet A lot can change in a few years. Once, Halberstadt’s 20 years before in 1989, the equivalent number was more trams and buses carried seven million people annually – than 53 000. Predictions suggest that by 2025 the figure will and around 75% of those were estimated to have used the shrink again to under 35 000 – or 34% fewer people than trams. Now, the figure is around 2.1m-2.2m. This town – in the GDR’s last full year. Some quarters of Halberstadt, and not just its tramway – has had a difficult time. Wohlbier explains, have “hardly any life.” “The tendency in recent years has been a continual fall in Post-unification euphoria has been replaced by a new passenger numbers,” accepts Wohlbier, talking to Tramways reality. Whereas in 1993, with the availability of new & Urban Transit from his office at the town’s depot. money, the tramway was extended two stops from Voigtei “Our problem isn’t cost, it’s low take-up.” to Sargstedter Weg to serve the relatively new Nordring An in-principle decision was taken by the town in 2011 residential district, by 2002-03, less than a decade later in to work towards closure; in another decade, the tramway many cases, the very same tower blocks that had driven that could be gone. expansion were being demolished.

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org december 2012 469 Halberstadt

Hundreds of flats were removed at Nordring as Above left: HVG hospital – are not on the system. Instead, HVG’s buses Halberstadt came to grips with what a shrinking population managing director serve these and, to an extent, compete with trams. actually means. Demolition of other residential buildings, in Axel Wohlbier. What’s more, with the post-GDR availability of private particular GDR-era blocks, continues. As the concentrated Tony Streeter cars, together with modernisation of road infrastructure, housing is rubbed off the map, Halberstadt is instead many journeys now don’t involve public transport at all. focusing on an area that had previously been neglected: the Above right: beautiful half-timbered streets of the town centre. Holzmarkt stop in Changing economies Then, the idea was to provide new housing. Now, the the centre of town The backdrop to such developments is the transformation in concept is that, rather than being hollowed out, the town on 21 August. To the Halberstadt’s economy from a planned system focusing on should move in on itself, at least keeping its heart alive. left of Leoliner 4 large employers and manufacturing to one in the open market. The careful restoration of the centre has won Halberstadt is the rebuilt town Even now, Wohlbier says, the town “isn’t exactly booming.” national recognition – and the process of town transformation centre; obscured Wind back some 25 years though, and a heavy has now been part of official policy for a decade. engineering complex and the railway workshops together Yet as the rambling central streets came back to life at behind it are GDR- employed thousands of people; passengers all over the the expense of socialist quarters, different travel flows have era flats expected GDR’s railways – and abroad – rode in carriages from the been created. Neither have those shifting patterns been to to be demolished. Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk Halberstadt. the benefit of this metre-gauge tramway, with its roughly Tony Streeter The successor companies, while still there, employ fewer 12km (7.5 miles) of public lines. people. New firms have appeared in other areas – but they For while the numbers of people moving from tend to be smaller, often in premises not connected to the concentrated node to node are falling, smaller individual tramway – and with working hours that vary. So, many journeys are taking place. Many of them are through the people now access their disparate workplaces by private car. town centre – an area the tramway loops around – and a Unemployment is around 10%, lower than in recent large number take place on foot. years (it’s been around double that), but higher than in Plus, the nature of the network’s historic geography the tramway’s GDR heyday; the unemployment rate is, of put against subsequent developments mean that some course, now also based on a lower population. potentially major traffic generators – such as the town’s “It’s not really comparable,” Wohlbier says of trying to consider ‘now’ and ‘then’. “There are no longer masses the fleet of people underway at changes of shift. There are also increasingly people who, faced with lower incomes, are Halberstadt has five low-floor NGTW6-H Leoliner vehicles (1-5) and in reserve are becoming used to new ways of living.” three GT4 ZR (164/167/168, ex-Freiburg 104/110/111) and one GT4 ER Not only is the population declining, it’s also on average (156, ex-Stuttgart 550). A further GT4 ZR, 166 (ex-Freiburg 105), is now a children’s tram, known as ‘HaKiBa’. There is also a GT4 ZR works car, 161. older; those most likely to go in search of new opportunities The tramway also has a significant historic fleet and HVG has an event planned for 8 are families and younger people. Numbers of school June 2013 to mark 110 years of electric operation. The following are expected to be in children – traditionally users of the tramway – declined, operation: TW29 (Reko, 1975), TW30 (Gotha, 1966), TW31 (Lindner, 1939), TW36 though Wohlbier says these figures have now “stabilised.” (LOWA, 1956), TW156 and TW167 (GT4), TW39/BW61 (Gotha, 1960/1969). HVG’s managing director considers that older people do tend to instinctively think of the tramway as their first means of transport – but as time passes, those people are Halberstadt’s tramway inevitably becoming less active. Some of these themes will be recognisable across the Halberstadt has had trams since a horse tramway was founded in 1887. In 1902 former East Germany – maybe even to managers across the town took over the system, which has been in various forms of public ownership the post-Communist world. However, Wohlbier is cautious ever since. Electric operation began in 1903, when the current Gröperstraße depot about drawing too general conclusions because “every town was built. The adjacent headquarters building dates from 50 years later. has its own individual situation.” In summer 1990, shortly before the GDR joined the Federal Republic that October, He’s conscious that on the southern side of the Harz, the the decision was taken to form the Halberstädter Verkehrs-GmbH (HVG), which took tramway in similarly-sized Nordhausen is not facing the place in 1992. Since 1997 HVG has been a 100% subsidiary of Halberstadt’s same pressures. That’s perhaps partly due to geography municipal holding company NOSA-GmbH. and network (Nordhausen’s tramway is connected to traffic Renewal of track/overhead began in 1991, and second-hand GT4 vehicles generators such as the hospital), partly perhaps because started operation the following year. The new stretch to the Nordring residential it now enjoys a link to the Harzquerbahn rail line and has area opened in August 1993. The Leoliner order was placed in 2005, with the first arriving in 2006 and the launch into service of all five in February 2007. thereby effectively expanded its system – and perhaps in Halberstadt is the only town in the Landkreis Harz administrative area with a tramway. general support for the system is also stronger. Landkreis Harz was formed in 2007 through the fusion of Landkreis Halberstadt, Landkreis Quedlinburg and Landkreis Wernigerode, and the town of Falkenstein/Harz. What happens next? The tramway’s two lines run Hauptbahnhof – Friedhof (line 1) and Hauptbahnhof It’s not as if Halberstadt hasn’t tried. After Germany’s – Sargstedter Weg (line 2), partly over the same route. Line 2 also runs to Klus at unification the decision was quickly taken to keep the trams weekends. Standard service is at 15-minute frequency. and surplus GT4 vehicles were drafted in from the ‘West’ (Freiburg and Stuttgart) to replace older two-axle cars.

470 december 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org network facts . Gauge: metre . Route length: 11.7km (7.3 miles) . Track length: 16.9km

(10.5 miles) . Stops: 23 . Routes: 2 . Depot: 1

The infrastructure was boosted too – most notably with Above: Leoliner 4 provided 75% of the EUR7m needed for the fiveLeoliners , the 600m Sargstedter Weg extension in 1993. outside as well as giving funds for track renewal. Although there was debate through this period about Halberstadt’s main “If that [closure] is the case, then it needs to be planned,” whether the tramway had a future, the decision was made station on 10 May. explains Wohlbier. to invest and modernise: perhaps the most obvious sign of Neil Pulling Indeed, some investment is still taking place – renewal came in 2005, when Halberstadt became the first particularly renewals in 2012-13 that will allow the status tramway outside Leipzig to sign a deal for Leoliners. quo to continue for a while. However, explains Wohlbier, So the closure debate isn’t entirely new, but the political the decision has already been taken to forego any further decision in 2011 to work towards closure comes at a time of funding that would add new date restrictions on closure. straitened public finances – and when the debate about tram “What’s sure is that things carry on for now – I’d say past versus other town services is perhaps at its sharpest. 2019, but then it will become increasingly difficult.” Council services in the town come under the municipal Wohlbier says the closure plan will be “tested” at various holding company NOSA. As well as being the 100% intervals, but adds: “When you go along that road, there owner of HVG, NOSA is also sole owner of the sport will become a point at which it’s irreversible.” centre and sewerage, and majority owner of the HaWoGe So, assuming there is no change in thinking, when might housing company and Halberstadtwerke energy company. closure actually come? “You can come to the conclusion In difficult financial times, these (and other) services are that it should take place some time in the 2020s.” effectively competing for limited cash. NOSA subsidy to Even then, he says, limited operation might be possible the tramway is circa EUR800 000 per year. Below: Inside the over a key corridor – from the historic main railway station “One should never give up hope,” says Wohlbier, “but depot on 21 August: near the edge of town into the heart the authorities are it’s been decided that a withdrawal from tramway operation nearest the camera doing their best to keep thriving. After all, Wohlbier says, should follow.” “We have the know-how.” That plan, as yet, is not irreversible. There’s no rush to are GT4 works Buses – the other side of HVG’s business – are more stop operation – and indeed there are time restrictions on tram 161 (left) and flexible and “Halberstadt does not want to turn its back on investment that could mean money would need to be paid historic Gotha ET62 public transport in general,” Wohlbier says. back in the event of immediate closure. vehicle 30. As for the passengers, he concludes, “one or two might In particular the regional government of Saxony-Anhalt Tony Streeter actually welcome it.” TAUT further reading

Population change information in this article comes from background information to the Internationale Bauuasstellung Stadtumbau Sachsen-Anhalt 2010 (International Building Exhibition Urban Redevelopment Saxony-Anhalt 2010) – an official Saxony-Anhalt project dealing with towns facing demographic changes. It is expected that in 2040 only half the number of people will live in Saxony-Anhalt as in 1950.For the English introduction see: www.iba-stadtumbau.de/index. php?iba2010-en The English-language section on Halberstadt starts at: www. iba-stadtumbau.de/index.php?halberstadt-en HVG details: HVG Halberstädter Verkehrs-GmbH Gröperstraße 83, 38820 Halberstadt, Germany Tel: +49 (0)3941 56615 www.stadtverkehr-halberstadt.de

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org december 2012 471 Worldwide review

ALGERIA

ORAN. The new tramway for this city on the Mediterranean cost was electrified from 15 September and the first trial runs were made on 16 October. A dummy service is scheduled to start on 5 March 2013, with inauguration of passenger service at the end of May. A. Senut

AUSTRALIA

MELBOURNE. Gulf airline Emirates, which has inaugurated a Melbourne service and a code-sharing agreement with Qantas, has arranged an all-over advertising livery on Siemens Combino tram 3530 with the background of a Lisboa tram. M. Rowe SYDNEY. The plans to put trams on George St between the railway station and Circular Quay have been opposed by Infrastructure NSW, which is advocating an AUD2bn (EUR1.6bn) underground bus rapid transit line between Town Hall and Wynard. ‘The Daily Telegraph’

AUSTRIA

LINZ. The new tramway to Leonding carried 2.4 million passengers in its first year of A Lisboa tram is depicted on this Melbourne Combino in all-over advertising for Emirates airline. M. Rowe operation. A further 1.7km (1.05 miles) to Pasching/Wagram will open in 2015, and the SÃO PAULO. ABB has been awarded a 19km (11.8-mile) LRT line, and associated remaining 2.6km (1.6 miles) to Schloss Traun USD50m contract from commuter rail operator 17km (10.5-mile) bus rapid transit. E. B. Havens two years later. EB CPTM to upgrade power supplies on lines 8 and 9, to support increased frequency. A. Bailey CHINA BELARUS CANADA BEIJING. Fengtaidongdajie station on metro INDUSTRY. Belkommunmash is to build line 9 was opened on 13 October. urbanrail.net three type-843 trams for the Russian city of EDMONTON. City councillors have agreed HANGZHOU. Ansaldo STS has been Sankt Peterburg. Belkommunmash has also to commit CAD800m (EUR622m) towards the awarded a USD13.2m contract to design and signed a joint venture project with Swiss CAD1.8bn (EUR1.4bn) cost of the Southeast supply CBTC signalling for the 33.4km (20.7- company Stadler to build a new rolling stock light rail line linking the city centre with Mill mile) metro line 2, due to open partially in factory at Fanipol, near Minsk. The first Woods. It is hoped that construction will take December 2013, and fully in 2016. vehicle is due to roll out in 2014. A. Bailey place in 2015-19. E. B. Havens Nanjing SR Puzhen Rail Transport is TORONTO. The first prototype of the TTC’s supplying 27 six-car trains for the new line. BELGIUM fleet of 204 Bombardier low-floor trams was railway-technology.com delivered from Thunder Bay to Toronto on 29 TIANJIN. The official opening ceremony BRUXELLES/BRUSSEL. Studies of September and is undergoing commissioning for metro line 3 was on 28 September, with alternatives for the northern extension of the at Hillcrest works. passenger service starting on 1 October. The north–south tram subway have concluded the TTC has set a new ridership record for the 29.7km (18.4-mile) southwest-northeast best option is a 4.8km (2.9-mile) metro from year ending 2 October 2012, carrying 510 line has a fleet of six-car trains supplied by Bordet to Gare du Nord via Schaerbeek, with million passengers; the calendar year figure CSR Sifang. the existing subway upgraded to Midi. The for 2011 was 503 million. Line 9 was extended from Shiyijinglu to project has no financing in place yet, and the In a U-turn, the provincial transit agency Tianjinzhan (railway station) on 15 October. horizon for implementation is 2020-2040. Metrolinx announced on 3 October that it will urbanrail.net The rebuilt terminus at Parking Stalle was use TTC to operate the CAD8.4bn (EUR6.5bn) brought into use from 2 September. suburban light rail lines on Eglinton, Finch EGYPT Delivery of short Bombardier Flexity trams Avenue West and Sheppard Avenue East, rather had reached 3116 by the end of September. than selecting a private company. The fare EL QAIRA (Cairo). Egypt’s government PCC 7036, the last single-ended bogie tram in system will be integrated with that of TTC. has agreed a EUR940m loan with the French the STIB fleet, has been scrapped. Tram 7166 Metrolinx has purchased land at Jane St/Finch Development Agency and the European is now a friterie at Place Payfa-Fosseprez in Avenue for a depot and workshop facility for the Investment Bank to finance extension of metro Watermael-Bitsfort, while 7169 is destined for standard-gauge light rail. Line 3 to the airport. A. Bailey Dallas, Texas. T-2000 Opening of the 8.6km (5.34-mile) extension of OOSTENDE. This winter there is just one the Spadina subway to Vaughan has been delayed ETHIOPIA Hermelijn low-floor tram remaining on the from late 2015 to autumn 2016. E. B. Havens coast, Antwerpen 7266. T-2000 VANCOUVER. The CAD1.4bn ADDIS ABABA. China Railway Group has (EUR1.08bn), 11km (6.8-mile), Evergreen begun construction of the tramline in the city BRAZIL light metro line will be built by SNC-Lavalin, centre, after completing site investigation and with completion planned for summer 2016. safety management work. A. Bailey PORTO ALEGRE. Regional metro operator Operation of the line will be integrated with Trensurb has issued tenders for 15 four-car the existing SkyTrain system. E. B. Havens FINLAND EMUs, with delivery in time for the football WATERLOO - KITCHENER. Bids have World Cup in 2014. A. Bailey been invited for project management of the HELSINKI. CAF has been selected as

472 DECEMBER 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org construction work for tramline 2 was over a year ago, there have been prolonged delays, the latest being a postponement from November to January 2013. This means the proposed opening in 2015 is now unlikely to be met, potentially jeopardising the EUR36m EU grant. A. Fantechi MILANO. Test runs on the partly refurbished Limbiate interurban tramway took place on 10 October with motor cars 503 and 507 sandwiching car 92. This was in readiness for the resumption of regular service on 22 October. The Milano terminus of the interurban line can be found a Comasina metro station (line MM3). AnsaldoBreda has been awarded a EUR210m contract for 30 six-car metro trains, with an option for 30 more; 20 will replace the original stock on line 1, and 10 used to improve the capacity of line 2. O. Caldera, RGI

MALAYSIA

INDUSTRY. Chinese rolling stock company CSR Zhuzhou is to set up a factory at Batu Gajah in Perak by 2014, with the capacity to 25 years after the French city of Grenoble pioneered a new tramway with low-floor trams, October 2012 saw build 100-150 vehicles/year. The company advanced works on the 11.5km Line E, here at the junction with existing lines at Cours Jean Jures. Y. Allain expects to expand its order book in the south- east Asian marketplace. RGI preferred bidder for a EUR140.4m contract November, raising doubts about the January KUALA LUMPUR. The Siemens rolling to supply 20 four-car metro trains for delivery 2013 inauguration of public service. stock for the 51km (31.6-mile) SBK automated in 2014-16. They will be equipped with metro will comprise 58 four-car trains costing temporary driving cabs that will be removed IRELAND MYR1.4bn (EUR352m). The signalling and when full automation is achieved. RGI train control system has been awarded to DUBLIN. The National Transport Authority Bombardier for MYR281m (EUR70m). RGI FRANCE has approved fare increases to monthly and annual tickets on Luas and all other contracted MEXICO PARIS. The 5.8km (3.6-mile) extension of public transport services provided by Dublin metro line 14 from St Lazare to Mairie de Bus, Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann and the MEXICO CITY. Metro line 12 from Mixcoac St-Ouen received its declaration of public Railway Procurement Agency. to Tiáhuac opened on 30 October. urbanrail.net utility on 12 October, and construction should The increases average 6% but for Luas will start next year, for completion in 2017. A. Bailey vary between 2.8% and 10.34%. Increases to MOROCCO STRASBOURG. SNCF Keolis is to replace other fares are likely to be announced shortly. Veolia-Transdev as the technical partner for the CASABLANCA. Trial running on the new management of public transport under a five- ISLE OF MAN tramway started on 15 October. Magharebia year contract starting on 1 January. A. Bailey TOULOUSE. Tracklaying on the Graonne DOUGLAS. The horse tramway carried NEPAL tramline started on 22 October, between 53 318 passengers during the 2012 season, Arenes and Fer a Cheval stations. eurotransport which ended on 16 September. That was KATHMANDU. A feasibility study carried TOURS. The first Alstom Citadis was 5% lower than the previous year, when the out by Korean companies has reported that unveiled to the public at a depot open day on tramway operated for an extra week for the construction of a 77km (48-mile) metro 30 September. Alstom is delivering 21 of the Commonwealth Youth Games. would cost USD3.88bn and would take ten seven-section cars under a EUR73m contract. Passenger numbers for the September years to complete. myrepublica.com Service on the 15km (9.3-mile) north–south period were substantially up thanks to cruise line should start in September 2013, and 1.8km and coach tour passengers. The tram service NETHERLANDS (1.1 miles) in the city centre will be equipped will operate again on the weekend of 15-16 with APS surface current collection. RGI December for Santa Specials. AMSTERDAM. The first of the new metro The Isle of Man’s railways received a visit trains is expected to enter service on line 50 in GERMANY from the Vice Chairman of Japan Railways East, late December or early January. OR Masaki Ogata, in early October. He was given DEN HAAG. National rail operator NS is CHEMNITZ. The new tram tracks to Hbf a tour of Tynwald and the island’s railways by negotiating with the city to acquire a 49% via Strasse der Nationen are to be opened for the Department of Community, Culture and shareholding in tram and bus operator HTM. NS routes 2, 6 and 522 on 18 February. DR Leisure Minister Graham Cregeen MHK and already holds a stake in bus operator QBuzz and KÖLN (Cologne). On 20 October the director of public transport Ian Longworth. a third of NS passengers using Den Haag stations re-laid tram tracks in Subbelrather Strasse and reach them on HTM services. DutchNews.nl the new high-platform station Liebigstrasse ISRAEL GRONINGEN. The city council has cancelled were opened for traffic. DFS the proposed EUR200m tramway project for JERUSALEM. 422 000 passengers/day are financial reasons. P. Velthoen INDIA using the new tramway, a 41% increase on a ROTTERDAM. The last of the new Citadis year ago. A new one-day ridership record of trams, 2153, was delivered on 14 September. GURAGON. The first trial run on the new 140 000 was set on 10 October during the Several 700-series trams remain in service on metro took place on 2 October. Passenger Sukkot holiday. C. Lietweiler routes 2, 8 and 20. service should start in March. A. Bailey The tram service to Feijenoord stadium MUMBAI (Bombay). The first end-to-end ITALY has been renumbered from 29 to 12. The trial run on the 8.9km (5.5-mile) Chembur– remaining operational SG2 metro cars are Wadala monorail did not take place until FIRENZE. Although the official start of 5209-11/4/7/9/21/31/4/9/41/3-5/7/56/7/9. OR

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org DECEMBER 2012 473 Worldwide Review

UTRECHT. Friday 21 September saw the start of work on the EUR321m, 7.5km (4.6-mile) tramline from the railway station to De Uithof in the eastern suburbs, with completion programmed for 2018. A new fleet of low-floor trams will be ordered and operation will initially be separate from the SUN light rail. However when the SUN rolling stock comes up for renewal, that line will be converted from high- to low-floor to permit a through service over both lines. Qbuzz is to take over operation of the SUN line in a new ten-year concession from December 2013, replacing Connexxion, and will also operate the Uithof line. BRU

NIGERIA

ABUJA. The Federal Capital Territory Admin- istration has signed a memorandum of under- standing with Trans-Globim Nigeria for the devel- opment of a monorail line. Abuja Business Service

NORWAY

BERGEN. Mott MacDonald has been appointed to provide detailed design for a An artist’s impression of the Vossloh diesel-electric tram-train for Chemnitz in eastern Germany. Vossloh EUR90m workshop and depot to serve the expanded light rail line. using a seldom-used spur onto the tracks used from Seolleung to Wangsimni on 6 October. The new depot will accommodate up to by service 1 on its route to Potulicka. Thus urbanrail.net 70 trams to cater for the next three stages of the single-ended tramset on route 10 is turned light rail construction, but will be ready by along a loop through the streets to commence SPAIN 2015 when the EUR220m stage to the airport, its return journey to Gumience. R. Gee currently being designed, is completed. BARCELONA. Work on the FGC extensions QATAR (Sabadell and Terrassa lines), suspended last PARAGUAY January, resumed on 8 October thanks to a DOHA. Wednesday 10 October saw the loan from the European Investment Bank. ASUNCIÓN – YPARACAL. A pre-feasibility ground-breaking ceremony for the metro Completion will now be in 2015-16. R. Felski study by Metropolitana Milanese has network at the future Msheireb interchange recommended a 44km (27.3-mile), USD215m station. The 129km (80.1-mile) three-line SWITZERLAND light rail line to revive a former railway network is due to be completed in time for the alignment linking the two cities. A. Bailey 2022 football World Cup. RGI GENERAL. The Swiss government has released a list of rural rail lines with farebox PHILIPPINES RUSSIA recovery of less than 30% and is implying that they will be reviewed every four years, MANILA. The government has named a NIZHNIY NOVGOROD. The metro was with removal of federal subsidy a possibility if temporary service provider for light rail line 3 extended from Moskovskaya to Gorkovskaya financial performance does not improve. from 19 October, when the ten-year contract on 4 November. N. Semyonov This would put the cost back on the cantons held by Sumitomo expired. SANKT PETERBURG. Tramway tracks and local councils, which are unlikely to be The new provider is a joint venture of PH along Ulitsa Blagodatnaya are being upgraded able to afford the additional cost, leaving Trams and CB&T, with a six-month contract. to link with already-upgraded lines in closure as a possibility. A. Bailey Moskovskiy Prospect. Route 16 is closed Amongst the lines threatened are: Gais – while the works take place. Alstätten Stadt (SGA); Solothurn – Langenthal POLAND LM-68M bogie tram 7577 from 1985 (ASm); Biel – Täuffelen – Ins (BTI); La has been given a facelift, including new Chaux-de-Fonds – Tavannes/Glovelier (CJ); KRAKÓW. The first of 24 new Bombardier asynchronous motors, a low-floor rear platform Locarno – Camedo (FART); Lugano – Ponte Flexity trams, 2051, was handed over on and a new lighter single-arm pantograph. The Tresa (FLP); Lausanne – Bercher (LEB); 15 October after display at the September work cost RUR8.5m, (EUR210 000) but if Meiringen–Innertkirchen (MIB); Montreux – InnoTrans exhibition in Berlin. Rail.co series production is ordered, costs will reduce. Les Avants/Zweisimmen (MOB) Vevey – Les SZCZECIN. Extensive highway work at prototype 71-631 three-section low-floor tram Plíades (CEV); Nyon – St Cergue (NStCM) the Bramha Porta road junction has been arrived at Depot 5 on 26 September for a Aigle – Leysin/Les Diablerets/Champéry completed. The works include not just new period of trials under fleet number 5210. (TPC); Bex – Villars (TPC); Neuchâtel – carriageway surfaces and renewal of the N. Semyonov, V. Stepanov Boudry (TRN); Wohlen – Dietikon (BDWM). tracks, but also new shelters for would-be tram The list also includes about half of all passengers and new signals for pedestrians SINGAPORE regional rail lines. A. Moglestue and vehicles crossing the junction. A major development at this location MASS RAPID TRANSIT. Bombardier TAIWAN has been the creation of tramway curves from has delivered the first of 73 Movia three-car west to north. The new curves have enabled automated metro trains that will be used on TAIPEI. The central portion of the Orange the creation of a new route 10 that runs during the Downtown line from 2013. The trains are line metro from Zhongxiao Xinsheng to the morning and mid-afternoon peaks from being assembled at Bombardier’s joint venture Guting opened on 30 September. urbanrail.net Gumience to Place Rodla. Thus a tram from facility at Changchun, China. RGI Gumience on route 10 would, at Bramha Porta, THAILAND turn from heading east to a northerly trajectory. SOUTH KOREA It would then follow the tracks of route 3 BANGKOK. MRTA has awarded Bangkok to Place Rodla, where it would turn eastwards SEOUL. The Bundang metro was extended Metro Public Company Ltd a 30-year

474 DECEMBER 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org many of which have now been fitted with the older control system salvaged from T68s to allow use on any part of the growing network. A further complaint has been the lack of seating on the new trams and it is now expected that the final 20 of the current orders (3075-94) will have eight extra seats. Oyster-style payment cards will be introduced on the network in 2014 prior to their introduction on other transport modes in Greater Manchester. MIDLAND METRO. The UK’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch has issued its report into the incident at Jewellery Quarter station on 20 April last year when tram 13’s pantograph connected with a failed piece of overhead line equipment (OLE), involving the progressive collapse of about 200m of overhead and a disruption to services that lasted until 28 April. The report found that the cause was a failure of the OLE and made various recommendations with regard to inspection of the OLE and to competence management systems. NOTTINGHAM. Nottingham has been declared the best public transport city in the UK – although a survey has highlighted it as being one of the worst cities for traffic congestion. The first SiemensS70 LRV for Minneapolis – St Paul was displayed in the city centre on 10 October. W. Heger Around 76m passengers a year use Nottingham’s public transport system, up 13% concession for the 16km (ten-mile) Purple system, but only to serve a proposed business since 2003, with the tram system carrying 9m line metro, including supply of rolling stock park close to Temple Meads station. The site is of the annual total. and electrical/mechanical equipment. Service part of an Enterprise Zone and the GBP30m- Passengers using the tramway can now is planned to start in 2016; 21 trainsets will be GBP40m (approx. EUR37m-EUR49m) buy tickets from conductors for a through ordered next year. On 5 December the Silom automated system would link the station to journey to by line was to be extended from Wong Wian Yi to the main employment areas and possibly to transferring to the bus service in Ratchadapisek. RGI the Cabot Circus retail centre. Officials have Nottingham city centre. already visited the Ultra system at Heathrow. The bus service is operated by Trent Barton, UKRAINE The proposed Bus Rapid Transit system a company within the that is will cost more than GBP20m (EUR25m) in part of the Tramlink Nottingham consortium. DNIPROPETROVSK. The European Bank preparatory work over the next two years. The SOUTH YORKSHIRE. Proposals to provide for Reconstruction & Development and city council is expected to contribute GBP11.6m a tram or train service along the freight railway the European Investment Bank are jointly (EUR14.3m), with GBP5.65m (EUR6.9m) line to Stocksbridge are being progressed, providing EUR500m in funding for the 4km allocated to the preparation of the BRT2 route with fresh talks scheduled for December when (2.4-mile) metro extension from Vokzalnaya between Ashton Gate and the city centre. Stocksbridge Town Council and Don Valley to Oktiyabrskaya Ploschad. ‘Railway Insider’ Start-up costs include consultants’ fees for Railway will meet to discuss the proposal. design and legal work, compulsory purchase The introduction of tram-trains to the UNITED KINGDOM orders, transport and highway orders, Sheffield-Rotherham line has been the impetus planning applications, town and village green for the discussions. BLACKPOOL. From the tramway’s re- applications and statutory notices. Added to opening in April to the middle of August the this will be the preparation of a business case USA trams carried a recorded 1 417 603 passengers, and environmental assessments. about a fifth more than predicted. South Gloucestershire Council will ANAHEIM, CA. The city is considering Over a 12-month period, including the contribute GBP4.4m (EUR5.4m) of the plans for a USD318m, 5.1km (3.1-mile), urban Illuminations, numbers should well exceed the total development costs and North Somerset tramway circulator linking the intermodal total of 2.3 million passengers carried in the Council GBP5.7m (EUR7m). transit hub and the convention centre. tramway’s last full year of operation, 2008-09. CAMBRIDGE. The Cambridgeshire guided A possible timeline sees passenger service The aim is to carry around ten million busway was voted the most innovative transport in 2018. passengers a year by 2022. project at the recent National Transport Awards The idea replaces earlier plans for a The final two Balloon conversions, 711 and ceremony, beating competition from the monorail. E. B. Havens 719, were being completed and painted in Emirates Air Line cable car across the River CHARLOTTE, NC. A full federal funding the new white and purple livery at Starr Gate Thames, and the Ultra personal transport pod agreement has been confirmed to provide during early October. system at Heathrow airport. USD18m towards the expansion of capacity Flexity 002 had still not returned from The number of passengers is heading for on CATS Lynx Blue light rail line to permit Bombardier in Germany by early October, 2.5m a year on bus services that again had three-car trains to be operated. but was exhibited at the InnoTrans 2012 to be strengthened with more journeys in In addition to increasing the capacity of international transport trade fair in Berlin in September. the line, the work will also permit the 14.7km September (as reported in TAUT 899). MANCHESTER. More than 10 000 passenger (9.1-mile) extension to the University of BRISTOL. A candidate for the Bristol complaints were recorded in the year to May North Carolina that will require 22 more mayoral elections to be held in November has 2012. Most involved delays through service LRVs to join the fleet of 20 Siemens S70 cars said the city’s Bus Rapid Transit project should interruptions or malfunctioning ticket machines. when it opens in 2017. be replaced by a railed transport system with Transport for Greater Manchester has This project has also been awarded federal ‘small self-driving trams’. recognised that service reliability has been an funding of USD580m. E. B. Havens Bristol City Council is currently at an early issue and has accelerated withdrawal of the HONOLULU, HI. The construction delay stage in investigating the provision of such a older T68 trams in favour of M5000 vehicles, ordered by the courts could last until the

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org DECEMBER 2012 475 Worldwide Review spring, and increase the construction costs of the automated light metro by USD115m. E. B. Havens HOUSTON, TX. The first of 19 new Siemens S70 LRVs was unveiled at the Rail Operations Center on 15 October. E. B. Havens LAS VEGAS, NV. The 6.25km (3.8-mile) monorail has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with a new board of directors and the expectation that revenue can match operating costs in 2013. vegasine.com LOS ANGELES, CA. The FTA announced on 8 October it will loan Los Angeles County USD546m to speed up construction of the Crenshaw light rail line, linking the Exposition and Green lines via LAX airport. Completion is programmed for 2018. E. B. Havens MIAMI, FL. A USD313m contract for 136 new metro cars has been awarded to AnsaldoBreda, after protests by alternative bidder CAF were rejected. MINNEAPOLIS – ST PAUL, MN. The first of 59 new Siemens S70 LRVs for the Central light rail line, 201, was put on display in that Target Field station on 10 October. The line will open in 2014. The FTA has announced it is to fast-track A Swiss curiosity is the Riffelalp battery tram that takes patrons from the station to the hotel during the summer the proposed Southwest Corridor LRT line season. Winter came early this year as this snow scene in September shows. The tram runs 11.30-15.30 from linking St Paul and Eden Prairie. It is hoped passenger service will start in 2018. E. B. Havens mid-June to mid-October. P. Haseldine PHOENIX, AZ. US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was in Mesa on 12 October to Railroad for the flat crossing between railway December, and Christmas Eve with festive sign a USD75m funding agreement for the and tramway. This consumes 25% of the line’s entertainment and refreshments available. 5km (3.1-mile) USD200m light rail extension, budget. E. B. Havens Trams and stations will be decorated and due to open at the end of 2015. E. B. Havens WASHINGTON, DC. The DC Department entertainment provided. Pre-booking is ST LOUIS, MI. The Missouri History of Transportation has announced that it is essential. Trams will also operate a limited Museum has cancelled an agreement to provide evaluating the potential for operation of service from Boxing Day (26 December) to USD1m towards the Delmar Loop heritage restored PCC trams to provide heritage service 6 January 2013. tramway after it was revealed that it had failed on its new tramway network. However, as SKJOLEDENAESHOLM (DK). Ex- to clear the deal with its commissioners. controversy continues over the proposed Düsseldorf Düwag articulated tram 2410 will The president of the museum is also the depot site, the start of public service is drifting be used as a café tram for the 2013 season, president of Loop Trolley Inc, which is back to spring 2014. replacing ex-Rostock trailer 924. BT promoting the tramway. W. C. Heger Meanwhile, the under-construction HELSINKI (SF). The museum group has SALT LAKE CITY, UT. The first test trains Nicosia line is to be used for commissioning completed restoration of ASEA-built two-axle have operated on the USD350m, 9.6km runs and operator training with the three motor tram 50 of 1909, and it should be used (5.9-mile). Airport light rail line. Public Inekon Trio articulated trams, currently in on the tourist service next summer. service should start in April. E. B. Havens storage. E. B. Havens J. Rauhala SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Muni). Double- YAKIMA, WA. The Yakima Valley Trolley AMSTERDAM (NL). Restored NBM motor ended PCCs 1006/8 operated together for the Association is hoping to resume heritage tram 20 of the former Utrecht – Zeist tramway first time since reconstruction by Brookville tramway operation to Selah on 21 June 2013, ran on the EMA museum tramway on 22 when the E Embarcadero line during America marking the centenary of the line’s opening. September, for the first time after ten years of Cup Races and fleet Week on 6-7 October. Trams stopped running on the line in 2005, restoration work. digitaletram.nl Ex-Blackpool Boat tram 228 returned to when thieves stole the copper overhead wire. service on 13 October after a spell out of An electronic alarm system will be installed as CONTIBUTORS service for controller rebuilds. the wire is restrung. E. B. Havens On 11 October the FTA announced a federal Worldwide items should be sent to Worldwide full funding agreement for the Third Street MUSEUM NEWS Editor Michael Taplin at Flat 1, 10 Hope Central Subway project, providing USD942m Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 towards the USD1.6bn cost. E. B. Havens BEAMISH (UK). Blackpool Coronation 304 6EA, UK – Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 or SARASOTA, FL. A USD70 000 feasibility arrived at Beamish on 12 October from outside [email protected]. study has been commissioned to evaluate a storage at Marton. The tram is on loan to the UK and Ireland items are welcomed by John city centre tramway circulator. E. B. Havens museum from the Lancastrian Transport Trust. Symons, 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, SEATTLE, WA. The city centre free ride zone CLOVERDALE (CA). The two preserved Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 0LW, UK. E-mail was abolished from 1 October and passengers BC interurban cars, 1225 and 1304, are now in [email protected]. must now use the front door of buses, paying a new depot built by the Fraser Valley Heritage Acknowledgements are due to Abuja on entry. Initially this led to delays to LRVs in Railway Society Car. 1304 is undergoing Business Service, Centro, DFS, DR, the city subway, shared with buses. E. B. Havens restoration. E. B. Havens DutchNews.nl, Eurotransport, Luas, TAMPA, FL. The tenth anniversary of the CRICH (UK). Work has started on the Magharebia, Manchester Evening News, TECO heritage tramline was marked on 20 overhaul of Sheffield Roberts car 510, with a myrepublica.com, Nottingham Evening Post, October by a USD0.10 fares offer. The line is new coat of paint and internal refurbishment. OR Op De Rails, Rail.co, Railway Insider, to receive an additional USD50 000 in funding The exhibition space in the former railway-technology.com, RGI Railway from the Port Authority to enable TECO to Assembly Rooms has entered a new phase with Gazette International, South Yorkshire hire an executive director who will work to the removal of the old exhibition and repainting Passenger Transport Executive, Transport increase ridership and external funding. and plastering by students from Derby College. for Greater Manchester, Transport for One task will be to get a reduction in the SEATON (UK). Seaton Tramway will operate London, T-2000 Tram 2000, The Scotsman, liability insurance required by the CSX Santa Special services on Sundays during TMS, urbanrail.net and vegasine.com

476 DECEMBER 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org [email protected] +44 (0)1832 281145 Letters Letters should be clearly typed and preferably not handwritten. Get your views into print We reserve the right to shorten all contributions for publication.

Light rail is great... if we can afford to run it Over the years I’ve followed the relentless could justify installing trams in the first learning-by-doing, the French realise optimism, expressed in the pages of place; in such cities where tramways that tramways can be built much more TAUT, of how trams (and especially new already exist some replacement by efficiently and cheaply. This was, and still ones) will save our urban environments cheaper buses might, sadly, be the most is, a painful learning process – look for from decay and pollution. New lines appropriate solution if an efficient public instance at Caen or Nancy, at Rouen with that have been built all over the world transport operation is to be retained. its expensive tunnel, or at trackwork in have been celebrated as evidence of this Andrew Beech, South Croydon (UK) many towns which has had to be renewed approach being the correct one. only a few years after it was laid new.

There have been some Cassandras, Besancon:5 A tramway too far? It seems funny to read that in order to arguing that tram lines are very expensive We are all enchanted about the rebirth save money the line in Besançon is laid to build and therefore not always the best of trams in France over the last 25 years. through narrow streets, pointing out that solution to adopt to meet urban transport I remember well when I went to Nantes this saves money in comparison with work needs. But these have usually been and Grenoble in the late 1980s to study needed in wider streets. Usually the main countered with arguments that, if only how the French managed to insert a reason for defining the route should be the transport professionals and politicians completely new infrastructure into the highest possible benefit for passengers. could get their act together, costs could middle of historic town centres. Trams create a lot of basic costs as be brought down and the spread of It was, and is, an unbelievable success they need special infrastructure and tramways could continue unabated. story and only very few will disagree individual maintenance work that makes I’ve just returned from Sicily, where I when walking around Strasbourg or such infrastructure expensive. To me it visited the line in Messina. This was built Bordeaux today and comparing it with seems almost impossible to believe that in 2002-03 and has 15 new trams. The line the times before the trams arrived. one can operate a system with vehicles no cost a lot of money and, frankly, the cost On the other hand, I believe trams are bigger than articulated buses and a tiny of servicing the debt risks bankrupting not a useful mode of transport for smaller ‘network’ of just 14.5km (nine miles) at the operator (ATM) and bringing the line cities and I am not sure if Besançon is not reasonable costs; this will actually be a down. Nearly half the trams built just a step too far. But why do I say this? very expensive operation – and if, as we nine years ago are in various stages of all hope, people use the trams and there cannibalisation to keep the others on the "After 25 years of is an urgent need to make them bigger, road. ATM can't afford a maintenance further investment will be needed to contract or to buy spares to maintain adapt the stops in comparison to create the trams themselves. Those that are still learning-by-doing, the at once longer stops. And, if this happens, running are in various states of disrepair. where is money really saved then? The track, in places, is in very French now realise I read that Besançon citizens currently poor condition, so Messina’s trams use public transport for 140 trips/year/ bounce around, making travel quite that tramways can be person – an excellent number compared uncomfortable. Modern low-floor trams to other French cities, even tram cities! are not designed to ride on track in built more efficiently Will it really be possible to create so deteriorated condition. Service speeds much more ridership that the investment have had to be reduced and, of course, and cheaply." in creating a tramline will be justified? the wear is getting progressively worse. Firstly, around two-thirds (sometimes Lastly, building and maintaining grassed The timetable (available only online; more) of the money needed to operate trackwork need not be expensive; it can there is nothing at stops to indicate public transport is spent on the look very good with much lower expense. when a tram might turn up) states equipment; if you don’t have enough The French seem aware of this. A lot of that services run every 11-12 minutes ridership to operate trams of at least research has been done on this topic, for during the day; it could be much more 30m, you don’t need trams and under instance at Dresden University together frequent were all the trams available such circumstances they will always be with DVB, resulting in a high- quality for service. In practice, service intervals more expensive to operate than buses. grassed track system that requires little of 15-20 minutes are not uncommon. Next, is Besançon really an innovative, maintenance work. Sorry, I also have The trams are often packed, except that low-cost system? Maybe in the context no sympathy for green plastic imitation most passengers during the day are of French trams, but not compared with which claims to be (or look like) grass.... students whose use of public transport is international experience. Creating new Please do not misunderstand me: the subsidised, reducing income still further. tramlines in Germany means investment French tram revolution is one of the This is all very sad. But it is not unique. of no more (and often below) EUR10m/ most exciting and wonderful transport There have already been closures in some km in a suburban context, without the developments of our times. But at the parts of the world. Perhaps we need to need to undertake heavy works alongside moment it seems some cities are unaware be more realistic about promoting the the line. The amount you have to spend that initial investments are not the end – it cause of trams as a component of public in more difficult circumstances is usually will be much more difficult for these cities transport; recognising that what we hope about EUR16m/km and in very special to ensure they can pay the operating costs. might be affordable now could be quite situations may rise to EUR20m/km. If they cannot manage this then maybe unsustainable in the future. Creating a tramway in France has history will repeat itself and some minor We certainly need to reconsider our always been an expensive job up systems will be closed when the first position about the suitability of trams for to now in comparison to Belgium, renewal of infrastructure and rolling small and medium-sized cities. There can Austria, Switzerland, Germany or The stock becomes necessary. be few of these where potential income Netherlands. Now, after 25 years of Thomas Naumann, Würzburg (Germany)

www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org december 2012 477 More reasons for conduit adoption sometimes happened in London. The other Finally, a quote from the esteemed former The case for slot-conduit in Britain can be rails would be continuously welded. Light Rail Transit Association member simply put and, I would say, is very strong. Compared to the cost of road-building, Julian Thompson, who sadly passed away The general rate of new build tramways the addition of a conduit tramway would be earlier this year. From his excellent book, in Britain is very slow, almost snail-like. marginal. This is something that is not on London Trams In Camera (1971): “On At current rates it’s going to take more than people’s radar; as roads are so expensive, aesthetic grounds, the conduit system was 800 years just to get back to what we had in almost anything else is a bargain. Whether a most desirable. Routes thus equipped had a 1927. A factor in this is the public’s dislike of conduit tramway is expensive or not rather pleasant lack of clutter. overhead wires and poles in towns and cities. depends on who has to pay for it... “On occasion, the system proved extremely In 1946, Sir Cyril Hurcomb, UK Permanent You don’t hear of motorways being flexible. In January 1949, a hole was excavated Under-Secretary of the Ministry of War unaffordable, or bus lanes or guided busways under the southbound track at Marius Road, Transport and later Chairman of the British for that matter. Yes, I propose the whole Balham, and the conduit (T-rails) disconnected Transport Commission, actually gave as a business of tramway track be handed over to for several feet. Service was not interrupted, serious reason for not modernising London's the Highway Authorities, and that the trams merely coasting over the gap. Tramways, the fact that wires would have 1870 Tramways Act be rescinded. “A water main burst at Midnight on March to go past the Houses of Parliament! Do we 29-30 1949. In Newington Butts, Elephant really believe that they would be allowed & Castle; all-night tram cars were diverted today? The Docklands Light Railway was "If an LRT scheme is via Walworth Road, but by 9am on the 30th, legally forbidden to use overhead wires. when excavations were proceeding, while The fact that surface current collection rejected by politicians the track was supported on concrete blocks, systems such as APS are being promoted although, all other traffic was diverted. rather proves the above point. However, such because of wires, “These remarks apply to the latter years of systems all suffer from being tied to one tramway operation, when maintenance was at company's product. A basic conductor rail then what is the a minimum, but even under these conditions system is fundamentally simple, robust and the system was relatively reliable”. reliable if it is well-designed and maintained. current plan B?" Alan Hayday, Weston Super Mare (UK) Overhead wire systems are becoming less and less acceptable in the 21st Century, The cost of conduit construction would Better engagement with industry except where they already exist (e.g. reduce as experience and techniques improve Occasionally I dip into my 50 years-worth Blackpool). The exception, I’m prepared and standardisation develops. Concrete would of Modern Tramway and TAUT and it’s to concede, is in the case of interurban be the basic structure, not cast iron, and interesting to read a specific series of articles tramways and especially where railways are concrete blocks would surface the roadway, running over several issues. converted to tram operation. Then, simple not granite setts and iron hatches. I’m not One constant is noticing something missed overhead should be used, with wooden poles. advocating side slot conduit, centre slot must first time round. In a recent instance I read for If an LRT scheme is rejected by politicians be the best option. the first time a letter from Mr T V Runnacles in because of wires, then what is the current Costs could be further reduced by adopting the December 1970 issue. I was struck by how plan B? As I have already stated the main metre gauge instead of 1435mm. This would prescient his analysis was of the problems and objections to current surface collection also allow much tighter curves, most useful differing views surrounding magazine content systems, conduit may well be more cost- in most British towns and cities – after all, in as well as Light Railway Transport League effective. T- Rail life could be doubled by Switzerland, it is a legal requirement. (later LRTA) policy. Some of the points he using stainless steel, plus an aluminium strip Birmingham once had an extensive raised then surface again from time to time. to reduce resistance and bond the joints. 1067mm tramway system; why everything Of course the readership profile of this There would be expansion gaps in the T-rails has to be standard gauge I cannot pretend to magazine has changed and is inevitably still to avoid them buckling in hot weather as understand. changing. The number of readers having

Book Reviews

Tramvaj U Zagrebu (Trams in Zagreb) 1891–2011 Tussen Stad en Land Dražen Bijelić and Željko Halambek. Herman van ‘t Hoogerhuijs and Marco Moerland

402 pages, A4 landscape, softback. 208 pages, A4, hardback. 384 photos (127 in colour). Over 1000 illustrations, including many Dutch text. Reviewed by Mike Taplin. colour photographs, drawings, maps and diagrams. Croation and English text. The subtitle to this book is ‘A portrait of the Reviewed by Carl Isgar. interurban tram’. The term came from North America, where huge networks were built and then This detailed account of the abandoned under the onslaught of motorisation, tramways of Zagreb commemorates but the focus of this book is European examples. the system’s 120th anniversary. It These are reviewed on a country-by-country lavishly covers the horse cars from 1891 until their final demise in basis, starting with a chapter on the well-known 1910, the introduction and development of the electric tramway from Dutch interurbans, some of which survived into 1910 until 1945, the reconstruction of the network after World War the era of colour photography. UK examples include the Swansea Two and subsequent developments to 1990, followed by an account & Mumbles and Grimsby & Immingham. of the difficulties faced during and after the break-up of Yugoslavia. Final chapters take a look elsewhere in the world and at survivors Further chapters deal with infrastructure, a complete overview of in museums. You will probably be surprised at how many examples of all trams and trailers operated and a comprehensive fleet list. interurban trams survive in every corner of Europe, from Oslo to Arad.

Available from: LRTA Publications, 35 High Street, Moulton, Available from: A-B-O-U-T, Spalding PE12 6QB or online at www.lrta.info/shop 4 Borderside, Yateley, GU46 6LJ Price: £38.50 plus P&P at +10% UK, +20% outside UK, Price: £32.90 plus P&P at +10% UK, +20% outside UK, or +40% for Airmail outside Europe. or +40% for Airmail outside Europe.

478 december 2012 www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org personal recollection of the first-generation that at certain times and at the outer extremes carried around 1800 cycles per month on one systems in the UK is diminishing. As a group of many lines there is plenty of space, and a route alone, with up to six bicycles suspended overall, we are also now less insular as travel desirable detail of carrying more passengers. from hooks at the front and rear of the possibilities have widened enormously. On Tyneside this has led to many being trams, generating added revenue of USD180 Mr Runnacles urged a more professional refused travel on near-empty trains. This is a per month, unattended by any increase in approach to urban transit. Of course some daft position – empty vehicles with demand operating expenses whatever”. members of the League/Association were for travel, but travel not allowed, especially at The year? 1897, and the figure of USD180 already nudging things in this direction. It times of day when the paucity of frequent bus based on a USD0.10 fare for bicycles (in is right that purely historical material be services meant that cycling was a practical addition to a USD0.10 for the passenger) concentrated in TAUT’s sister title Tramway way to get to and from the light rail service. would be substantially larger (at a rough guess Review and right, too, that TR now includes Nexus has therefore run a survey, with an USD25 000–USD30 000 at today’s values). historical items from overseas systems. incentive for early replies, and with the timing The new trams recently supplied to Croydon It is also right that surveys of systems extant predictable for anything to do with public are identical to those supplied to Bergen in give at least a nod to their origins. Plus, since transport another campaign turns up with an Norway, where cycle carriage is permitted, and they cover museum lines and trams which e-petition for cycle carriage on the proposed those lobbying for change point out that several can be visited and ridden on, Mike Russell’s tram-train service in Sheffield, at the same time. trams provided in the past also have equivalent articles also have an assured readership. Sooner or later someone is going to have models operated under similar conditions. Peoples’ views vary of course. My own is that to bite the bullet and run a pilot scheme, as Sheffield has run cyclist-only charters, and TAUT now contains the right mix of material, recognised experts TTK recommended to surveyed passenger reaction to a cardboard and that the interface with Government and Transport for London when commissioned dummy bike on board – generally the response industry has made leaps and bounds. For that, to do a report on cycle carriage for London being “What a good idea, when will it be the LRTA’s officers are to be commended. Tramlink in 2007. As yet no-one has officially happening?” However, progress on every Nigel Eames, by e-mail done so, but reports of unofficial travel with front is slow with clear impasse between the cycles on many of the systems do come in. operators and those pressing for the change, or Time for universal bike access How interesting then to square with the in some cases restoration of the ability to get Unlike their European counterparts UK light quote highlighted in the US DoT Case Study between places by taking bikes on rail vehicles. rail operators have maintained a steadfast No 9: Linking Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities I wonder if change might just come now position on refusing to carry cycles, aside from with Transit, and its precursor produced by that cycling for everyday utility purposes is those that can be folded and taken aboard as the Worldwatch Instutute, from which much increasing at such a significant rate. hand luggage. This is despite the clear position of the material is drawn: “One operator Name supplied, by e-mail

75 LRTA Vice-President David Russell and, in owing to recent major surgery from which he turn, proposed a toast to the LRTA to which was making a good recovery. 1937–2012 2012 LRTA AGM our Chairman Andrew Braddock proposed Also unable to attend was LRTA President a toast to the Railway Procurement Agency Geoff Lusher, whose address was read by The Association held its 75th Annual General and other guests. Andrew Braddock. Reports were received on Meeting and Dinner in Dublin over the Outgoing RPA Chief Executive Frank the work of the Finance, External Relations, weekend of 29-30 September, in the city’s Allen reviewed his involvement with the Membership and Publications Groups and historic Wynn’s Hotel. creation of the Luas network and looked tribute was paid by David Russell to all The events commenced with a reception at forward to the completion of the link between LRTA officers for their continued support. the magnificent library of the Irish Railway the Green and Red lines with the extension Peter Snook was re-elected as Secretary and Record Society at Heuston Station on the of the former northwards to Broombridge. Andrew Braddock, Jim Harkins and Matt Friday evening, continued with special tram Details of this project were included in an Johnston were all re-elected to the Council. tours of the Luas Red and Green lines on the excellent presentation by RPA Light Rail Grateful thanks are due to the IRRS, Saturday and Sunday and rounded off with Director Michael Sheedy. the RPA, Luas operator Veolia-Transdev a fascinating visit to the Steam Museums Seventy members and guests took part in and especially to the LRTA’s Republic of at Straffan and Stradbally on the Monday the weekend, which marked three-quarters of Ireland Area Officer Clifton Flewitt for the – incorporating narrow-gauge steam train a century of the Association’s existence. tremendous support they all gave to ensure rides at the latter. During the formal AGM proceedings, the weekend’s success. At the Dinner, IRRS Secretary Oliver good wishes were extended to LRTA Patron Next year’s AGM weekend is provisionally Doyle responded to the toast proposed by Geoffrey Claydon, who was unable to attend fixed as 21-22 September, in Manchester.

The full list of the year’s meetings and meeting places can also be MEETINGS & EVENTS found at www.lrta.org

November . Thursday 29. Manchester 19.00. Jim 19.40. Les Dench & Brian Boddy: Guilty Tickets Harkins: Campaigning – UKTram/LRTA today. (travel tickets during World War Two). (TLRS) . Monday 19. Liverpool 19.30. Alan . Friday 30. Edinburgh 19.30. Ian . Friday 14. Glasgow 19.30. Alan Pearce: Williams: More from Australia. (TLRS) Souter: A Byzantine approach to urban and Jack Wyse's Scottish tram films. (STTS) . Monday 19. Wickham 19.30. Terry interurban transport (Turkey 2006 and 2010). . Saturday 15. Beeston 12.00. Christmas Chase: Towers, trams and white elephants. (TLRS) December meal at Toby Inn. (TLRS) . Tuesday 20. London 19.00. Martin . Saturday 15. Beeston 14.00. Roger Jenkins: Glasgow trams in colour. . Tuesday 4. Southampton 19.30. TBC Benton: Films from the TMS Archive (TLRS) . Wednesday 21. Bristol 19.30. Alan (LRTA/SEG). . Saturday 15. Taunton 14.00. Christmas Wilkins: Four cities. . Thursday 6. Blackpool/Cleveleys 19.30. Meal: David Edwards – 01392 462860 (TLRS) . Saturday 24. Beeston 14.00. Steve Burd: Annual Quiz. (Fylde Tramway Society) . Monday 17. Sheffield 19.30. Roger Blackpool’s tramway. (TLRS) . Friday 8. Leeds 19.00. Paul Abel: Benton: Early days at Crich. . Saturday 24. Garstang 14.00. North American tramways. . Monday 17. Wickham 19.30. Provisional topic: Isle of Man Day. (TLRS) . Monday 10. Liverpool 19.30. Christmas Christmas Bash! (TLRS) . Wednesday 28. Richmond 19.00. Dinner at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. (TLRS) . Tuesday 18. London 19.00. M J Russell: John Prentice: Trams of East London. (TLRS) . Wednesday 12. Brighton (Southwick) South American Journey 2012.

www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org december 2012 479 Classic Trams: Bruxelles Celebrating the unsung heroes

The finale to this year’s 30th anniversary season of events staged by the Bruxelles (Brussels) tram museum was held over the first weekend of October. Mike Russell reports with special reference to the second day, dedicated to the works car.

his year marks the 30th anniversary of the opening 1 of the Bruxelles (Brussels) tramway museum and personnel of the Muséé du Transport Urbain BruxelloisT (MTUB), the body responsible for operating it, have marked the anniversary with a series of events spread throughout the year. There has been a series of days devoted to one or more individual tramcars or pairs, and a grand parade of the extensive museum car fleet on 25 March. The grand finale to the season was a twin-themed two-day event on the first weekend of October; Saturday 6 October was devoted to the PCC car in Bruxelles and its direct ancestors. A formidable array of rolling stock was assembled to illustrate its development over a span of 60 years and more, complemented by a visit by the metre-gauge former SNCV PCC car 10409 repatriated from Beograd (Belgrade) in 1986 and now operational at the ASVi museum line at Lobbes-Thuin. The exhibition of this car outside Woluwe depot’s main hall gave a rare opportunity for the use of the museum’s short stretch of external metre-gauge track. Any tramway of any size relies upon works cars to keep the fleet and tracks in good order, and the greatest 1 An overview 2 tramways have large fleets of them. These workhorses tend of works vehicles to be eclipsed by the shadow of their passenger-carrying outside Woluwe compatriots but they should not be, as without their work museum on 7 no tramway could function properly. The best tramway October. Prominent museums acknowledge their contribution by including a in the foreground works car or two in their collections, but Bruxelles has are ballast cars 272 probably the finest collection of all and Sunday 7 October and trailer 289, was dedicated to them – the day of the works car. and breakdown car 59 in STIB livery. Works car wonders Various ancillary Where would many tramway museums be today were it works vehicles are not for their works cars? Many early former passenger cars directly outside the were subsequently converted for works duties and ended their second careers just in time to be rescued and rebuilt to museum. passenger condition for inclusion in museum collections. Many of the older passenger cars in the Bruxelles museum are in fact reconstructions from works cars, but here the collection also comprises a large selection of cars retained in the form to which they were converted (or in some cases 3 built new) for special duties. Competition from participants in the Bruxelles Marathon road run, the route of which passed by Woluwe depot and caused disruption to many city tramway services, effectively precluded operation on the Sunday morning, but the opportunity was taken to mount a comprehensive display of the rolling stock on the museum and depot track fan. Many of these cars have not seen the light of day for many years and until the nocturnal test-runs during this summer, one or two had not turned a wheel for more than 40 years. This was their day of glory. Some of those on display – the former Standard two-axle cars which were converted to various types of works car late in their lives – are old friends and appear from time to time at special events and parades, but those that received the greatest attention were the small number still carrying the Tramways Bruxelleois (TB) works car livery of zebra chocolate brown and white stripes which normally reside within the confines of the museum’s Hall Guy Cudell. Of the cars in STIB yellow/black works car livery, there were two Dépannage or breakdown cars. Car 2 was

480 december 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org 4 2 SNCV PCC car 5 10409, normally resident at the ASVi Lobbes-Thuin museum line, made a guest appearance. It stands on metre- gauge track laid to enable the display of former SNCV rolling-stock. 3 A line-up of PCC cars and their immediate predecessors at Woluwe on 6 October. From left 6 are third-series PCC 7 7126, prototype Exposition bogie car 5001 of 1935, first- series PCC 7016, the last PCC bogie car of all (7171) and prototype articulated PCC, 7500, of 1962. 4 The STIB contributed two current works vehicles, including the purpose- converted from rebuilt Exposition bogie car 5021 in 1977, built Windhoff static display in the works car line-up at Woluwe but one had whilst two-axle car 7, formerly the breakdown car attached track-laying and rather despaired of seeing it operational again. One under- to Woluwe depot itself, was originally built in the TB works maintenance estimates the ingenuity and determination of the MTUB at in 1934 and converted from STIB motor car 1411 in 1970. set, here passing one’s peril, however, and the announcement earlier this year Of similar vintage is a snowplough, or chasse-neige, 16, Woluwe depot. that 95 would take an active part in the works car day was one of nine similar conversions from Standard cars (in this met with a mix of incredulity and acclamation. case 1404) in the 1970s. 5 Selection of cars Nocturnal test journeys during the summer with this and Ex-Standard car 1194 became works car 33 and served that would take part the other older TB rolling-stock revealed a hot axle-box as a truck, or general purpose works vehicle; for the event, in the cavalcade, on or two but nothing that could not be remedied in time for it was attached to tank trailer 131, itself built on the chassis the Woluwe track- October and 95 proudly made a journey to Tervuren as the of Standard car 1266 in 1973, for use as a weed-killing car fan on 7 October. highlight of the works car cavalcade, remaining there on on reserved track sections. Car 46 is termed a marche lente From left are slow- display for around 90 minutes before returning home. Most or slow-motion car and for the day was attached to rail- motion car 46, sand of the other cars made their return journeys from Tervuren grinding trailer 145, a small trailer of unknown vintage or car 55, Barnum to the surface turning loop on the streets around Square provenance. The final yellow-liveried works car was sand snowbroom 95 and Montgomery before making a further sortie to Tervuren car 55, ex-Standard 1287. Also to be placed in this group is snowplough 16. and then returning to Woluwe. Unsurprisingly, contrary breakdown car 59, which appears in traditional STIB cream to usual MTUB practice at special events, the works cars livery with blue lining, built by TB in 1934 as car 3407, and 6 In the forest of participating in the cavalcade did not carry passengers. now carrying Dépannage or breakdown headboards. Auderghem on the Whilst the greater part of the works car event was The examples in TB livery seldom leave the confines of Tervuren line; in devoted to those older vehicles now in the museum’s the museum proper and it was a pleasure to inspect them in Tramways Bruxellois collection, the STIB contributed two examples from its broad daylight. Car 269, on static display within Woluwe’s works car livery current works fleet to lead the procession. One was PCC confines and unable to move of its own motion, was built is ballast-tipping car 7055, which hauled trailer 116, a tank car for use as a by TB in 1920 as a tower-wagon car. Another static exhibit works car 272 of track maintenance vehicle on reserved track sections, the was shunter 261, which pre-dates World War One and is 1927, which hauled size of which makes its predecessor, tank trailer 131, seem equipped with SNCB railway buffers for shunting duties ballast trailer 289 miniscule. By far the most imposing – not to say daunting – at rail-connection facilities. Car 272, however, was much beast seen on Bruxelles’ tracks was the new Windhoff set, a more active; this is an open-sided ballast-tipping car built in in the cavalcade. huge purpose-built three-car train of cars used for new track 1927 by the Ateliers de Godarville and for its appearance on 7 Former Woluwe construction and track maintenance works. 7 October it hauled trailer 289, which is around a century depot two-axle Very few tramway museums can mount a substantial old and was used for the transport of ballast. breakdown car 7 display featuring only works cars and in this regard Bruxelles almost certainly has the greatest capability. One never fails Star of the show enters the surface turning loop of to be amazed at the thoughtful innovation displayed by the Arguably the star of the show was Barnum snowbroom 95, Square Montgomery events in the MTUB’s programme and can only muse upon built by the J G Brill company of Philadelphia and imported what could be next by way of a special event. complete in 1904 (its sister car of 1906, 96, is preserved in Rue G et J Sunday 7 October was the first such event since Whitsun at Crich, in the UK). These giant American-style two-axle Martin. 1988 (when a morning event staged between Gare du snow-sweepers were used for reserved track sections of Midi and Place J Mennekens allowed operation of a high- lines but were out of use by the early 1970s and then stored All photographs by frequency service of works cars before the great cull later out of sight (though not out of mind) in the basement of the author on 6-7 that year) and recognition of the vital role played by the Schaerbeek depot. Car 95 cuts an impressive figure whilst on October 2012. works car in keeping tramways in top condition. TAUT

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org december 2012 481 To place an advertisement please contact Andy Adams

Telephone: +44 (0)1832 281135 Email: [email protected] Trade rates available to bookshops, libraries and museums on books New from LRTA Publications published by the LRTA. Order on-line from: lrta.info/shop

Postage/packing extra: Or by post from: Any UK address: Add 10% LRTA Publications, 35 High Street, Moulton, (minimum £2.00, maximum £7.50) Spalding, PE12 6QB Outside UK: Add 20% Trade rates available to bookshops, libraries and (minimum £4.00, maximum £15.00) museums on books published by the LRTA. For Airmail outside Europe: Add 30% (minimum £6.00, maximum £22.50) Please contact [email protected] for more details 2013 Calendars TRAM 2000 2013 Straßenbahn 2013 The favourite high-quality From the publishers calendar from Belgium. of STRASSENBAHN As usual it contains 17 MAGAZIN. Two pages stunning colour pictures per month format with 27 of Belgian trams and colour pictures of trams extends to January 2014. from around the world. Detailed photo captions Photo captions in German. in both Flemish and French. A4 size, spiral binding. 365mm x 255mm, spiral binding.

Price: £12.80 (UK VAT included) Price: £14.50 (UK VAT included)

Oporto’s Trams Past and Present Les Tramways Francais5 en 2012 Disc 1 traces the history of Oporto’s fi rst generation There are a limited number of copies tramway using extensive available of the latest edition of this quality archive fi lm shot in popular French-language tramway the 1980’s and 90’s. Also reference work, which is subtitled featured are the centenary “Long live the Tram!” celebrations when former Modern tramways are now mule car 22 re-enacted the operating in almost all of France’s original run from Carmo to major cities, not to mention the Ile- Massarelos in 1995, and a de-France (Paris region). Another number of preserved cars ran two have opened in 2011, with many more on the giving free rides. The former way over the coming years. These are all fully trolleybuses are also shown. covered in Les Tramways Français en 2012, together Disc 2 covers the three with details of the nation’s future tramway plans. heritage routes which brought trams Featuring full and detailed descriptions of current back to the city centre. There is also considerable systems, town-by-town, with reviews of the latest coverage of the modern Metro do Porto light rail network technology, this title is a must for all affi cionados of and the extensive tramway museum. French tramways.

Price: £17.95 – Double album (122 mins) DVD-R format Price: £12.50 – A4 – 90 pages

482 DECEMBER 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org

482_TAUT1212_Classified.indd 1 30/10/2012 08:53 Layout_Adpage.indd 1 31/10/2012 10:08 Layout_Adpage.indd 1 operating 94 Bombardier-built vehicles proving enormously popular and reliable during the London Olympics 2012. Olympics London the during reliable and popular enormously proving vehicles Bombardier-built 94 operating system, transport public driverless automated, fully first by the served is Railway Light Docklands the area, Docklands 24 FLEXITY operates Croydon System the Tramlink In London, centre. city Manchester Greater busy the in congestion ease significantly which to date, vehicles rail light SWIFT FLEXITY 94 ordered has Manchester Greater for Transport operator, tram Manchester, In vehicle. one into trams Bombardier of features proven outstanding, the bringing best’, the of ‘best FLEXITY The leader. market the from vehicles rail light and trams for have opted Manchester and London Blackpool, in operators UK, the In solutions. dual-mode as as well vehicles rail light high-capacity to trams low-floor 100% from ranging solutions, BOMBARDIER* The FLEXITY* www.transportation.bombardier.com *Trademark(s) ofBombardier Inc.oritssubsidiaries. Second line Headline 2 trams, which have been in successful revenue service in Blackpool since April 2012, incorporate the the incorporate 2012, April since Blackpool in service revenue successful in have been which 2trams, Compe for The UK Ligh Tram and Tram Swift light rail vehicles on its 28-km network. And linking the centre of London with the eastern eastern the with London of centre the linking And network. 28-km its on vehicles rail light Swift family encompasses the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of tram and light rail rail light and tram of portfolio comprehensive most industry’s the encompasses family T r T en ai Ce L 26/10/2012 16:27

*Warenzeichen der Bombardier*Trademark(s) Inc. of oder Bombardier ihrer Tochtergesellschaften. Inc. or its subsidiaries. in association with

75

1937–2012 Proudly operating world-leading integrated networks

www.keolis.com www.keolisuk.com

121018_KEOLIS_AD.indd 1 19/10/2012 11:49 the LIGHT An industry RAIL AWARDS 2 012 that’s beating the Best Customer Initiative world recession Sponsored by Tramways & Urban Transit Highly Commended: London Rail – New Tramlink Timetable In his third year at the Highly Commended: DB Regio Tyne & Wear – Real Time Passenger Light Rail Awards, Norman Updates Baker MP reflected on Winner: Transport for Greater Manchester – Disability Design a fantastic year for the Proudly operating Reference Group industry. Jon Hill Environmental Initiative SPONSORED BY BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION world-leading Highly commended: MPact-Thales – Recycling and Waste Management Winner: Dijon Tramway – Environmental Management Plan Most Significant Safety Initiative SPONSORED BY MOTT MACDONALD integrated networks Highly commended: Transport for Greater Manchester – Tram Stop Upgrades Winner: Centro – Safer Travel Command Centre Innovti a on of the Year SPONSORED BY RATP DEV Highly commended: Transport for Greater Manchester – Utilities Programme On the day that the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) was in Winner: London Rail – Emirates Air Line virtual meltdown after a multi-million heavy rail operating deal was UK Project of the Year embarrassingly abandoned because the DfT got its figures wrong, SPONSORED BY THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ASSOCIATION Transport Minister Norman Baker must have been gratified to get a Highly commended: Ultra Global – Heathrow Pod warm round of applause at the 7th Annual Light Rail Awards. Highly commended: London Rail – Tramlink Fleet Expansion Mr Baker, now in his third year as the Parliamentary JOINT Winner: Transport for Greater Manchester Under-Secretary of State for Transport, gave his enthusiastic – Manchester-Oldham Mumps Extension support for the industry’s flagship event in London on 6 October. JOINT Winner: Nottingham Express Transit – Daring to be Different The MP addressed a sell-out audience of almost 300 senior figures from across the world, and met with visitors from North Africa, the Supplier of the Year – Under EUR10m United States, Spain, France and Germany as well as the UK. SPONSORED BY KEOLIS Mr Baker said how pleased he was that the industry had Highly commended: Data Display responded so positively to his ‘Tram Summit’ initiatives to get Winner: North Star Consultancy senior experts around the table, addressing major issues that will Supplier of the Year – Above EUR10m ultimately bring costs down. Two meetings have been held so far, SPONSORED BY KEOLIS and the next ‘one shop, one stop’ session was due to take place in Highly commended: Bombardier Transportation Birmingham on 9 November. Winner: Tata Steel Rail While not promising further investment, he added: “All of us – Government, operators, manufacturers and constructors – have to Consultant of the Year make sure that light rail has a bright and progressive future.” Highly commended: Bircham Dyson Bell In his annual summary, Howard Johnston, TAUT Publisher and a Highly commended: Parsons Brinckerhoff member of the UK’s Light Rapid Transit Forum, spoke of another Winner: Mott MacDonald magnificent year for light rail around the world. Internationally, Manufacturer of the Year he said, despite the world recession, billions of dollars, Euros and Winner: Bombardier Transportation Chinese Yuan are being invested in light rail and metros. Over the last 12 months alone, the length of the Beijing Metro Employee/Team of the Year has reached almost 400km (248.5 miles), and a whole string of Highly commended: Nexus new projects have been approved across China over the next two Highly commended: Network Rail, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport decades. Significant joint venture deals have been signed in Russia, Executive, Sheffield Supertram Brazil and India. Winner: Ben Rodriguez, Metrolink RATP Dev In the Middle East, the Dubai Metro is now the longest driverless Rising Star Award metro system in the world and North Africa isn’t missing out SPONSORED BY PARSONS BRICKERHOFF on the light rail revolution with a new tramways in Algiers and Winner: Lindsay Moyles, Transport for Greater Manchester another in Casablanca opening before the end of the year. In the US, the Obama Administration has unveiled the largest ever Operator of the Year SPONSORED BY UKTRAM surface transportation bill ever, with a share of the USD105bn total Winner: Serco Docklands helping to fast-track streetcar and light rail projects. Dublin’s Luas cross-city connector has been approved despite Worldwide Project of the Year major projects in Ireland being cancelled and in the UK expansion SPONSORED BY ATKINS of existing systems is encouraging even if there are no new ones, Highly commended: Brest Tramway, France Highly commended: Casablanca Tramway while the long-awaited tram-train trials are now firmly on course. Winner: Tranvía de Zaragoza, Spain LRA master of ceremonies Nicholas Owen added: “An event such as this can never totally reflect all the good things that are Judges’ Special Award for Outstanding going on, and it’s a little sad that many of the best projects simply Achievement don’t reach the eyes of the judges. Don’t miss out in 2013.” Special mention: Philip Purdy The 2012 judging panel comprised Colin Walton, former JOINT Winner: Colin Robey Chairman of Bombardier UK and Ireland (now an independent JOINT Winner: Roger Harrison consultant); Andrew Braddock, Director General of UKTram and LRTA Chairman; and Howard Johnston. www.keolis.com www.keolisuk.com www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2012 3

121018_KEOLIS_AD.indd 1 19/10/2012 11:49 highly commended: BEST CUSTOMER INITIATIVE London Rail – New Tramlink Timetable

sponsored by

The first award of the night went to a UK light rail system that takes its responsibility for the welfare of all its passengers very seriously. Accessibility to its platforms, ticket machines and trams highly must be easy from the beginning of the journey to the end. commended: As Awards host Nicholas Owen remarked: “It’s a cold fact of DB Regio Tyne life that public transport operators have a legal duty to ensure that & Wear – Real every passengers can get aboard easily and travel in comfort.” Time Passenger Transport for Greater Manchester’s dedicated Disability Design Updates Reference Group has gone to immense lengths to ensure that its GBP1.5m network expansion has achieved all these objectives. It assembled a panel of people with a wide range of disabilities, and the result is that all new stops, park-and-ride facilities, crossings, seating layouts in trams, even handrails, are designed for those with walking sticks and wheelchairs. As one visually-impaired passenger said: “You wouldn’t believe how little things can make all the difference. The staff treat every customer as a VIP instead of a problem.” Two Highly Commended awards were given in this category. The first was handed to London Rail, whose Tramlink network in Croydon has been creaking at the seams for some time because of a 45% increase in business over the last five years. Inevitably, passengers have been left behind at tram stops at peak times despite 22 of the 24 trams in the fleet being in service. A complete rethink of operations has taken place over last 12 months, with the tram fleet increasing by six, a new double track section laid, and the timetable turned inside out. The second Highly Commended honour went to DB Regio Tyne Winner & Wear, which has cut complaints by half through a comprehensive Transport for Greater Manchester – communications campaign incorporating social media. Disability Design Reference Group

highly ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE commended: MPact-Thales – Recycling and Waste sponsored by Management

It’s the proud boast of the Dijon Tramway that not a single drop of drinking water is used to wash its trams, or water the 4000 trees that have been planted alongside the track. Dijon’s commitment to environmental sustainability therefore made it a deserved winner of the Environmental Initiative award. Dijon chose to make the tram the backbone of its public transport network and a key element in its ‘green’ commitments. It opened the first line of its planned 20km (12.5-miles) system in September 2012. The 35 tram stops are served by 33 Alstom Citadis trams, and 90 000 passengers/day are forecast. Water is stored in retention ponds before being discharged into the environment and energy from 5000 solar panels on the depot roof are enough to power everything at the vehicle maintenance centre. Concrete from demolished buildings has gone into build- ing platforms instead of going to landfill. The Highly Commended award was given to the Mpact-Thales Consortium in Manchester (UK), which has been red hot on recycling during the investment of GBP1.5bn to increase the size of the Metrolink network to over 100km (62 miles) by 2016. Winner Mpact-Thales recycles 99.5% of its waste and is proud that when Dijon Tramway – Environmental the contractors have gone home, you can’t see where they have been. Management Plan

4 light rail awards 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org MOST SIGNIFICANT INNOVATION SAFETY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

sponsored by sponsored by Centro’s Safer Travel Command Centre has cost GBP1.2m This category always attracts a large response, and for to set up, but it is considered that it will pay for itself within 2012 the judges admitted to having had problems separat- three years. The Light Rail Awards judges selected this pro- ing out some excellent entries that in a normal year could ject as the best in a well-contested category. all expect to have won easily. The new centre is a ground-breaking initiative, After long deliberation, London Rail’s Emirates Air Line representing co-ordination between West Midlands Police, was singled out as the winner. It is a new cable car that British Transport Police and National Express. By using crosses the River Thames and is a ‘first’ for the UK. It took communications technology such as tweeting and instant just two years to enter service from the contracts being let. messaging, the public are urged to participate with the It was opened well in time for the 2012 Olympic Games, message ‘See Something Say Something… and tweet if and provides a quick, direct and fully-accessible service you can.’ Recorded crime on public transport continues to for 2500 passengers an hour in each direction between the fall sharply, not only on trams, but local railways and the Greenwich Peninsula and Royal Docks. Two 600-tonne bus network as well. towers stand mightily on two sides of the water with a James Aspinall of Centro collected the award from kilometre of cables and 34 cabins suspended from them. Divisional Director of Mott MacDonald, David Hand. The entry said: “With an extremely challenging timeline The Highly Commended award was picked up by Trans- easily met, the Emirates Air Line deserves the accolade port for Greater Manchester for its tram stop upgrade of the most innovative transport project of the year.” The programme. The first phase of Manchester Metrolink, judges unanimously agreed. now 20 years old, involved the takeover of two sections of Transport for Greater Manchester featured again in this rundown railway from Altrincham and Bury, connected up category, joining partner M-Pact Thales to collect a Highly by a new street section across the city centre. Commended award for its sensible approach to the move- As investment was tight at the time, many of the original ment of pipes and cables during the construction of its new heavy rail stations received only minimum attention, and it extensions. As has been shown, particularly in Edinburgh, is only now that the finance has become available to make a poorly-specified relationship between contractors and them presentable. Over the last year, extensive rebuild- utility companies can delay a project by years and rack up ing has taken place, new lighting installed, dingy subways millions of pounds of unnecessary extra costs. stopped up, entrances widened, and new seating provided. Transport Minister Norman Baker regards understanding The judges said: “Transport for Greater Manchester inher- this issue as one of the most important challenges facing ited a very tatty rundown railway; 20 years on it has rebuilt our industry, and he was heartened to hear how well TfGM many stations, replacing surplus and shabby buildings with has managed 500 separate contracts with utility companies. smart new well-lit ones and installed new seating. The result The judges’ message was: “Go and talk to them – they’re is a modern LRT system that compares to any on the planet.” saving millions... and turning a mountain into a molehill.”

highly Highly commended: commended: Transport Transport for Greater for Greater Manchester Manchester – Tram Stop – Utilities Upgrades Programme

Winner Centro – Safer Travel Command Winner Centre London Rail – Emirates Air Line

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org light rail awards 2012 5 UK PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Faced with a high number of quality entries, the sponsored by council and tramway management agreed terms judges chose two winners, and also awarded two to push onwards and outwards with 17.5km Highly Commended certificates for 2012. (11 miles) of new track and infrastructure and 22 A 20-year dream was realised on 13 June when new trams. The regeneration benefit is thousands Manchester Metrolink was extended northwards 75 of new jobs. to Oldham Mumps, and the scheme’s clever The new Heathrow Pod system, mastermind- execution secured a Project of the Year trophy for ed by Ultra Global, took a Highly Commended Transport for Greater Manchester. honour. The ambition of a new PRT (Personal The judges heard testimonials from passengers Rapid Transit) system for London’s busiest who are impressed with the 12-minute service 1937–2012 airport has been a holy grail for over a decade. provided over the 11km (seven-mile) route, where Now, when you’re going to one of the UK’s main the low-frequency heavy rail service of life-expired diesel units airports, you can cruise past the approach roads when they are is now a memory. There are new trams, track has been renewed, jammed solid with cars, lorries coaches, minibuses and taxis. and stations, viaducts and bridges refurbished or replaced. Just six years from the conception, and entirely privately The judges said: “The Oldham extension is good for people, funded at a cost of just GBP30m, the scheme means good for the environment, good for jobs. The new tram services, Heathrow’s Terminal 5 now has a fleet of 21 pods for up to every 12 minutes, are a quantum leap from the smelly old diesel four people scooting along a dedicated 4km (2.5 miles) trains that used to run here, with smart new track and stations, guideway, using one third of the energy of a car. The system is bridges and viaducts. 99.5% reliable and runs 22 hours a day. “This will help transform the lives of thousands and as just London Rail was Highly Commended for its London Tram- part of the wider expansion of this already impressive system link service enhancement project in Croydon. It can sometimes will form greater links with Oldham (and eventually Rochdale) take years to order new trams, and it’s never easy to bed them and Manchester’s city centre.” in when they do arrive – especially when they’re a different Honours were shared with Nottingham Express Transit, design to the main fleet. whose ‘Daring to be Different’ entry revealed how nail-biting Six new Stadler Variobahn vehicles were procured and it was to secure funding approval for the two new extensions to diverted from the production line from Bergen in Norway to the existing system. London and successfully integrated just ten months after the Against a bitter background of a tumbling Euro, and with contract was signed. bank lending all but dried up and sharp UK Government spend- This has pumped some new blood into the veins of a ing cuts, the breakthrough signing of contracts was made at clogged-up system, and is a credit to the entire team involved precisely 15.36 on 15 December 2011. That was when the city with London Rail and operator First Tram Operations.

highly commended: highly commended: Ultra Global – Heathrow Pod London Rail – Tramlink Fleet Expansion

Winner Winner Transport for Greater Manchester – Nottingham Express Transit Oldham Mumps Extension – Daring to be Different

6 light rail awards 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR: SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR: UNDER EUR10M ABOVE EUR10M

sponsored by sponsored by

This is a new category for 2012, designed to level the Trams can’t operate properly if the steel rails they run on playing field for the smaller supply chain firms whoare aren’t up to the mark. The problem is, track is expensive catering for a very different market to the multi-nationals. and can wear out quickly when trams with steel wheels run The judging panel was pleased to see some fresh faces over it every few minutes day-in, day-out, so the scientific amongst the entries, and both this year’s honours went to process of extending rail life is an important safety issue as companies whose contribution to the success of the 2012 well as saving a fortune in the longer term. Olympic and Paralympic Games in London should never The 2012 major Supplier of the Year award went to Tata be underestimated. Steel Rail, a company that has attracted world attention for London’s Docklands Light Railway was at the heart of its new products that can last three times longer, and are the Olympic action, and day seven of the Games was the easier to repair. Tata Steel has also introduced innovative busiest of all with 500 736 passengers recorded. welding processes that are automated and efficient. Category winner North Star Consultancy was faultless in Finally, the firm has brought to market a new wrought steel its planning support in the 16-month run-up to the Games. for heavy duty use on crossings. As the judges were told: “During the busy fortnight, it The judges said: “Tata Steel Rail’s intensive research almost seemed like fun.” North Star is also making its mark and development process is a credit to the work it carries across the world, and the Dubai Metro has been so pleased out with established and new networks alike to develop with the service offered by this UK organisation that it has cutting-edge products that not only last longer, but also come back time and time again. reduce longer-term maintenance and renewal costs. The Highly Commended was Data Display UK, which also firm has commanded worldwide attention for its products rose magnificently to tight delivery challenges by supply- and for good reason.” ing over 100 new pin-sharp information displays to the The Highly Commended award went for another year DLR, and updated the original equipment as well. to Bombardier Transportation. With new tramways and Awards host Nicholas Owen added his own praise: “When metros opening at the rate of 20 a year around the world, you go into a station, you need to know exactly where you’re there are also scores more on the drawing board. It hasn’t all going, and how long you’re going to have to wait. This been plain sailing for Bombardier, but it offers an innova- company is going in the right direction, and now so are we!” tive range of solutions for a variety of applications, and the Francis De Wilde of Data Display UK told TAUT: “As a Blackpool Tramway has become the world showcase for 16 Customer Information Display designer and manufacturer examples of its latest low-floor tram, the Flexity 2. we constantly strive to deliver the best solutions to every Oliver Schmidt, Vice President, Sales and Products, and client. We are therefore thrilled to be recognised in this Bombardier UK’s Elaine Greenwood collected the award category as an outstanding supplier.” from Keolis UK Chief Executive Alistair Gordon.

highly highly commended: commended: Data Display Bombardier Transportation

Winner Winner North Star Consultancy Tata Steel Rail

8 light rail awards 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org consultant OF THE YEAR

The UK has good reason to take pride in being a world leader in in Canada, and congestion-easing strategies for Odense in Den- providing advice on good practice in public transport to govern- mark. ments, planners, and industry bodies. The judges have always been Light Rail Award Host Nicholas Owen added: “If you want impressed by the high quality of the companies in this market, advice on a floating bridge, cut-and-cover stations or squeezing and consider it very difficult to single out individual companies platforms into tiny places, these are the people to talk to.” for special attention. Bircham Dyson Bell was congratulated on its excellent work The 2012 winner is Mott MacDonald, which has made a delivering the Emirates Air Line cable car, across the River significant contribution to 40 light rapid transit schemes in the Thames in London, in just 24 months. last 12 months alone, across Europe, North America, the Far As a consultant, Bircham Dyson Bell was charged with East, and as far away as Honolulu. finding a clear route through the dense bureaucratic jungle of A high level of repeat business proves it has expertise and acquiring land, obtaining planning permission, and also securing commitment, as well as a close-knit staff across continents and air space. offices. Mott MacDonald has featured in theSunday Times Top The judges said: “In June 2010, London Mayor Boris 25 best big companies to work for the last six years, and as Johnson had a great idea – he wanted a cable car across the one mainland Europe systems operator remarked: “They have Thames, and he wanted it up and running in just 24 months. the magic touch. It’s a delight to work with such consistent “If you’re going to fight through the dense jungle of professionals.” acquiring land, getting planning permission, and also secure Highly Commended awards went to two other consultancies. airspace, you need an expert behind you. Seven local Parsons Brinkerhoff is also involved with major schemes authorities had to be brought on side, 61 agreements reached, across the globe, of which some of the most significant are in and a robust set of operating and safety rules set up. Seattle, Washington, light rail lines for Perth and Sydney in “Bircham Dyson Bell was exactly the right firm to manage Australia, a cross-town project to link Toronto and Hamilton this complex task – and all with its usual style and flair.”

highly commended: highly commended: Bircham Dyson Bell Parsons Brinckerhoff

Winner Mott MacDonald

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org light rail awards 2012 9

Liz West from Transport for Greater Manchester, the brains behind a clutch of well-recognised entries

Jim Harkins from the Light Rail Transit John Rymer (left) from Association and Stuart Tramlink operator and LRA Kerr from Vossloh Kiepe supporter First Tram Operations TAUT’s Vicky Binley congratulating Mott MacDonald’s David Hand; the firm took home an award for the second year running Yapi Merkei’s Atila Arik and Tarik Kartal made the long journey from Casablanca to collect their award

The CAF table is always filled with good humour, largely led by UK Business Development Manager Richard Garner

The CAF-hosted Champagne Reception brought together the great and the good from across the industry

8 december 2010 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org

The team from Newcastle-upon-Tyne are always the life and soul of any party. They celebrated two honours on the night

A very happy award-goer from Manchester gives his The team from verdict on the evening! London Tramlink

Worldwide Project sponsor Atkins is well-placed in that category, with many programme references across the globe High spirits on the Serco Docklands table, worthy winners of the 2012 Operator of the Year award

Manchester United: Lindsay Moyles from TfGM and Ben Rodriguez from Metrolink RATP Dev Zaragoza’s Carmen Dueso receiving the Worldwide Project of the Year honour

Former Managing Director of London Rail Ian Brown (left) shares a joke with UK Transport Minister Norman Baker

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org light rail awards 2012 11 EMPLOYEE/TEAM OF THE YEAR

This is always one of the most popular categories at the Light “I have worked within the public transport sector for the past Rail Awards because it recognises hard-working teams and nine years and within Metrolink for four and a half. I have many individuals who often have to complete their daily duties in thoughts and ideas on our system, and consider myself lucky to extreme circumstances. be able to work with a great team who encourage me to become The winner of the highly-coveted 2012 award is Ben involved with the various different aspects of the operation of Rodriguez, a ‘Minder Driver’ training instructor with Metrolink our network.” RATP Dev, the operator of Manchester Metrolink. No-one should A Highly Commended award went to the members of a con- ever underestimate the emotional challenge of taking to the sortium who have worked so hard to devise the business case controls of a street-running tram, because this really is the sharp for the forthcoming tram-train trials in South Yorkshire. The UK end of the business with thousands of passengers per day falling Government has released GBP58m for the new service between under your direct responsibility. the centre of Sheffield and Rotherham which is due to begin in Every trainee needs a kindly guardian, and Ben was put 2015, and the future of the mode in the UK could well depend on forward because of his consistently solid support for those who a positive outcome. have found the early stages of their training difficult. It has been a hard-fought battle over 14 months to persuade As his nominee told the judges: “Ben shows leadership and the UK Government to come up with the investment in straitened professionalism in any task he is asked to undertake. He is our times, and a close working relationship between the partners greatest ambassador.” has been essential. Praise is due therefore to the teams from Following his award, Ben told TAUT: “It gives me an Network Rail, Northern Rail, the South Yorkshire Passenger enormous sense of pride to have been nominated for this award Transport Executive and Stagecoach Supertram in pulling and I was delighted to have my work recognised in this way. together to achieve the desired result.

highly commended: Nexus

highly commended: Network Rail, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Sheffield Supertram Winner Ben Rodriguez – Metrolink RATP Dev

12 light rail awards 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org RISING STAR AWARD

Also Highly Commended were the team from UK Passenger sponsored by Transport Executive Nexus – everyone from senior engineers to back office staff – who got the Tyne & Wear Metro back up Transport for Greater Manchester is proud of Lindsay to 95% operation within 24 hours of the floods that devastated Moyles, one Metrolink staff member who has been pivotal the North East region of England on 28 June. in ensuring that its extensions have been well-received by A month’s rain fell in just 12 hours, which wasn’t predicted its thousands of fresh customers. She will also be proud by forecasters, and the impact was immediate and devastating. to have returned home from the Light Rail Awards with All rail and road routes were severed, and rivers burst their the Rising Star Award and a warm handshake from UK banks. Tyne & Wear Metro tracks were waist deep in water, Transport Minister Norman Baker. strewn with filthy debris, the signalling wrecked, and trains Another new entrant on the roster for 2012, this new abandoned where there they stopped. category recognises individuals who are relatively fresh When the waters did subside, an enormous recovery opera- to the business, but already making a significant impact tion swung into action to ensure the trains were up and running through their natural instincts and star quality. for the following morning’s rush hour. Nicholas Owen said: “You have to be something special Nexus Rail Director Raymond Johnstone commented: “Our to excel in a job where contractors and suppliers can be just staff pulled out all the stops after June’s dreadful storms, so I as challenging as well as passengers. This well-deserved am delighted their efforts have been recognised. award goes to a young lady who isn’t afraid of long hours, “We showed that Nexus will do everything humanly possible and has the customer foremost in her mind.” to maintain the Metro service no matter how bad the weather “If you’re opening a brand new line, it’s essential for conditions.” someone who is calm and collected to be at the heart of it all to ensure that everyone is singing off the same hymn sheet right from the first tram on the opening day. Metrolink Director Philip Purdy was also full of praise: “Since joining Metrolink, Lindsay has consistently im- pressed us with her dedication, commitment and above all her customer-focused approach. “She has recently been promoted for the highly complex ‘Customer Smart’ programme that will include a smart ticketing system, and I know that Lindsay will thrive in this role, and continue to demonstrate her acumen as she delivers this scheme and continues in her career.” Lindsay even takes community involvement into her spare time in her out-of-work role as a volunteer police special constable. Parsons Brinckerhoff Infrastructure Projects Director Steve Reynolds came to the stage to join Mr Baker in making the presentation.

Winner LINDSAY MOYLES – TRANSPORT FOR Winner Ben Rodriguez – Metrolink RATP Dev GREATER MANCHESTER

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org light rail awards 2012 13 MANUFACTURER OPERATOR OF OF THE YEAR THE YEAR

Taking the award for a third year, Bombardier Transporta- sponsored by tion was congratulated in this category for its ambition and innovation in 2012, a strong year for the manufacturer as it The UK Light Rail Operator of the Year title is one of grows its worldwide light rail business even further. the most sought after, and 2012 is the second time that Following the recent signing of an agreement to export London’s Docklands Light Railway has won the top expertise to China, the ten-year technology transfer licence honour. Its operator, Serco Docklands, collected the award. will result in European-looking low-floor vehicles running Previous winners have been DLR in 2008, London through the streets of some of China’s largest cities. Tramlink in 2009, Nottingham Express Transit twice, in Another partnership in Russia helps cement Bombardier as 2007 and 2010, and DB Regio, the Tyne & Wear Metro, one of the leading players in the rolling stock industry. in 2011. Additionally, the firm has landed orders for almost 250 Although there have been many high achievers this year, trams over the last year – 144 are destined for Germany, all eyes have focussed on how the DLR performed under 60 for Switzerland, and 32 for Manchester to complete the the severe pressure of millions of new passengers using it replacement programme. to reach the principal Olympic Games venues positioned In the UK, Bombardier knows only too well how tough it alongside it – the main park at Stratford, the ExCeL Centre is at the moment, but it is by far the largest LRV supplier to at Custom House, Greenwich Park, and the Royal Artillery the UK market, supplying all the new M5000 cars for Man- Barracks at Woolwich Arsenal. At the same time, the chester’s extensions, with an add-on order to replace all regular clientele also had to be looked after. the existing T68 trams with a resultant standard fleet of 94. The DLR’s equipment, train fleet and hundreds of paid After the worldwide premiere of the Flexity 2 in Black- and volunteer staff were at full stretch, but preparation pool (UK), Bombardier has also been selected to supply 48 and testing all paid off. A total of 7.2 million passengers new Flexity 2s for De Lijn services in Antwerp and Gent were carried over 16 days to four Olympic venues, and (Belgium) under a EUR129m order announced on August 6. on the peak day, numbers were 100% up on last year. It is the largest single tram procurement placed by the Statistically, this is 20 times the record 26 000 people carried regional government, and the deal includes an option for a in a day by the light rail system in Charlotte, North further 40 cars. They are due for delivery from early 2014, Carolina! and the initial tranche of 48 vehicles has been split into Since London won the right to stage the Games, a three sub-fleets to meet the requirements of each city. GBP850m (approx EUR1.06bn) investment programme The judges said: “In the past year this major manufac- has been completed. This includes extensions to Woolwich turer has set up exciting overseas partnerships. Beyond that Arsenal in 2008, and Stratford International, in the heart of it has landed orders for almost 250 new trams since we last the Olympic Park, in 2011. The investment has brought new, honoured them in 2011, and the order books just keep filling longer trains to pull into longer platforms, adding 50% to up as systems join the queue for their latest low-floor prod- the DLR’s capacity. The opening of the new control centre ucts. The future is looking very strong for Bombardier.” in February (moved from Poplar to Beckton) has also led to Oliver Schmidt, Vice President Light Rail Vehicles for a major improvement in service reliability, and during the Bombardier, commented: “Winning this award for the third Games period an average of 99% of departures were on time. year running underscores our capability as a provider of light Perhaps this is the ultimate accolade: International Olym- rail solutions and as a reliable partner for transport operators pic President Jacques Rogge chose to use the DLR instead worldwide.” of enjoying the comfort of a luxury chauffeur-driven car.

Winner Winner BOMBARDIER transportation Serco Docklands

14 light rail awards 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Mott MacDonald 2012 Light Rail Awards Consultant of the Year

Light rail and urban transport – Mott MacDonald has the knowledge, skills and imagination to help deliver attractive, affordable, successful and sustainable projects worldwide.

We are extremely proud to receive the 2012 Consultant of the Year award and thank our many clients from across the LRT sector for their support. This is the third successive year that we have won a major award at this prestigious event, cementing our reputation as a leader in the field.

WWW.MOTTMAC.COM

[email protected]

Light Rail advert_LJP1012.indd 1 17/10/2012 11:54:53 Congratulations to TfGM for winning UK Project of the Year. Again.

Parsons Brinckerhoff is proud to be Transport for Greater Manchester’s Delivery Partner on the Manchester Metrolink Extensions project, and part of the winning team at the 2011 and 2012 Light Rail Awards.

Global consultants | Designers | Engineers | Programme managers Parsons Brinckerhoff is an equal opportunities employer for more information visit pbworld.com

PB Advert-TAUT v2.indd 1 22/10/2012 23:49:11 WORLDWIDE PROJECT OF THE YEAR

sponsored by

This prestigious category attracts a double-figure entry from “Since even before the International around the world, and this year caused some of the most heated debate amongst the judges who eventually decided upon two Exhibition of 2008, Zaragoza has changed Highly Commended honours as well as the winner. dramatically, and the tram is a The new tramway in Brest (France) was Highly Commended for opening on time and EUR15m under budget, at the same fundamental part of that transformation. time integrating many innovative features to enhance customer The city has made ​​a strong commitment service, reduce environmental impact, and contribute signifi- cantly to the revitalisation of the urban area. to sustainable mobility, promoting Even French cities that are not in the top 20 largest now intermodality with bus, cycles and taxis, have tramways as a matter of course and 23 June was eagerly anticipated as the opening day of a system which is brightening and recovering the centre of the historic the lives and employment prospects of almost 220 000 people, city and its industry for pedestrians.” and it is still only three years since construction began. CARMEN DUESO, ZARAGOZA DEPUTY MAYOR AND MINISTER OF The Brest tramway covers 14.3km (nine miles) and has 28 PUBLIC SERVICE AND MOBILITY stops. The 20 Alstom Citadis trams are part of a ground-breaking deal that reduced costs through a joint order with Dijon. Also Highly Commended was the Casa Tramway in Atila Arik and Tarik Kartal from Yapi Merkezi, the system’s Casablanca, which the judges agreed is a potential category construction team, collected the award. winner if the 12 December opening goes according to plan. The 2012 Worldwide Project of the Year is Tranvía de Constructing 31km (19 miles) of brand new double-track Zaragoza, and Deputy Mayor Carmen Dueso made the journey tramway in less than two years is a fine achievement. There are from Spain to collect the award from UK Transport Minister 48 stops, and 250 000 passengers a day can be carried if there Norman Baker and Atkins Managing Director Tim O’Neill. is demand established for a service frequency of four minutes The system is so highly revered that it has had visits from 87 during the rush hour. It also paves the way for the main downtown other cities around the world wanting to know how it has gone boulevard area to be handed over to pedestrians, transforming about it, including the United States, China, Russia, the UK, the face of this modernising city. If it works well, a whole France, Switzerland, Australia, India and even Ecuador. network of lines have been promised. The promoters claim that since the first section of the 13km The judges commented: “Building just over 30km of brand (eight-mile) line 1 opened on 11 April 2011, road traffic into new tramway, 48 stops and new depot in less than two years – the busy city centre has fallen by more than a third, and carbon now that’s something to really boast about. emissions are also well down. “Innovative techniques, pinpoint work scheduling and The fleet of CAF Urbos 3 trams provide a service frequently impeccable teamwork make the Casablanca tramway project a of five minutes, and the Rapid Charge Accumulator System real focal point for the development of light rail in the growing means that there are no overhead wires to be seen in sensitive market in North Africa. historic parts of the city. “When it opens on 12 December, this new tramway will The Tranvía Zaragoza team told TAUT: “Being awarded transform the outlook of the city and put it on the right path for the Worldwide Project of the Year award drives us to continue a prosperous future. If it works well – and we are sure it will developing the mobility of the future – a sustainable line made – we predict a hatful of awards for this system in the future.” for the citizens.”

highly commended: Brest Metropole Oceane

Winner highly commended: Casablanca Tramway TranvÍa de Zaragoza, Spain

16 light rail awards 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Metrolink RATP Dev Ltd

RATP Dev UK operates the Metrolink tram system on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester.

The UK’s most vibrant light rail system, catering for over 20 million passenger journeys a year; the Metrolink network will become the UK’s largest following the completion of Transport for Greater Manchester’s £1.4 billion investment in 2016.

Moving the world

From the Manchester Metrolink to the Makkah Metro, we have the specialist knowledge and experience to deliver Global Mass Transit solutions. Providing our clients with technical advice, we offer a range of services including: • Project development • Concept and detailed design • Asset management • Safety engineering • Field support, testing and commissioning • Communication systems design and build

For further details, get in touch with Andy Moore: +44 (0)1752 697709, [email protected] JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

The climax of the Light Rail Awards is publicly recognising approachable figure, Colin’s many achievements include individuals who have played a major role in creating today’s successfully debugging a new tramway, and giving wise advice increasingly vibrant light rail industry. on new extensions and vehicles. It was a great personal surprise to Manchester Metrolink “Most recently, he has made countless trips to mainland Director Philip Purdy to be singled out for a special Europe to ensure that the UK is very much part of the dialogue presentation, which the judges saw as just reward his in terms of best practice for the industry as a whole.” outstanding impact during just four years in the job. Likewise, Roger Harrison has landed a dream position to During his tenure, Metrolink has gone from strength to conclude a distinguished 40-year career in transport – Chairman strength; three new lines have been opened, to Media City of Tramlink Nottingham, which is pushing south and west- UK in Salford, Chorlton and Oldham. Over 300 bridges and wards with two new lines, and is already talking about two or structures have been built or refurbished, Bombardier’s new three more. He is also the chairman-elect of the Light Rapid M5000 trams commissioned, and patronage is rising by two Transit Forum, which represents the private sector on UKTram. million a year. Track has been replaced in the city centre, and a In his career, Roger, a chartered engineer and an accountant, whole range of customer and community initiatives championed. has had both the excitement of managing projects in Estonia, Philip, who is returning to his native Melbourne, Australia, Turkey, Denmark and the Far East, and the heartache of in 2013, was nominated for a citation by over 70 members of slashing the work forces of ailing companies. his team. In his usual way, he demanded that he would not seek Roger said: “I’m extremely flattered. It is very special to reward for his efforts, but for once his boss, Transport for Greater receive this type of accolade from my colleagues across the Manchester Chief Executive David Leather, overruled him. industry. I have to say that any achievements I’ve managed The two principal awards went to Colin Robey, Head of wouldn’t have been possible without support from the very dedi- Operations, Rail and Rapid Transit of Centro, and Roger cated teams of people I’ve worked with over the years, or, indeed, Harrison, Chairman of Tramlink Nottingham. Thus, the public the vision of organisations such as .” and private sectors are equally represented. Colin has needed all of his 45 years’ transport experience to handle some of the assignments recently thrown at him. Working for British Rail in the 1970s was the ideal training ground for becoming a robust negotiator in a light rail industry where there is also not much money to throw around. In 1999, Colin was asked by Centro’s then Director General Rob Donald to take on a short-term role bedding in the new Midland Metro tramway. Thirteen years later, Colin can look back with satisfaction on having played a key role in getting the system through its early teething troubles to the point where it is the most reliable part of the West Midlands transport system. This has involved delivering over GBP5m of Centro capital investment, including provision of a wheel lathe (which the ini- tial consortium had value-engineered out) and helping maintain good contractual relationships. Colin has helped develop the special mention: current extensions package, in particular the expanded depot. Philip Purdy – TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER The judges said: “An incredibly down-to-earth and

Winner Winner Colin Robey – Roger Harrison – Centro Tramlink Nottingham

18 light rail awards 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THOSE RECOGNISED AT THE LIGHT RAIL AWARDS – ENTRIES for next year OPEN ON 1 March 2013

LIGHT RAIL AWARDS – 2 october 2013 Our vision is to provide solutions for an increasingly congested world, keeping people moving and communities prospering.

Moving some 2.5bn people each year, First is the leading transport operator in the UK and North America. www.firstgroup.com In association with dubai metro dubai

A special review by Service Concept Operations Strategy Start Up and Implementation

northstarconsultancy.com dubai metro

ow officially recognised by Yet the successful transition from an oil-based Above: The Guinness World Records as the world’s longest economy to one that now encompasses Information Dubai Metro driverless rail system, the Dubai Metro has Technology, real estate, retail and tourism, as well as has added N transformed the transit landscape of Dubai with design, financial services, has brought its own problems. a system of impressive technology and reliability that offers lessons to the As the most populous Emirate in the UAE (Dubai structures world’s industry on what can be achieved and sets a accounts for a quarter of the population, despite that blend new benchmark for urban rail systems. neighbouring Abu Dhabi accounting for around 85% seamlessly of the total land area), and the western developmental with the Dubai is a city in the throes of vast development. As the model, there are 1.2 million cars on the roads – a figure imposing city largest urban centre in the Emirate of the same name, growing significantly year-on-year. skyline; a Red the city is now one of the world’s key economic hubs. The city’s taxi system was, until the arrival of the Metro, line service Situated on the southern edge of the Persian by far the most extensively used public transport mode. leaves Union Gulf, Dubai is by far the largest city in the United Station on 9 Arab Emirates (UAE) and dates back in its modern Rail as a catalyst to growth September recognisable form to 1799. Although finance for major infrastructure projects from 2012. The Emirate was a British Protectorate from the the wealthy constitutional monarchy has never proved beginning of the 19th Century until the late 1960s and a problem, the ambitions of the city have seen, as a still shares close links with an economic model based by-product, massive traffic congestion along the main on that of Western economies. corridors. This has been exacerbated by fuel prices that are around a third of those in major European nations Population explosion encouraging private car ownership. With a population estimated at just 10 000 at the turn The decision to build a metro was first taken in the of the 20th Century, the discovery of vast oil reserves late 1990s under the direction of Vice-President and in 1966 has seen this grow in five decades from around Prime Minister of UAE and Dubai Head of State His 60 000 then to almost two million in late 2011. This is Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. expected to reach over five million by 2020. His Highness Sheikh Al Maktoum foresaw rail-based However, a strategically planned diversification now mass transit as the best solution to address transportation means that just 6% of the economy of the Emirate is requirements, relieve congested roads and provide fixed based around oil and petrochemicals. infrastructure to attract further development.

A special review by Tramways & Urban Transit © 2012 Design: Debbie Nolan Production: Carla Corrado Advertising: Andy Adams Editor: Simon Johnston All images by Melissa Beattie (www.melissabeattie.com) unless otherwise stated. Special thanks to: Tarik Kartal, Fiona D’Cunha, Dubai RTA From the beginning, the construction and technology standards were set high with plans for a state-of-the-art metro drawing upon the world’s finest engineering expertise and the latest technology. As a backbone for a world-class city of the future, the system was planned and built in record time by a multi-national team of contractors and suppliers.

The birth of the metro plan Extensive studies began in 1997 – following forecasts of a 66% increase in road traffic between 1997 and 2005, and further doubling by 2017 – and in 2003 French consultancy Systra was awarded the contract to undertake engineering design. The world-renowned firm worked in partnership with MVA, Lebanese-Egyptian engineering practice Dar al Handasah, RSM Salustro-Reydel, B&M Architecture and SNCF subsidiary AREP. Following completion of this initial design, Systra also assisted in the drawing up of tender documentation, and an international process was launched in early 2004. The tender called for final design and construction services for the first two lines of the Dubai Metro – the 52km (approx. 32-mile) Red line and the 20km (approx. 12.5-mile) Green line. Set to open in two phases (2009 and 2012), the provisional budget was set at USD3.92bn (2004 figures). The tender demanded an emphasis on delivering a high-quality aesthetically in-keeping system and attracted around 50 bids from some of the world’s leading organisations. Dubai Municipality’s Director General Qassim Sultan informed all bidders in early 2005 that it planned to arrange funding for the project directly, rather than expecting contractors to raise up to 90% in private finance through a BOT arrangement. This decision was taken to ensure adherence to a tight construction timetable. Following four months of detailed evaluation, on 29 May 2005 representatives of the Dubai Municipality announced the signing of a contract with the Dubai Rapid Link (DURL) consortium, which committed to a 55-month construction and commissioning timetable. Above and left: It more than met this tight timescale with Red line Carving through the high-rise construction taking just 49 months and the Green line urban centre, the construction beginning 20 months after the start of Dubai Metro is phase one and taking 35 months. already cemented Led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the DURL as an essential consortium comprised Japanese firms Obayashi and part of the city’s Kajima and Turkish civil engineering group Yapi Merkezi infrastructure as and Systra-Parsons. Capita Symonds initially provided it builds towards civil, structural, architectural, mechanical and electrical a bright future as design – supported by KBR and Llewelyn Davies – but a world city. was replaced in this role by Atkins in April 2006. Work officially began on 21 March 2006 when His Highness Sheikh Al Maktoum inaugurated construction works in a ceremony held in Madinat Jumeirah and the opening date for the first phase of the Red line was set as 09.09 on 9 September 2009. In a separate agreement, the DURL consortium also signed a 15-year infrastructure maintenance contract worth AED1.88bn (approx USD513m), and a year later was awarded the design and construction contract for the second phase Green line to give a total contract value of AED16.5bn (USD4.2bn, 2006 value). Emphasising the significance of the project to the city and wider region, the Roads & Transport Authority (formed to unify transport requirements and administration for the Emirate by government decree in 2005) committed 75% of its total budget over the project timescale to the Metro. dubai ADVERTORIAL metro Helping to open the world’s longest automated metro On 9 September 2009, the first urban rail service opened in the Arabian Peninsula. Owned by the Roads and Transport Authority, and operated by Serco, the two-line Dubai Metro is the world’s longest automated metro, running on a 75km route.

North Star was commissioned to provide operational support to the start-up of the Dubai Metro. The overall objective was to ensure the service opened on time on 9 September 2009 to meet the aspirations­ of the client.

Staged Opening The Dubai Metro had to open in a reduced configuration from the original plan. This was to ensure that the aspirations of the client were met: a service that could open on time and be increased in stages. Services started with a ten-minute headway and ten of 29 stations opened over 80% of the route. In addition, a number of non-vital subsystems were not operational.

Operating instructions North Star used existing UK experience and best practice to write operational pro­cedures that are understandable for multi-cultural staff without railway experience prior to their role in Dubai. These Above procedur­ es also had to meet the requirements of the and right: independent safety assessor (ISA). North Star Having gained approval for opening, the procedures Consultancy were further adjusted to reflect operating practices and used its aide-mémoires were created to assist real-time extensive UK decision-making. experience to As a result of the re­duced configuration, an addendum deliver proven to the Operations Safety Case was needed. North Star best practice produced this addendum after a risk assessment of its solutions for operability. The revised operational instructions­ were a wide range then included in the training­ and briefing to staff. of operational procedures in Tests and trials the run-up to North Star also provided management for testing of the opening foreseen operational scenarios. This involved preparation of the Dubai of the overall­ strategy, validation of an exercise plan Metro. against the hazards and the practical management of the Hands-on exercises as the programme­ rolled out. Following the start of operations, North Star provided Lessons learned were captured and injected into the mentoring support to key operational roles at both project work areas, such as competence management strategic and operational levels. This hands-on approach or procedur­ es and instructions to deliver overall from experienced consultants helped in the bedding-down improvement to operational readiness. of the opera­tion at control and stations level. Action plans were created and delivered to build on Validation and verification the learning process in an organised and systematic way. As a final check of the arrangements for operation, North Star undertook a verification­ of the Operations Success and Engineering Directors’ start-up activity, to ensure North Star’s assistance in all the above areas that everything was in place following a limited train provided vital expertise to a proj­ect which had a tight operations period, and made an assessment­ of the deadline. The Dubai Metro opened on time to global viabil­ity for opening. acknowledgement and became an integral part of Throughout this period, North Star assisted in liaison people’s life – Dubai Metro is achieving a daily average with the ultimate client and the ISA and responded to ridership of 300 000. issues logs for the areas in which they were working.

Timetables and rosters North Star was also engaged to help create­ the rules of orderly and efficient rosters,­ creating both parameters and initial rosters. In order to bring the service to life, North Star created and helped upload the first timetable to the automatic system to help operations commence. Boulevard of dreams: Building along the Sheikh Zayed Road

As the key element to connect His Highness Sheikh Al Maktoum’s vision for Dubai’s future, the north-south Red line runs parallel to the coast and covers many of the city’s main business and retail centres. Beginning at Rashidya in the north (the line’s main depot lies just beyond the station) the line continues alongside Dubai Creek and runs east through the historic centre of Dubai, Deira. Once the main hub of the city, Deira has taken a back seat in signficance in recent decades as expansion along the coast – and primarily along the UAE’s main highway that bisects the city – has attracted the bulk of the commercial, tourism and retail development. Sheikh Zayed Road forms the main thoroughfare for the modern city. Proposed by the Sheikhs of Abu Dhabi and Dubai to His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (the principal driving force behind the formation of the UAE) in the 1960s, construction was completed in 1980; its formal name is E11. It is the longest and busiest highway in UAE, stretching from Abu Dhabi in the south through Dubai and the neighbouring Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah to the border with Oman. Forming the focal point of development in Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road is home to most of the city’s skyscrapers, and hence attracts most of the city’s traffic. It was therefore obvious that to attain maximum benefit this should be the first route for the metro. Passing many of the city’s most imposing high-rise buildings – including the Emirates Tower and the world’s tallest building, the impressive Burj Khalifa – the ten-lane highway, through a series of major interchanges, also serves major residential and commercial centres such as the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and the city’s waterfront. The city’s other key thoroughfares have also become increasingly congested over the past 20 years, leading to further environmental concerns over pollution.

Lessons from metro construction The Red line runs alongside Sheikh Zayed Road and all stations along this section are elevated, with four underground stations – City Center, Al Rigga, Union Square, Khalid Bin Waleed – running through Deira. The two underground stations at Union Square and Khalid Bin Waleed are the key interchanges with the Green line.

P Burj Dubai/ Energy Nakheel Harbour Dubai Marina Mall of the Emirates & Tower Dubai Internet City Al Quoz Dubai Mall Emirates Towers Jebel Ali

Nakheel Ibn Battuta Sharaf DG Business Bay First Gulf Bank Jebel Ali Industrial Financial Centre World Trade Centre Jumeirah Lakes Towers Creek dubai metro Boulevard of dreams: Building along the Sheikh Zayed Road

Left: The exterior of Dubai Mall station; in the background is the world’s tallest man-made structure at 829.84 m (2,723 ft); the Burj Al Kalifa, opened in January 2012.

Right: The majority of the system runs on elevated tracks, supported by concrete viaducts. This posed significant technical challenges and at its peak the construction required over 24 000 engineers and “Make the unforeseen, foreseen... a bit of good thinking construction workers. and expenditure early on can prevent a lot of hassle Courtesy of RTA Abdulssamie Haimoni, Deputy Director, later and ensure success.” RTA Rail Agency, December 2011 Only the Jebel Ali southern terminus of the Red line is The RTA and the DURL consortium had a close at ground level and with 70% of the Red line route and involvement in the whole construction process, as stations in elevation, a total of 43 route km (27 miles) Abdulssamie Haimoni, Deputy Director in the RTA’s and 1324 spans, the construction posed significant Rail Agency, explained at the MEED Qatar Tunnelling challenges due to difficult geological conditions under Conference in December 2011. the Dubai Creek. Lead consultant Atkins undertook Mr Haimoni said that close harmony between the majority of the design work for the tunnelled the partners and stakeholders and thorough pre- and elevated sections at its offices outside of Dubai, construction analysis were key to the project’s success. gathering experience and expertise from similar He said: “Make the unforeseen, foreseen. Consider projects it had worked on in Hong Kong and the UK. everything possible regarding the ground and make

Al Ras Al Ghubaiba Palm Deira Baniyas Al Fahidi Square Abu Baker Al Dubai Airport Al Jafiliya Salah Al Din Siddique Abu Hail Al Qiyadah Stadium Al Nahda Free Zone Al Qusais Etisalat P Union Oud Metha

Al Karama Dubai Healthcare City Al Jadaf Al Rigga Deira City CentreGGICO Airport TerminalAirport 1 TerminalEmirates 3 Creek Rashidiya P Three massive Mitsubishi tunnel-boring machines of 8.5m diameter were used to excavate the tunnel sections; tunnelling was completed in December 2008. Courtesy of RTA sure that you and your machines are prepared. This is By early 2009 construction on the Red line neared the cheapest way to do it. A bit of good thinking and Below: Running completion and the two main power substations were expenditure early on can prevent a lot of hassle later parallel to the commissioned and operational. Signalling was also city’s major and ensure success.” completed in January 2009 and the first trial runs were highway, As other Middle Eastern cities, such as Doha, the Metro’s underway a few months before on the 11km (seven- Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, are in the planning stages for impressive mile) southern section between the Jebel Ali terminus their own metro networks, a lot of valuable lessons can elevated and Ibn Bututta station. be learned from the construction of the Dubai Metro. structure has As an indication of the massive scale of construction Interestingly, Mr Haimoni also believes that more cities added another on this ground-breaking project, at its peak more should consider tunnelling over elevated and ground- landmark to than 24 000 engineers, technicians and workers were level sections to reduce associated disruption costs the city. involved in the construction of the metro. such as utility diversion and road closures. He added: “When people evaluate the difference between tunnel and elevated sections, they do it on a cost basis. But if they allow for all the costs of working above ground, they will find that they add up at the end of the day. “Tunnelling is all hidden in the ground, it doesn’t affect your city and you are likely to have less programme problems than when you are working above the ground – if you do it right.” On 29 July 2006, the casting of the first concrete pier for the elevated track of the Red line between the 6th and 7th Interchanges of Sheikh Zayed Road began. Tunnelling began in January 2007 with the last of the six bores completed in December 2008. A total of three Japanese-built Mitsubishi tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) were used to excavate the 12.6km (7.8 miles) of underground tunnels across both the Red and Green lines, moving at an average rate of 12 metres per day. The system’s longest tunnel covers a distance of 1.48km (0.9 miles) and runs from Union Square to Burjuman, passing under the Dubai Creek at a depth of 30m. dubai ADVERTORIAL metro Managing safety on the Dubai Metro Lloyd’s Register was appointed Independent Safety Assessor for both lines of the Dubai Metro in November 2006 and tasked with undertaking the safety assessment and audit of the Metro’s plans, manufacture, installation and initial operations.

What stage was the project at Passengers must understand how to make their way to Q when Lloyd’s Register joined? the station or to intermediate emergency egress points Above: Mike Detailed design for the Red line was about 50% (EEPs). An EEP is required if the distance between Elliott, Lloyd’s complete and civil construction was gearing up stations exceeds the code requirement of 762m, the Register A Project with the boring machines and viaduct erection gantries maximum distance stated by National Fire Protection Manager for about to start work. The Green line was commencing Association 130 (Standard For Fixed Guideway Transit the Dubai the preliminary design stage. And Passenger Rail Systems). Metro. Of course that leads to another issue: whether the What are the benefits handrails required a heat reflective coating to protect Q associated with bringing the passengers from burning their hands; and coatings come ISA on board at this relatively with their own issues of durability and maintainability early stage of the project? in an aggressive climate. Following field trials, it was The main benefits are that we can provide an decided that the maximum handrail temperatures were Aindependent opinion of the quality and rigour bearable for intermittent hand grasp during evacuation. of the safety management processes early enough But heat isn’t the only issue. With the system exposed to ensure they can remain ‘joined up’ throughout to winds blowing sand and dust at speeds that can reach the project. We could also contribute to improving 160km/h, all assets – whether onboard the trains, at the safety of the design of later rail subsystems, such lineside, at power substations, at stations and at depots as improvements to derailment containment and – had to be specified for high levels of sand, dust, salinity protection against intrusions onto the guideway. and humidity. Maintenance regimes, for example, had to ensure that filters would be cleaned on a regular basis. Is your approach affected when Q the pressure is on everyone to Did having so many parties meet tight timescales and you have Q involved increase the some initial catching up to do? complexity of your work? No – we applied our risk-based approach to The main contractor was highly committed to Acomplete earlier phases as swiftly as possible Asafety, whilst suppliers of various subsystems had without compromising the quality and depth of slightly differing approaches. Broadly speaking, the more assessment. Once we had ‘caught up’ we performed safety critical the subsystem the greater the commitment assessments in tandem with the project’s progress. to and capability in engineering safety management. Being involved at each stage saves time and produces a Some contractors were less familiar with the better result. If problems are left to the very end, it may necessary requirements and in such cases, under the be impossible to resolve them and the best that can be risk-based approach, more attention was devoted to achieved is a compromise – often at great expense. assuring the adequacy of the safety management that was applied to their scope of supply. From a safety point of view Q what impact does the Metro’s What impressed you about the desert environment have? Q project? There were a lot of issues to be factored in. With It was fascinating and rewarding to be part of the Aexternal temperatures that can reach +52°C the Adelivery of a complete state-of-the-art transit environment inside a train stranded without power to project on a ‘greenfield’ site (albeit a desert). support the air-conditioning could reach life-threatening It was particularly satisfying to have such a wide-ranging levels within minutes. remit where the client, project manager and contractors So we needed to see evidence that the designs could were committed to system safety and quality. support the safe evacuation of trains onto a side The result is a highly impressive, world-class system, walkway, possibly without operating staff in attendance. with exceptional reliability performance and safety record.

The Lloyd’s Register Group is a global independent risk management and safety assurance organisation. Since its foundation in 1760 it has worked to further standards of design, manufacture and maintenance across many safety-critical industries and has been serving the rail sector in particular since the 1920s. With no institutional or private shareholders, it is widely respected for its independence and ability to provide judgements and opinions free from commercial or political pressure. www.lr.org/sectors/Rail Creating iconic stations

The stations of the Dubai Metro are designed to project the modern face of the city as well as providing inspirational places for commuters and tourists alike. Alongside strict zero-tolerance guidelines for litter and anti-social behaviour that result in immaculate facilities, the clean, modern designs are part of a wider city-building exercise and fit in well with the opulence of the rest of the city. With a total of 29 stations on the Red line (24 elevated, four underground and one at ground level), and 20 stations on the Green line (ten elevated and ten underground), the RTA has chosen four key themes for the station’s interiors: Earth (tan-brown accents); Water (blue-white); Fire (orange-red) and Air (green). Khalid Bin Al Waleed station is one of two where the Red line meets the Green line at a three-level station, and with a vast array of retail outlets at stations, it is designed to meet all the needs of any passenger – no matter their reason for travel. Internally, the stations have largely been built to a common design, helping keep build costs down as well as Above: Clean, providing a key element of familiarity and consistency. simple spaces. Upon the opening of the Green line, Union Station The inside of (the other key interchange) is now one of the world’s Dubai Marina largest and busiest metro stations, covering 22 500m2 station on the and serving over 22 000 passengers an hour. Red line in September Sponsorship and innovation 2012. Helping finance the RTA’s further activities and increasing the commercial attractiveness in a climate Left: Platform where property prices have fallen (although as of screen doors autumn 2012 they seem to be well on the road to are installed recovery), one of the key innovations has been an at all stations initiative to sell naming rights to the Metro’s stations. on the Dubai Metro, a key A world-first, the first phase was launched in 2008 feature of and raised an initial AED1.7bn (approx. USD462m) the driverless through the sponsorship of 21 stations. Some of the system. largest domestic and international organisations have paid around AED100m (USD27.2m) for the ten-year concessions, resulting in station names such as First Etiquette and respect for personal space are

Gulf Bank, Sharaf DG, Mall of the Emirates, Etisalat, y key requirements to attracting passengers Nakheel, GCICO and Dubai Airport Freezone Station. and maintaining a healthy service and as such As the scheme was launched before the end of anti-social and public order offences are dealt construction, some of the revenues raised contributed rit with seriously on the Dubai Metro, with a to the overall construction of the two lines, as well as comprehensive fine structure. adding to the RTA pot for further transport projects Category A and B infractions (AED100 and in the Emirate. Other stops, particularly in the more AED200 (approx. USD2754 respectively) ecu

historic areas, have been given traditional location- s include putting your feet on train seats, specific names. consumption of food and drink on trains, A consortium of SMRT Media, Kassab Media and carrying of animals, travelling without a valid Wellmark Communications has the ten-year concession ticket, smoking, spitting or littering trains or to manage advertising on both trains and stations in stations, carrying alcohol and distracting or a revenue-sharing deal thought to be worth up to and interfering with operational staff. AED3bn to the RTA. This scale goes up to category D offences y As well as feeder services aligned at key interchanges (sleeping on trains or in station waiting areas – along Sheikh Zayed Road, integrated ticketing via the t AED300), category E (forged tickets, vandalism nol smartcard encourages multi-modal connections. and damage – AED500) and the most serious, fe With the addition of the Al Sufouh tramway (under category F (operating, damaging or incorrectly construction, due to open in November 2014), a true a using any security or safety equipment, including S vision for a joined-up transport network will be realised. emergency exits). This carries AED2000 fine. As metro services are all automated, platform screen With a dedicated police force numbering doors not only enhance safety, but also maximise the around 1115 officers, and over 3000 CCTV efficiency of the air-conditioning systems inside cameras in trains and stations, the metro works the trains and also at the stations themselves. This is closely to keep crime to a minimum, with just an important factor in a country where the climate 1.5 arrests made per one million passenger can reach in excess of 50°C (more than 120°F) in the journeys in 2011. hottest summer months. dubai metro

entrances and exits

With tens of thousands of passengers passing through each of the 47 stations’ doors each day, perfection is taken for granted and failure is not an option. But the challenge of their design was not simple. The plan was to have two sets of bi-parting doors, to break out in the direction of exit in the unlikely event of an emergency. There were width constraints to consider also, with space at the underground stations and external structures for the elevated stations already decided, so changes at this stage were impossible. Manufactured in Germany by DORMA, to the most stringest European safety regulations, the doors have 20mm double-glazing and the safety- conscious design ensures that the gaps between the moving and fixed panels do not exceed 4-8mm, with seals on all sides, avoiding any chance of trapped fingers. DORMA, with its in-depth knowledge of codes and standards, came up with a solution that accepted no compromise, using the new generation ES 200 2 D Automatic operators. This offers a double-protected control system, but also an extra powerful motor and additional coil for emergencies, also meeting the highest industry standards. Reliability is ensured by a continuous self-monitoring function covering the entire system.

Above: State-of-the-art technology mixed with classic design features give the Metro a high quality feel throughout: Al Ghubaiba station on the Green line. Left: Themed colourschemes differentiate the station’s interiors. This red/orange ‘Fire’ scheme is at Al Fahidi station on the Green line.

dubai ADVERTORIAL metro Lighting the Dubai Metro

The world’s longest fully-automated rail network, Dubai Metro is a USD4.2bn project completed in 2010 under Dubai’s RTA Rail Agency and comprises the Red and Green Lines, with three further lines planned. Bo Steiber Lighting Design was involved in the lighting design of the 47 one-of-a-kind metro stations of the Red and Green Lines, which included at-grade, elevated, underground and underground transfer stations. In addition to these variations, there were four themes used in the design of the stations: earth, wind, fire, and air. What would otherwise be a rather standard metro rail project was made far more exciting by the extensive play of materials, finishes and colours applied in each individual station. Lighting therefore had to adapt to the grandiose design and render the spaces in the most befitting manner. Reconciling the elaborate exterior and interior design themes of the stations with the stringent technical requirements in rail station lighting proved to be the main challenge in the lighting design of the project. Lighting design solutions atypical to rail station lighting were thoughtfully applied in order to enhance the distinct architectural and interior design features without having to sacrifice the safety and functional needs of the stations. Energy efficiency was another key consideration and reflected in the choice of luminaires and lighting management systems used for the metro stations. While LED lighting was still at the early stage of development during the construction of the Dubai Metro, LEDs were effectively used for decorative and dynamic features in most stations.

Bo Steiber Lighting Design is an international lighting design consultancy firm based in Singapore and Bangkok. Established in 1997, the company has vast project experience in the Middle East, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, China and Australia. Notable infrastructure projects include: Singapore MRT Downtown Line Stations, Singapore International Changi Airport Terminal 1 Upgrading, Hong Kong International Airport Midfield Concourse Terminal, Hong Kong International Airport SkyPier Terminal, Hong Kong MTR Hung Hom Station and another international airport in India.

24 PECK SEAH STREET, NEHSONS BUILDING #08-02/10, SINGAPORE 079314 TELEPHONE: +65 6224 6913 EMAIL: [email protected] www.bsld.com.sg A world-class fleet, packed with technology

Working to a USD456.2m contract signed in 2005, State-of-the-art digital passenger displays, public Kinki Sharyo has delivered 385 metro trainsets, Above: address systems and emergency call points across the arranged in 62 five-car sets for the Red line and 25 Thinking of fleet are supplied by Australian firm Trantek – its first three-car sets for the Green line. Power is delivered everything, contract in the UAE and largest outside Australia. the view via a 750V dc third-rail system. Under the terms of the Trantek’s system offers real-time feedback to the from Dubai’s contract, 20 cars were shipped per month from Kinki cluster of Operational Control Centre and is unique in that all Sharyo’s facility in Osaka, Japan, to Dubai during 2008- high-rise elements of the onboard system are nodes on a CAN 09, with the first cars arriving in March 2008. buildings are network, including speakers, emergency intercoms and Pre-delivery testing of the first trainset – at speeds of well catered the LED destination displays. up to 60km/h, optimium operating speed is 90km/h – for as the The public address system, unlike traditional designs, was carried out at the Mihara test track near Hiroshima, roofs of the does not have a main and backup amplifier with a string while the second trainset was sent to the Nippon Kinki Sharyo of speakers providing the audio output. Instead each Sharyo plant in Nagoya to test the air-conditioning. trainsets are speaker has its own built-in amplifier, communications Voith Scharfenberg auto-couplers with shock also uniquely and audio processing unit and a background noise absorbers are fitted to all trains to protect the painted. sensing microphone that doubles to become a driverless vehicles in the event of a low-speed collision. continuous closed loop check on the speaker’s performance during announcements. Class CARRIAGES and luxury The passenger emergency intercoms are of similar The fully-automated trains are air-conditioned and construction and design to the speakers, adding a designed to meet Dubai’s specific requirements. button and function LEDs for the passenger interface. Featuring water and wind-themed designs, the Connected to the same CAN network wiring as the interiors are of a very high quality with Red line trains speakers, the intercoms can form part of the public made up of four standard ‘Silver’ class areas with the address speaker network and their proper operation is fifth split between a women and children-only section able to be monitored while in use. and a VIP ‘Gold’ class. The Gold class sections are The CAN network is duplicated, with each device differentiated through the provision of 18 wider, leather connected to two independent CAN networks that are seats to provide a panoramic view of the impressive in turn connected to two controlling nodes, one at each Dubai skyline through the front window. end of the train. These controlling nodes, integrated dubai metro

Right: Dubai’s extreme climate makes the tasks of the maintenance teams particularly challenging. The impressive 99% reliability rate is a testament to the design of the Kinki Sharyo rolling stock and the efforts of Serco’s 600-strong team. Courtesy of RTA

Its SelTrac technology utilises moving-block signalling to allow headways of as close as 90 seconds, while its NetTrac solution is used to control and monitor operations. In practice, trains operate every three minutes and 45 seconds during peak periods and every seven minutes off-peak.

Depots and maintenance Due to the extreme climate of heat, dust and sand, storage and maintenance takes place undercover at one of the systems’ three air-conditioned depots that employ a combined team of over 600 staff. The main Red line Rashidiya maintenance depot covers an area of approximately 160 000m3, has capacity for 45 trains and also houses the main Operations A world-class fleet, packed with technology Control Centre. This is monitored by a team of almost 30 to standards that match the best industry standards worldwide, working in 12-hour shifts to ensure the into the train’s onboard computers, are at all times metro lives up to its stated high standards of safety and connected to the network and able to perform all Above: The reliability. functions independently of each other. With its intrinsic interior of At the other end of the Red line, the 110 000m3 auxiliary arbitration system, there is no notion of traditional the Gold Jebel Ali depot can house 24 trains and also carry out Class carriage master/standby roles. light and heavy maintenance with the same state-of-the- showing the Each train has three doors per carriage. Platform wider leather art equipment. It also features a smaller, standby control screen doors at stations are synchronised with seating. centre in case of any failure at Rashidya. arrivals and remain open for 15-20 seconds. This can The Green line’s main depot at Al Qusais in the be extended manually from the Operational Control Left: The Deira area of eastern Dubai is the system’s largest and Centre if required. smart comprises three main buildings as well as a 1km Five-car trains can accommodate 643 passengers interiors of (0.6-mile) test track. (400 seated), although they are structurally designed for the Metro’s The Metro’s tight operational and maintenance regime a maximum capacity of 1150. Every car has wheelchair trains are kept ensures that all rolling stock is utilised equally, with spaces and priority seats for the elderly and disabled, immaculately, regular checks, and more intensive inspections and while the full route is Wi-fi and GSM enabled, even and there maintenance every three months. underground. are strict Such is the level of automation, each day the trains penalties for power themselves up at a pre-determined time and run automatION littering and through a series of diagnostic checks before making Supporting the decision to implement a driverless vandalism. their way onto the network. An empty ‘sweeping system, Systra’s project manager Michel Plagnol told train’ is then run before commercial services begin to delegates at the MENA rail conference on 9 December ensure the line is clear of sand and dust and free from 2004 that due to the wide application of the technology obstructions. worldwide “there are now absolutely no reasons to go Following a hard day’s service, the trains run for manually-driven systems”. themselves back to the depot, go through another The fully-automated signalling and communication maintenance check and then power themselves down. system for the Dubai Metro was supplied by Thales Rail Major infrastructure maintenance is still carried out by Signalling Solutions (formerly Alcatel) in a USD250m the DURL consortium as part of its contract with the turnkey contract. RTA; other works are carried out by the operator, Serco. ADVERTORIAL T rantek MST passenger information systems

AMT-5 is the designation for the Trantek MST on-board passenger information system that includes public address, passenger emergency intercom and next destination display that is connected by a 2-wire CAN network that can be duplicated for redundancy. The public address system, unlike traditional designs, does not have a main and backup amplifier with a string of speakers providing the audio output. Instead each speaker has its own built-in amplifier, communications and audio processing unit and a background noise sensing microphone that doubles to become a continuous closed loop check on the speaker’s performance during announcements. The passenger emergency intercoms connect to the same two-wire CAN bus network as the public address and the destination displays and can also form part of the public address speaker complement. The system boasts a high level of fault tolerance and dynamic checking of its functionality. The functional performance of every speaker and emergency intercom is checked during every announcement or on-demand by operator action. Typically this functionality is managed by two controlling nodes, one at each end of a train, that connect to the devices over two independent CAN buses. The CAN network duplication is for redundancy and only one is required for normal operation. The controlling The AMT-5 passenger information family provides a high degree of nodes route audio from operator microphones, fault tolerance, flexible and continuous fault checking and a high level themselves a node on the CAN network, digital audio of flexibility for system design and configuration. It provides system or data from a central operations network or digital integrators, constructors and operators the following features: voice announcements from the on-board computers. The operation of the redundancy and fault tolerant • Multiple path redundant independent audio and data communications features is performed on the network and does not • Dynamic health monitoring of operation require the addition of special arbitration or switching • Network speakers with built-in amplifier, audio processor and devices. Audio can seamlessly arrive over a wireless background noise monitoring network, driver microphone or recorded digital voice • Software configurable audio zoning announcement to either of the control nodes and be delivered using the best available path. • Simple wiring





           

SYDNEY SÃO PAULO NUEVA PALMIRA +61 2 9808 6166 +55 11 3042 1754 +598 4544 9978 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

trantek-mst.com [email protected] dubai metro Operating the metro: Drawing on global experience

Appointed in April 2008 under a AED3.61bn (GBP500m) contract, Serco Middle East (Serco Group is also operator of the Docklands Light Railway in London) operates and maintains the Red and Green lines under a seven-year concession to 2014, with an option to extend until 2019. However, Serco’s history with the system dates back to well before the 9 September 2009 opening date for the Red line. From 2007 the multi-national services company had been providing planning and operational consultancy and planning to the RTA in advance of the system’s opening. During this time, Serco was responsible for recruiting and training the 2200 staff required to operate and maintain the Red line. A further 800 staff were integrated into the team in the run-up to the opening of the Green line on 9 September 2011; 50 000 training hours have been delivered as part of the recruitment programme. Managing Director Chris Rayner has vast railway experience, previously holding positions as Western Route Director and Managing Director of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (now High Speed 1) in the UK. Serco’s operational and maintenance staff hail from almost 30 different countries, speaking many different languages. Operating hours are Sunday-Wednesday 05.30-0.00, Thursday 05.30-01.00, Friday 13.00-01.00 and 05.50-0.00 on Saturdays. With stiff performance and punctuality indicators set by the RTA, the Metro operates at incredibly high efficiency. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Executive Director of the RTA, revealed in May 2012 that the system suffers just one fault per four million kilometres (almost 2.5m miles), and one fault per metro train every 800 000km. Such figures make the Metro one of the most reliable systems anywhere in the world.

Overwhelming success The biggest challenge has been to engender a cultural shift to encourage usage of public transit within the Emirate and to promote its benefits in terms of cost- and time-saving. This has been achieved spectacularly, with month-on-month ridership growth; official figures show that on the third anniversary of the Red line’s opening in September 2012 that the system had carried “These indicators avouch that the RTA is making 184 million passengers. headway in its drive to realise its strategic objective of Above: During Breaking these figures down between the two lines, ultimately raising the share of public transit means to peak hours the Red line averages over six million passengers per 30% of the total number of trips by 2030, whereas such the trains can month, while the Green line carries over three million. ratio clocked 10% in 2011.” become very crowded, a Three large parking facilities are provided, situated A new ‘Express’ Red line trial service, launched in testament to strategically with two on the Red line (Rashidiya, 2700 October 2012, cuts ten minutes from the journey time the metro’s spaces, and Nakheel Harbour & Tower, 3000 spaces) and from Rashidiya to Jebel Ali, stopping at the 13 busiest success. It has one on the Green line (Etisalat, 3000 spaces). stations. Two express trains will leave Rashidiya at 05.30 carried almost Commenting on the impressive take-up of the metro, and 05.40, with two leaving at the same times from 200 million Mattar Al Tayer said: “This huge success has gone Jebel Ali to speed the passage of morning commuters. passengers beyond the boundaries of the Emirate to the world Removing the lesser-used stops increases operational since the over, stamping the prominent standing of Dubai as a speeds, while stopping times at stations are also revised first Red line distinctive metropolitan city and a hub for business as with high-passenger stations having 30-second dwell service began well as sophisticated living standards. times, with less busy ones reducing to 20 seconds. in September “The Dubai Metro is also viewed as an iconic addition Ramadan Abdulla, RTA Director of Rail Operations, 2009. to the landmarks and high-flying achievements of the said: “The trial should cover its costs, and we need to Dubai Emirate. look at the number of people using it, carry out surveys and get customers feedback. The important thing is that there should be an added value to the people from this service.”

Metro to ‘break-even by 2017’ Following this success, the RTA is well on schedule to achieve its stated aim of becoming a self-funding authority in the coming years. By closely monitoring costs, contract revisions and maximising revenues, the ambition of the RTA is to drive the Metro into a financial break-even position in five years’ time. Speaking in May 2012, Mattar Al Tayer said: “The RTA is envisaging the Dubai Metro to reach the break-even point in 2017, which would be possible through increased metro ridership, and augmented revenues generated from stations naming rights, advertisements and rental of retail outlets.” Fares for public transport (including parking) in Dubai are dealt with using the nol smartcard – although NFC-enabled smartphones will make mobile ticketing available in 2013 – available from ticket offices, vending machines and RTA authorised outlets. Blue cards are personalised with the owner’s The fare structure covers red cards available for Above: The photograph and require a one-off AED70 (approx. terminals tourists (single mode only), blue cards for commuters USD17) fee and then top ups as required. This card also offer scope and regular travellers, silver for frequent users and for expansion comes with a loyalty scheme and other benefits. gold for premium and first-class travel. Although a little at both ends Children up to five years old travel free of charge, confusing, the zonal structure makes travel of the system, and passengers with special needs and senior citizens cost-effective with journeys less than 3km (1.9 miles) planned for receive discounted fares. starting at AED1.80 (USD0.50) for 90 minutes from the near The RTA’s metro pages – www.rta.ae/dubai_metro – first validation, up to AED5.80 (USD1.60) for three future. offer excellent wayfinding and information on all aspects hours of unrestricted travel. of metro travel and feeder services for the system.

For those frustrated with the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, One might argue that this has only been

n the pace of transport to the man-made Palm Jumeirah island or the made possible by the political structure of development in the UK, iconic Burj Al Arab hotel, this is a destination UAE, and contrast how this compares to the you could do no better determined to impress. UK – but it was not always like this.

we than to visit Dubai to see I’ve been visiting the Emirate since 1994 Back in 1833 when a 27-year-old Isambard the metro, monorail and and have witnessed its rapid growth. From Kingdom Brunel began work on the Great o tram developments either relatively small beginnings, it is now a major Western Railway, 245km (152 miles) of track,

R completed or under construction. tourist destination and financial centre. stations and bridges were constructed in

l For example, in the time spent waiting Assisted by Emirates Airlines’ growing eight years to connect London to Bristol

u for the Parliamentary orders to be laid network, up to 15 million people now and the West Country. Finance was secured for the High Speed 2 project, the Dubai visit Dubai each year and its population is in 1832 and though work began a year later, a RTA has constructed a 74.6km metro growing substantially year-on-year. the Parliamentary powers were not obtained P : system and a 5.45km monorail. These are Although costs for the mass transit system until 1835 – three years into the project! the first systems of their kind in the Gulf have risen beyond what was originally So, what lessons can be learnt from Dubai’s and include the world’s longest driverless planned in the late 1990s, and the original impressive transport scheme? Well, firstly metro. Work is also currently underway on construction timetables for other sytems a growing economy needs a fast efficient a technologically-advanced tramway. have slipped somewhat – principally due integrated transport system. Putting that Anyone visiting Dubai for the first time to the economic downturn – compared to infrastructure in place may not be popular, point cannot fail to be impressed by the sheer other systems in the world, both costs and but if western economies are not to become scale of the buildings and facilities. From construction timescales are impressive. sclerotic difficult decisions must be made. ew i Left: A view

v from the top s

’ of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest man-made structure.

isitor Right: Dubai’s Metro moves millions swiftly A v A and efficiently in this growing city. dubai metro Planning for the next step

The urban rail story of Dubai is far from complete. Despite the precarious financial situation of many nations in evaluating planned infrastructure projects, Dubai seems to be bouncing back quicker than most. RTA Director of Planning and Development Abdul Redha Abu al-Hassan commented in 2009 that the crisis that hit the financial markets in 2008 would mean that other ‘shovel ready’ projects would have to be re-evaluated. This included two additional metro lines – the 49km (30-mile) Blue and 47km (29-mile) Purple lines. The Purple line was approved for construction in 2007 to link the existing Dubai International Airport to the under-construction Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali. Plans for the original line showed a route with eight stations, cutting travel time between the two airports to just 40 minutes. The estimated cost in 2007 was AED10bn (USD2.72bn), and consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff was awarded a contract for initial design and engineering services. Although scheduled to begin construction in 2012, both the Blue and Purple lines came under review in 2010-11 following the global financial crisis and the timetable has been pushed back indefinitely. In 2011, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths told Arabian Business: “Our view is that what both airports need is really fast and efficient links downtown to residential and businesses, so we don’t really need a Impressive at any time, this is the Mall of the Emirates station on the Red line fast metro link between the two airports because the at night with its impressive lighting. amount of traffic between airports won’t be significant.” Since then the RTA has acknowledged that both lines are still considered important for the future growth Immaculately clean, effortlessly rapid and of the city as Al Maktoum International Airport nears r impeccably reliable – these are the features completion, but will not be needed for the next five e of the Dubai Metro that stay in the mind long to six years. afterwards. Following two separate studies, in March 2012 the The driverless metro is the perfect RTA also confirmed its intention to build a 20km compliment to a landscape dominated by lish (12.4-mile) extension of the Green line from Etisalat competing statuesque buildings and wide to International City, Academic City and the Dubai expanses of multi-lane motorways, and one of the few places in Lagoons within the next five years, as well as a 12km this growing metropolis where there is time to think and reflect – ohnston

(7.5-mile) southern extension of the Red line to the Pub provided it is not the rush hour. border with Abu Dhabi. J To put the system into context, its quality has come at a price The latter is thought to be determined by commercial that would be unaffordable in all but a few world cities – although development along the proposed route. savings generated during the impressive construction schedule

TAUT must also not be underestimated, not to mention the fact that ard Creating a shining example it has encouraged accelerated development. Being completely –

The Metro continues to attract worldwide interest and w new from end-to-end it has obviously not inherited any of the has received many visits from international delegates problems associated with renewal or replacement. keen to further understand the best practices and o The trains themselves are fast – some compensation for the technologies employed on this cutting-edge system. time it takes to get onboard them at peak times, and the new Commenting on a visit by a delegation from Buenos H : Express service on the Red line should speed things up further – Aires – led by Mayor Mauricio Macri – Adnan Al and the expansive stations are often like little shopping centres in Hammadi, CEO of RTA’s Rail Agency, said: “The RTA is their own right. always keen on sharing with the concerned institutions Once aboard, simple facilities exist (although the Wi-Fi, even from sisterly and friendly countries its pioneering underground, is an excellent facility if you can find space to open a experience in mass transit systems, especially the Dubai laptop) and it is often standing room only at peak times. However, Metro project as it boasts sophisticated technologies pinion the addition of gold card facilities bring in a ‘first class’ element

considered the first of its kind.” O that is unusual to mass transit systems. Meanwhile, works are well advanced on the 14.7km Being driverless, there is often a congregation in the front and (9.1-mile) Al Sufouh tramway for completion in rear sections because of the spectacular views of the skyscrapers November 2014 that links Jumeirah Beach Walk and the and the Persian Gulf coastline. This, even for regular users, gives a Mall of the Emirates. A mock-up of a station and tram great sense of occasion when using the Metro. are already installed at Jumeirah Beach Walk, and once For the tourist, a significant gap currently exists in the poor completed the APS-equipped tramway will feed three connection between the Metro and the Palm Monorail that feeds metro stations, the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina into the Hotel Atlantis Hotel, although this will hopefully soon and Jumeirah Lakes Towers. It will also connect with the change as development increases. Palm Jumeirah monorail.