BEST CUSTOMER INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

In association with MOST SIGNIFICANT SAFETY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

EMPLOYEE/TEAM OF THE YEAR

CAMPAIGNER OF THE YEAR

PROJECT OF THE YEAR

WORLDWIDE SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

WORLDWIDE PROJECT OF THE YEAR

OPERATOR OF THE YEAR

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING

Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit ACHIEVEMENT ‘I’M A FULLY PAID-UP THE LIGHT RAIL AWARDS LIGHT RAIL SUPPORTER’ The UK wants to become a world light rail 2 011 player, transport minister Norman Baker BEST CUSTOMER INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR Highly Commended: Serco Docklands – Community tells the Light Rail Awards’ audience. Ambassadors and Accessibility Programme WINNER: National Express, Midland Metro – Communications Upgrade

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR Highly Commended: MPT Consortium – Phase 3 WINNER: Mott MacDonald

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY Highly Commended: Centro – Community Payback Project It incorporates light materials, highly- WINNER: Alstom – Appitrack efficient equipments, and an optional and URBOS innovative ACR system that allows MOST SIGNIFICANT SAFETY INITIATIVE catenary-free operation. OF THE YEAR The 2011 awards ceremony welcomed guests from nine countries, showing the “Solution to energy efficiency” current buoyant nature of the global light rail industry. A crucial advance that provides significant SPONSORED BY The new generation of and light energy saving and responds to the growing Highly Commended: Nexus – Interactive Safety Teaching Pack Light rail operators and scheme constructors – have to make sure rails, URBOS, responds to eco design demand of environmentally-friendly WINNER: Transport for Greater Manchester – Metrolink promoters must be wondering that light rail has a bright and pro- School Engagement Project requirements. transport networks. www.caf.net how they can hold on to current gressive future in this country.” UK transport minister Norman After commenting on the high ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR Baker after he was gushing with standards of this year’s awards Highly Commended: Veolia Transdev, Dublin his praise at the industry’s flagship entries, respected broadcaster and WINNER: Tranvía de Murcia, Spain event in London on 5 October. returning Light Rail Awards mas- The MP, now in his second year ter of ceremonies Nicholas Owen EMPLOYEE/TEAM OF THE YEAR as Under-Secretary of State for commented: “An event such as Highly Commended: Manchester Metrolink – Stakeholder Transport, acted as super sales- this can never totally reflect all Engagement and Communications Team man again when he addressed over the good things that are going on Highly Commended: Serco Docklands – Closures Team 250 senior figures from across the in the world, and it’s always sad WINNER: British Transport Police – East Croydon globe at the 5th Annual Light Rail that many of the most enlighten- Awards, now a major international ing projects simply don’t reach CAMPAIGNER OF THE YEAR event with entries from the United the eyes of the judges.” SPONSORED BY States, Australia, Spain, , The judging panel consisted Mott MacDonald Norway, Hungary and Germany. WINNER: Mike Connelly of Gradimir Stefanovic, consult- Mr Baker declared: “I am a ful- ant and senior UITP committee Leaders in light rail ly paid-up member of the light rail member; Axel Kühn, a -train PROJECT OF THE YEAR supporters club, which is a very expert, civil engineer and leading Train, metro, light rail, tram, trolleybus or bus – Highly Commended: Centro – Great Charles Street Bridge happy coincidence, seeing as I’m Mott MacDonald has the knowledge, skills and WINNER: Transport for Greater Manchester and analyst from Karlsruhe, Germany; imagination to help deliver an attractive, successful MPact-Thales – Manchester Metrolink extensions also the Minister responsible for Andrew Braddock, Director Gen- and affordable project. We help plan sustainable, this particular mode of travel. eral of UKTram and Chairman of environmentally responsible transport systems “I’m proud to say that I have the Light Rail Transit Association; WORLDWIDE SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR that enhance community life – both now and for been a champion of light rail in and Howard Johnston, TAUT Pub- WINNER: Bombardier Transportation future generations. and out of Ministerial office. I be- lisher and senior member of the lieve it’s a transport system with a UK’s Light Forum. We thank our many clients from across the LRT WORLDWIDE PROJECT OF THE YEAR bright future. sector for their kind words of support and are proud Special Mention: Miskolc, Hungary – Green Arrow Project “It boasts a track record which to be named the 2011 Light Rail Awards Supplier Highly Commended: Gold Coast Rapid Transit, Australia of the Year. Highly Commended: Dallas Area Rapid Transit – Green shows that it is safe, fast and relia- Line, USA ble. And it’s also one of the green- Highly Commended: Tramway, France est and cleanest forms of transport WINNER: Bybanen Bergen Light Rail, Norway – no emissions at source, very little noise and, with the right scheme in WWW.MOTTMAC.COM OPERATOR OF THE YEAR the right place, the potential to en- courage people out of their cars.” SPONSORED BY Mr Baker passed brief com- Special Mention: Veolia Transdev, Dublin ment on the publication of the WINNER: DB Regio Tyne & Wear long-awaited Green Light for Light Rail document, which will JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING be kicked into action by a pan- [email protected] ACHIEVEMENT industry summit that he will be Declaring his support for light rail, UK WINNER: London Tramlink Recovery Team chairing in London in November. transport minister Norman Baker MP “All of us – Government, opera- delivered the welcome address to the tors, manufacturers, investors, and biggest ever Light Rail Awards.

2 LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 3 BEST CUSTOMER SUPPLIER OF INNOVATION OF MOST SIGNIFICANT INITIATIVE THE YEAR THE YEAR SAFETY INITIATIVE

The first award of the evening celebrated those projects that SPONSORED BY make a difference to the life of the fare-paying passenger. Whether it’s a revised maintenance regime for stops and sta- In an industry full of exciting ideas and seemingly endless tions, improved ticketing or passenger information systems new solutions, this category always attracts a large number or simply increasing staffing levels, the substantial number of entries, proving that the light and urban rail industry glo- of entries in this category showed that manufacturers and bally has much to be proud of when it comes to developing operators treat customers with the utmost respect. solutions for complex technical problems – and also prides The first highly commended honour was given to Serco itself in questioning existing practices and coming up with Docklands for its Community Ambassador programme new ways of addressing everyday operational issues. which over the past 12 months has seen seven new recruits For 2011, there were a great number of entries, and dedicated to the task of making travel easier and increasing the judges singled out three for particular recognition. As social inclusion through its successful Accessibility trips. such, the Highly Commended honour was given to West Over 4000 free trips have been offered over the 12-month Midlands Passenger Transport Executive Centro (UK) for period with the Community Ambassadors, and research its Community Payback Project. shows that 95% of those who may have previously felt re- This scheme highlights excellent cross-authority co-op- WINNER stricted by disability or fear have now been converted to WINNER eration to mobilise 40 workgroups of offenders to tackle travelling on the independently. MOTT MACDONALD litter, graffiti and vandalism on the Midland Metro network. TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER – The category winner was the National Express/Midland Customer satisfaction figures show the results, and crime METROLINK SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT PROJECT Metro initiative to upgrade its passenger information figures on the network have also dropped. Centro’s Finance offering in a GBP500 000 project, with state-of-the-art Director James Aspinall collected the award from Keith facilities including new CCTV cameras, emergency help HIGHLY Rudd, UK Director of Rail from award sponsor Arup. HIGHLY COMMENDED: COMMENDED: points and real-time passenger information at its stops. A The winning entry came from Alstom Transport, with MPT CONSORTIUM NEXUS – simple project, but one that has addressed the cause of so – MANCHESTER its Appitrack machine that is revolutionising the process INTERACTIVE SAFETY many customer issues dealt with in one fell swoop – and to METROLINK PHASE 3 of laying light rail track. Capable of laying 400 metres of TEACHING PACk tight budgets and timescales. track in a single day, the Appitrack machine is, in fact, two Fred Roberts, Managing Director of Midland Metro told machines in one. The first pours the concrete precisely to a TAUT: “We are thrilled to be selected by the judging panel laser-guided route, while the second attached machine fol- as the overall winner. The direct benefit to our customers is lows and inserts the rail fastenings. the provision of reliable and timely communications, both Capable of completing this laborious task four times as visually and audibly, presented on a DDA compliant system. quickly as traditional methods, Appitrack has been used in As a result, customers receive up-to-the-minute information Reims and Angers in France, Algiers in Algeria and Jerusa- on service status during normal service and, perhaps more With complex supply chains for everything from large civil lem in Israel amongst others. SPONSORED BY importantly, during service disruption so they can make an engineering contracts and new vehicle fleets to light bulbs Three representatives from Alstom Transport took to the informed choice on their ongoing travel options.” and landscaping, to function efficiently a light rail system stage to collect the 2011 Innovation of the Year award. The first commendation in this important category –one requires a network of relationships with suppliers where taken very seriously by the industry as a whole – was given everyone performs to their absolute best. to a network owner that hasn’t had to report a serious inci- In this respect, the first honour in the Supplier of the Year dent involving a child in nearly 20 years. HIGHLY category was bestowed upon the MPT consortium for its HIGHLY This comes through an excellent programme of education COMMENDED: ongoing work in delivering the next 64km (40 miles) of the COMMENDED: in the region’s schools, made all the more impressive by its SERCO DOCKLANDS UK’s Manchester Metrolink network. In a GBP1.5bn build, CENTRO use of technology over the past 12 months. Light Rail Awards – COMMUNITY – COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS the judges were particularly impressed by the consortium’s PAYBACK PROJECT host Nicholas Owen said: “Over 9 000 schoolchildren are AND ACCESSIBILITY environmental initiatives to keep waste to a minimum and visited each year to hammer the message home, and it’s all PROGRAMME its impressive safety record of two million working hours high-tech stuff nowadays in this innovative programme de- without incident. The Highly Commended award was col- vised by Youth Liaison Officer Rebecca Ditchburn. lected by Bryan Diggins on behalf of the MPT Consortium. “It can be used by teachers without her even being there But the judges singled out one particular organisation for and has proved very successful in broadcasting the safety its ongoing role in everything light rail-related. Mott Mac- message far and wide. An hour’s tuition really can help you Donald’s multi-disciplinary teams advise on every aspect live longer.” of light rail construction and operation, and the judges said: But the judges singled out a winner in the form of Trans- “There isn’t a tramway in the UK – and there are a good port for Greater Manchester’s initiative that over the past year number of others around the world – where this busy firm alone has visited 360 schools within a mile (1.6km) of its has not parked its footprint. new lines using eye-catching posters and literature to broad- “If you’re building a tramway or you’re considering a cast the message that construction sites aren’t impromptu tram-train conversion, how do you get decent advice on playgrounds and illustrating the risk involved with trespass. what vehicles to buy? If you need to design the layout of The judges remarked: “The building worker on the warn- your depot, reduce noise levels or even find the right colour ing poster is an ugly guy, and his message hits you in the for the handrails, you need to learn from someone who’s face – KEEP OUT! Building sites are dangerous places, been there before and knows all the pitfalls. Mott MacDon- so if you step over the line, you could easily get seriously ald are a one-stop shop for light and urban rail excellence.” injured or even killed. If you do survive, and get caught, Mott MacDonald’s Light Rail Practice Leader, David you’ll certainly get prosecuted. The message is blunt, but Hand, and Associate Director and Head of LRT rolling stock incredibly effective with just two minor incidents of tres- Mark Terry collected the award. Mr Hand told TAUT: “UK pass in three years.” WINNER experience can compete with the best in Europe. We bring Transport for Greater Manchester’s Jim Critchley and a new approach and come in with something different. I’ve WINNER Philip Purdy collected the trophy from David Hand of NATIONAL EXPRESS, MIDLAND METRO ALSTOM – APPITRACK – COMMUNICATIONS UPGRADE got real faith in our industry and these are exciting times.” award sponsor Mott MacDonald.

4 LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 5 ENVIRONMENTAL EMPLOYEE/TEAM INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR

The first commendation in this new category for 2011 was given to a simple initiative to promote environmentally- conscious thinking at one of Europe’s busiest operators. With new extensions opening throughout 2011, Veolia Transdev in Dublin recognised the need to further educate its staff – and in a fun way. The judges’ said: “The best way to secure the commit- ment of staff is to have fun. Giving its staff the chance to spin around the depot in electric cars was a fantastic way of illustrating the effects of energy consumption – not only on company profits, but also in terms of saving the planet.” Managing Director Brian Brennan collected the trophy from UK Transport Minister Norman MP. Describing the winning entry, the judges recognised the efforts of the team at Tranvía de Murcia, Spain, in pushing WINNER its new tramway’s benefits in a very visual, and public, way. Light Rail Awards host Nicholas Owen remarked: “What BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE a staggering idea – hand in your car, and we’ll give you a – EAST CROYDON lifetime travel pass. At the start, no-one believed it. Howev- er, one day a woman in her 50s walked into the tramway’s office and surrendered the keys to her Renault Twingo. “With around 200 000 other motorists still clogging up the roads in this European city, there’s certainly plenty of scope to develop the scheme. Best of all, it isn’t costing the operators a penny as private companies are sponsoring the whole thing.” Mayor of Murcia Miguel Angel Cámara Botía made the 2000-mile round trip to collect the award, and told TAUT: HIGHLY HIGHLY “We have to get used to a new way of travelling. You can COMMENDED: COMMENDED: live as well as before – or better. This is just one initiative MANCHESTER METROLINK SERCO DOCKLANDS to get people out of their cars and onto the new tramway. – STAKEHOLDER – CLOSURES TEAM “The award is a great incentive to keep up the good work ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM and we are looking for further private sponsors to keep it going and remove more cars from the streets of Murcia.” Congratulations to all One of the most popular awards of the evening, the employee/ team accolade usually goes to the unsung heroes, those the 2011 Light Rail HIGHLY people who make sure our systems operate efficiently COMMENDED: through tireless hard work and passion for their jobs. VEOLIA TRANSDEV, Again, with so many entries it was a difficult decision, Award winners! DUBLIN but the judges began with the Manchester Metrolink Stake- Especially Centro with the ‘Community holder Engagement and Communications team. In just 18 Payback Project’, winner of the ‘Innovation months this small team attended over 800 meetings and sent of the Year’ award, sponsored by Arup. out more than 300 mailings to make everyone fully aware of every step of the extensive expansion of the system. A second Highly Commended award was given to the Closures Team of Serco Docklands, again for its work in communicating clearly and honestly with passengers as the system underwent major works in the past year. The judges remarked: “Honesty is always the best policy Arup specialists work with clients around the world to and clarity in communication is crucial to attaining cus- deliver effective transport solutions, that include: tomers’ trust. In the modern age, closure messages need to be broadcast in every medium and the Serco Docklands - Business case preparation team has always proved its excellence in this respect.” - Operations and network planning The winning entry however came not from a manufac- - Economic, environmental and social assessments turer or an operator, but instead from a police force. The - Engineering appraisal and design British Transport Police were honoured for their incred- ible work in slashing crime figures in and around London’s - Implementation and procurement advice Tramlink system, making passengers feel safe and secure - Asset Management as they travel on one of the UK’s finest light rail systems. The judges said: “The statistics do the talking and this team has some of the best detection rates of police forces in the South East of England.” WINNER Inspector Jack Ioannau picked up the award on behalf of www.arup.com TRANVÍA DE MURCIA, SPAIN the British Transport Police in East Croydon.

6 LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 7

Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit

Former London Rail Managing Director A crowded house for the 2011 Light Rail Ian Brown CBE – and keynote speaker Awards – the biggest event of its kind at last year’s Light Rail Awards ever held in the UK, with nearly 250 – shares a joke with London Rail’s distinguished guests in attendance. Chief Operating Officer Howard Smith.

The Municipality of Murcia and Tranvía de Murcia travelled over a thousand miles to collect their Environmental Initiative of the Year trophy, the Mayor commenting: “We have to get used to a new way of travelling. You can live as well as before – or better.” Guests made the most of the uncharacteristically good October weather with the Although unable outdoor drinks reception at the to attend on the Honourable Artillery Company. evening, Mayor of London Boris Johnson sent a special tribute to the London Tramlink Recovery team – watched Campaigner of the Year Mike with interest by UK Connelly (right) clutches Transport Minister his award and celebratory Norman Baker. Champagne proudly as he talks to fellow campaigner Iain MacDonald from the LRTA.

The LRTA showed support for the Awards en masse, including former LRTA President (now Patron) Geoffrey Claydon and new Chairman Andrew Braddock – also Respected broadcaster and light The DB Regio Tyne & Wear team Director General of UKTram. rail fan Nicholas Owen took to the celebrated a second award-winning stage for the fifth time, hosting the year, taking the coveted Operator of the 2011 Light Rail Awards – always Year title in 2011. Managing Director raising a smile with his erudite and Richard McClean (front right) said: “I witty introductions. am proud to return to Tyne and Wear with this award, recognising the great work of all those at DB Regio and the Tyne and Wear working on Metro.” As one of the most sought after people in the UK at the moment, Department for Transport light rail lead Steve Berry (left) discusses the finer points of the recent 2008 Campaigner of the Year Paul Green Light for Light Rail report with Rowen congratulates Rob Whyte TAUT Editor Simon Johnston. from Alstom Transport – the latter collecting the Innovation of the Year award for the firm’s Appitrack track-laying system. Roger Harrison from the Tramlink Nottingham consortium and ’ Metro and Light Rail Director Regis Hennion compare experience with current Nottingham Express Transit boss Neil Wood.

The Light Rail Awards Champagne Reception, sponsored by rolling stock manufacturer CAF, saw guests from eight different countries comparing notes and enjoying the networking opportunities.

8 LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 9 PROJECT OF CAMPAIGNER OF OPERATOR OF THE YEAR THE YEAR THE YEAR

SPONSORED BY Another category that attracted many entries, was the cov- eted Project of the Year accolade – making it a challenging In an exciting year for light rail globally, choosing the “Our winner has done just that with extra services, more staff decision for the judges. However, the two shortlisted for the Operator of the Year – seen by many as the most prestigious on the ground, cleaner, brighter and more reliable trains, and honours show that major construction projects need not be award of the evening – was always going to be a challenging above all dead-straight honesty. A deserved winner.” arduous tasks if they are well-planned, well-organised and process for the judges. That said, two operators in particular Richard McClean, Managing Director of DB Regio Tyne & efficiently managed by skilled teams. stood out for praise. Wear, collected the 2011 Operator of the Year title from Steve The first project recognised was the Great Charles Street The first special mention was given to Veolia Transdev for Reynolds of sponsor Parsons Brinckerhoff. Bridge that will eventually take Midland Metro trams into its operation of the Dublin Luas system. Not only has it opened Mr McClean later told TAUT: “Winning this award is a great Birmingham city centre (UK) – a long-overdue project that three line extensions over the past 18 months, the system still honour for everybody at DB Regio Tyne & Wear who work so connects many thousands to the already successful network. operates at near-perfect 99% reliability and customer satisfac- hard to operate Metro. DBTW’s employees are proving that Although crossing an eight-lane motorway into the heart tion. As a model for light rail operations everywhere, the judges we can ensure Metro provides a great service to the people of of the UK’s second-largest city, this scheme was completed commented that the past seven years have shown how light rail Tyne and Wear. without any drama or delay – in fact it was delivered on can transform even the most modern, progressive capital city. “We have taken the operation of the network in our stride schedule, and came in almost 10% under-budget. In choosing the winner, the judges were impressed with how and made significant improvements to service levels, something Paul Griffiths of West Midlands Passenger Transport Ex- this “new kid on the block” has made such an impact just 16 which is recognised in the ever-increasing satisfaction levels in ecutive Centro collected the transport authority’s second WINNER months into its operating contract with the Tyne & Wear Metro. the surveys carried out. The last 18 months hasn’t been without honour of the evening. MIKE CONNELLY Light Rail Awards host Nicholas Owen echoed the com- its challenges, including during the snowstorms last winter, but The top honours in the Project of the Year category were ments of the judging panel by saying: “Everything takes a bat- we managed to keep Metro in operation, with not a single train bestowed upon the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) tering when you run through tough areas, and once windows being cancelled due to a lack of train drivers. entry – one of three that covered various aspects of the Phase get scratched, ticket machines broken into and stations van- “It is for this reason among many others that I am proud to 3 extensions to the UK’s Manchester Metrolink system, all SPONSORED BY dalised, you can very soon lose the plot. What’s the answer? return to Tyne and Wear with the Operator of the Year award, three being worthy of recognition in their own right. Simply roll your sleeves up and get your back into sorting out recognising the great work of all those at DB Regio and the Following its Highly Commended award in this category Following in the footsteps of Broxtowe Borough Council- the problem. Tyne and Wear working on Metro.” in 2010, a massive amount has happened in those 12 months. lor Steve Barber was never going to be an easy task for the With the opening of the new extension to Media City:UK Campaigner of the Year, but the 2011 award was given to a and the new South Manchester line, many thousands now man chosen by the judges for his tireless work in promoting have access to the rapidly expanding Metrolink network. light rail in a particularly hostile climate – Edinburgh, UK. SPECIAL MENTION: VEOLIA TRANSDEV, DUBLIN On top of this there have been further orders for M5000 With the world’s eyes keenly focused on a project that trams and a new depot opened to house them. The Old Traf- has struggled with delays, and disputes, managing the often ford facility has state-of-the-art servicing and washing fa- fractured relationships between stakeholders in front of the cilities, as well as ample stabling for the fleet as it expands. media is certainly no easy task. For these reasons, the Phase 3 expansion project was rec- Mike Connelly, formerly Head of Public Affairs at Edin- ognised, with TfGM representatives taking to the stage to burgh Trams, was recognised as a tremendous communica- collect the award from Minister Norman Baker MP. tor who has done a massive amount to stem the tide of ill- feeling in the city towards the delayed tramway scheme. Light Rail Awards host Nicholas Owen remarked: “In our industry at the moment, the word Edinburgh is sadly one HIGHLY that sends a sharp tingle down your spine. COMMENDED: “Mike Connelly has taken much of the flak, but remained CENTRO – GREAT upbeat and never let his face fall despite repeated hammer- CHARLES STREET BRIDGE ings from the anti-trammers, local firms, shopkeepers, taxi drivers, and worst of all the local and national media. “Sadly, Mr Connelly has fallen victim of the latest round of reorganisation, but we sincerely hope that other light rail systems will snap him up now that he can add Campaigner of the Year to his CV.” Delighted by his award, Mr Connelly told TAUT: “I welcome the Campaigner of the Year Award, but not as an individual. This is a recognition of the communications team recruited four to five years ago on Edinburgh Trams. “If there is one thing that I have learnt over the last five years it is the fact that we have to get smarter at making the case for light rail, but also developing a message for light rail which wins over more and more hearts and minds. “When I started at Edinburgh Trams in 2006 I reckon that 90% of the energy within the project was being spent on the 2% of the Edinburgh population who were the people who didn’t wish to see trams. We need to articulate new relation- ships with new people who believe or can be persuaded to believe that light rail is the best option for them. “If we do this successfully we will start to make a real WINNER difference to the social, economic and environmental im- TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER pact on people’s lives, everything that light rail provides.” AND MPACT-THALES – MANCHESTER Light Rail Transit Association Chairman Andrew METROLINK EXTENSIONS Braddock presented the award. WINNER DB REGIO TYNE & WEAR

10 LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 11 WORLDWIDE SUPPLIER WORLDWIDE PROJECT OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR

SPONSORED BY 13km (eight-mile) first line. On schedule for passenger services mented: “This fantastic system is a model for light rail develop- Taking this coveted award for the second year running, to start in 2014, it will be Queensland’s first tramway. The award ment worldwide. Efficient design and planning saw the first line Bombardier Transportation again impressed the judges was collected on behalf of future operator Keolis by the firm’s realised in just two years – on schedule and on budget – and it with its commitment to technological innovation and cus- Now in its third year, the Worldwide Project of the Year was Metro and Light Rail Director, Regis Hennion. has already exceeded all ridership expectations and, more impor- tomer service – no matter where it is across the globe. the most closely-contested of all the awards with entries com- The next prize was noted by judges for its near-perfect imple- tantly, become a landmark for the region. With orders in the past year for its trams from as far ing from all four corners of the globe, and including new sys- mentation of the latest technology in a small city of just 160 000 “If only all light rail schemes could progress this smoothly and afield as Melbourne and the Gold Coast in Australia, tems, new lines and technological developments. population. The tramway in Angers, France, is a modest example show such transformational effects, we’d certainly see more get- Brussels in Belgium, Halle, Kassel and Leipzig in Germany, Sponsored by Tramways & Urban Transit, Publisher Howard of a 12km (7.5-mile) system built using surface current collec- ting off the ground. A well-deserved winner.” Krakow in Poland, Stockholm in Sweden and Manchester Johnston joined UK Under-Secretary of State for Transport tion, grassed areas and attractive vehicles that has already made Light Rail Awards host Nicholas Owen added: “Countless bar- in the UK, Bombardier underlined its market-leading Norman Baker MP on stage to present the honours. a big impact on its surroundings. Bernadette Caillard-Humeau, riers were placed in the way of the visionaries who saw light rail position worldwide. A special mention was made for the ‘Green Arrow’ scheme Vice President in charge Transportation and Urban Mobility for as the best way to unjam the roads in this coastal city. The judges commented: “With over 100 000 trams and in Miskolc, Hungary – an ambitious project to revitalise the the city of Angers collected the award. “First it was politics, then planning, then money, and then railcars running worldwide, this is a firm that goes from city’s east-west tramline with the reconstruction of almost The third Highly Commended was given to a US system that there were even arguments about the names of the tram stops. strength to strength in the urban transit industry. Connect 20 miles of track and an order for 30 new vehicles. Leading goes from strength to strength. Opening 45km (28 miles) of new Now the first line is up and running, work has already started on them all together and they’d stretch from Crystal Palace to the way for many Eastern European tramways that have been route in a single day is an impressive feat – and one achieved by extensions and regeneration and new developments are springing Paris and back – twice.” starved of investment for decades, the judges were impressed the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Green line in early 2011. up around the line. This is how to do it.” Collecting the award on behalf of Bombardier Trans- with this entry for its scope and meticulous planning. With much more on the way, the DART network is a standard- Having been a part of the tramway scheme for over 20 years, portation were the firm’s President of Light Rail Vehicles, Whittling the double-figure entries down to just four, three bearer for US light rail as it goes through its most intensive de- Thomas J. Potter, Chief Engineer, travelled from Bergen to Germar Wacker, UK Chairman Colin Walton and UK LRV Highly Commended honours were noted, the first being for velopment phase in decades. Ben Gomez, Executive Vice Presi- collect the award. He told TAUT: “It’s had a lot of public opposi- Sales Director Elaine Greenwood. 2009 Worldwide Project of the Year winner, the Gold Coast dent of Administration, collected the award on behalf of DART. tion and this award is a recognition that the politicians especially Mr Wacker told TAUT: “We are proud to have won one Rapid Transit Project in Australia. Since 2009, contracts have The winner was the Bybanen Bergen Light Rail system in Nor- were far-sighted. It’s about city development and what you want of the most highly-prized accolades among the 2011 Light been awarded and construction has begun on this 16-station, way with a unanimous vote from the judging panel, who com- your city to be.” Rail Awards. This award underscores our capability as a provider of light rail solutions and as a reliable partner for transport operators. Our vehicles are already in success- ful revenue service in Manchester, London’s Docklands, SPECIAL MENTION: Croydon and Nottingham, and we have just successfully MISKOLC, HUNGARY – launched our Flexity 2 tram in Blackpool. “We were also particularly impressed with the reason the GREEN ARROW PROJECT judges gave for awarding this prize to Bombardier for the second year running: “With over 100,000 trams and railcars running worldwide, this is a firm that goes from strength to HIGHLY strength in the urban transit industry. COMMENDED: “The latest Flexity 2 vehicles for Blackpool are obvi- GOLD COAST RAPID ously the result of the firm’s extensive experience in this TRANSIT, AUSTRALIA industry and offer an exciting future for the next generation of tramways worldwide”.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT – GREEN LINE, USA

HIGHLY COMMENDED: ANGERS TRAMWAY, FRANCE

Deservedly taking the 2011 Worldwide Operator WINNER BYBANEN of the Year title, Bergen’s Stadler LRVs now wear WINNER the Light Rail Awards logo by their doors with BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION BERGEN LIGHT RAIL, pride – following the example set by Nottingham NORWAY Express Transit in 2010. Jimmy Schmincke

12 LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 13 JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

With no entries and no formal nominations, this is the category “London Tramlink is the lifeforce which where the judges single out an individual, a team or an organisa- tion for their contribution to the light rail industry as a whole. keeps Croydon’s economy healthy and With a clean sheet, the judges debate long and hard as to the the team did an incredible job to repair element that has made the most impact in a busy and crowded the damage caused during the riots. I year of incredible achievement in the light rail world. In the judges’ opinion there was one team this year that covered itself send each of them my thanks and hearty in glory for its efforts when faced with widespread civil unrest congratulations.” BORIS JOHNSON, MAYOR OF LONDON in the UK’s capital city – the London Tramlink recovery team. Light Rail Awards host Nicholas Owen began the tributes: “The week beginning Monday 8 August saw rampaging rioters track, isolated the melted signals and had services back up and tearing through the UK’s major cities in an uncontrolled orgy of running under immensely difficult circumstances. This is a truly vandalism and looting. remarkable achievement and a worthy winner in this category.” “London was very badly affected, and the London Tramlink Although unable to attend, Mayor of London Boris Johnson system in Croydon innocently found itself at the very centre of sent his own message of congratulation: “London Tramlink is the some of the most serious attacks. Quick-thinking staff had to lifeforce which keeps Croydon’s economy healthy and the team suspend services to protect passengers, staff and equipment as a did an incredible job to repair the damage caused during the riots. major department store right next to the track erupted in a vol- “Their hard work symbolised the unbelievable determination cano of flames. shown by so many Londoners to get the capital back on track. I “When the heat died down, it was discovered that 14 trams was very proud to meet several members of the Tramlink team Putting were stranded on the eastern side of the network, with no means myself following their achievement and I send each of them my of getting them back to safety at the main depot. Again, clear thanks and hearty congratulations.” thinking allowed a quick decision to keep some sort of service Phil Hewitt, Director of London Trams, told TAUT: “The riots running. A makeshift maintenance centre was even cobbled to- in Croydon in August placed a sudden and immense strain on gether at a tramstop, and Nottingham Express Transit graciously the Tramlink network and the speed with which the infrastruc- the future lent some of their kit. This is teamwork at its very best.” ture was restored and services resumed around central Croydon The judges added: “The efforts of all concerned in Croydon serves to demonstrate the skill and professionalism of our driv- were nothing short of herculean in dealing with the aftermath of ing and maintenance teams. the some of the worst rioting seen in the UK in decades. “This award is wonderful recognition of the efforts made by, “Within just 48 hours the overhead lines were back up, the and the remarkable commitment to, the network and to our cus- on TRACK! clearly well-organised Tramlink team had re-erected the over- tomers of the Bombardier, Tram Operations and TfL people who head lines, made safe the damaged masts, cleared the clogged go together to make up the Tramlink team.” VARIOBAHN and TANGO: Light rail vehicles produced by Stadler for city of the future.

WINNER

LONDON TRAMLINK RECOVERY TEAM Stadler Pankow GmbH · Lessingstrasse 102 · D-13158 Berlin, Germany · Phone +49 (0)30 91 91-16 16 · Fax +49 (0)30 91 91-21 50 · [email protected] A Company of Stadler Rail Group www.stadlerrail.com

14 LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2011 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Reproduced with permission of Tramways & Urban Transit

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