THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

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FEBRUARY 2017 No. 950 TENERIFE’S TRAMWAY STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Antwerp: Light rail expansion in a demanding setting 150km added to Chinese metro lines NY opens Second Avenue Subway Turkish PM confirms Diyarbakır tram

Going driverless San Francisco 02> £4.40 Today’s metros – and Torpedo service on tomorrow’s trams? the waterfront 9 771460 832050 LRT MONITOR TheLRT MONITOR series from Mainspring is an essential reference work for anyone who operates in the world’s light and urban rail sectors. Featuring regular updates in both digital and print form, the LRT Monitor includes an overview of every established line and network as well as details of planned schemes and those under construction. POLAND

POZNAŃ

Tramways play an important role in one of of the main railway station. Poland’s biggest and most historic cities, with In 2012 a line opened to the east of the city, the first horse-drawn tramline opening in 1880. with an underground section containing two An overview Electrification followed in 1898. sub-surface stations and a new depot. The The network was badly damaged during World reconstruction of Kaponiera roundabout, an A high-quality War Two, resuming operations in 1947 and then important tram junction, is set for completion in of the system’s only east of the river Warta. Service returned to 2016. When finished, it will be a three-level image for ease the western side of the city in 1952 with the junction, with a PST interchange on the lower development, opening of the Marchlewski bridge (now named level. Future plans include construction of the of future after the 14th century Polish Queen Jadwigi). much-needed line to Naramowice. Outlying districts were gradually connected Poznań has introduced many new trams in recent major over the following three decades, a key recent years – from 2003 Siemens Combino reference development coming with the opening of the (14 cars), from 2011 Solaris Tramino (45) and projects and express PST (Poznański Szybki Tramwaj) line in partially low-floor Moderus Beta produced by 2007, cutting journey times from the densely- MPK Poznań subsidiary Modertrans (24). The populated northern districts of Winogrady and partially low-floor Tatra RT6, in service since known plans Piątkowo to the city centre by 30 minutes. 1997, were extensively modernised but are now The missing PST section to the city’s railway being phased out. In late 2015 MPK Poznań for the future station opened in 2011. This 2km extension is selected Modertrans to deliver 20 partially carried in a cutting, parallel to the railway line low-floor trams with an option for further ten and below the level of the Roosvelta Street. that was exercised in June 2016. Unlike the other Trams terminate at the former platform seven 44 cars, these latter ten will be double-ended.

SYSTEM FACTS KEY CONTACTS Opened: Horse 1880, Electric 1898 Fleet: 180 x Konstal 105N with modifications, Wojciech Tulibacki - CEO Contact names Lines: 18 (+ 1 night service and 1 tourist service) 4 x Konstal 4N with modifications, 11 x Tatra +48 61 839 6011 System length: 82km RT6 MF06AC, 47 x Düwag GT8, 2 x Düwag Jerzy Zalwowski - Finance Director Stops: 130 GT8NF, 24 x Modertrans Moderus Beta Marek Grzybowski - Engineering Director and numbers The vital Depots: 4 MF02AC, 45 x Solaris Tramino S105p, one Jan Firlik - Operations Director Gauge: 1435mm Solaris Tramino S100, 14 x Siemens Combino Media contact: for the key operational Power supply: 600V dc (total 342, including 14 works cars) +48 61 839 6099 Annual ridership: 120M (2012 estimate) @ [email protected] decision-makers statistics Operator: Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo General contact: Komunikacyjne w Poznaniu (MPK Poznań) +48 61 839 6000 @ [email protected] Operator website: www.mpk.poznan.pl

SPAIN UKRAINE BELGIUM UNITED KINGDOM

MURCIA VINNYTSIA BRUSSELS METRO BLACKPOOL

The Murcia tramway was promoted and is stops in total, 24 for the regular service and four The metre-gauge tramway at Vinnytsia, dating trams featured bogie motor cars and trailers of Most of the initial section of the first two metro approximately 39% metro, 36% tram, 25% bus. Blackpool’s tramway celebrated its 130th additional services provided by a refurbished owned by the city government, and is operated for the shuttle. The 11-strong Alstom Citadis from 1913, has in recent years been transformed the Karpfen type dating from 1959-63; a few lines were inaugurated in 1969 as pre-metro STIB anticipates 415M passengers by 2017. anniversary in 2015 and is the oldest of the UK’s heritage fleet. Although the fleet roster is by the Sociedad Concesionaria Tranvía de 302 fleet is maintained at a depot near Nueva into arguably the finest in Ukraine, following a solo motor cars are still in operation. The Zürich tram subways, converted in 1976 to a six- A departure from 45 earlier vehicles (still in first-generation electric tramways – indeed, one extensive, and almost all maintenance is still Murcia. This joint venture of Comsa Emte Condomina. Showing steady passenger growth deal concluded in 2007 for the transfer of cars provide the majority of services on the station, 11 km initial metro line. STIB/MIVB service), the 94m M6 CAF ‘Boa’ trains from of the oldest street-running electric tramways carried out in-house, at any one time no more Concesiones and FCC holds a concession period the line carried its 20 millionth passenger in 2016. surplus rolling stock from Zürich (Switzerland) six-route tramway, with seven Tatra KT4 increased metro operations by extending from 2007 represent a new generation of fully in the world, and one of only three that still use than 40 cars are usually to be found in of 40 years and a total investment of EUR264M. Construction was noted for its speed (two accompanied by a ten-year maintenance articulated cars, repainted in a pseudo-Zürich initial city coverage. The Chronos network now through-gangway trains. Forthcoming M7 double-deck trams in regular passenger service. operational condition. One of the highlights for The initial 2.2km line and four stops opened as a years) and minimal traffic disruption. It was also contract. A requirement was that the Zürich cars livery, making up the balance. consists of four conventional metro lines (M1, stock will be for lines scheduled for automatic The seaside resort’s fortunes declined the heritage fleet is the world-famous demonstration project in 2007 with the whole recognised for environmental considerations should retain their blue/ivory livery, and although Very high frequencies are provided and high M2, M5, M6) and three premetro lines (T3, T4, operation. throughout the 20th Century, but careful ‘Illuminations’ festival each autumn when cars of line 1 opening officially in May 2011. such as the reuse of excavated material and they have been renumbered with Vinnytsia fleet passenger loadings are experienced throughout and T7). The premetro network consists of three Not an original feature, stations have been management enabled the tramway to continue covered with spectacular lighting effects offer The single 18km line forms a ‘V’ that connects careful replanting of 90% of the affected trees. numbers, the Zürich fleet numerals continue to the day. A recent extension has linked the outer subway and surface tram lines. The completion fitted with barriers to improve revenue and in 2005 a business case was put to the UK tours along the Promenade. the northern part of the city to the centre; it is Clever marketing initatives included the offer of be displayed internally. ends of lines 2 and 6, and an outer-end circular of a connection at Gare de l’Ouest/Weststation protection. As with tramway stops, metro Government which sought funding for a A funding package has been agreed thatwill operated as a regular service connecting Nueva a lifetime pass in exhange for private cars. Today, most routes are served by three- service introduced, whilst new route 3 was in 2009 enabled line 2 to form a circle line and as stations are bi-lingualy named in French and comprehensive rebuild of the system’s allow a 600m branch of the tramway to be built Condomina to the Universidad de Murcia and a Recently plans were announced for a 2km section articulated Mirage cars, built between introduced in December 2015, providing further a consequence the metro was significantly Dutch. Cross-mode ticketing covers STIB infrastructure, along with other seafront along Talbot Road to the town’s main railway shuttle spur from Terra Natura to the extension south from Plaza Circular to El Carmen, 1966 and 1969. The original deliveries of Zürich direct suburban connections. reorganised into the current 4 line operation. modes and other public sector operators for renovation projects. station, Blackpool North, and the purchase of Universidad Católica de San Antonio. There 28 using catenary-free operation along Gran Vía. The metro runs mainly sub-surface in services within the capital region. The system was reborn as a modern tramway two additional low-floor trams. This line is twin-track tunnels. To increase capacity as per A terrorist attack at Maalbeek station on 22 in 2012 with relaid tracks, fully refurbished expected to open by 2019. Furthermore, a SYSTEM FACTS KEY CONTACTS STIB’s Pulsar project, EUR5.2Bn was approved March 2016 killed 16 metro passengers and stops, a new depot at Starr Gate and a new fleet feasibility study is being undertaken examining SYSTEM FACTS KEY CONTACTS Opened: 1913 Fleet: 78 x Be 4/6 Mirage with modifications, Mykola V. Formanyuk - CEO in October 2015 for a ten-year programme for injured many more. This resulted in a temporary of Bombardier Flexity 2 low-floor trams. The a further extension of the main line south to Opened: 2011 Stops: 750V dc Severiano Arias Gonzalez – Director General Lines: 6 12 x Be 4/4 Karpfen, 14 x B4 Karpfen, 11 x B4 + 380 432 611 693 fully-automatic operation on new extensions full closure of the metro, to be re-opened in new vehicles operate the basic service, with Lytham St Annes. Lines: 1 Fleet: 11 x Alstom Citadis 302 Santiago Molina – Technical Director System length: 19.6km FFA/SWP, 36 x Tatra KT4, one Tatra T4, Mykola I. Zaveryukha - Deputy Director and retrofitting some existing lines. sections. Two further metro lines are planned System length: 18km Annual ridership: 5M (2014, estimate) General contact: Stops: 36 one Gotha T57 - total 162, including various General contact: STIB network passenger journeys increased and it is hoped that these will open between Stops: 28 Operator: Tranvia de Murcia + 34 (0) 982 230 068 Depots: 1 works cars + 380 432 091 067 by 110% for 2000-14, with a modal split of 2022 and 2025. SYSTEM FACTS KEY CONTACTS Depots: 1 @ [email protected] Gauge: 1000mm Annual ridership: 68.1M (2013) @ [email protected] Opened: 1885 Jane Cole – Managing Director General contact: Gauge: 1435mm Operator website: www.tranviademurcia.es Power supply: 550V dc Operator: Vinnytska Transportna Kompaniya, KP Operator website: www.depo.vn.ua Lines: 1 + 44 (0) 1253 473001 + 44 (0) 1253 473001 SYSTEM FACTS KEY CONTACTS System length: 18km @ [email protected] @ [email protected] Opened: 1969 (pre-metro), 1976 (metro) Annual ridership: 134.9M (2015) Brieuc de Meeûs – CEO Stops: 37 Bob Mason – Director of Delivery Operator website: PALMA YENAKIEVE Lines: 4 Operator: Societe des transportes Tom Michiels – Technical Director Depots: 2 + 44 (0) 1253 473116 www.blackpooltransport.com System length: 39.9km intercommunaux de Bruxelles (STIB/MIVB) Marc Haumont – Director of Operations Gauge: 1435mm @ [email protected] Stops: 69 @ [email protected] Power supply: 600V dc Paul Grocott – Tramway Programme Manager Palma’s metro is an excellent example of the terminus at the university. Less than five months The industrial town of Yenakieve opened its and only about ten are still serviceable. The Depots: 4 An van Hamme – Media contact Fleet: 16 x Bombardier Flexity 2, 9 x English + 44 (0) 1253 476329 blurring of definitions in the light rail industry; after opening the line suffered serious flooding tramway in 1932. The skyline is dominated by a system is the only one in Ukraine to have taken Gauge: 1435mm + 32 (0) 2525 2056 Electric Balloon, 37 x heritage/Illumination cars @ [email protected] Line M1 is a true light metro but line M2 operates and services did not restart until July 2008. large steelworks, though this is (unusually) not delivery of one of the latest Ust-Katav KTM-23 Power supply: 900V dc third rail @ [email protected] – total 67, including 5 works cars of various types Bryan Lindop – Head of Heritage Operations CAF EMUs on regional rail lines. In November 2012 it was announced that a served by the tramway that features four prongs, bogie cars with a low-floor centre section. It Fleet: 217 x M1-M5 (Bombardier, CAF: 4- and General contact: Annual ridership: 4.9M (2015) + 44 (0) 1253 473116 Constructed between 2005-07 at a cost of second line (M2) would operate between Plaça on a mainly north/south axis, which includes the was also the only tramway other than Luhansk 5-car trains), 126 x CAF M6 ‘Boa’ (6-car trains) + 32 (0) 2515 5400 Operator: Blackpool Transport Services @ [email protected] EUR312M, the metro opened in April 2007 with d’Espanya and Marratxi using 8.35km of existing original line. The town’s limited commercial centre to trial the LT-10 bogie cars built there but its - total 343 @ [email protected] one line, now designated M1. The service rail lines. With minimal work required, revenue is located a little to the south of the mid-point, experience was even worse than elsewhere and Operator website: www.stib-mivb.be operates between the city centre’s intermodal service began in March 2013. Sharing its first and features an involved single-track loop layout. none lasted in service more than three years. EDINBURGH station at Plaça d’Espanya and the Universitat three stations with line M1 and also running Trams serve mainly residential developments as Although Yenakieve has suffered heavy de les Illes Balears (UIB), a distance of 7.2km underground until Son Costa Son Fortesa, the well as the Red October coal mine. A feature is shelling in the 2014-15 insurgency and remains CHARLEROI with nine stations including the two termini. lines split as M1 turns north and M2 runs on the the preponderance of tramway streets, where in rebel-held territory, the tramway remains Edinburgh’s original tramways ran from 1871 until disputes with the scheme’s lead contractors From Plaça d’Espanya the line runs surface for the remainder of the route to Marratxi. tracks are laid on central or side reservation. operational unlike the subsidiary trolleybus 1956, originally with cable traction, but electrified and unexpected utility works delayed the underground to just beyond Camí dels Reis then Rolling stock is all CAF supplied, with six The fleet comprises mainly Soviet-built (ex-tramway) in neighbouring Vuhlehirsk, which Charleroi is the biggest city in Wallonia, a mainly Beaux-Arts is the focal point on the north of in the 1920s. Edinburgh’s second-generation project significantly. Funding problems and at surface level for a stretch of 2.5km, including Class 71 units operating on M1 and five Class 81 KTM-5 bogie cars; many are now 40 years old, was completely destroyed during the fighting. French-speaking region that once formed the the circuit. Part of the western arm (opened tramway opened on 31 May 2014, although the political disputes led to the scaling back of the the station at Son Sardina (interchange with FC EMUs on M2. The system’s depot is located on industrial heartland of Belgium. 1986) and the eastern arm (including the 2012 story of the project is not a happy one. original plans and the truncated scheme finally de Soller), before diving back underground for the line M2, just west of Verge de Lluc station. In the 1960s, Charleroi had an extensive tram Soleilmont extension) are fully grade- The original system proposed in 2003 detailed opened in May 2014, the final cost is estimated SYSTEM FACTS KEY CONTACTS network; interurban operations were run by the separated, the remainder is mainly a street or a three-line route, with a loop serving the city to be over EUR854M. A fleet of 27 CAF Urbos 3 Opened: 1932 Fleet: 33 x 71-605 (KTM-5M3) with Oleksandr S. Vaynsteyn - CEO SNCV (National Provincial Tramways) and urban roadside tramway. This includes the 7.2km centre and northern suburbs and radial routes trams was delivered, but only 17 are needed for SYSTEM FACTS KEY CONTACTS Lines: 3 modifications, 3 x 71-623-02 (KTM-23) - total + 380 625 222 232 operations by STIC (Charleroi City Transport). northern line to Gosselies, opened in June 2013 to Newcraighall in the south and Newbridge in regular passenger services on the curtailed line. Opened: 2007 Gauge: 1435mm Mateu Capella Ribot – CEO System length: 14.2km 38, including works cars Galyna V. Kyslychka - Finance Director An increase in car and bus transport – combined when old track retained for depot access was the west. The cost of the scheme in 2003 was A public inquiry into the management of the Lines: 2 Fleet: 6 x Class 71 (M1), 5 x CAF Class 81 (M2) General contact: Stops: 31 Annual ridership: 10.7M (2013) + 380 625 290 282 with de-industrialisation – led to its decline. rebuilt. Because of the narrowness of some estimated at EUR697M. The line finally opened project was called in 2014 and is ongoing; System length: 15.55km Annual ridership: 1.2M (2014) + 34 (0) 871 930 000 Depots: 1 Operator: Yenakiyivske Tramvaino-Troleibusne General contact: Had a plan to reinvigorate the area with a streets in Gosselies, the line uses single track in in 2014 contains parts of two of these lines, meanwhile, encouraging passenger figures and Stops: 19 Operator: Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM) @ [email protected] Gauge: 1524mm Upravlinnia, KP + 380 625 222 232 52km metre-gauge métro léger (light metro), different streets for each direction. These covering a 14km route from Edinburgh Airport revenues have led the City of Edinburgh Council AVAILABLE Depots: 1 Operator website: www.trensfm.com Power supply: 550V dc integrating former tram routes and the Vicinal extensions were followed by a reorganisation to York Place in the city centre. to investigate a number of potential extensions interurban Anderlues line been adopted, it of services to provide four routes (M1 – M4) all Authorisation for the tram network came from to the east, reinstating some or all of the would have provided eight branches off a radiating from the city loop. M3 and M4 run at a the Scottish Parliament in March 2006. Breaking proposed line to the Port of Leith, Ocean PARLA YEVPATORIA central circuit of Charleroi. Continuing economic ten-minute headway at peak times, but M1 and ground in 2008, management problems, Terminal and Newhaven. decline and political vacillation resulted in M2 only manage a 30-minute headway. cancellations and long delays leading to the Services are provided by BN/ACEC LRVs, The single Tranvia de Parla circular line is 8.3km stretch has four stops with a “Sur” and “Norte” Yevpatoria is a resort on the Crimean Black Sea track and opened in 1990-91. The route pattern abandonment. once 54-strong in anticipation of the bigger SYSTEM FACTS KEY CONTACTS long and serves the major facilities and urban alternative for each. coast; its metre-gauge tramway opened in May was reorganised some years ago to provide The metro launched with a short section in system. The bi-directional Charleroi version is Opened: 2014 George Lowder – CEO Colin Kerr – Head of Engineering developments of the dormitory town of Parla. The system uses five-section 2.4m-wide 1914 to cater for resort visitors as well as locals. more direct links and enable the circuitous route 1976, but progress was slow and openings much closer to the original appearance than Lines: 1 +44 (0) 131 469 5402 +44 (0) 131 338 5769 It connects with the local Madrid interurban rail Alstom Citadis 302 trams, housed in a depot at During its existence there have been several 2 to be suspended in winter months. stalled after 1996 with just 25km delivered; contemporary examples on De Lijn’s Kusttram. System length: 14km @ [email protected] @ [email protected] network at Parla Centro on its western flank the system’s northern end, close to the Plaza de suspensions of service, whilst from 1923-41 On Prospekt Lenina, cars on trunk route 1 some infrastructure completed to an advanced A tender was launched in April 2016 by Société Stops: 15 Lea Harrison – General Manager Gaynor Marshall – Media contact and Parla Norte to the north stretch, opening in Toro stop and adjacent to the interurban rail operation was restricted to summer months. connect with the shuttle line 3 to the railway stage has never seen services, with other parts Régionale Wallonne du Transport for Depots: 1 @ [email protected] +44 (0) 131 475 0129 two phases in May and September 2007. tracks. Current use is around 5M passengers In recent years four routes have been station. This uses either coupled Gotha cars or an not begun. Although four stations on the refurbishment of the 45 cars currently used. Gauge: 1435mm Sarah Thompson – Head of Operations @ [email protected] Double-track for its entire length, the layout is annually (2014), above initial estimates. operated, two of which are seasonal. Of these, articulated Tatra KT4 motor car, one of three Châtelet branch were completed, and four more In early 2016, the city council announced plans Power supply: 750V dc +44 (0) 131 338 5784 Operator website: www.edinburghtrams.com interesting not just for its almost circular nature Future plans include two more lines, both line 4 to the New Beach was built as a single- converted to double-ended configuration. In early partially constructed, the structures now lie to open the long-dormant Châtelet tramline, Fleet: 27 x CAF Urbos 3 @ [email protected] but also for a 2.4km stretch of split-running on circular. The city’s current financial situation and track roadside line in 1981 and operates 2016 a prototype partial low-floor for the system ravaged by decay and vandalism. with a 600m extension to a new hospital. Annual ridership: 5.3M (2015) the eastern side of the system where the a recent scandal concerning the system’s June-September. Much of the rest of the system was unveiled by PK Transportnye Systemy. Operator: Edinburgh Trams clockwise and anti-clockwise tracks are in original funding mean that extensions are not is laid in single-track with passing loops. The Since the Russian seizure of Crimea in March separate streets a 250m block apart. Each expected to be announced in the near future. most recent extension, serving the northern 2014, visitor numbers have declined, affecting SYSTEM FACTS KEY CONTACTS KEY CONTACTS Sputnik-2 housing estate, was built as double- both ridership and frequencies on the tramway. Opened: 1887 Didier Gilson – Director General GeneralMonseux contact: Gerard – CEO Lines: 4 @ [email protected] @Xavier [email protected] Robert – Operations Manager SYSTEM FACTS KEY CONTACTS System length: 33km Philippe Vandemeersche – Technical Director Veronique +32 (0) 7123 Benoit 4111 – Commercial Director Opened: 2007 Fleet: 5 x Alstom Citadis 302 Tomas J. Perez Cortes – Maintenance Manager SYSTEM FACTS KEY CONTACTS Stops: 48 (operational) @ [email protected] OperatorGeneral Contactwebsite: www.infotec.be Lines: 1 Annual ridership: 5M (2011) Juan Carlos Martínez Moreno Opened: 1914 Power supply: 550V dc Olexandr V. Melnik - CEO Depots: 1 +32 (0) 7123 4112 + 32 (0) 7123 4115 System length: 8.3km Operator: Tranvia de Parla S.A. – Technical Leader Lines: 2 (+ 2 seasonal) Fleet: 16 x Tatra KT4, 5 x Gotha T57, one Gotha + 380 656 927 678 Gauge: 1000mm Xavier Robert – Operations Director @ [email protected] Stops: 16 General contact: System length: 14.9km B57 - total 24, including works cars Vladimir V. Sysoyev - Engineering Director Power supply: 600V dc @ [email protected] Operator website: www.infotec.be Depots: 1 + 34 (0) 900 702 010 Stops: 42 Annual ridership: 13.1M (2013) + 380 656 933 314 Fleet: 45 x BN LRVs Marc Bolly – Head of Infrastructure Gauge: 1435mm @ [email protected] Depots: 1 Operator: Yevpatoriyske Tramvaine Upravlinnia General contact: Annual ridership: 8M (2014) @ [email protected] Power supply: 750V dc Operator website: www.viaparla.com Gauge: 1000mm imeni I. O. Pyatetskoho, KP + 380 656 927 678 @ [email protected] Operator: TEC Charleroi NOW SOUTHERN EUROPE  SPAIN | 5 EASTERN EUROPE  UKRAINE | 11 2 | WESTERN EUROPE  BELGIUM WESTERN EUROPE  UNITED KINGDOM | 1

6 | CENTRAL EUROPE  POLAND

@ [email protected] | www.mainspring.co.uk/monitor CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association FEBRUARY 2017 Vol. 80 No. 950 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL EDITOR Simon Johnston E-mail: [email protected] 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK ASSOCIATE EDITOR 44 Tony Streeter E-mail: [email protected] WORLDWIDE EDITOR Michael Taplin 76 Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. E-mail: [email protected] NEWS EDITOR John Symons 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST9 0LW, UK. E-mail: [email protected] SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR Neil Pulling WORLDWIDE CONTRIBUTORS Tony Bailey, James Chuang, Paul Nicholson, Richard Felski, Ed Havens, Bill Vigrass, Andrew Moglestue, 50 Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Vic Simons, Herbert Pence, Alain Senut, Thomas Wagner. NEWS 44 SYSTEMS FACTFILE: ANTWERP 63 PRODUCTION Lanna Blyth Timetable change sees three German tram Belgium’s second-largest system continues Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 E-mail: [email protected] extensions; Hong Kong opens South Island to increase capacity and modernise in a DESIGN Line; NY inaugurates Second Avenue service. demanding setting, Neil Pulling discovers. Debbie Nolan ADVERTISING A FUTURE FOR DRIVERLESS TRAMS? 48 WORLDWIDE REVIEW 69 COMMERCIAL MANAGER Edmund West considers the role of Canberra confirms LRT second stage; Geoff Butler automation for street-running LRT. French and German leaders to inaugurate Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 E-mail: [email protected] Strasbourg cross-border tramline D; Dublin PUBLISHER Howard Johnston A TRAM STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN? 50 completes Cross City tracklaying; EIB offers Now entering its tenth year, Mike Russell EUR120m loan for new Rotterdam rolling Tramways & Urban Transit is jointly published by the LRTA and LRTA Publishing on the third Friday of each reviews the successes of Tenerife’s tramway. stock; Luton proposes airport LRT link; month preceding the cover date. Free MUNI rides following cyber attack. LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY WHEN, NOT IF, FOR AUTOMATED LRT? 57 Brian Lomas Hervé Mazzoni asks who will be the first to MAILBOX 73 E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] introduce driverless tramways. Safety standards and defenders of Metrolink! LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE 59 CLASSIC TRAMS: SAN FRANCISCO 76 members of the Light Rail Transit Association. TAUT examines cases studies on automated Mike Russell examines the new heritage SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), metro operations from around the world. service that builds on the F line’s success. 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 9517785 BACK ISSUES Is 2017 the year of the driverless breakthrough? Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 Throughout 2016, not a month went by without the announcement of PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION a new driverless automobile trial or a new record claim. Each report was Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391000. followed with the same caveat that this wondrous future of being able to LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE relax while your car picks you up after a long day at work or a night out is c/o 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling, Kent DA16 2BY, UK. still a little while away – but I see major breakthroughs being made in 2017. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 It is likely that the first adoption will be in the commercial and public service sectors as in England and Wales. driverless trucks making long haul deliveries, automated street sweepers and snowploughs LRTA CHAIRMAN all offer huge advantages in efficiency and environmental benefits. Passenger cars Andrew Braddock may take longer, but excited manufacturers are suggesting they will have market-ready E-mail: [email protected] vehicles in the next two to three years – some niche models taking the first steps may LRTA DEPUTY CHAIRMAN even appear later this year, although full automation is probably still 5-10 years away. Paul Rowen This poses some interesting challenges that could erode the appeal of mass transit. LRTA PUBLISHING REGISTERED OFFICE c/o 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 4TU, Does traffic congestion cease to be a problem if the time is no longer considered wasted UK. Private Limited Company, No. 06169422 as you answer emails, participate in meetings via Skype, shop online or help your kids in England and Wales. with their homework as you wait? Driverless vehicles will also almost certainly be safer © LRTA Publishing 2017 as human error, drunk or distracted driving and speeding all become a thing of the past. Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also Yet while technology such as GPS mapping, radar and lidar to make all this happen later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the exists – and has for some time – what is currently less clear is what the laws and regulations opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of governing the usage of driverless vehicles will look like. Issues such as licensing, liability LRTA Publishing or the LRTA. All rights reserved. and cyber security also remain unanswered – but it is only a matter of time. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in So considering for a moment that we may well be the last generations that learn to any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and drive a car and that autonomous vehicles could open up safe and efficient new mobility retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from options for those unable to currently take advantage of the private car – children, the the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the elderly, the incapacitated or those with disabilities – where does that leave mass transit? magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. This issue a range of experts consider challenges and opportunities from LRT automation COVER: Tenerife 23 approaching Conservatorio to hopefully enlighten us all. I welcome your thoughts. Simon Johnston, Editor stop heading to Santa Cruz. Mike Russell

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 43 News New Year German tramway growth Timetable change brings three extensions and paves the way for a new tram-train link to Erlangen

he European timetable opening trams (Stadler Variobahn change on 11 December 1204 and 1205) with attractive saw three significant floral decorations, and also extensions to German produced two vintage two-axle tramwayT systems. The longest sets offering free rides for those was the EUR90m, 9.2km wanting an alternative to the (5.7-mile) , Mainzelbahn in the more modern cars. Vintage buses city of Mainz which links Hbf also operated feeder services. West and Lerchenberg and is The significance of this served by routes 51 (running extension is that it paves the from Finten Poststrasse) and way for an interurban tramway 53 (running from Hechtsheim link to Erlangen, the so-called Bürgerhaus). Free rides were Stadt-Umland-Bahn. This has offered between Hbf and been studied since the 1980s, Lerchenberg, with over 10 000 but was formally the subject of a passengers carried. The moments before the opening of the Mainzelbahn in Mainz, with Stadler cost-benefit analysis in 2012 and Variobahn 231 ready to carry invited guests. MVG Operator Mainzer approved by voters in referenda Verkehrsgesellschaft bought eastern suburbs, using in part the was last used by trams on line 27 in the various communities ten more Stadler Variobahn existing depot access tracks to in October 1988. The opening involved in 2015-16. Costed at low-floor trams to cover the Einsteinstrasse. tram was ADtranz R2 2132, EUR281m, finance would come network expansion, bringing the In addition to extending followed by new Siemens 60% from federal and 20% from total in its fleet to 19 (217-236). line 25 over the new tracks Avenio T 2801. Land budgets. In the Bavarian city of from 11 December, Münchner Bavaria’s second city, Erlangen is the home of München (Munich), 2.8km Verkehrsgesellschaft operated Nürnberg (Nuremburg) Siemens transport division, so it (1.7 miles) of new tramway a shuttle service for free rides extended line 4 by 2.5km (1.55 is probably not surprising that was inaugurated between between Max-Weber-Platz and miles) to Am Wegfeld in the the project website graphics show Max-Weber-Platz and Berg Berg am Laim on 10 December, north-west suburbs. Unlike the Siemens Avanto tram-train as am Lain S-Bahn station in the when there was an open day at München’s MVG, the Nürnberg rolling stock. An opening date in Steinhausen district of the the tram depot. The alignment undertaking decorated its 2025 is forecast.

New hope for Hong Kong opens South Island line Andalucia’s On 28 December MTR closed lines? inaugurated passenger service on the South Island metro line, The suspended tramways in Jaén a 7km (4.3-mile) link from and Vélez-Málaga in southern Admiralty interchange to South Spain have been given a route to Horizons; 92 000 passenger reopening by a new investment journeys were recorded in the first budget agreed by the Andalucian 11 hours of operation. An open regional government. day was held on 24 December, The Junta de Andalucia with special souvenir tickets. has allocated EUR500 000 to This is the first transit line reopen the 4.7km (2.9-mile) serving the southern district Tranvia de Jaén that has not of Hong Kong island and also run since 2011, the year it was the first line purpose-built for completed; it never opened for fully automated operation; MTR full passenger service. services now reach all 18 districts A South Island line service bound for Admiralty seen between Wong Chuk Hang Andalucia’s government in Hong Kong with the latest line and Lei Tung on Sunday 1 January. Howard Pulling has also restated an offer to offering new rail connections to support 40% of operating costs 350 000 living in these areas. Construction began in 2011, including debugging, geological of the similarly suspended Rolling stock consists of ten and 84% of works were completed issues, and interchange work 4.6km (2.85-mile) Vélez-Málaga three-car trains built by CRRC by February 2015, with test trains at the busy Admiralty station, tramway – operation of which Changchun providing a three- operating. However the opening where a new island platform was was considered uneconomic minute peak headway. was delayed by various factors, built under Queensway. without the participation of the Andalucian government; this offer was previously announced in late 2015 (TAUT 938). The Detroit begins first streetcar trials tramway opened in 2006, but has not run services since 2012. Trial runs on the 5.3km (3.3-mile) by the non-profit public private The CAF Urbos 2 vehicles were Woodward Avenue tramway in partnership M-1 Rail; the line subsequently sent to Sydney, Detroit began on 13 December is to connect New Center and Australia, but returned in 2014. using Brookville tram 289. It is North End. Delivery of the Plans also include completion hoped to start services in April. first of six 20m 70% low-floor of the Malaga light metro, The first test of a Brookville Liberty Delivery of the QLINE Brookville Liberty vehicles took expected to open this year. tram on Detroit’s QLINE. QLINE tramway is being undertaken place in September 2016.

44 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Chinese metros expand by 150km Beijing adds another line to its metro, as cities across the nation launch new services in December

pening of a 19.6km Corporation, Beijing Capital In Wuhan, two new metro Bijin to Jurenba on 28 December, (12-mile) metro Group and Beijing Infrastructure lines opened on 28 December. while in Nanning 21km (13 miles) extension in China’s Investment Corporation. Line 2 runs between Jinyintan of metro line 1 (Nanhu to Shibu), capital Beijing on Dr Jacob Kam, Managing and the International Airport, and in Hefei the first section of O31 December capped a month Director Operations and and line 6 (36km/22 miles) metro running 25km (16 miles) that saw more than 150km (93 Mainland Business of MTR connects Jinyinhu Park and the between the station and Jiulianwei miles) of metro expansion across Corporation (which in December Dongfeng Motor Corporation opened on the same day. the country. also extended operations in its factory. Wuhan is the home of Kunming saw metro line 1 The new Beianhe – Xiyuan home territory of Hong Kong – Dongfeng, one of China’s ‘big extended by 4.7km (2.9 miles) line 16 adds ten stations to see left), said: “We are honoured three’ automobile makers. from Chunrong Street to South Beijing’s more than 550km to extend our safe, reliable and Guangzhou’s Guangfo metro station on 26 December, while (340-mile) metro system. convenient metro service to expanded 7km (four miles) from on 18 December, Qingdao saw When complete, the line will run commuters in Beijing.” Kuiqi Lu to Xinchengdong on a 13km (eight-mile) southern south from Xiyuan to Wanping Elsewhere in China, the 28 December, the same day a extension open to become its Town and total nearly 50km last day of 2016 also saw the 17km (11-mile) expansion of line second phase of the city’s first (31 miles), with 29 stations. opening of an extension to line 6 opened between Changban and metro line (line 3). The CNY47.4bn (EUR6.5bn) six of the metro in Tianjin, from Xiangxue. Also new was the first A consortium led by CRRC line is being constructed under Nancuiping to Changhong 19km (12-mile) of line 7, from has been awarded a 15-year PPP a Public Private Partnership, Gonyuan; in addition to the Guangzhou South station to High contract to build Qingdao’s metro with operation for 30 years section that opened earlier in Education Mega Centre South. line 4. The 30.7km (19-mile) by Beijing MTR Corporation, the year, this takes line 6 to 26km In Chongqing, metro line 3 underground line is due to open a joint venture between MTR (16 miles) with 24 stops. (monorail) was extended from in December 2020.

LA completes Purple line extension funding jigsaw

On 4 January the US Department running every four minutes in of Transportation confirmed the peak and every ten minutes USD1.6bn in federal grants and at other times. In December loans to the Los Angeles County 2016 Metro approved a contract Metropolitan Transportation for new trains to help support the Authority (Metro) towards the extended line. USD2.5bn Westside Purple Line The extension is predicted Extension to downtown Beverley to support over 20 500 jobs in Hills and Century City. Southern California during its The funds, to be provided over construction, according to the 12 years, include a USD1.19bn Los Angeles County Economic grant from the FTA Capital Development Corporation. Investment Grant programme, A third section would take USD169m from the Congestion the route to UCLA’s Westwood Mitigation & Air Quality initiative Outgoing US Secretary of campus and the Veteran’s and a loan agreement for up to Transportation Anthony Foxx at Administration Hospital on USD307m covered by the DoT’s the signing of the Full Funding Wilshire Blvd. Although funding Transportation Infrastructure Agreement on 4 January. LACMTA sources are still to confirmed, it Finance & Innovation Act. is hoped that construction on Coupled with USD747m of under construction between selecting a contractor. It plans this section can begin in 2019. local match funding made Wilshire/Western and Wilshire/ to recommend its choice to the On the announcement, possible by 2008’s Measure R La Cienega with three new board later this month. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti sales tax, USD2.4bn is now stations – will run for 4.2km (2.6 Major construction is planned said: “We are moving quickly available to further construction miles) from Wilshire/La Cienega to begin in 2018 with completion to create the world-class transit of the line primarily under to Century City/Constellation, no later than 2026, as per system our people deserve, and Wilshire Boulevard. with an intermediate station at the FTA Full Funding Grant these federal funds for the Purple The second phase of the Wilshire/Rodeo. Preliminary Agreement. The extension is line extension will accelerate extension – the first 6.4km works are underway and forecast to cater for 36 000 trips progress along the region’s (3.9-mile) of which is currently Metro is now in the process of per day by 2035 with trains busiest transit corridor.”

Dubai RTA signs planning design contract for future tram expansion

Planning and design for phases 2 Phase 2, part of the Jumeirah Jumeirah Beach Road, delivering has 11 stops over 10.6km (6.6 and 3 of the Dubai tramway will Central Project’s masterplan, is 16.6km (10.3 miles) of new route miles) of route and includes be undertaken by SYSTRA and to serve attractions including the and 19 stops. Both sections will air-conditioned stations and AECOM, following the award Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Mall include passing loops. Planning CBTC signalling. The line uses of contracts by the Emirate’s of the Emirates; it will cover 6km is to take 14 months. 44m Alstom Citadis 402 vehicles Roads and Transport Authority (3.7 miles) with nine new stops. The first phase of the tramway running wire-free using that announced in December. Phase 3 will take the tram to opened in November 2014. It supplier’s APS current collection.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 45 News NY opens Second Avenue Subway Two-mile line, nearly a century in the planning, opens to relieve Manhattan subway overcrowding

Specially wrapped for the opening, Kawasaki R160 8957 at the newly redesigned On the evening of 30 December 2016, MTA-NYCT held a special event at the Lexington Avenue & 63rd Street station on 1 January. This station was reconfigured new 86 Street Station with both trains of R160 cars wrapped for the opening of the to add a cross-platform transfer from existing F train service. Andrew Grahl Second Avenue Subway on display. Andrew Grahl

he inaugural ride aboard hard-working men and women, and a new connection at 63rd MTA Chairman and CEO New York’s Second the wait is over and the subway Street. It is predicted to serve Thomas F. Prendergast said: Avenue Subway took open,” Governor Cuomo said more than 200 000 people per “The Second Avenue Subway is place on 31 December, at the opening. “The on-time day, reducing overcrowding the most significant addition to Twith revenue services beginning completion of this major, on the Lexington Avenue line our system in 50 years and will at noon on 1 January with an transformative project reaffirms (the busiest mass transit line significantly reduce crowding on 06.00 start on subsequent days. confidence in government in the US, recording over 1.3m the Lexington Avenue line which The city has had to wait a long competence, increasing capacity passengers/day) and restoring a currently serves more riders than time for a second north-south on the nation’s busiest subway transit link to a neighbourhood the Chicago and Washington, line to relieve congestion in East system, and delivering a new, that lost the Second Avenue DC subway systems combined.” Manhattan, with the first plans vital transportation artery to Elevated in 1940. With phase one opened, it conceived in 1929. Construction millions of New Yorkers.” On 1 January the first uptown was hoped that one of the last eventually began in 1972, but The first phase of the Second Q train to Second Avenue actions of the outgoing Obama stopped three years later due to Avenue Subway project, an departed from 57-7 Ave and administration would be to the financial crisis that saw the extension of the Q line, marks 48 200 journeys were recorded sign off on USD2bn in federal city near bankruptcy in late 1975. the most significant change to on opening day according to grant for phase two, extending “New Yorkers have waited subway service in recent decades, the MTA. Trains run every six the line north to 125th St by nearly a century to see the and will be built in four sections. minutes during peak hours and 2027-29. promise of the Second Avenue The 2.9km (1.8-mile) first phase ran from 06.00 to 22.00 for the Eventual plans see the line Subway realised, and after provides service from 96th rest of the first week. Overnight reaching for 13.7km (8.5 miles) dedication from thousands of Street, with three new stations service began on 9 January. into the Bronx and Brooklyn.

Tel Aviv to Leeds light rail realistic say observers retender light An event organised by Light was proposed by Leeds North to one to Leeds Bradford Airport, rail – again? Rail (UK) has concluded that a West MP Greg Mulholland, Chair which might not prove to light rail system for the UK city of the All-Party Parliamentary be the busiest; while retired Tendering for tracklaying of Leeds is realistic and could be Light Rail Group. Nottinghamshire councillor and electrical and signalling started with the GBP250m Consultant Tony Young Steve Barber reported that car systems on the Tel Aviv (EUR293m) of public money from suggested creation of a line to use was down 8% as an impact of tramway could be restarted the cancelled NGT trolleybus Stourton, Seacroft or Middleton the creation of the Nottingham after bids came in around scheme. The December event and Tingley as viable alternatives Express Transit tramway. twice the estimates provided by consultants, according to Israeli news outlet Globes. It reported that the bids were Casa tramway awards T1 expansion and T2 contracts in the range NIS4bn-NIS5.5bn (EUR900m-EUR1.36bn), rather Contracts worth around while its ‘Navineo’ system is to take it to 23.5km (14.6 miles) than the estimated NIS2.5bn EUR18m have been placed to be used to allow real-time and 367 stops. (EUR620m), and it is believed with French electrical operation and information to The first section of the this may have been due to utility specialist ENGIE be displayed to passengers. system in Morocco’s largest city concerns by the Thales- and for development of line T2 T2 is expected to open at the opened in 2012; the existing Alstom-led consortiums over of Morocco’s Casablanca end of next year and will have Y-shaped T1 alignment runs integrating their systems with tramway, plus extension of 33 stations over its 22.5km for 31km (19 miles), using the rolling stock on order from line T1. ENGIE’s contracts (14-mile) length; T1 is being Alstom Citadis 302 vehicles to CRRC subsidiary CNR. include signalling and CCTV, extended by 1.8km (1.1 miles), serve 48 stops.

46 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Keolis Downer wins Newcastle operations LRT plans for Diyarbakır Keolis Downer has won a AUD450m (EUR312m) contract Turkish city to adopt light rail to address congestion and pollution issues to operate public transport in Newcastle, New South Wales. The deal takes effect from July n early January Prime two main stations remote from transport masterplan, long-term and includes the new tramway, as well as buses and ferries in the minister Binali Yıldırım the city centre. plans include more suburban car Australian city. announced the approval of The planned new tramway parking to link with the line. a new 14km (8.7-mile) would link Da kapı on the edge It is envisaged that a fleet of 30 Caisse finalises Transdev tramlineI for the city of of the historic city centre with trams would be required, with an majority deal Diyarbakır in south-eastern E itim ve Ara tırma Hospital in additional three to be purchased French state-owned group Caisse Turkey. The city of 930 000 the north-west in tw0 phases, as a reserve. Consideration on de Dépôts (CDC) has finalised an agreement with Veolia for the inhabitants suffers chronic serving 18 stops in total on a how best to preserve the city’s latter to withdraw from transport traffic congestion and associated new double-track alignment that historic walls with reduced operator Transdev; draft agreement pollution from a fragmented would also include sections of overhead equipment is also was announced in July 2016. mass transit service with diesel car-free zones in the centre of reported to be key to the system’s The deal means that CDC takes bus and minibus services from the city. As part of a wider city development. exclusive control of Transdev, now holding 70% of capital, while Veolia retains 30% on a transitional basis while CDC finds another stakeholder. Dispute over Cincinnati operations Citadis arrives in Ouargla The first of 23 AlstomCitadis Transdev has disputed claims ordered for Ouargla (Algeria) was made in late December by the delivered on 20 December. The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit 44m vehicles are being delivered by Cital, a joint venture between Authority of breach of contract Ferrovial, Enterprise Métro in its operation of the Cincinnati d’Alger and Alstom, and are being Bell Connector, which opened in assembled at the 46 000m² Annaba September 2016 (TAUT 947). facility that opened in May 2015. In an exchange of They are to run on the 16-stop correspondence seen by local roughly 10km (six-mile) line, media and published online, which is expected to open at SORTA warned Transdev it was the end of this year and connect El Ksar to Hai Nasr. considering terminating its operating contract if alleged CAF light rail units for breaches centred around failure Schönbuchbahn to maintain sufficient staffing CAF has been selected to supply levels, inadequate procedures light rail vehicles to replace the around fare inspection, poor current DMUs on Germany’s Following promising early ridership figures, Cincinnati’s Bell Connector Schönbuchbahn in Baden- operational service and what it streetcar has experienced a dramatic fall in ridership and saw major technical Württemberg. The EUR51m deal considers operating violations issues in December 2016. H. Pence includes nine three-car units and were not solved. maintenance over 19 years. There The agency gave the operator ridership has fallen significantly The Bell Connector runs is an option for a further 19 trains. 90 days to resolve the issues and since the September opening. for 5.8km (3.6 miles) through The trains are to be delivered until 23 December to submit a Transdev responded on 22 the Ohio city using five CAF in 2020 for operation over the plan of how to do so; Transdev December disputing the claims Urbos vehicles, although during Zweckverband Schönbuchbahn has a five-year operations and with detailed responses, but December a series of major network between Böblingen, maintenance contract with a while also pledging to address mechanical failures saw periods Holzgerlingen and Dettenhausen, which is to be electrified. The deal further five-year option. concerns. It also reiterated where only one of the five were marks CAF’s second project in SORTA has also engaged that it would be happy to co- in service. Germany, following an order for a consultant to undertake a operate with SORTA’s review of For more on Cincinnati streetcar, Urbos trams for Freiburg. full review of the streetcar as operations in January. see the feature article in TAUT 947. Crossrail Aventra’s all-weather testing Transport for London confirmed in December that a Bombardier Aventra EMU for Crossrail was NEWS IN PICTURES undergoing three weeks of testing Driverless INNOVIA in at Rail Tec Arsenal’s climatic wind tunnel in Vienna in extreme Kuala Lumpur weather conditions such as snow, The first of 14 BombardierINNOVIA 300 fog and ice and temperatures trains to be delivered to Kuala Lumpur ranging from -25˚C to +40˚C. was launched in December. It is expected The first test unit will begin that the driverless vehicles will increase night testing in east London before capacity on the Malaysian capital’s Kelena entering passenger service in May. Jaya line by 30% with wider gangways and walk-through trains. A 17.4km (10.8-mile) Paris offers free transport extension of the Kelana Jaya opened on to cut road pollution 30 June 2016, adding 15 stations. All public transport in the French The trains incorporate linear induction capital was free on 6-9 December motor propulsion, aluminium bodies and as authorities enforced an even/ regenerative braking as well as passenger odd registration number use infotainment screens and dynamic route of cars in order to mitigate the mapping. blanket of smog.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 47 News Focus IS THE WORLD READY FOR DRIVERLESS TRAMS? Edmund West seeks the expert view on driver assistance systems for street-running light rail.

n 9 November 2016, a tram overturned on the corner at Sandilands junction, Croydon. Of the 60 passengers onboard, seven died and 51 were Ohospitalised. The tram was travelling at 70km/h (43.5mph); the speed limit is 20km/h (12.5mph). The driver was arrested and tested for alcohol and drugs but has been released on bail until May. The UK’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is investigating, but in an interim report on 16 November it said: “The RAIB has undertaken a survey of the track in the vicinity of the derailment and will be reviewing the findings from the survey in due course. At this stage, no evidence has been found of any track defects, or obstructions on the track, that could have contributed to the derailment.” As the first fatal tram crash in the UK Bombardier’s ODAS system uses mulitple inputs to scan the track and environment ahead. Bombardier since January 1959, and the first amongst the nation’s ‘second-generation’ systems, it has technology has reached a certain level of raised a number of debates about the safety “Our streets are busy, maturity, and is trusted by society, automated of trams and light rail. The wider media has people will still make trams might be quicker to roll out into the raised questions such as: Would self-driving public domain than driverless cars.” trams be safer? And if so, could this be the judgements that UK Delivery Manager Kevin Gale end of the tram drivers’ GBP36 000 explained what improvements are needed (EUR43 000) a year profession? computers cannot predict before this can happen, however: “Creating a more controlled environment for the The first steps and natural factors will trams to run within would ease the pressure Mobile telematics are evolving at a rapid on the controlling technology, but that’s pace: technology in the automotive market also play a role.” a difficult ask. Our streets are busy, people currently allows a 4G-enabled vehicle to will still make judgements that computers automatically apply the brakes at 1.4m (4.5ft). tram’s brakes in the event of driver inaction cannot predict and natural factors such as With 5G this will reduce to 0.02m (one inch) – although the driver can still intervene. earthquakes and flooding will also play a role. – 54 times better. Components on both systems have been “Once we enter a fully autonomous setting Bombardier and Bosch Engineering designed to be as compact as possible to make – removing the potential for human error have already taken the first baby steps in retrofitting to any light rail vehicle easy. altogether – then we could be looking at roads the process of automation for trams and After evaluating both innovations, VGF is that are totally safe. Mixing human-controlled LRVs. Bombardier first revealed its Obstacle also retrofitting the Bosch system to its older vehicles with automatic ones is tougher to Detection Assistance System in 2013, received Düwag fleet dating from the 1990s. work around. Our world is changing though homologation from German authorities and ‘smart cities’ are beginning to appear. in summer 2015 and launched it into full Dealing with busy streets These utilise huge networks of smart devices passenger service with Frankfurt-Am-Main CRITICAL Software provides software for and could play a big role in improving road operator Verkehrsgesellschaft Frankfurt safety-critical business tasks. safety and traffic efficiency.” (VGF) in August 2015. Business Development Manager Luis The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) has Stereovision cameras scan the track and Gargaté believes trams are easier to automate featured driverless operation ever since it give audible and visual warnings of obstacles; than cars, but harder than trains. He opened in 1987. There is a human onboard if no action is taken then the brakes are explained: “Most automatic vehicles, like (‘Passenger Service Agents’), but their role is applied. Tests of the technology are also those in airports and underground, run within to check tickets, assist passengers and help in underway in Berlin, Marseille and Cologne. closed-off tunnels which create a very safe, the event of an emergency. An older example Bosch’s driver assistance technology uses obstruction-free environment. The computers is the invention of the autopilot in 1914, just a mid-range radar sensor, rail control unit controlling them don’t have to deal with 11 years after the first manned flight. and multi-purpose camera derived from its the unexpected behaviour of other vehicles, The DLR has had two (non-fatal) considerable experience in the automotive wayward pedestrians, adverse weather and derailments, one with the computer in charge, sector. Operating independently of weather other factors that any vehicle travelling on the other with a human on duty. The first was and light conditions, the sensor recognises a public road, or even an open track, would at Deptford Bridge station on 4 April 2008. potential obstacles up to 80m away and, likely encounter. But trams running on our The train hit a steel drilling jig left on the track taking the vehicle’s speed into consideration, streets would have to deal with the same following engineering works that morning; transmits data in real-time to the control unit. problems driverless cars will have to overcome. the first bogie’s second axle derailed, the train The system comes in two forms. The first “The technology available, although stopping 88m away. Human error was a factor alerts the driver via customisable audible it’s progressing admirably, isn’t capable of in this incident and the RIAB report made and visual warnings. The second goes a stage dealing with the complexity just yet. This safety recommendations regarding work and further and can automatically apply the might mean that once driverless vehicle checking procedures.

48 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org question the impact on labour markets of increasing automation in all spheres. Where will people earn a living in future?” So, in theory at least, every mass transit driver could lose their job to computers in the next few decades as cars, trains, ships, even planes, could be completely automated. But it doesn’t end there as CRITICAL Software foresees a scenario where maintenance workers will also be replaced in the future, as Gale explains: “Automatic vehicles will need to be maintained to a high standard throughout their useful life and this requires systems to monitor the status of various (and numerous) components. There are clear advantages for automating vehicle checks, removing human error and improving availability.” The Internet of Things will allow trams to self-monitor, he contends: “Automated vehicles are complex by nature and need to be trusted by their users. Systems are Trams in Frankfurt-Am-Main use two different types of retrofit driver assistance systems.Bosch Engineering developing to include onboard monitoring equipment, essentially providing ‘self-test’ The second was near West India Quay diagnostic information which is relayed back station on 10 March 2009. The train was “It seems reasonable to a central maintenance unit. Combining trailing when the points were not properly to question the impact autonomous vehicles with automatic set; the driver had not noticed the points monitoring will definitely reduce costs. were set to reverse (the point position on labour markets of “For example, operators rely on exhaustive indicator was unlit), nor did he brake. checks carried out by engineers which makes The control centre controller did not know increasing automation efficient asset management harder, plus any the exact location of the train or follow the mistakes or errors can be exceedingly costly correct emergency protocol. in all spheres.” when it comes to public services. Automatic Other fatalities on the system have occurred monitoring technology reduces staff costs, mainly through suicide attempts, although it future-proof all new Luas rolling stock so asset management costs and costs incurred is difficult to assess whether either a human that it is capable of being fitted with self- through human error. driver or computer could have prevented these. driving software... it is not a question of if we “As these rail-tested systems already exist, James Smith, Head of Communications at automate, but rather when we automate.” extending them to cover trams won’t be too vehicle safety specialist Thatcham Research, The motion was passed by Dublin City expensive either. Once we have the right explained how autonomous vehicles work: Council's Transport Committee. technology and infrastructure in place, “Utilising onboard sensors – normally radars, Owen Reidy, Divisional Organiser for accidents would become a rarity.” cameras and lasers combined with local SIPTU, Ireland’s largest trade union, called Gargaté was then asked the tricky question mapping – a vehicle builds a picture around this a “hare-brained crazy scheme”, pointing as to who would make the safer driver, a situational awareness; where it is and how out there had been one dispute since the human or a computer: “When the technology fast and in what direction it’s travelling. no-strike clause was removed in 2012. is mature enough, a computer-controlled Using a pre-defined route the vehicle guides Yet Smyth insisted that, in the immediate vehicle will be safer. Even if faults arise in the itself whilst monitoring other road users term at least, tram drivers “will not be control system, they can be systematically using onboard mapping knowledge to follow replaced by an automaton”, telling the minimised by following strict development a path. The sensors constantly evaluate other Council: “I doubt there is a single person in processes. But as we’ve only just begun to traffic and conditions to ensure collisions this chamber who believes that in 50 years’ test the performance of driverless vehicles, a are avoided whilst the mapping will control time humans will be driving these trams. human driver is currently still safer. vehicle speeds and routing. The only thing industrial disputes of this “Our roads present an extremely complex “Think of lifts and the Docklands Light nature achieve is to hasten the inevitable.” environment for computers to manage, but Railway, neither of which have drivers. Both Most British tram drivers belong to train eventually automatic vehicles of all kinds have defined and carefully controlled paths. drivers’ union ASLEF, which is sceptical will become mobile offices, workstations The Parking Pods at Heathrow are similar about driverless technology. General Secretary or meeting hubs. They could facilitate a but can vary their route within controlled Mick Whelan said: “We know from more productive population and so might parameters. Road traffic is much too experience that trams, unless they are on contribute to a richer economy.” complicated to allow them to interact. dedicated and exclusive tracks, need to be To conclude, tram drivers can be replaced “Laws also prevent their use. The Vienna manned because of other transport users and more easily than car drivers, there just needs convention says that road vehicles must the vagaries of pedestrian behaviour. This is to be the political will. This latest accident have a driver and local UK laws (the Road particularly the case in our major cities, and may provide the impetus, and pressure for it Traffic Act) prevent it. Both of these are in the those with a large tourist base, and we have yet to happen. If so, tram drivers will soon go the process of being amended.” to see a system we would be willing to endorse.” way of the lift attendant. Andrew Braddock, Chair of the UKTram Man vs. machine Promotions Group, thinks automation would In June 2016, Dublin became the first city to save little: “It is difficult to see how trams ABOUT THE AUTHOR call for full tram automation. running in the street could be automated, A 12-day tram drivers’ strike led to Fine though developments with other self-driving Edmund West has been a freelance journalist Gael Councillor Paddy Smyth proposing the vehicles may hold the key. At the moment, since 2008. He has an MA in History from motion: “Given the disruption, both civic it seems likely that automated trams would the University of East Anglia and a diploma in magazine journalism from the noSWeat and economic, caused by the Luas drivers’ have to travel much more slowly than their journalism school. He has written for magazines strikes in recent months, this committee human-driven counterparts. That would including Press Gazette, Disability Now, History calls on the new Minister for Transport, the significantly increase capital costs.” Today and Wired and specialises in writing about National Transport Authority, Transport He sympathised with the unions’ autism, education, history and technology. Infrastructure Ireland and Transdev, to perspective, however: “It seems reasonable to

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 49 MetroTenerfife Citadis 08 heading to Santa Cruz and cresting the steep incline south of the underpass beneath road bridges near Las Mantecas; the peaks in the background emphasise the line’s changes in elevation. All images by Mike Russell, March 2015. TENERIFE’S TRAMWAY TRIUMPH Mike Russell reviews the success and future plans of the tramway on the Canary Island of Tenerife, now Santa Cruz-bound car 13 below Campus Guajara stop – a very important entering its tenth year of operation. stop for students at the nearby university – giving a good impression of the line’s mountainous surroundings.

enerife’s modern tramway is Tenerife is situated off the north African year, swelling the local population which, characterised by a distinctive coast in the Atlantic Ocean and is of volcanic according to the most recent statistics, feature that sets it well apart from origin. This will be evident to visitors, with numbers around 908 000 inhabitants. all other systems constructed the central Massif, featuring the dormant Of these, around 424 000 reside in the in recent years, and one which volcano of Teide, towering over much of the Metropolitan area comprising Santa Cruz Tdefines its operation. Its main line, which has island with its summit some 3718m above de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de La Laguna, an end-to-end journey time of 35 minutes sea level. The main arteries are by necessity contiguous cities situated to the north of the at an average operational speed of 20km/h concentrated in the areas bordering the coast, island. Normally abbreviated to Santa Cruz, (12.5mph), climbs steadily from its lower with only secondary, narrow and twisting this city is the capital of the Spanish Province terminus in the harbour area of Santa Cruz mountain roads covering the centre of the of the same name and with Las Palmas is de Tenerife almost continuously for its entire island. The island covers an area of 2034km2 joint capital of the Canary Islands. length until reaching the upper terminus and with its favourable climate, featuring in the city of La Laguna. Over the course of well over 2500 hours of sunshine annually, Developing line 1 its journey it rises by an impressive 539m has become a favourite destination for The prevalence and importance of the (1768ft) above sea level, with a maximum tourists from Europe for well over a century. annual influx of tourists, coupled with gradient of 8.5%. This remarkable feature Indeed, tourism is the backbone of the island, the concentration of movement along the alone surely entitles the Tenerife tramway to contributing around 60% to the economy. coastal strips, has given rise to the serious consider itself as the light rail equivalent of Since conquest by Castillian troops in 1496 related issues of congestion and pollution. the stairway to heaven. following many years of siege, the islands Conscious of the need to make significant The largest of seven islands that comprise have been administered by Spain. Around improvements to this situation, and part the archipelago of the Canary Islands, five million tourists visit the island each of a wider plan to encourage sustainable

50 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Tenerife

ABOVE: Car 07 at Museo de la Ciencia; the stunning blue skies are typical of the island’s summer climate. Reserved track through the centre of a roundabout in the Santa Cruz ABOVE RIGHT: The exit ramp from the right-angled harbour district, with dock cranes underpass between Padre Anchieta stop and the visible in the background. terminus at La Laguna, on a journey from Santa Cruz. economic growth, the island’s government (Cabildo Insular de Tenerife) commissioned studies in the 1990s on the means by which this might be achieved. After these reported favourably upon the prospects for rail-based development, on 22 January 2001 the island government created Metropolitano de Tenerife (MTSA). This agency was charged with developing a strategy for effecting improvements to the island’s transport infrastructure and thereby encouraging the use of public transport, particularly in the Metropolitan areas where relief was required most urgently. MTSA is a joint public/private capital venture and as currently constituted is owned 86% by the island government with the balance of 14% owned by Tenemetro – a consortium of construction and operating bodies represented by Transdev, Sacyr and Ineco. Initial proposals were for the creation of an “There is a French feel to this first line, with extensive ambitious four-line network of tram routes totalling 56km (35 miles) to serve Santa urban renewal, cleaning and regeneration along the route.” Cruz, La Laguna and the wider Metropolitan district. Tenders were called in early 2001 for The La Laguna terminus the first of these lines, the 12.5km (7.8-mile) in Avenida de La section that eventually materialised as line 1; Trinidad, with terminal it was envisaged that this first section would scissors crossover in open for traffic in 2004. After the necessary the foreground. approvals were obtained and extensive works undertaken, however, the first line of the new tramway opened for passenger service on 2 June 2007, following a formal opening ceremony a few days earlier. There is a somewhat French feel to this first line, with extensive urban renewal, cleaning and regeneration along the route that has contributed to an overall improvement of the northern sector of the island. The European Investment Bank supplied a substantial part of the initial EUR306m project cost; the bulk of the rest was received from grants from the European Regional Development Fund and national, provincial and island governments. The island’s hilly topography is in itself an incentive to the use of public transport and ridership levels are good throughout the day and across the full length of the route which serves two local hospitals, the Guajara university complex and several museums and theatres. This route, the current spine of

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the system, includes 21 stops, the majority running. The upper section of this is laid and south of the El Cardonal stops. Power is of which are provided on the island platform as grassed reservation alongside a reduced- supplied at 750V dc via overhead catenary. principle. Indeed, only one terminus and width carriageway, but in the lower section The lower (Santa Cruz) tram terminal is seven of the intermediate locations feature leading to the harbour trams share road space known as Intercambiador and is located side platforms. with rubber-tyred vehicles, though the latter within easy reach of the local and interurban Line 1 is laid to standard-gauge (1435mm) are restricted to those requiring premises bus station from which routes radiate to in double-track throughout with double- access or other specifically authorised users. other parts of the island. Its proximity to the track stub terminals at each end, accessed in The line is constructed entirely as surface- city’s port area is attested to by numerous each case by a scissors crossover; there are running with the exception of a short right- dock cranes lining the quayside a short intermediate crossovers for short-working angled underpass between the Cruz de Piedra distance east of the line of the tramway. An facilities and emergency use at six locations. and Padre Anchieta stops on the approach information office is situated at both this and The track is almost entirely on reservation to La Laguna, and short tunnel sections the upper terminus in Avenida de La Laguna, laid in the centre of the highway, but in Santa covering both the junctions between lines customarily abbreviated to La Trinidad. Cruz itself there is a short stretch of street 1 and 2, north of the Hospital Universitario Although Tenerife’s economy is heavily biased towards tourism, visitors comprise only a small proportion of the tramway’s clientele. Santa Cruz and La Laguna are not themselves the most popular resorts on the island, these tending to be the coastal areas in the south which are far removed from the tramway. As a result, the tramway offers consistent levels of service throughout the day, is not heavily susceptible to the vagaries of the tourist season, and, indeed, its only seasonal variation is a reduction in overall service levels during the high summer months.

An instant success Tranvia de Tenerife line 1 was an immediate success and it was not long before its projected daily ridership of 38 000 passenger journeys was comfortably exceeded, quickly reaching the two-year objective of 50 000 well ahead of predictions. Removing a claimed 10 000 car journeys Citadis 07 enters the depot at El Cardonal, showing the full triangular junction in the highway for depot access. from the metropolitan area in its first year

1 LEGEND

Aeropuerto de La Trinidad Tenerife Norte Existing network Planned extension of line 2 Padre Anchieta Possible future extension of line 1 Cruz de Piedra

Museo de la Ciencia

Gracia

Campus Guajara Weyler Teatro Puente Zurita Guimerá La Cuesta La Paz 2 Cruz del Señor Las Mantecas Fundación Ingenieros Conservatorio

Intercambiador Hospital Chimisay Universitario 1

Principes de España El Cardonal DEPOT

San Jerónimo Hospital La Candelaria Taco Muñeco de Nieve Tíncer

Sobradillo

North Atlantic Barranco Ocean Grande

2 La Gallega

52 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org alone, this triumph acted as an impetus to accelerate construction works on the tramway’s second line and this opened for traffic on 30 May 2009. In contrast to the main line, this is a much shorter affair, the end-to-end distance being a mere 3.6km (2.2 miles) and including just six stations, two of which are jointly served by both routes and thus offer convenient interchange. Line 2 serves primarily residential areas, from La Cuesta to the remarkable terminus at Tincer in the west, situated at the summit of a steep gradient; Tincer has always been seen as a temporary expedient and planning work is currently in progress on a 2.5km (1.55-mile) four-stop westward extension from this point to La Gallega. The intention is that this section should open for passenger service during 2019. Like the main line, line 2 features a double- track stub terminus at each end, but in each These Citadis 302 five-section 32.15m ABOVE: Car 12 in Santa Cruz heading to La Laguna case accessed by pairs of separate facing and low-floor articulated cars are 2.4m wide and on a section of paved track in Imelda Seris; the trailing crossovers in contrast to the scissors are equipped with air-conditioning, onboard carriageway used for road vehicles is segregated by small barrier posts. configuration employed at line 1 termini. CCTV and passenger Wi-Fi and have capacity There is one intermediate crossover, on the for 200 passengers, 60 seated. To cope with BELOW: The Atlantic Ocean is just visible through common section at Hospital Universitario. the demanding nature of the system all axles the mist in the background as car 18 heads to Santa Studies are in progress on the possibility are driven and regenerative braking brings Cruz on Avenida 8 de Maio. of two further extensions to the tramway. a 20% saving in electricity costs since what One would be a northern extension of line 1 goes up, must come down… beyond the present La Laguna terminus The first 20 (01-20) were supplied for the (La Trinidad) to Los Rodeos (Tenerife North) system’s opening in June 2007, with deliveries airport, a distance of 3.1km (1.9 miles). commencing in late 2005. The following six This is one of the island’s two airports, (21-26) comprised a supplementary order to serving mainly inter-island flights and those serve line 2 and started arriving on the island to the Spanish mainland. The majority in February 2009; 21 cars are required to of tourists travel to and from Europe on provide peak service. scheduled or charter flights which use the All cars are painted in a striking five-colour island’s southern airport, well remote from livery – dark blue, orange, light yellow, the area of tramway operation. A frequent peach and turquoise – one on each module. bus service operates from the bus station at Modules are numbered 01-05 and the Tenerife South Airport as an express route fleet and module number (e.g. 105-01) is along the coastal road for the 66km (41-mile) carried in white numerals on the cantrail journey to Santa Cruz, where the terminal of each section, in addition to simple white point is in the city’s bus station; the tramway fleet numerals at the bottom of the black terminus is adjacent but at a lower level. windscreen surround at each end of the sets. The second proposal being studied is one Although the cars are all double-ended it to create a line 3 between Santa Cruz and might therefore be supposed that the module the North Pier area, serving the fairground colours might be identically configured in and recreation areas of the city as well as operation, this is not the case as turning and all display exemplary presentation, in residential neighbourhoods – such a line facilities within the depot complex make itself an incentive to custom. would be around 3km (1.9 miles) in length. it possible for the cars to be turned and Trams are maintained in a 21 200m2 hence the blue module, for example, may (228 200ft2) facility on Carretera General la Rolling stock and operations be at either the Santa Cruz or the La Laguna Cuesta, adjacent to the El Cardonal tramstop, Rolling stock has been supplied in two end of the car. The result is a striking and designed to accommodate future growth batches (20+6) by Alstom, with both built at rather attractive livery application which is with storage for up to 35 trams. Electronic the manufacturer’s facility in Barcelona on certainly highly distinctive. systems were supplied by Efacec and Ikusi, the Spanish mainland. A half-length mock-up The operator places great emphasis upon including signalling, telecommunications, was displayed in central Santa Cruz in 2005. cleanliness both inside and outside the cars CCTV, passenger information and fare

Approaching San Jeronimo on line 2 heading to Tincer; the underpass to the A street-running section in Plaza de la Isla de la Madeira, with car 09 right leads to the southern junction with line 1. approaching the island platform at Teatro Guimera tramstop.

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collection. Efacec was also responsible for system electrification, utilising a lighter weight support system designed to minimise visual intrusion in sections of the old town with spanwires attached to adjacent buildings removing the need for support poles. In normal service each five-section tram operates singly, but at times of special traffic, which occur on a few specific occasions each year, coupled sets can be and are operated to cater for exceptional traffic levels. The most recent instance, from 5 January, specified an enhanced service of coupled units to help cater for the travel requirements of those attending the traditional La Cabalgata de Reyes Magos festivities. Two timetabling features are worthy of note. One is that on both lines the basic Tincer terminus on line 2; it is from here that the next planned extension will continue westwards to La Gallega. Monday-Friday daytime service level reduces at around 15.00. This means that the Drivers do not sell tickets, so all purchases evening peak frequency is lower than that “The Via-Movil smartphone must be undertaken via ticket vending provided in the morning, reflecting levels of machines at stops. Intending passengers must demand resulting from the hours kept by the ticketing initiative, pre-purchase an appropriate offering before educational establishments served. The other starting their journey; these range from demonstrates the importance of weekend introduced in 2013, now standard single fares at EUR1.35 to Bono one- nightlife, when a 24-hour service is provided claims around 84 000 day tickets priced at EUR4.50 and valid until on the main line covering the early hours of 24.00 on the day of validation – both are valid Saturday and Sunday mornings – both these regular users.” for tram travel only. The BonoVia five-journey aspects are maintained even in the high ticket costs EUR6 and is valid for five journeys summer period (early July to early September). on trams or buses in the Metropolitan area, Basic services commence around 06.00 Saturday service is every 20-30 minutes until with transfers permitted, and there are each day. On the main line the weekday 09.00, 15 minutes until 22.00 and 20 minutes also EUR15 and EUR25 stored-value cards, service runs every five minutes, reducing until close of service around midnight. available for use on trams and buses in to six between 15.00-20.00 and every 7.5 On Sundays, operation is every 20-30 the Metropolitan area and decrementing to 15 minutes in the evenings until close minutes until 11.00, every 15 until 21.00 and by EUR1.05 for each journey. A range of of service at around midnight. On Saturdays half-hourly until close of service. There is no concessionary tickets for students and senior a 15-20-minute service is offered until 10.00, weekend all-night service on line 2. citizens, and season tickets, is also offered. increasing to a ten-minute frequency during Real-time passenger information and A significant innovation in recent years has the day and reducing to every 15 to 20 minutes signage across the system is multi-lingual, been the Via-Movil smart ticketing initiative, from 21.00. On Sundays a basic 15-minute designed to take into account the island’s enabling passengers to pay for journeys by frequency operates 11.00-21.00, with a large tourist population. downloading an app to either their Android skeleton 20-30-minute service before 11.00 Passengers and commercial revenues cover or iOS device. Introduced as a pilot programme and half-hourly from 21.00 until midnight. the full operating and maintenance costs of for the tramway in 2013, it was rolled across The weekend overnight service is every 30 the tramway, justifying the faith placed in the wider public transport networks in 2014 minutes (20 minutes until 01.00 on Sunday the concept by the authorities. Such success and now claims around 84 000 regular users. mornings). In the high summer period, the means that the MTSA is often called upon The ten millionth journey made using the Monday-Friday service reduces from every to offer planning, technical and operational app was made in November 2016. five, six or 7.5-15 minutes to levels of seven, consultancy services to both other Spanish The Tenerife tramway is certainly a ten and 15-20 minutes respectively. tramways and those across Europe. model of its kind, sustaining high levels of Headways on line 2 are at much lower Throughout its existence great stress has been patronage throughout the operating day and levels. The Monday-Friday winter service placed upon the environmental advantages contributing greatly to the quality of life in is every ten minutes until 15.00, every 12 of the tramway and the ecological and social this part of the island. For those wishing to minutes to 20.00 and every 15 until close benefits that flow from it – the operation has combine a new tramway experience with the of service; the respective high summer been held up as a model in these respects and almost certain guarantee of good weather a frequencies are every 14, 15 and 20 minutes. has been the recipient of several awards. visit can be strongly recommended.

Tenerife’s tramway includes many unusual features; car 10 on an embanked Car 16 takes the curve between Hospital La Candelaria and Principes de Espana, section of reservation below Chimisay on line 1. clearly showing the vibrant multi-coloured MetroTenerife livery.

54 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org SIMOVE TENERIFE’S SOLUTION TO TRAM SPEED CONTROL Examining the innovative SIMOVE speed monitoring and control safety system, now in its second year of successful implementation on Tenerife’s tramway.

fter several accidents on Spanish ABOVE AND BELOW: SIMOVE uses existing vehicle tramways and railways where “This system is a support data to monitor speed and positioning to compare light rail vehicles overturned on against limits for inidiviudal line sections. MTSA curves due to excessive speed, tool for drivers to avoid SIMOVE was developed three accidents caused by Ayears ago by Metrotenerife in order to mitigate accidents caused by this particular risk. human error. It is a This safety innovation allows the operator to continuously monitor and control the significant advance in speed of its vehicles with GPS reporting that compares the position and speed of any safety, besides being a low railway vehicle with the appropriate speed for any given section of the line. If excess speed investment system.” is detected, SIMOVE alerts the driver; in the event that he or she does not slow to the speed increase the safety of their operations. “The accident rate of tramways is very low, limit, the system will automatically apply the The system can be installed in operational but we still have to continuously search emergency brake to stop the tram or train. vehicles at a moderate cost and in a short for safety improvements because in recent SIMOVE has been successfully tested on period of time. years there have been serious train accidents Tenerife’s tramway (Metrotenerife) and Besides the other obvious advantages, like those in Santiago and Valencia in was installed across its entire fleet at the SIMOVE does not interfere with other safety Spain, or the most recent tragic incident in beginning of 2016. The system combines systems like the ‘dead man’s’ device, it is south London. data obtained from GPS technology and the simple to use for drivers and it has a web “We are committed to SIMOVE as it is an vehicle’s odometer, and can therefore can be application, BackOffice, that enables full additional system that significantly increases installed onboard any railway vehicle easily event logging and driving analysis features. transport safety.” and with minimal cost. It is also a powerful tool for the railway Managing Director of Metrotenerife, operator to monitor aspects such as traffic Andrés Muñoz de Dios, states that “this signal priority, time spent at stops and FIND OUT MORE system is a support tool for drivers to avoid termini, commercial speed per line section For further information – and a video any accident caused by human error. It is a and quality of driving in terms of braking demonstration – on the SIMOVE system visit: significant advance in safety for the railway and acceleration consistency etc. www.metrotenerife.com/services-and-consultancy/ sector, besides being a low investment system Andrés Muñoz de Dios adds that besides that uses a simple technology”. Automatic Train Protection (ATP) or the [email protected] At the present time, a number of railway European Rail Traffic Management System +34 922 024 810 operators are interested in implementing (ERTMS), SIMOVE is also able to monitor www.metrotenerife.com SIMOVE on their networks in order to each metre of any line or railway network:

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 55 Clear your calendar...March February Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa January Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Dentist Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa

5 April ENGINEERING

EXCELLENCE LRT Auntie June Flo's 60th A day to enchance understanding and cooperation between Mo the teamsTu Weresponsible Th Fr Sa May for day-to-daySu operation and maintenance 18-19 July of the light and urban rail systems, those with Su Mo Tu We Th Fr procurementSa responsibility and the supply April chain. Infrastructure, depots and maintenance We Th Fr Sa . Mo Tu is the first topic to beBlackpool tackled at the opener of Su the series based in

The 12th annual Light Rail Conference, this year brought to you from Over 250 decision-makers for two days of Dad's open debate on all aspects of operationManchester retirement do and development, eight hours of dedicated . networking time including a special networking dinner, and an exhibition September buzzing with innovative ideas. Su Mo Tu We Th August Fr Sa July Su Mo Tu We4 October Th Fr Sa

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa The global industry’s celebration of innovation and excellence in our vibrant and fast-moving sector comes once again to the HAC in London for the 12th year.

Over 80 entries were sifted through Holida y!! by a panel of experts’s lastfinest year – toand reward this year some of the industry December CANCELLE D looks set to be even more of a celebratory Wedding spectacular with even tougher competition. anniversary November Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa October Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa

www.mainspring.co.uk Driverless LRT TRAM AUTOMATION: NOT IF, BUT WHEN? Hervé Mazzoni, SYSTRA Product Lines Development Director, looks at the barriers to automated tramway operation and asks when, not if, will it become a reality?

ast April, in a front page splash, the Edinburgh Evening News informed its readers that the Scottish capital’s trams were set to go driverless as part of a plan to saveL money for future investment. Not everyone noticed that the publication date of the article was the first of April and many responded to the hoax with predictable outrage – mainly over the presumed safety implications of automated tram operations. But, looking back, what seems surprising isn’t the hoax itself but the fact that driverless trams should strike anyone as outlandish enough to be an April-fool-worthy idea in the first place. Surely, given the current state of available technology and the economic benefits of dispensing with drivers, it is not just feasible to run a driverless tram network but inevitable that someone, somewhere will ABOVE AND RIGHT: With almost entirely segregated running and a high level of technological be doing it? So, where are they? innovation, Dubai's tramway, opened in 2014, also Look away from tramways for a moment features metro-like operational characteristics. and driverless technology seems to be Hywell Waters © Panos-Rea / TAUT popping up everywhere. Metro and shuttle systems (especially in airport transit “We already have the lines) equipped for fully unattended train operation (UTO) are by now familiar to tools, the sensors and travellers all over the world. These trains do not need to be staffed at all – although beacons that would allow some operators will choose to keep someone onboard – and they have been successfully a driverless tram to detect tried and tested from Shanghai to Barcelona, from Paris to Dubai. unexpected obstacles and These services are controlled by technologies that have evolved over decades, to respond appropriately. since the London Underground’s Victoria line – the world’s first automatic passenger But for a tram there is a carrying train – and Paris Metro line 11 respectively opened in 1967 and 1969. Both forced trade-off between still required a driver to look for obstacles on the track, respond to emergencies and operate safety and availability.” the doors, but the automated train protection systems were already sophisticated enough approach taken in New York and elsewhere), networks already use such driver assistance to prevent trains passing signals at red into modern technologies permit a constant and protection technologies. But, unlike on a occupied ‘blocks’ of track and to safely updating of information between track and metro, what we don’t see are trams that take control acceleration and braking. train so that speeds can be adjusted the final step to fully driverless operation. according to real time conditions. The big Why? The reason is deceptively simple. Evolving the technology gain from this, apart from safety, is that Since the Victoria line and Paris line 11 blazed the safe distance between two trains on Trams’ forced trade-off the trail, these technologies have progressed any given section of line can be kept at a A tram network is very different from a metro beyond all recognition. Whereas the first minimum. This can translate to an increase in one fundamental aspect: whereas a metro wave of automation worked on a simple in the number of trains running through a is a closed system, entirely separate from the static ‘block’ system, ensuring that blocks line by up to 20%. rest of the city’s infrastructure in terms of its of track segregated by signals are only ever Those sort of operational efficiency gains operations, the tram is not. occupied by a single train or that an empty are as attractive to tram operators as they are Trams are heterogeneous networks. block should always be kept between any two to their colleagues on the world’s metros, so They are interlaced with all other modes of trains on the same line (the belt and braces it isn’t surprising that some modern tram transport that operate at surface level, from

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 57 Driverless LRT

cars and buses to cyclists and pedestrians. with automated platform doors were Of course, some separation can be planned essential if users were to be lured aboard. in, with trams passing under road or rail This, in turn, implied a high level of system here and there and a degree of separation automation so that the trams could quickly for stretches of the line – a tram is no longer and reliably be brought to a stop in the thought of as a bus by other means – but correct position to align with the platform an effective tramway must nonetheless doors. In addition, there was the problem be deeply integrated with other modes of of creating from scratch a population of transport, almost by definition. In fact, the qualified drivers. multimodal aspect of a tramline, offering All the conditions in Dubai seem ideal very quick and easy transfer from foot for a driverless tram if ever there were to be or cycle to tram to train, is often a major one, and yet the tramway still has a driver selling point for city planners. In these in the cab. The trams and the lines bristle circumstances the challenges of providing with innovation and cutting-edge tech, but unattended, driverless operation have to be the driver is still a human being because looked at in a different light. A tram has to the fundamental problem persists that a safely negotiate its journey with a constant fully integrated tram – and multimodal stream of human and mechanical traffic, integration was an essential part of the Dubai much of it crossing the line in more or less project – still cannot operate at the levels of unpredictable ways, while still achieving efficiency a modern city requires without the optimal journey times. added component of human judgement. It is not that we lack the technology to Reassuring, perhaps, in an age where develop safe driverless tram services in human redundancy seems to draw ever complex city environments; as mentioned closer. Or perhaps not. Dubai still needs before, automatic train operation systems a human behind the handle, yes, but this are already used in modern tram networks, tram system comes very close to the line ensuring signals are observed and speeds are that separates driver assistance from driver appropriate for high risk parts of the route. Automation of metro services is commonplace obsolescence. We already have the tools, the sensors and around the world, but you would never get distracted CBTC technology is the communications- beacons that would allow a driverless tram pedestrians wandering across a metro track in based train control system that exploits to detect unexpected obstacles and to front of an oncoming vehicle – this poses a range of technologies that can be radioed to the train respond appropriately. But for a tram there sophisticated additional challenges for the creation of instead of using harder to maintain track fully driverless LRT systems. N. Pulling is a forced trade-off between safety and circuits. The use of CBTC means that the availability that a metro system does not tram’s automation can be more responsive have to make. “There is a ratchet effect to local conditions than ever before, with It is very easy, for example, to imagine a each tram being treated as a moving obstacle situation such as a pedestrian unexpectedly, when it comes to relative to all others, keeping headways down but intentionally, crossing a tramline ahead and throughput efficient. Information on against the signal where a driverless tram technology that improves each tram’s position is constantly updated would have to respond with an emergency in real time and the state of the tramway stop or service brake, but where a driver tram safety and speed as a whole is constantly visible to operators would be able to respond more appropriately for monitoring and analysis that is used to to the situation, judging the danger with a control such as CBTC – maintain high levels of efficiency. sophistication that an algorithm cannot. The speed and responsiveness of CBTC It is easy to imagine because what would be a once it has been employed, has many current advantages, but it also very unusual incident on the metro happens points tantalisingly towards the possibility every day on tramways all over the globe. it is hard for future of a driverless future which – when it comes A safety protocol that was appropriate – will surely depend on the sort of rapid to every possible incident likely to be projects to take a digital communications that have made encountered by a tram would mean a step back.” CBTC solutions so effective in any mass disrupted and slowed service that would be transit developed over the last two decades. inconvenient to passengers and very likely There is a ratchet effect when it comes to the disruptive to other road users in turn. render the tram service near useless. It application of technology that improves That’s if the company’s lawyers could ever be is precisely because they want to avoid tram safety and speed control such as CBTC – persuaded to sign it off in the first place. the inconveniences of car travel that our once it has been employed it is hard for future passengers are – at least some of the time – projects to take a step back. Automation, but still with drivers taking the tram in the first place. So never say never. The attractions to Perhaps these objections are overstated. Considerations such as these become operators both in terms of cost and efficiency After all, fully automated cars are constantly very pressing when you are thinking about of an effective driverless system are huge, so in the news and are being piloted in tests all creating a tram system from scratch in a the incentive to make the next step is there. around the world. There is a huge amount of place that has never seen one before. But the complexity of the problem should not investment and optimism (not to say hype) SYSTRA project manage the development be underestimated either, and the temptation surrounding them and some glowing reports of the Dubai tram, the first phase of which of false equivalence with other transport from early trials. opened in 2014 and which the second and technologies, such as the driverless car Cars must be even more deeply integrated third phases have recently been awarded; if should be resisted. with urban traffic than trams; if they can there is a city anywhere in the world likely The allure of glamorous technological operate safely on the roads, why can’t we to take the lead in a cutting-edge technology solutions is easy to understand, but maybe do the same on rails? Well we can, in one such as driverless trams, it is that one. there is some satisfaction in the knowledge sense, of course, from a technological point There had never been an urban tram that so far the complexity of our city of view, but the private car or taxi does not system in the Middle East, so there were environments is beyond the understanding have the same kind of service commitments few preconceptions about what it could or of our machines as well. that a mass transit service like a tram must couldn’t do, and Dubai takes great pride in Certainly we will continue to advise upon operate under. Slow speeds, frequent stops demanding the best in terms of quality and all such developments that come along, and ultra-conservative risk assessment performance. Local conditions, including and if and when driverless trams become might all be practical for a downtown car extreme temperatures and sandstorms, practical you can expect SYSTRA to be journey through heavy traffic, but would meant that enclosed, air-conditioned stops delivering them.

58 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Metro automation

Lille’s type 208 VAL was introduced AUTOMATIC in the late 1990s on the pioneering driverless system. Both 208 and earlier 206 stock will soon FOR THE PEOPLE be relegated to line 2 only as new Alstom trains and With a review of existing systems and new developments, TAUT gives an overview control systems are of the opportunities and challenges presented by automated urban rail systems. installed on line 1. Howard Pulling

t is 50 years this year since the reduces energy consumption and maximises its name from the route linking Villeneuve- world’s first full-scale automated rail energy recovery. Additionally, reactive d’Ascq and the centre of Lille (VAL); this operations began on the London maintenance costs are reduced considerably. became a Siemens platform through Underground’s Victoria line. But from Yet alongside the numerous advantages company acquisition and has been re-tagged this pioneering metro development come new challenges. In the first instance, as Véhicule Automatique Léger. I(tested as early as 1963), the technology has more complex infrastructure, such as Complementing a two-line tramway developed significantly for systems such as platform and track protection systems (first opening in 1909 and with large-scale the Dubai Metro where Kinki Sharyo trains and rolling stock increase initial upfront modernisation and reorganisation in 1994 – power themselves up at a pre-determined investment, while more comprehensive the city joins Saint-Étienne and Marseille as time each morning, run through pre- CCTV networks require more intensive the only French first-generation survivors) operation checks and then make their way monitoring by staff in highly-sophisticated and 46 urban bus lines, Lille’s VAL features out onto the network. At the end of each control rooms – yet the overall cost balance is two lines and 45 route-km (28 route-miles) working day they return to the depot, run proven to be a positive one. and is the largest such installation. It is through another set of diagnostics and power The growth is global. Automated metros mainly underground but features surface themselves down to conserve energy. are a proven solution around the world, with and substantial elevated sections. Other VAL The increase of urban rail automation has around 60 such lines currently in operation. and CityVAL lines exist in Paris, Toulouse, doubled with each passing decade since UTO The technology also puts urban rail within Rennes, Lyon, Chicago, Taipei, Turin and (Unattended Train Operation) service began the financial reach of smaller cities as more Uijeongbu in South Korea. with the rubber-tyred VAL system in the efficient services mean infrastructure Thirty-three years later, Lille’s Metro French city of Lille in 1983 – an exponential can be scaled accordingly. Although fully has been a significant catalyst for urban growth that is set to quadruple in the coming automated solutions were initially deployed development. With varied station decade. Over the same 30 years, UTO metros on low-capacity lines, current growth has architecture integrating with some of the have proven that they are both reliable and corresponded mostly with medium- and high- districts the system crosses, they are more safe, with no recorded fatalities. capacity lines as the technology has evolved. attractive places to live and work and the Urban mass transit leads the world’s main The projection is that by 2025 there will city as a whole has prospered. Both line railways in automation: driverless be over 2300km (1430 miles) of automated interchanges between line 1 (13.5km/8.4 systems deliver a more predictable network, metro lines in operation worldwide. miles) and the second line that opened maximise capacity through increased train in 1989 (32km/20 miles) are in central frequencies (sometimes with reduced fleet Lessons from Lille Lille where there is also a non-revenue sizes and the associated smaller requirement To serve the new eastern development of connection. The most recent extensions, for spares) and remove much of the element Villeneuve-d’Ascq in this city on the Belgian north from Tourcoing, opened in 2000. of human-error to enhance safety and border in north-western France, in 1971 an The system uses 143 Matra/Siemens trains security. With computers controlling international competition was launched to (53 for line 1 and 90 for line 2), with 120 operations (and increasingly maintenance find a new mass transit solution. The adopted required for peak run-out. These cover 13 tasks as well), it is easier to replicate optimum narrow-profile rubber-tyred metro developed million km/year (4.5m/km/year for line 1 operational profiles for any given route; this by Matra and launched in April 1983 takes and 8.5m/km on line 2) over a 20-hour

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 59 Metro automation

AUTOMATED CONTROL: Type of Operation Grade of Setting train Stopping train Door closure in event of THE BASICS automation in motion train operation Disruption Communications-based train control (CBTC) forms the basis for modern automatic operation. The technology has evolved over the last 30 years to ATP GoA 1 Driver Driver Driver Driver give greater reliability and using increasingly digital with driver location and train-to-wayside communications to include Automation Train Protection (ATP) and optional Automatic Train Operation (ATO) and ATP and ATO GoA 2 Automatic Automatic Driver Driver Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) features. with driver Modern CBTC systems have less wayside equipment and their diagnostic and monitoring tools have been improved, which makes them Train Train easier to implement and, importantly, easier to GoA 3 Driverless Automatic Automatic maintain through simpler architecture. Modern attendant attendant electronics allow built-in redundancy to avoid downtime and operational delays. Uninterrupted two-way communication GoA 4 UTO Automatic Automatic Automatic Automatic is essential for CBTC reliability; failures have an immediate operational impact. Drops in communication can be caused by a range ATP - Automatic Train Protection ATO - Automatic Train Operation of factors, including component failure, electromagnetic interference, degraded cases manual operation can impact heavily on tampering with passenger information systems or signal strength or adverse weather conditions. system efficiency. safety critical messages that, in the worst Depending on its severity, this can range from As radio-based CBTC systems make use of cases, could result in a significant safety hazard. vehicles temporarily reducing speed, coming wireless communications links, they also face Despite sophisticated levels of security, the digital to a halt or operating in a degraded mode until major cyber-security threats such as hacking or railway means that operators need to stay one step communications are re-established. In extreme intrusion of the network. Such threats include ahead of the cyber criminal. working day, 05.00-01.00, but 24-hour Centre (OCC) has 20 defined operational width) is now approaching life expiry after operation is possible for special events. programmes that can be switched throughout over 30 years in service – each trainset covers This was seen extensively during the 2016 the course of any given day to account for 85 000-100 000km each year; Michelin tyres European Football Championships when greater or reduced passenger loadings. are checked each day and last 400 000/km public transport in the city accounted for the The state-of-the-art OCC, upgraded in and side guide tyres last 160 000km. The movement of half of all the fans visiting the 2012 to better integrate customer services 20mm-wider 208 series was introduced city’s 50 000-seater Stade Pierre-Mauroy. such as passenger information and web from 1998 and features a redesigned nose The Lille Metro runs to impressive and social media activities, is close to the and an interior layout designed to maximise 66-second headways during peak times, interchange of lines 1 and 2 in central passenger space within almost identical with dwell times of 20-25 seconds at each Lille and is manned 24 hours a day. A staff dimensions. Both depots have test tracks to station managed by platform screen doors. of 20 work in shifts to supervise both the recreate operational scenarios, breakdowns Acceleration and braking are precisely operational infrastructure as well as vehicle and recovery procedures. controlled by computers based upon the maintenance at the system’s two depots, With around 107m passengers each year, characteristics of the stretch of track and which is mainly carried out at night. 60% of the Transpole total, the metro is passenger demand. This can be reduced to 60 The first iteration of VAL rolling stock 206( – embarking on its biggest challenge to date seconds if required as the Operations Control the name derived from the vehicle’s 2060mm with a project to replace the entire fleet on

Lille VAL 206 type P09 is approaching 3.5m/km Umberto station in central Turin, opened in 2007, showing the kind of platform screen doors used on service life and undergoes its final major service at automated metros to prevent track access. In other climates these are also used to manage the temperature and Dron depot in November 2016. Simon Johnston conditions within stations. Neil Pulling

60 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org The DLR has helped shape the landscape of East London; B92 and newer B07 stock are at Canary Wharf station in November 2016 with the imposing new Crossrail station in the background. Simon Johnston

line 1. Using 52m Alstom-supplied trainsets to steel wheel on steel rail systems are a required significant adjustment of (27 in total) and a new Urbalis Fluence smoother and quieter ride, better acceleration maintenance and operating procedures, and control system, the network will effectively and braking characteristics, significantly since taking over in 2014 KAD has achieved be split into two in 2018 with isolation of the less impact on the infrastructure and the an impressive 25-35% more capacity on the existing 208 fleet to line 2’s Dron depot with ability to climb steeper gradients (up to 13% busiest routes Monday-Friday and 50% at its Siemens rolling stock and control systems. in Lyon). All of these allow closer headways. weekends without any additional trains. As the city’s operating partner since system However, many of these advantages come As the area grows over the next two opening, Keolis Lille (under the Transpole with downsides. Increased friction and decades, the role of the DLR will become brand) now has arguably greater experience rolling resistance means higher energy even more important. The system already of metro automation than almost any other consumption, heavier vehicles and the supports 270 special events each year, but the operator. Parent company Keolis currently ‘Oslo Effect’ associated with the breakdown number of homes in the area is predicted to operates half of the world’s driverless metros of tyres over time which can release harmful rise by 100 000 each decade from 180 000 in open to private competition, with new lines particulate matter into the atmosphere. 2016 to 380 000 in the 2030s. This will not in Hyderabad and Shanghai due to open in only require additional rolling stock, but also 2017 and 2018 respectively. The ‘Regeneration Railway’ the construction of relief lines and further When coping with obsolescence, Keolis Lille Around 270km (170 miles) to the north is expansion to the east and south of the city has developed in-house capabilities to deal an automated metro success story of a very – all while maintaining the DLR’s enviable with heavy maintenance to prolong the life of different kind. Opened to the public in reputation for reliability as the ‘99% railway’. essential equipment; this includes so-called August 1987, the Docklands Light Railway Transport for London’s other key central Level 3 workshops that cater for mechanical, is often dubbed the ‘Regeneration Railway’ urban rail asset, the London Underground, is electropneumatic, electromechanical and for the way it has helped shaped the undergoing similar changes as Thales is now electronic components. A team of 22 work in redevelopment of East London into one of the working on a far more complicated project, the Level 3 workshops that cover all Transpole world’s key financial and business districts. the implementation of next-generation operations (metro, tram and bus), as Gilles A steel wheel automated light metro, SelTrac signalling across its entire Sub- Fargier, Managing Director of Keolis Lille the system has expanded rapidly from a Surface Tube Lines (SSL) – the District, explains: “Imagine what your television was 12km (7.5-mile) two-route beginning to a Circle, Hammersmith and City and like 30 years ago and what you have now. comprehensive service that now covers vast Metropolitan lines. One of the most complex Like plastic surgery, the system needs a nip swathes of East London with 45 stations. and most intensively-used groups of rail lines and tuck to keep up with passenger growth Its operation has evolved from fixed-block anywhere in the world, the SSL account for and technology. What we’ve created here is a signalling in the early days to the more 40% of the total network; the introduction real school of engineering.” comprehensive moving-block SelTrac (firstly of new CBTC signalling promises a capacity These skills have enabled major overhauls Alcatel, now Thales) solution that is now increase of 30% – vital if the predictions of an that will extend the life of parts and systems widely-used around the world. Under moving- increase in London’s population to 10m by by another 15 years and are also invaluable to block, each vehicle knows precisely where it 2030 are realised. manufacturer Siemens (a market leader in rail is and calculates the appropriate safety gap As well as increasing capacity, efficiencies automation) in the evolution of the product, between itself and both other trains and will be realised towards the target of reducing while allowing knowledge transfer with stations. The difference in the new technology costs within TfL as under the current systems in Orly, Toulouse and Rennes, and is that previous systems use fixed geographical signalling regime, supervision is provided those in the US. In 2016, Keolis announced blocks, regardless of the speed of the service. by 13 control separate rooms. Once fully the formation of a ‘mass transit academy’ Operations and maintenance (aside from operational, a single control centre will with parent SNCF to broaden this knowledge the 4.2km (2.6-mile) Greenwich – Lewisham provide a system-wide view of the SSL for the and encourage the sharing of best practice of extension opened in 1999 under a design, first time to better manage the integration urban transit operations and maintenance. build, finance and maintain contract with and interdependence of the four lines. Primarily seen on lower-capacity metro the CGL Ltd joint venture) are currently The benefits of this multi-billion pound systems and peoplemovers, the rubber- provided by KeolisAmeyDocklands (KAD). scheme for the Tube will be delivered by tyred VAL solution has both advantages and Catering for the massive passenger growth 2022, when the frequency of trains at peak disadvantages. The main benefits compared – 86m in 2011-12 to 110m in 2015-16 – has periods will increase to 32 trains/hour in

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 61 Metro automation

central London – boosting the network’s RIGHT: Nürnberg capacity by an extra 36 000 passenger 775 at Flüghafen on journeys every hour. the converted U2 line in April 2012; Making the case for conversion the line was upgraded in stages Conversion from manual to full driverless in 2009 and 2010. operation, especially on intensively-used Howard Pulling systems that form the backbone of cities, is a hugely complex project that requires careful BELOW: Riyadh’s planning and optimum timing to ensure six-metro line is technical and financial viability. currently the largest Existing signalling and control systems mass transit project have to be upgraded, track protection in the world and will offer fully systems (either platform screen doors or track driverless operation detection) and rolling stock either needs to – and stunning be replaced or extensively modified. station architecture Correlating the right time to make the – when it opens to switch to match asset life expiry is key to the public from 2018. maximising the return on investment, which Siemens can be as little as ten years – but the human factor cannot be ignored during this process. Lessons can be learned from Nürnberg, significantly increased. A mixture of short a lower level, with the transmitter in the track the first German city to implement such a and long trains are run routinely and can be by the offside rail, and are only activated conversion with upgrades to U-Bahn lines injected into the system as required by the while the train is stationary at the platform. 2 and 3. Driving staff were retrained with operational plan given passenger demand, As well as redundancy of driving and customer service qualifications and are now time of day or special events in the city. operational staff, and especially relevant in stationed along the two automated lines; this Energy savings of 15% have been reported. a climate of driverless automobile trials, is offers the added benefit of giving passengers Against the more usual trend of platform the recurrent concern of decision-makers more points of contact on the system, but screen doors to prevent either intentional around public perception of automated mass these staff also have the technical knowledge or accidental track access (currently 76% transit. However, UITP research suggests that, to address issues at stations, such as escalator of stations in automated metro lines in given the varied cultural contexts in which or ticket machine failures – and of course operation are equipped with platform metro automation has been successfully driving in the event of a failure. screen doors), Nürnberg operator Verkehrs- deployed, this is not a significant barrier While much is often made by labour Aktiengesellschaft Nürnberg chose to mirror to implementation. Indeed, removing the unions of the implementation of automation, the technology used on Lyon’s VAL line D. human factor is often seen as a positive move in reality the effect of removing driver Track areas at each station are continuously for more reliable and more frequent services operations is usually a positive one with a monitored by a high-frequency detection with greater capacity. broadening of the skills base by bringing system located below the edge of the platform, Another important indicator of this together previously separate job roles and with matching receivers mounted along acceptance is that once a city has built an increasing job satisfaction. the tunnel walls. These scan up to platform automated metro line, all subsequent lines The move to driverless operation in level, spaced at 150mm intervals, and if an follow a similar model. Nürnberg was driven by reducing operating object intrudes into the space and breaks two costs; taking the opportunity to automate adjacent beams an alarm is triggered. The future? while re-equipping with higher capacity The system measures the size of any As cities grow, more and more move towards rolling stock and the facility to take stock obstruction by counting the number of the requirement for 24-hour mass transit into/from service near-instantly according beams broken. Anything longer than 2m services. To serve this changed passenger to demand to serve the core section of is deemed to be a train, and no alarm is requirement and growth in passenger traffic, shared track between U2 and U3. UTO has issued. Transmitter failure is automatically automation and digitisation are key. cut headways in half on U2 and U3, from reported to the OCC, and until it is reset, an Next-generation technologies and 200 seconds to 100, and the rolling stock obstruction breaking one beam to either side cloud-based services allow greater requirement has dropped (46 compared of the fault will activate the alarm. integration of operations and passenger to 54 under manual operation on U1 that Separate modules at platform mid-points information, while smart data analytics is a similar length with the same amount detect anything falling between the coupled will give more detailed and precise control of stations), while capacity has been units of a four-car train; these are mounted at over infrastructure and vehicle service, and integrated resource management. As surface transport catches up, lessons will also be shared with other modes. One of the most exciting and technologically advanced current schemes is the mega-project to deliver six fully- automated metro lines for the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The largest mass transit system ever created from scratch at 175km (109 miles), once fully operational the Riyadh Metro will be capable of transporting the equivalent of a small town’s population every hour. Of course such a project requires the co-operation of many manufacturers and suppliers, and from 2018 Alstom, Bombardier and Siemens driverless trainsets will run at headways from 90 seconds. With mega-projects such as this underway in China, the Middle East and Latin and Central America – plus conversion of existing lines elsewhere in the world – the future is increasingly looking driverless.

62 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Antwerp

Aspects of the original street Antwerp SYSTEMS tramway are evident, yet Belgium's second BELGIUM FACTFILE biggest system continues to increase capacity No. Antwerp, and modernise in a 112 Belgium demanding setting.

narrowing of the Scheldt ABOVE: A system estuary encouraged the preparing for the future early development of – Bombardier Flexity 2 Antwerp (Antwerpen 7323 passes Deurne depot on 14 March 2016. in the local Dutch / French:A Anvers) on the river’s RIGHT: City-bound eastern/right bank. Contrasting with PCC 7134 takes line 8 the bulk loads moved through the track near Muggenberg modern sprawling port, Antwerp is towards the ‘Giant Pipe’ the also the world’s principal diamond tunnel that opened in market and Belgium’s second city after 2015. Tracks around the Brussels, the national capital 45km ramp carry line 24. (28 miles) to the south. Antwerp city – as opposed to the province – had an estimated 518 368 residents in 2016, representing an increase of around 10% within a decade. The first of several horse-drawn services began in 1873, becoming integrated and electrified from 1902. The system also incorporated some but are particularly prone to the some unrealised aims – have been set long-distance NMVB Vicinal lines area’s notorious traffic problems. out in a series of plans such as Pegasus, which needed regauging to the city's Far from immune to congestion, Brabo (named after a mythical figure metre-gauge standard. Trolleybuses trams have nevertheless been in Antwerp's history) and Brabo 2. had a comparatively minor presence an expanding centrepiece of Master Plan 2020 shows continued between 1929 and 1964; local and Words and pictures by Antwerp’s transport landscape for support for enhancing public regional buses remain important, Neil Pulling many years. Such changes – and transport and recent key developments

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 63 Antwerp

P+R Havana 2 3 Merksem P+R Fortsteenweg LEGEND

Existing network MERKSEM Noorderlijn under construction Punt Aan De Heavy rail Lijn Depot

6 Luchtbal Luchtbal Metropolis

Havenhuis Gasthuishoeve

EILANDJE

12 Sportpaleis Sport/ Sportpaleis 7 Sint-Pietersvliet 5 10 Wijnegem Sint-Pietersvliet Deurne DEURNE Depot Fortveld 10 11 Melkmarkt 5 9 15 Linkeroever Roosevelt- 3 Zwijndrecht Melkmarkt Ertbrugge plaats Antwerpen BORGERHOUT Centraal P+R Krijgsbaan P+R Groenplaats Ruggeveld Linkeroever ZWIJNDRECHT ANTWERP Opera Astrid De Roma 8 Astrid P+R Wommelgem Zegel Nationale Plantin 8 P+R Wommelgem Bank

Bres 12 Bolivarplaats Florent Pauwels 4 24 Silsburg Bolivarplaats 11 Berchem Station Eksterlaar Silsburg Scheldt Harmonie BORSBEEK Brussel Berchem 9 Eksterlaar Station Zuid BERCHEM

Luchthaven Antwerpen

P+R Olympiade Jan de Wouwers Kruishof Zwaantjes Depot Zwaantjes 6 Olympiade

HOBOKEN WILRIJK BOECHOUT Lelieplaats MORTSEL

2 4 Hoboken Gemeente plein 15 Boechout P+R Schoonselhof 7 Mortsel 24 Schoonselhof P+R Capenberg

Line 4: Hoboken - Silsburg Line 6: Olympiade - Luchtbal – Groenplaats – Meir – Opera – Diamant – ANTWERP'S TRAM Lelieplaats – Kioskplaats – Steynstraat Kruishof – P+R Olympiade – Olympiade Plantin – Zurenborg – Cuperus – Berchem – Draaiboom – Jan Van de Wouwer – Volhardingstraat – Antwerp Expo – Station – Groenenhoek – Apollo – De ROUTES IN FULL – Zwaantjes – Grens Kiel – Abdijstraat – deSingel – Markgravelei – Provinciehuis Preter – Te Boelaarpark – Cruyslei – Josef Kielpark – Generaal Armstrong – – Harmonie – Lange Leemstraat – Verboven – Eksterlaar Line 2: Hoboken – Merksem Kolonel Silvertop – Station Zuid – Plantin – Diamant – Astrid – Lelieplaats – Kioskplaats – Steynstraat Brussel – Bolivarplaats – Pacificatie Elisabeth – Handel – Schijnpoort Line 10: Melkmarkt – Wijnegem – Draaiboom – Jan Van de Wouwer – – Museum – Tropisch Instituut – Sint- – Sport – Gasthuishoeve – Bredabaan Melkmarkt – Sint-Katelijne – Sint- Zwaantjes – Sportstraat- Schijfwerper Andries – Groenplaats – Meirbrug – Lambrechtshoeken – Station Luchtbal – Jacob – Jesusstraat (westbound – De Bosschaert – Olympiade – Oudaan – Mechelseplein – Nationale Groenendaal – P+R Metropolis only) – Rooseveltplaats – Antwerp – Volhardingstraat – Antwerp Expo – Bank – Hemel – Sint-Vincentius – Centraal – Kerkstraat – Drink – De deSingel – Markgravelei – Provinciehuis Belgiëlei – Lamorinièrestraat – Cuperus Line 7: Sint-Pietersvliet – Mortsel Roma – Turnhoutsepoort – Hof ter – Harmonie – Lange Leemstraat – Plantin – Berchem Station – Groenenhoek – Sint-Pietersvliet – Klapdorp – Lo – Cogelsplein – Gallifortlei – Lunden – Diamant – Astrid –Elisabeth – Handel Apollo – De Preter – Te Boelaarpark – Keizerstraat – Meirbrug – Oudaan – – Venneborg – Schotensesteenweg – Schijnpoort – Sport – Gasthuishoeve Cruyslei – Josef Verboven – Eksterlaar Mechelseplein – Nationale Bank – Van – Ruggeveld – Havik – Ertbrugge – Burgmeester Nolf – Barnkracht – – Van den Hautelei – Florent Pauwels – Bree – Gounod – Harmonie – De Merode – Wijnegem Shopping Center – Oudebareel – Victor Roosens – Rerum Dassastraat – Silsburg – Driekoningen – Sint-Willibrordus – Schijnbeemden - Fortveld Novarum – Ringlaan – P+R Fortsteenweg Koninklijkelaan – Jan Moorkens – Pulhof Line 5: Linkeroever – Wijnegem – Fruithoflaan – Kuijpers – Gevaert – Line 11: Melkmarkt – Berchem Station Line 3: Zwijndrecht – Merksem P+R Linkeroever – Sporthal – A. Van Vrededbaan – Gemeenteplein Melkmarkt – Sint-Katelijne – Sint- P+R Krijgsbaan – Hof ter Rijen – Dorp – Cauwelaert – Halewijn – Van Eeden Jacob – Jesusstraat (westbound Vredespark – Van Goey – Verbrandendijk – Groenplaats – Meir – Opera – Astrid Line 8: Astrid – P+R Wommelgem only) – Rooseveltplaats – Antwerp – Schep Vreugde – P+R Linkeroever – –Elisabeth – Handel – Schijnpoort – Astrid – Zegel – Muggenberg – Centraal – Ommeganck – Ploeg – Lente Sporthal – A. Van Cauwelaert – Halewijn – Sportpaleis – ten Eekhove – Lakborslei Mestputteke – Waterbaan – Stevenslei – Plantin & Moretus – Van Ruusbroec – Van Eeden – Groenplaats – Meir – Opera – – Confortalei – Craeybeckx – Ciara – Florent Pauwels – Van Riel – P+R Dageraadplaats – Draakplaats – Berchem Astrid –Elisabeth – Handel – Schijnpoort Snellings – Antwerp Stadion – Hermans Wommelgem Station - Groenenhoek – Sport – Gasthuishoeve – Burgmeester – Ruggeveldlaan – Van Overmiere – Nolf – Barnkracht – Oudebareel – Victor Frans Van Dijck – Ruggeveld – Havik Line 9: Linkeroever – Eksterlaar Line 12: Bolivarplaats – Sportpaleis Roosens – Rerum Novarum – Ringlaan – – Ertbrugge – Wijnegem Shopping Center P+R Linkeroever – Sporthal – A. Van Bolivarplaats – Montigny – Bres P+R Fortsteenweg – Schijnbeemden - Fortveld Cauwelaert – Halewijn – Van Eeden – Kasteelplein – Nationale Bank

64 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

P+R Havana 2 3 Merksem P+R Fortsteenweg THE FLEET LEGEND Antwerp’s PCC (7000-7165; some withdrawn) trams are Belgian-built Existing network MERKSEM built by La Brugeoise & Nivelles Noorderlijn under construction (BN) and Ateliers de Constructions Punt Aan De Électriques de Charleroi (ACEC). The Heavy rail Lijn Depot first entered service in 1960, with 6 Luchtbal Luchtbal the newest built in 1975. Run singly Metropolis or in pairs, Antwerp’s PCC, with space for 110 passengers, have been modified, but less so than their Gent Havenhuis Gasthuishoeve counterparts. Postponement of the CAF order EILANDJE ABOVE: Barrier arrows indicate the travel direction from each platform: may influence the timescale for the Fortsteenweg P+R terminus at the north of the system, a 2002 extension. full withdrawal of PCC vehicles. 12 Sportpaleis An outcome of Flanders’ unified Sport/ transport management, the 70% Sportpaleis 7 Sint-Pietersvliet 5 10 Wijnegem low-floor Siemens/Bombardier Sint-Pietersvliet Hermelijn are based on Dresden’s Deurne NGT6DD. Used on all three De Lijn DEURNE Depot Fortveld 10 11 Melkmarkt 5 9 15 Linkeroever Roosevelt- systems, Antwerp’s 84 five-section, 3 Zwijndrecht Melkmarkt Ertbrugge plaats Antwerpen BORGERHOUT single-ended MGT6-1 were delivered Centraal in four batches 1999-2012 and are P+R Krijgsbaan P+R Groenplaats Ruggeveld Linkeroever ZWIJNDRECHT numbered from 7201, capacity ANTWERP Opera Astrid De Roma 74 seated, 176 standing. A few transfer 8 Astrid P+R Wommelgem to Kusttram for the coastal summer Zegel Nationale season, a time when demand falls Plantin 8 P+R Wommelgem Bank slightly in Antwerp. Antwerp’s 7301-series received from Bres May 2015 are Bombardier Flexity 2 12 Bolivarplaats Florent Pauwels vehicles, dubbed Albatros by De 4 24 Silsburg Bolivarplaats Lijn. Single-ended (unlike the Gent 11 Berchem Station Eksterlaar Silsburg Scheldt Harmonie BORSBEEK ABOVE: Seven-section Albatros 7301 at P+R Capenberg (Boechout), version), the 2.3m-wide, fully low-floor Brussel Berchem 9 Eksterlaar Station terminus of an extension opened in August 2012. trams are being supplied in five- and Zuid seven-section versions, respectively BERCHEM 31 and 43m long, capacities 380 and 266. They are fitted with a high-quality passenger information system. Luchthaven Antwerpen

P+R Olympiade “Trams have been Jan de Wouwers Kruishof an expanding Zwaantjes Depot Zwaantjes 6 Olympiade centrepiece of HOBOKEN WILRIJK BOECHOUT Lelieplaats MORTSEL Antwerp’s transport 2 4 Hoboken Gemeente plein 15 Boechout landscape for P+R Schoonselhof 7 Mortsel ABOVE: Hermelijn 7257 and 7262 on the northern ramp of the bridge P+R Capenberg 24 Schoonselhof over the Albert Canal, Belgium’s principal inland waterway. many years.”

– Stadspark – Teniers – Rooseveltplaats – Antwerp Centraal – De Coninck – Richard (northbound only) – Sint-Gummarus – Gastraat – Stuivenberg – Halenstraat – Schijnpoort – Sportpaleis

Line 15: Boechout - Linkeroever P+R Linkeroever – Sporthal – A. Van Cauwelaert – Halewijn – Van Eeden – Groenplaats – Meir – Opera – Diamant – Plantin – Lange Leemstraat – Harmonie – De Merode – Driekoningen – Sint-Willibrordus – Koninklijkelaan – Jan Moorkens – Pulhof – Fruithoflaan – Kuijpers – Gevaert – Vrededbaan – Gemeenteplein – Station Oude God – Kerkstraat – Kaphaan – Hof Savelkoul – P+R Capenberg

Line 24: Schoonselhof – Silsburg P+R Schoonselhof – Karel Meyvis – Heidestraat – Aartselaarstraat – Zwaantjes – Grens Kiel – Abdijstraat – Kielpark – Generaal Armstrong – Kolonel Silvertop – Station Zuid – Brussel – Broedermin – Bestorming – Bres – Kasteelplein – Nationale Bank – Stadspark – Teniers – Rooseveltplaats – Antwerp Centraal On the first tunnel section to open (March – Kerkstraat – Drink – De Roma – Stenenbrug 1975), Opera station closed in September – Joe English – Morckhoven – Muggenberg – Mestpuuteke – Waterbaan – Stevenslei – 2016 to allow for incorporating the new Florent Pauwels – Dassastraat – Silsburg north-south line, due in 2019.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 65 Antwerp

Overlooked by the Koninklijk Atheneum Antwerpen building, Rooseveltplaats is being remodelled for better traffic control and improved surroundings.

“Around 40 years since the first LEFT: With the China Town arch in the background, PCC 7054 enters the loop in pre-metro opening, front of Centraal Station. BELOW: The western portal of Brabo tunnel February 2015 saw the on the 1990 extension, with the Cathedral of first part of the ‘Giant Our Lady in the background. Pipe’ join the system.”

NETWORK FACTS Opened: 1873 (electrified 1902) Approx. length: 80km (50 miles) Lines: 13 Depots: 3 Approx. weekday hours: 05.00-00.00 Line frequency: 10 minutes Gauge: 1000mm Power: 600V dc, overhead supply Fleet: Approx. 270

INFORMATION Operator: Vlaamse Vervoermaatschappij (as De Lijn) – www.delijn.be Civic information: www.antwerpen.be Tourist information: www.visitantwerpen.be

66 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org have focused on extending the a more concentrated presence, late tramway’s outer reach and fleet 20th Century depopulation fuelled improvement – these reflect the aim the suburban spread. of tempting travellers out of cars and On the eastern edge of the city’s onto public transport. Encouraged core, the main railway station is the by improved facilities, some in monumental Antwerpen Centraal. connection with tramway projects, Often ranked as one of the world’s great cycling has been re-established as a railway structures, it is a convergence significant urban mode. of national and international rail, Antwerp’s tramway is part of light rail and buses, now including an organisation covering Dutch- some long-distance routes. Centraal speaking Vlaams Gewest (Flanders), gained extra track levels in 2007 one of Belgium’s three administrative including a ‘basement’ which turned regions; railways are a federal the former terminus into a through- undertaking as NMBS/SNCB (Dutch: station. A tram loop is directly in front ABOVE: Originally 2001 with TAO and then MIVA, 1960-built PCC Nationale Maatschappij der Belgische of the station with more intensively- 7001 in a pre-De Lijn livery on Belgiëlei in March 2016. Spoorwegen, French: Société nationale used tracks nearby; also multi-level, des chemins de fer belges), but other there is more to tram operations transport responsibilities rest with here than may be readily observed. the regions. Amalgamating various The tramway has interchanges with civic bodies, public sector Vlaamse other Antwerp railway stations, Vervoermaatschappij has held the significantly so at Berchem, also Zuid monopoly of operating bus and light (South) and Luchtbal. rail services – styled De Lijn (‘The Line’) Antwerp’s system is uni-directional – across Flanders since January 1991. with underground and surface In Antwerp, it succeeded the more turning loops, in some locations using locally focused TAO (1946-62) and street layouts to turn trams. Entering MIVA (1963-91). The De Lijn brand 2017 there were 13 normal service and a common livery is used for the lines in a series between 2 and 24, Antwerp and Gent (Ghent/Gand) city the colour-coding of each as used on systems, also the Kusttram light rail system maps also appears on vehicle ABOVE: Completed in 2011, the intersection at Olympiade (Antwerp service stretching almost the full length destination displays – destinations hosted the 1920 Olympics) were remodelled for better traffic flow and safety, also adding a park-and-ride site. of Belgium’s North Sea coastline. are shown as the area name, this not Keeping the city mobile has not necessarily being the same as used for been easy, however. Main road and the terminus. rail links south from the Netherlands’ The general trend has been for more western cities pass through Antwerp and longer lines crossing the central and short distances between area, the majority are over 10km, neighbouring communities also with line 4 the longest at 14.6km (9.1 enlarge the commuter hinterland. miles) scheduled for just over an hour. Parts of central Antwerp retain a Coverage and identity of lines will medieval street layout and narrow continue to be revised to take account thoroughfares are common, yet there of infrastructure changes. There are are also wide boulevards which can three active depots, each towards create awkward transfers between the system’s outer edge; the most public transport services. In central northerly is Punt aan de Lijn, just districts where the tramway once had beyond Luchtbal terminus, with the

ABOVE: Hermelijn 7255 leaves the loop for the departure platform at Fortveld Wijnegem, terminus of the eastern extension opened in April 2012.

LEFT: Linkeroever P+R is the main interchange on the Scheldt's west bank. Line 3 extends further west to Zwijndrecht.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 67 Antwerp

most southerly being Zwaantjes, near Jan Van de Wouwer stop. Unlike these, Deurne depot (opened April 2012) near Ertbrugge stop can be seen from revenue track. Years before De Lijn’s advent, Antwerp embarked on a project to reconfigure some central tram routes to use 15km (9.4 miles) of new ‘pre- metro’ tunnels and 22 underground stops. Initiated with the same intent as in Brussels – conversion from tram use to full metro – by 1974 it was decided that Antwerp’s tunnels would remain as underground tramways. Arguably this rendered the pre-metro tag redundant, but it remains in use. The first sub-surface opening came in 1975, a 1.3km (0.8-mile) east-west city centre section with four stops. Others followed, but some tunnels and stops were not fitted out for operation. In 1990 a 1.5km (0.9- mile) extension of the east-west axis took the system under the Scheldt to Linkeroever, followed by surface route; as the river is not bridged until well inland from Antwerp, this fast city the shadowing surface route. Part of better conditions for pedestrians and Five-section centre connection was of particular the new line 8 project was the eastern cyclists. One of the initial pre-metro Albatros 7317 on Korte importance. Part of Antwerp since extension between Florent Pauwels stops, Opera temporarily closed in Koepoortstraat, part 1923, Linkeroever has developed as a and P+R Wommelgem, a site next to September 2016 for rebuilding to of a uni-directional loop weaving major residential area since the 1950s an A13 motorway junction. incorporate the new north-south through narrow and now enjoys an intensive tram In March 2016 construction began line, although east-west services streets near the river. service. Linkeroever P+R (park-and- on the Noorderlijn (Northerner will continue through the site. ride) is the terminus for three lines; Line) project to create a new direct Any inconvenience is tempered a fourth extends further west to P+R connection between central Antwerp by the closeness of stops are on Krijgsbaan. The north-south tunnel and the north of the city. This will run this section. axis began with a short section in by way of the ‘Islet’, a former dock area In November 2016 De Lijn 1980, with its most recent substantial undergoing renovation, joining the announced Spanish rolling stock extension in 2006. current system in Luchtbal. Increasing manufacturer CAF as the preferred Around 40 years since the first system capacity, this will specifically bidder to supply 146 low-floorUrbos pre-metro opening, February 2015 give faster tram access than current vehicles for use on the Kusttram, saw 3km (1.9 miles) of the newly-fitted services routed via the bridge over the Gent and Antwerp systems (the ‘Giant Pipe’ tunnel join the system. Albert Canal; services over the new operator’s largest single rolling Since April of the same year, the re- tracks are expected in 2019. stock order). Subject to appeals by designated line 8 has taken this route The project will integrate the the only other final bidder west of Muggenberg to Astrid, one of current Sint Pietersvliet terminus Bombardier, first deliveries under the stops serving Antwerpen Centraal with a new line from the north and the EUR320m deal were expected – Zegel is the only intermediate stop environmental landscaping includes in 2018. Later in 2016, the Council opened on this section, contrasting restructuring around Rooseveltplaats of State decided to suspend the with the multi-stop line 24 which uses to improve traffic control and create placement of the CAF order.

ESSENTIAL FACTS Local travel: The most convenient information point (Lijnwinkel) may be Antwerpen Centraal station: street level at Pelikaanstraat entrance. Tickets from Lijnwinkels, machines or (restrictions apply) from the driver. Single journeys up to 60 minutes with transfers are priced EUR3. With De Lijn covering a region where all three light rail systems are relatively close, day tickets (EUR6/12/17 for 1/3/5 days) might realistically be used for them all when visiting Flanders – although De Lijn tickets do not cover national rail. Onboard ticket validation is required. Antwerp is a request stop system.

What is there to see? Although redevelopment has far to go, the river frontage has good views and reveals much of Antwerp’s context. The cathedral is amongst the finest sights near a cluster of buildings in the Flemish style around Grote Markt. Even for non-transport enthusiasts, Centraal station is well worthy of exploration. Just off the main shopping street, Meir, Rubenshuis is a museum and gallery housed in the Rubens family home. De Koninck beer served in a bolleke glass is a city institution, Seen in March 2010, the current Sint Pietersvliet terminus will gain better connection under brewery tours are available, near Berchem De Merode tramstop. the Noorderlijn project.

68 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Worldwide Review

ARGENTINA AUSTRIA BUENOS AIRES. Ex-Madrid LINZ – EFERDING. From tram 153, stored in the open 11 December the Linzer on the former Puerto Madero Lokalbahn became line S5 in the demonstration tramway since Oberösterreich S-Bahn network. it closed in 2012, has now been ET22.157 has received new blue- taken to the depot of pre-metro and-white livery to advertise the line E2 (but is too long to enter network. EB passenger service). BS BELGIUM AUSTRALIA ANTWERPEN. Bombardier ADELAIDE. The South Australian delivered new trams 7344/5 in Government has just issued its November, using the new tracks Multicriteria Analysis Reports for in Noorderlaan for the first time. new tramlines to Port Adelaide PCCs 7032/3/9/51 have been and Outer Harbour (PortLINK withdrawn. as an extension of the existing BRUSSEL/BRUXELLES. This Hindmarsh Entertainment Centre year’s infrastructure work will see tram route via the existing heavy rail complete track renewal at Buyl, route); Prospect (ProspectLINK); including access to Ixelles depot; Magill via Norwood Parade relaying Avenue du Roi with a new beginning with a line on double-track link to Rue Verhaegen; North Terrace East (EastLINK); relaying at Globe including a A tram on the new extension of Bordeaux line C at Blanquefort stop, with an Adelaide Airport and Henley new double-track link between SNCF regional train on parallel track. Y. Allain Beach (WestLINK), and Mitcham Avenue Brugmann and Chaussée (UnleyLINK), the latter four d’Alsenberg; and interruption of VANCOUVER. On 16 December ST-ÉTIENNE. A third tramline being largely on the routes of line 19 at Simonis to permit a new Translink signed a contract to buy will be created in 2019, linking tram services abandoned in the connection for future line 9. T-2000 28 SkyTrain cars from Bombardier Châteaucreux and La Terrasse via 1950s. Following a series of public DE LIJN. On 29 November the for CAD93m (EUR66.3m). The Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, at a cost consultations, it will be necessary Council of State blocked De Lijn’s seven four-car trains will arrive of EUR80m. T-2000 to develop business plans for the plan to order 146 trams from CAF, in 2019 and be used to increase STRASBOURG. It has been routes. in response to an objection from capacity on the system. CBC announced that President Hollande The aim is to provide high Bombardier. TR and Chancellor Merkel will quality public transport OOSTENDE. The new CHILE inaugurate the new international services that will also help drive Slijkensesteenweg depot SANTIAGO. Four more five-car tramline D across the River Rhine market demand for residential was brought into use from metro trains have been ordered to in February. T-2000 development in the CBD, 6 November. T-2000 CAF, which will increase the total inner, and middle metropolitan to 42. RGI GERMANY Adelaide. Meanwhile a mid-year BRAZIL KASSEL. Trailer operation using budget review has seen the SA SALVADOR. Metro line 2 from COLOMBIA the ex-Rostock low-floor cars Government allocate AUD20m Acesso Norte to Rodoviária MEDELLÍN. The order for three- started on 11 December on line 1. DS (EUR13.9m) to buy three more (2.3km/1.4 miles) opened for car metro trains from CAF has been LEIPZIG. The order for 37.6m trams and extend trams along revenue service on 5 December. increased from 20 to 22. RGI four-section trams from Solaris has King William Rd from North been increased from to 23 (from Terrace on the Festival Centre by CANADA FRANCE options for 41), an announcement the end of 2017. Dr J. Radcliffe CALGARY. The federal and ANNEMASSE. The 3.3km (two- that co-incided with the delivery BROADBEACH – SOUTHPORT. provincial governments have mile) tramway project being built of the first vehicle from the initial The Gold Coast light rail was out released CAD258.9m (EUR184.5m) as a cross-border extension of order. Each new tram will replace a of action for two days following for investment in the planned light Genève line 12 from Moillesulaz Tatra two-car set. lightning strikes during a severe rail Green line. CBC to Le Perrier is running about two WUPPERTAL. The first five of electrical storm on 9 December. MONTRÉAL. Plans for the years late, and is unlikely to see the new Schwebebahn cars entered Brisbane Times proposed 67km (42-mile) service until September 2019. BSI passenger service from 11.00 on CANBERRA. The ACT automated light metro have been BORDEAUX. Tramline C was 18 December. P. Bosbach government has decided that modified to include interchange extended by 7.2km (4.5-mile) from the second stage of the light rail stations with the existing heavy Caracovie to Gare de Blanquefort INDIA project should be an 11km (6.8- metro at Peel Basin, McGill and on 17 December. The new line LUCKNOW. The first Alstom mile) line to Woden, that would Edouard-Monpetit, increasing the runs alongside SNCF tracks from Metropolis metro set started be through worked with the cost of the project by CAD400m. Ausone to the outer terminus. trial service on a 5km (3.1-mile) stage 1 line to Gungahlin. It will (EUR285m) the system is predicted Y. Allain section of line on 1 December. The include an alignment through to carry 30.6m passengers in the LYON. Tramline T1 is being company is delivering 20 four-car the Parliamentary Triangle, first full year of operation, 2021. extended by 200m to new reversing sets and CBTC signalling for line 1, crossing the Commonwealth CTV News sidings south of Perrache station. which should open on 26 March. Avenue bridge, likely to require TORONTO. The 501 Queen The groundbreaking ceremony PUNE. The government has operation without overhead. TA tramline is truncated at for tramline T6, covering the SE approved the first 16.6km (10.3 SYDNEY. The first tram tracks Roncesvalles for all of 2017, with Quadrant of the future circular line, miles) stage of the planned 31.2km were laid on George St on bus replacement for riders to took place in December. E. Stuart (19.3-mile) north–south metro. IRJ 19 December. Humber Loop and Long Branch. NANTES. Plans are being made A further 24 Waratah EMUs are The cutback started on 8 January. to extend tramline 1 to Babiniere IRAN to be supplied by EDI Downer to Refurbished Bombardier low- in Chapelle-sur-Erdre, across La TEHRAN. Hosseain Abad station cope with passenger growth on the floor tram 4402 re-entered service Joneliere bridge, and including on metro line 3 was opened on commuter rail system; 78 eight-car on 4 December, followed by new a new depot. The city has also 12 December. urbanrail.net trains of this type were delivered 4427 a week later; 4428-30 were commissioned a feasibility study in 2011-14. The latest order will delivered before the end of the for a fourth tramline to Rezé, which IRELAND start to enter service in 2018. RGI year. D. Drum could open in 2026. T-2000 DUBLIN. Although 2015 was a

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 69 Worldwide Review

record year for Luas, Transdev A planning application for Dublin Light Rail Ltd recorded a relocation of the horse tram depot pre-tax loss of EUR612 092. The and stables in a temporary system carried 34.6m passengers, structure in the car park of 6% up on 2014. The loss compared the former Summerland with earnings of EUR1.24m during development at Derby Castle has the previous year and was said to been submitted by the DoI. be due to lower base revenue under This was not part of original the terms of the new contract and proposals for the relocation of the a change in commercial terms stables to Strathallan depot but giving rise to different accounting a survey of this structure has treatment for certain services. revealed that it is unsafe. No dividend was paid in 2015. Douglas Borough Council has Work on the Cross City disputed the figures quoted by the The first Alstom Citadis Spirit tram for North America was given an outing on extension saw completion of DoI during a sitting of Tynwald Ottawa’s new Confederation line on 11 December. Alstom/OC Transpo tracklaying by the end of 2016. Court in November for the Construction of eight stops operation of the horse tramway in MILANO. State-owned rail CRRC for delivery of a 74.3km between Dominick Street and 2015. Minister for Infrastructure, operator FS has purchased 36.7% (46.2-mile) light rail system Westmoreland has begun, while the Hon Ray Harmer MHK, stated of the shares in Astaldi, part of the modelled on that provided to tracks have been tied in with the that 48 722 passengers were carried Milano Metro M5 consortium. IRJ Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. The first existing Red and Green lines and and income of GBP57 915 (EUR67 section is due to open before the overhead line works have started. 947) was achieved. However, the MALAYSIA end of 2018. BS Work began in December to Borough Council says 50 937 KUALA LUMPUR. The 21km lengthen Green line stops to passengers were carried and (13-mile) northern section of the PERU accommodate the seven new 54m income from the horse trams Klang Valley MRT Line 1 (Sungai LIMA. Siemens has been awarded trams on order. Stops between totalled GBP117 279 (EUR137 593) Buloh – Semantan) was opened a contract to upgrade metro line 1, Sandyford and Brides Glen and including residents’ tickets, on 15 December, with revenue replacing 1995 equipment. RGI those towards Broombridge have Explorer tickets, special hires, service starting the following day. all been designed to take longer advertising revenue and the The 30km (18.6-mile) southern POLAND trams, but 11 between Harcourt December Santa tram service. section will open in July. KATOWICE. At the end of and Stillorgan require extension MANX ELECTRIC RAILWAY. Siemens is delivering 58 four- November Tramwaje Slaskie from 43m. It is expected that The tramway’s 125th anniversary car automated metro trains using unveiled the first (913) of 15 ex- work will be completed during is to be celebrated in 2018 with a Chinese-built bodies and with final Frankfurt/Main Pt eight-axle 2017; stops will remain open week of events (1-8 September). assembly by SMH Rail at Rasa. RGI trams that has been completely during the process. This will be held in addition to modernised and fitted with a the 2018 Easter Rush Hour and NETHERLANDS low-floor centre section built by ISLE OF MAN Heritage Transport Festivals. AMSTERDAM. Trials on the local company SAG. DOUGLAS. Tynwald (parliament) Winter work was to see relaying Noord–Zuid metro on 2 January A SECO-led consortium is is considering a revised proposal between Howe Road and Harbour caused a computer failure that preferred bidder for the 5km (3.1- from the Department of Road using concrete sleepers. shut down all metro service from mile) extension from Brynów Infrastructure (DoI), current Contractors are reconstructing 14.45 for the rest of the day. to Kostuchna in the southern operator of the horse tramway, Baldromma level crossing, while Dutchnews.nl suburbs, due to open in 2020. RGI that in any reconstruction of the railway’s own staff have DEN HAAG. The new stabling KRAKÓW. MPK is to receive the Promenade the tramway removed the crossover at Garwick yard at Meppelwerf, adjacent to PLN124.9m (EUR28.7m) from be curtailed to operate from and replaced it with plain track. Zichtenburg depot, was brought EU Transport Projects funding Derby Castle to Broadway only. Work has started on removal of the into use from 11 December, mostly to help finance a PLN314.4m The section to the Sea Terminal Scarffes Crossing crossover, which for trams on lines 2 and 19. (EUR72.2m) order for 35 low-floor would be abandoned. This is will also be relaid with plain track. ROTTERDAM. The European trams, capable of 3km (1.86-mile) opposed to the original proposal, A new crossover will be installed Investment Bank has agreed to loan off-wire operation. Four tenders agreed by Tynwald last July, to to the Laxey side of Ballameanagh. RET EUR120m for rolling stock and are being evaluated for delivery in retain the line in its entirety as Demolition of Ramsey Car Shed signaling on the metro extension 2019-20. RGI part of any revised Promenade began in November; contractors to Hoek van Holland. RGI WARSZAWA. The EU is to reconstruction scheme. will afterwards demolish the UTRECHT. The first of 27 new contribute PLN114m (EUR26.2m) The proposal put to Tynwald in former goods shed. CAF-built 100% low-floor trams towards the cost of two tramway December involved retention of Work on the fleet will include for the Uithof line (6001) was extensions, 2.1km (1.3-mile) in twin tracks in the roadway as well the return to service of trailers 61 delivered to Nieuwegein depot Bialoleka and 2.4km (1.5-mile) as the linking of the horse tram and 62, which have been out of use from Spain on 9 December. in Wola; ten more double-ended tracks with the Manx Electric for some years. Repaints are A public unveiling is scheduled trams are to be purchased. RGI Railway at Derby Castle. The plan scheduled for a number of cars, of for 18 January. digitaletram.nl WROCLAW. A PLN50m would save around GBP750 000 which 21, 32 and 62 are to be in (EUR11.5m) order has been placed (EUR880 000) of the cost of the green livery briefly used after NEW ZEALAND with Modertrans for 13 more reconstructing the Promenade, nationalisation of the line. Works AUCKLAND. The Government Moderus Beta low-floor trams for which the DoI wishes to begin this also continue on the enthusiast- is considering fully funding a delivery by the end of 2017. This autumn. These proposals were led reconstruction of Ratchet car light rail line between the Airport brings the total order to 22. RGI narrowly defeated, but a further 14 and by MER staff on and the North Shore via the city vote involving both the House of refurbishment of Snaefell 4. centre by classifying it as a state RUSSIA Keys and the legislative council Major relaying work has begun highway project. The government MOSKVA. With no company was scheduled for January when on the Snaefell Mountain Railway is trying to find an extra NZD4bn willing to supply spare parts, a final decision should be made. downline between Canada and (EUR2.65bn) to fund transport the monorail will return to The Manx Electric Railway the Car Shed points. projects over the next 20 years, ‘sightseeing’ mode in 2017, with Society is co-ordinating a possibly by introducing road just one train in service, running campaign to retain the horse ITALY charging. RadioNZ every 40 minutes. The city is tramway in its entirety and is CATANIA. The 1.9km (1.2- planning a double-track tramway planning to launch a crowd mile) metro branch from Galatea NIGERIA link between Chistye Prudy and funding campaign to fight the DoI to Stesicoro was opened on 20 KANO. it is reported that an Ulitsa Kalanchevskaya along proposals. December. urbanrail.net agreement has been signed with Pospekt Academika. N. Semyonov

70 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NIZHNIY NOVGOROD. The saloon on 272. The RAIB said it right and left-bank tramway would have been safer to have the networks were reconnected from power isolated through a radio 4 November after five months work message to the control centre. to renovate the Molitovskiy bridge. The driver had not been Tatra T3 2754 was used to cut the advised of this option during traditional ribbon. N. Semyonov his training. SMOLENSK. The city’s tram and The heritage fleet will be active trolleybus director has reportedly during 2017 with events beginning been dismissed after paying RUR1m with the regular operation of a (approx. EUR16 000) each for ten weekend service between Pleasure second-hand KTM-8 trams from Beach and North Pier at the Moskva. Journalists discovered that end of January. This will continue Moskva had given similar cars to each weekend and over public Tver without charge. N. Semyonov holiday and school holiday TULA. The first five ex-Moskva periods until closure of the (4293-7) KTM-19 arrived here on Illuminations in November. 15 December. transphoto.ru There will also be Santa Specials from the end of November. SERBIA The first new Siemens LRV for San Francisco's Muni system was delivered on 13 Enhanced operations will January; the mock-up was on display at The Embarcadero. in June 2016. SFMTA BEOGRAD. A transport plan apply on certain dates. published on 17 November EDINBURGH. The Labour party in November. The age limit for price, which in turn meant includes two metro lines, which group is supporting extension of ‘child’ fares has been increased redesign work to reduce costs. could be financed and provided the tramway to Newhaven as part from 16 to 18. The contractor should be appointed by French interests. RGI of the GBP4bn (EUR4.7bn) City SOUTH YORKSHIRE. South by the end of 2017. Deal programme. The party’s Yorkshire Passenger Transport MBTA has awarded a USD277m SOUTH KOREA stance is included in its draft Executive is to progress a contract to CRRC MA for an SEOUL. Hyundai Rotem has been manifesto, ahead of local elections business case for up to GBP230m additional 120 metro cars for the awarded a contract for 32 metro in May. Also included is a proposal (EUR270m) investment in Red line, rather than refurbish part cars to boost capacity on line 9. RGI to protect alignments for eventual Supertram following a grant of of the existing fleet. N. Dungea extension to Granton. GBP1.573m (EUR1.845m) to the CHARLOTTE, NC. The ceremonial SWITZERLAND GLASGOW. Councillors Sheffield City Region in the UK ground-breaking for the Gold line INTERLAKEN – have supported the GBP144m Autumn Statement. The funding tramway extension was held on GRINDELWALD (BOB). (EUR169m) Glasgow Airport will build an outline business 7 January. E. B. Havens Stadler has delivered Access Project, which would case that presents cost and FORT WORTH, TX. O n ABDeh8/8 three-section EMUs provide a new rail branch from programme options, with public 15 December the FTA announced (321-6) to permit the withdrawal Paisley to carry tram-trains and consultation to be held on a USD499.4m capital grant for of 1965 railcars 304-7. EA could be finished by 2025. proposals in 2018-19. the 43km (27-mile) TEXRail line Light Rail Transit Association SOUTHEND. Frazer-Nash has linking the city centre and DFW TURKEY campaigning arm TramForward been appointed by Southend- airport, due to open in 2018. RGI ANKARA. The new 9.2km (5.7- has welcomed the support for on-Sea Borough Council to KANSAS CITY, MO. Consultants mile) metro line M4 from Atatürk tram-train, believing it to be the seek a preferred transport option have been appointed to study the Kultür Merkezi to Sehitler Gazino best option for the much-discussed for Southend Pier. The current feasibility of extending the new was opened on 5 January. Rolling airport link. railway runs the length of the tramline north to Riverfront Park. stock comes from the order for 342 LUTON AIRPORT. Proposals pier using two diesel trains E. B. Havens cars placed with CRRC Zhuzhou. promoted by Luton Borough introduced in 1986. LAS VEGAS, NV. A USD1.9m urbanrail.net Council for a light rail link TYNE & WEAR. Track has been contract has been awarded to between Luton Parkway station replaced on a 4km (2.5-mile) consultants Nelson/NYGAARD to UKRAINE and the airport terminal are to section of the Tyne & Wear Metro produce a high-capacity transit KHARKIV. Ex-Praha Tatra T6 move forward in February with under Newcastle city centre. plan including light rail options 8623 entered service as Kharkiv prequalification for construction The GBP3m (EUR3.5m) scheme and bus rapid transit. The study 4532 at the beginning of work worth GBP150m (EUR176m). saw relaying between Jesmond will report in mid-2018. E. B. Havens December. transphoto.ru Arup is designing and procuring and the QEII bridge over the LOS ANGELES. The preferred KYIV. All ten PESA Fokstrot the 2.2km (1.4-mile) line on River Tyne; the work was part of route and Environmental Impact 100% low-floor trams were behalf of the council and it the Metro: all change programme. study for the planned 6km delivered by the end of 2016. is expected that two contract WEST MIDLANDS. Utility (3.7-mile) downtown tramway New in service are Tatra T3 packages will be offered diversion for the Wolverhampton circulator were signed off by the 5609/22/48/9, acquired from Most- comprising civil engineering extension was to begin in January; City Council on 28 November. It Litvinov in the Czech Republic (GBP115m); and track, rolling construction of the 0.7km (0.4-mile) is hoped the USD282m project can (229, 228, 274 and 250 ). stock and associated systems line along Pipers Row and Railway be completed in 2020. transphoto.ru (GBP35m). It is hoped that Drive is to start this summer. MIAMI. Miami Beach planning permission will be As part of planned improvements commissioners voted unanimously UNITED KINGDOM obtained early in 2017 to allow at Snow Hill rail and metro on 14 December to put the Alstom BLACKPOOL. The Rail Accident work to start later in the year, with interchange, the tramstop at tramway project on hold to Investigation Branch (RAIB) has operations due to start in 2021. Snow Hill was to be renamed St wait for Miami-Dade to make a identified a number of learning NOTTINGHAM. Wo r k t o Chads on 1 January. binding commitment to building points following the electrical construct a GBP1.4m (EUR1.6m) a connecting line across the fire on heritage twin set 272+T2 pedestrian bridge and walkway USA Biscayne Bay causeway. A final in September 2016. These include linking Queen’s Medical Centre BOSTON, MA. MBTA’s latest approval will also be subject to a ensuring staff are aware of methods tramstop with the hospital estimate for the extension of voter referendum. E. B. Havens of removing the traction supply complex was to begin in January; Green line light rail service north MIAMI – FORT LAUDERDALE. from the vehicle in an emergency. it is hoped the bridge will open to Somerville and Medford is The first of five commuter rail train In this case the driver removed in July. 2021. Originally the USD2.3bn sets for the Brightline project was the pantograph from the wires A GBP1 (EUR1.17) fare for single extension was supposed to delivered by Siemens in mid- using a pole that had to be tram trips in Nottingham city open in 2017, but bureaucratic December. Passenger service will retrieved from the smoke filled centre was introduced delays increased the final start this summer. E. B. Havens

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 71 Worldwide Review

MINNEAPOLIS - ST. PAUL, PHOENIX. Canadian firm Stantec caused extensive damage to the CRICH (UK). Restoration of MN. The USD1.9bn, 23.2km (14.4- Consulting has been chosen to gates and overhead. Service was London County Council 1 mile), Southwest light rail line has design the modern tramline in suspended beyond Iron Point ‘Bluebird’ is continuing, with received FTA approval to move to Tempe, which is planned to open Rd for several weeks while repairs the roof structure now re-united engineering design. E. B. Havens in 2020. E. B. Havens were carried out. E. B. Havens with the body. Winter work PHILADELPHIA, PA (PATCO). PORTLAND, OR. An ice storm SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Muni). includes preparations for eventual Plans are being made to re-open on 8 December, which caused All rides on the Muni system were track doubling between Victoria the former DRPA Franklin station, overhead problems, brought free on 26-27 November after the Park and Wakebridge. which was last used during the significant challenges for MAX undertaking’s computer system OOSTENDE (BE). TTO-Nordzee 1970s, but attracted only 200- light rail services, which were not was hacked in a ransomware will be operating restored SNCV 300 passengers/day. It is thought restored until the afternoon of 10 attack. The incident is being and Gent trams along the coastal that city centre redevelopment December. E. B. Havens investigated by the FBI. tramway during 2017: could push that number up to 1500 SACRAMENTO, CA. A truck The first new Siemens LRV was PHOENIX, AZ (US). The tramway when the re-opening takes place transporting an oversize load delivered on 13 January, while the museum, which is having to leave (after complete refurbishment) crossing the Folsom light rail line second F-line PCC to be returned its existing site in Hance Park, has in 2021. E. B. Havens at Natoma St on 12 December after refurbishment by Brookville found a new location on Grand Equipment Corporation was 1051 Avenue, and will move in 2017-18. at the end of November; it carries a E. B. Havens Six months to build a new urban tramway may set something of a record. simplified green and cream livery. PORTLAND, OR (US). The In November the tracks were laid and the overhead poles were up in Samarkand’s Kansas City-liveried 1056 is Sellwood Bridge project, which Buyuk Ipak Yuli Ulitsa. R. Yumagulov already back in service in the city, necessitated a major curtailment while 1055/9/60/2/3 are in progress of the Willamette Shore Trolley at Brookville. E. B. Havens service, was completed in the SEATTLE, WA. Sound Transit has autumn. The track underneath completed the sale of USD477m the new bridge has been re-instated in so-called Green Bonds to raise and a new passing loop added. funding towards the expansion It is hoped to re-extend of the city’s light rail system. On service north to Bancroft St 15 December Sound Transit terminus (a trial run was made on approved a USD1.6bn 2017 21 December). Restoration is in budget that includes USD1.2bn for progress on car 513 and a second light rail. D. Drum generator trailer obtained. WASHINGTON, DC. The DC S. J. Morgan Department of Transportation is POSTAL MUSEUM (UK). Test refining plans for an extension of running of new Severn Lamb the demonstration tramway west battery trains has been taking from Union Station to Georgetown, place, in advance of reopening using H St NE, New Jersey Avenue of around 1km (0.6 miles) NW and K St as far as Wisconsin of London’s postal railway as a Ave. The plans include a partial visitor attraction. The 10.5km Rail Holidays of the World subway under Washington Circle. (6.5-mile) underground railway A final decision is due in early closed in 2003. 2018. E. B. Havens WIRRAL (UK). The Birkenhead Heritage Tramway is to operate UZBEKISTAN on most weekends and during TOSHKENT. An 8km (five-mile) local school holidays in 2017. elevated metro is to be built by Special events include Liverpool national railway UTV. The Sergili Last Trams (16 September) and line is due for completion in the annual Wirral Bus & Tram Indulge your Passion for Trams on an Escorted Holiday 2020. RGI Show (1 October). English Trams & Trolley Buses ~ Departs 11 May 2017 - 14 Days from £1,970pp Travel the length and breadth of England visiting tram networks, both heritage and modern. In-depth tours VIETNAM CONTRIBUTORS and driving experiences on trams and trolleybuses as we journey from Newcastle via Sheffi eld, Nottingham, Liverpool, Blackpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Devon to London. HO CHI MINH CITY (Saigon). Worldwide items for inclusion Trams of Central Europe ~ Departs 10 June 2017 - 16 Days from £1,995pp Korean consultants have should be sent to Michael Taplin Via Cologne we take the scenic rail route along the River Rhine to Vienna to begin this specialist tram tour visiting completed a feasibility study at Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, the Czech Republic and Hannover. Lots of tram museums to visit and historic tram rides to enjoy. for a metro branch to Tan Son Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. Southern Sweden: Steam, Trams & Trains ~ Departs 15 July 2017 - 12 Days from £1,990pp Nhar international airport, and Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 or Memorable rail journeys through stunning scenery, informative guided tours and interesting museum visits, construction could start in 2019. e-mail: [email protected] including the Göteburg Tram Museum, where you will ride on a vintage tram. This tour has a varied itinerary with something for everyone and plenty of free time to explore independently. The first metro line in the city Acknowledgements are due to should open in 2020. IRJ BS Blickpunkt Strassenbahn, Trams & Trains of Northern Germany ~ Departs 9 September 2017 - 14 Days from £1,560pp A comprehensive look at the tramways and trains of Germany’s industrial heartland. We visit Düsseldorf, Essen, Brisbane Times, Richard Buckley, Hamburg and Bonn where we have plenty of free time to explore and ride the local tram and rail systems using MUSEUM NEWS CBC Canadian Broadcasting our local transport passes. BEAMISH (UK). Brush Railcar Corporation, CTV News, DS Full tour details at www.ffestiniogtravel.com or order 2017 Brochure 621 has moved back to its home Drehscheibe, digitaletram.nl, Call: 01766 772030; Email: [email protected] town of Blackpool. It is now in the Dutchnews.nl, EA Eisenbahn care of the Blackpool Heritage Amateur, EB Eisenbahn, Edinburgh Award Winning Holiday Company Trust. Evening News, IRJ International BROOKS, OR (US). After multiple Railway Journal, Irish Independent, previous attempted moves were ABTOT Manchester Evening News, AccreditedAccredited aborted due to problems related MER Online, Nottingham Evening ASSOCIATION OF AgentAgent 5050 BONDED TRAVEL IATA ORGANISERS TRUST No: 5220 to the car’s heavy weight, Milano Post, Eric Pounder, RadioNZ, Ffestiniog Travel www.ffestiniogtravel.com interurban tram 96 was finally RGI Railway Gazette International, Tel: 01766 772030 Email: [email protected] moved from Issaquah, arriving TA Transit Australia, T-2000 Ffestiniog Travel is owned by a charitable trust and profi ts go to support the at the Oregon Electric Railway Tram-2000, TR Today’s Railways, world famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. Museum on 19 December. transphoto.ru, urbanrail.net, S. J. Morgan Wolverhampton Express & Star.

Trams and72 Urban / FEBRUARY Transport 22 12.indd 2017 1 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 20/12/2016 14:27:24 Letters

MAILBOX Get your views into print Letters should be clearly typed and preferably not handwritten. [email protected] +44 (0)1733 367615 We reserve the right to shorten contributions for publication.

Safety standards and driverless tram considerations The issues around the automation of trams are complex, and This last sentence must be engraved on every planner’s, potentially expensive, but surely not beyond the wit of man. every politician’s and every member of the public’s heart. The next few years are going to be very interesting as more Kit Holden, by email and more driverless vehicles enter the UK’s roads, but the issues around safety, responsibility and insurance require Following the Croydon crash, people ask “can trams be made careful consideration. The rules of the road will certainly safer”? In general, the answer is: “No. The cheaper standards need to evolve for driverless vehicles to operate in the same of tramways inevitably expose passengers to greater risk”. environment as pedestrians and other manually-driven ones. In this case the local answer is that automatic speed reduction These will be the key challenges that drive both the at this corner would do the job. But if the driver did black out, acceptance and the adoption of driverless technology. he could have done so anywhere – so what about other corners? A. Westmere, by e-mail That leads on to complete automation, so why not go for it? It is an interesting thought that if the ‘rules of the road’ I wholeheartedly endorse the comments in both the editorial were rewritten so trams have automatic right of way, then and Andrew Braddock’s note in January’s TAUT (949) in there is no need for them to observe the signals of other relation to the Sandilands derailment. vehicles. The signals of other vehicles are technically difficult The key two sentences in Simon Johnston’s editorial are to observe and logically difficult to interpret, but if trams “...and of course there is always more complex signalling have right of way all these difficulties fall away. technology that can be imported from main line rail – but at If another vehicle trespasses into a tram’s path, then the tram what point does this cease to be desirable? After all, we’re not must either warn the intruder off with its bell or put on its brakes. looking to build railways in the street.” Michael Bell, Forest Hall (UK)

Metrolink replacing rail services of destinations across Greater Manchester services run through to Media City and In Mr Baxter’s letter (TAUT 949) he asserts with no change. Even where a change is Salford Quays. that Metrolink has generated few passengers necessary it can be achieved easily, often Even before this it was the intention to compared to the rail services it replaced. on the same platform. Some cross-city bus connect Ashton to central Manchester by I was responsible for the appraisal of the services have returned on other corridors, but light rail. The SELNEC Public Transport Plan Phase 1 investment (and for several others) these suffer from increasing congestion in of 1973 showed such a route, albeit along as Economic Adviser to GMPTE (now TfGM) city centre approaches and the roads within existing and former rail routes, but this would and subsequently its Director of Planning. it. By contrast, Metrolink offers very reliable have meant some joint running with heavy The Bury and Altrincham lines carried journey times. Heavy rail could not provide rail, and also pre-dated the need to regenerate 7.6m passengers per year before they were such connectivity within Greater Manchester, East Manchester. The current route also has converted to Metrolink. Within less than two important when employment, shopping and functions such as providing a park-and-ride years Metrolink was carrying over 12m, 20% leisure facilities are increasingly dispersed. facility just off the M60 motorway – perhaps of which came from car users – 5% making Moreover, heavy rail itself is struggling with Mr Baxter should visit it on match days at journeys across the city – which were very how to accommodate major passenger growth the Etihad Stadium and see it crammed to difficult by public transport before Metrolink. as a result of road congestion. It is burdened capacity. It also affords access to new leisure There was a marked increase in trips to by a shortage of rolling stock and under- facilities on Ashton Moss and Marks and Bury and Altrincham, not just to Manchester investment, caused by civil servants who Spencer, Sainsbury’s and IKEA on the edge as Mr Baxter asserts, and indeed retailers in specified no growth in previous franchises of the town centre. How many such facilities both centres noted an increase in trade when because they seemed to believe that local rail elsewhere have light rail access? the tram took over. There were also other new was unimportant outside the south-east. Mr Baxter goes on to denigrate Droylsden markets, including passengers who benefited Turning to the Ashton line (more properly and Ashton as “squalid down at heel places from ease of access to the stations and trams the East Manchester and Tameside route, to as you could wish to find”. This is highly that Mr Baxter criticises. reflect its purpose), this is the only Metrolink inaccurate. They are certainly no worse than W. J. Tyson OBE, by e-mail line to follow bus services into Manchester many other sub-regional centres. Nevertheless, which are parallel – but not over all its length, Ashton is busy enough in terms of footfall. If Further defence of Metrolink as for example through New East Manchester there is a future re-orientation of these centres As someone who contributed to the planning and Sportcity and across Ashton Moss. – for example in the context of the critical and environmental case for Metrolink in the Obviously Mr Baxter has seized upon this, and need for new housing in Greater Manchester – 1980s, and then one of the Tameside staff the fact that the bus stops more often than then Metrolink access will be a big advantage. who worked with GMPTE to plan the Ashton Metrolink, to declare it has no justification. One point on which I would concur with line in the 1990s, I feel qualified to comment However, critically he ignores its genesis, Mr Baxter is the issue of published patronage on Trevor Baxter’s outburst in TAUT 949. which was to provide fixed-track transport figures. With the amount of public money The first point he ignores is that Metrolink to the East Manchester regeneration area that has been spent, people have a right to was conceived to provide better city centre – essential to changing perceptions and know how lines are performing in relation to connectivity, which the rail system with its encouraging development in terms of predictions. Whilst it is true that patronage termini on opposite edges of the centre could apartments and sports facilities. Having takes time to build, as I have seen on the not do. As a result, the Metrolink routes on got this far, it made sense to take it to Oldham/Rochdale line, data should be made former heavy rail alignments carry far more Ashton-under-Lyne so Tameside could enjoy available even if it shows it is below target. passengers than heavy rail could ever do. connectivity not only to this area but also to Finally, Mr Baxter criticises Cllr Quinn In addition, since the demise of cross-city other parts of Greater Manchester where job for his prediction of benefits. He was not bus services, Metrolink gives a wide range and leisure opportunities exist. Notice that Leader of the Council when I worked there,

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 73 Letters

but I am sure he understands the difference given a large number of doors per train – each Metrolink makes to the perception of an area. would be about 60m long and have 12 doors. Obituary: Georges Muller (1942-2016) Developers and other shapers do not pore over The trouble comes when one thinks of the Born on 14 April 1942 in Strasbourg, bus maps when deciding on location decisions needed termini. There would be an average Georges Muller was interested in – unfortunately they give high priority to car of 13 passengers per door, which should tramways from a very early age and access – but heavy and light rail networks be feasible to offload in 20s, and it would after leaving school studied electrical come as an important consideration in how be then necessary to reload another 160 engineering at the Swiss Federal they regard areas. If you have both, such as at passengers. To do this at a stub terminus, Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ Ashton and with close proximity of the M60 and then clear the terminal platform for the 1962-67) and the Institut Technique motorway, it will make a big difference. next train, would be a near impossibility. Supérieur, Friborg (1967-68). He was Martin Arthur, Saddleworth, Oldham (UK) Alternatives are multiple platforms, loop also a trainee at the VBZ Zürich termini or multiple termini. tramway office, at the Oerlikon engine It’s all about listening to your customers A better plan would be to use two termini at factory in Zürich and at Baden/CH I was interested to read Trevor Baxter’s letter each end with loops at each. But where should (railways) from 1961 to 1962. about Metrolink. I visit the city once a month the termini be? Of the routes on this section During his career he worked for and have experienced many disruptions and of Oxford Street, four go up the Edgware Road, companies including Sécheron in delays to services in the past. three up Gloucester Place, three go down Geneva, where he dealt with the Having lived in Cologne and visited Park Lane and two go along the Bayswater development of trolleybuses for Swiss many European cities I have seen much Road – one terminates at Marble Arch. This is cities as well as rolling stock for the improvisation to keep trams running in times complicated by the fact that four routes cross Chur-Arosa and Montreux-Oberland of strife, using single line working, shuttle from Park Lane to Edgware Road, and three Bernois railways. services etc. In Manchester the preferred from Park Lane use the short section from Besides new trolleybus systems, method was often to shut the system down. Marble Arch to access Gloucester Road. Georges developed a specialism, from Another irritation is Metrolink’s frequent I suggest it would be best to have one around 1982, in the design of tram route changes but still the lack of a route western terminus at Paddington, and another networks in France. He subsequently numbering or lettering system. I have often at Notting Hill Gate. But this means massive became known as the French tram had to try and help visitors get to their extension of a very expensive monorail. specialist and worked for undertakings destination but had to check the latest route Not on! An alternative is a tramway. By virtue in Lyon, Grenoble and Strasbourg, layout carefully to be sure of giving the correct of large vehicles and a reasonable headway where he was project manager for information. A number or letter to look for is these should be no problem to pedestrians, the new tramway and later for the easier than an unfamiliar destination name. especially if the tracks are separated to planned tram-train network. I used to complain to Metrolink but soon provide space between them. The whole of Georges also worked as a technical gave up as, whilst receiving prompt and polite Oxford Street could be pedestrianised. There consultant from 1975 to 2007 and in attention, I noticed that there was not much are numerous side streets – 15 from Marble this function advised tramways and evidence of apology in the replies and that Arch to Oxford Circus in 1.15km (0.7 miles) promoters in Lyon, Saint-Étienne, the problems mentioned seemed to carry on. – which could be used for taxi stands, while Bordeaux, Lille, Montpellier, Porto, There are many examples of good practice delivery vehicles would either operate at Nottingham, Melbourne, Bilbao, in tramway operation in nearby cities but night, from rear accesses, or by permit when Glattalbahn (Zürich), Bern, Bolzano, those ‘in charge’ need to be receptive! there are fewest pedestrians. Pisa, Salvador de Bahia, Pittsburgh, Phil Bott, Bradford (UK) To the east, one branch should go to Red Washington, Boston and Baltimore as Lion Square, with a second via Regent Street well as trolleybus schemes in Nancy, Oxford Street: Why not a monorail? to the forecourt of Charing Cross Station. Red Bogota, Cali and Besançon. The idea of a monorail for central London is Lion Square is on part of a suitable road loop, Outside of his professional life, not new, but every time it is considered it has while there is room in the forecourt for a loop. Georges published five books on been found impractical. If it is still thought desirable to remove tramways and one on trolleybuses. Consider traffic density on Oxford Street public transit vehicles from the surface, then Two further books are still to be and what could be a plausible scenario. There an elevated tram track would be no worse than published. are 13 bus routes running from Oxford Circus a monorail, especially if the tracks are installed On 9 December 2016 he passed to Gloucester Place (using that road to include above (widened) footpaths immediately away after a long illness at the age Baker Street as well). These will have to be adjacent to the buildings, and the centre of of 74. With a command of French, replaced by monorails of equivalent capacity. the street is left open. The tram track and its German, English, Portuguese and Italian, his passing sees the loss Assume a five-minute service for each bus stations, escalators and lifts would be no of a unique specialist and a major route, and each bus has 72 seats. This gives more expensive than a monorail, while a contributor to the modern tramway 11 232 seats per hour. Assume each monorail semi-segregated median on street sections in France and beyond. RF (Köln) train has 160 seats, this means 70 trains per would release bus lanes to other traffic. hour, or one every 51 seconds. This is feasible Dudley Horscroft, Banora Point, NSW (Australia)

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

JANUARY 2017 Saturday 28. Garstang 14.00. Mark Wednesday 8. Brighton 19.40. AGM Brown, Liverpool Museum (TLRS) Casson: “Grime Street” models. (TLRS) then Terry Russell: Ciné gems. (TLRS) Monday 20. Sheffield 19.30. Mel Thursday 26. Manchester 19.00. Mark Tuesday 31. Cardiff 14.00. Alan Wilkins: Friday 10. Glasgow 19.30. Andy Steel: Reuben: Iberian tramways. Ovenden: Weird transit maps. Rail franchise consultation Tramway electrics, old and new. (STTS) Monday 20. Wickham 19.30. David Friday 27. Edinburgh 19.30. Gavin Booth: Saturday 11. Birmingham 14.00. Lusby: Ffestiniog & narrow-gauge. (TLRS) Edinburgh and Musselburgh trams. FEBRUARY 2017 General modelling meeting. (TLRS) Tuesday 21. London 19.00. Mike Friday 27. Leicester 20.00. Alan Murray- Monday 13. Thames Valley 19.30. John Russell: North Africa 2016. Rust: Czech Republic – Provincial tram Saturday 4. Birmingham 14.00. Laker: Video – Isle of Man 2015, Carlton Thursday 23. Manchester 19.00. and trolleybus systems. (TLRS) Mike Ballinger: Celebrations in Prague Colville and NET extensions. (TLRS) TramPower: Preston Guild line. Saturday 28. Beeston 14.00. John and Vienna. (LRTA/TLRS/ERS) Saturday 18. Taunton 14.00. Andrew Friday 24. Leicester 20.00. David Witt Thurston: AGM plus photo competition Tuesday 7. Southampton 19.30. Martin Hunt: East Germany plus the 2016 and John Lessells: Hungary. (TLRS) (subject: Unusual Occurrences) Hubbard: 50 years’ love of railways. German model exhibition (TLRS) Saturday 25. Beeston 14.00. Modelling: followed by Nice Tramways (TLRS) (LRTA/SEG) Monday 20. Liverpool 19.30. Sharon What's on your workbench? (TLRS)

74 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org PMP Transport Films Check out our website for recent releases and new locations. History Still serving electric traction enthusiasts worldwide – and yes we are happy to supply those with no internet access.

2286. Czechoslovakia. Trams. 1960s - 1993. Featuring 2337. Lisbon. Portugal. Tram , Bus. 1986. Amazing early archive cine film from the ‘60s and ‘70s which takes us to domestic video coverage by Richard Lomas with trams and video footage in 1992 and as Czech Rep in ‘93. buses on the once extensive Lisbon systems Rolls On. 2293. Bratislava, Slovakia. Tram, Trolleybus, Bus. April 2338. Lisbon, Porto. Portugal. Tram. Bus 1996. My own 2002. Part of a tour of Slovakian electric traction locations winter visit, which was spoilt by heavy rain but very in the rather splendid and charming capital. atmospheric, plus Oporto in 2001 filmed by Martin Jenkins

2295. Slovakia. Light Rail, Rack, Trams, Trolleybuses. April 2339. Portugal. Sintra, Lisbon. September 2001 filmed by 2002. The best comes last, the Tatra mountains and light Martin Jenkins on an official tour with best ever coverage rail, trams and trolleys in Teplice plus Presov. of Sintra line in Stagecoach era plus Lisbon

2311. The Balkans plus Hungary. Trams, Rail, Buses. 2356. Prague. Czech Republic. Trams. May 2012. Some of 1960s-80s. Greece, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria plus Hungary your favourite routes including the old town and tunnel, with vintage cine film, some never seen before. some busy suburban areas and vintage trams.

2334. Berlin. DDR . 1978 - 1987. Archive chine film of 2358. Most, Chomutov, Plzn. Czech Republic.May 2012. Terry Barker takes in scenes on both sides of the wall, then Tram, Trolley. Not the prettiest places, industrial areas with concentrates on East Berlin and its trams. mainly shift change tram and trolley then on to Plzn

2335. Portugal. Trams. Archive. 1960-70s. A selection 2370. Jerusalem. Israel. Trams, Buses. June 2012. A unique of trams in Coimbra, Lisbon and Oporto dating from 1962 portrait of the eight mile line from Mount Hebron through through to the ‘70s includes some footage with real sound. to West Jerusalem includes complete cab ride.

Travel the world of trams, you can even travel back in time with the PMP archive.

Numerous overseas and UK tram or trolleybus systems being covered in 2016, see them first on our web site and follow our blog. BROOKVILLE is the proud PCC streetcar A SELECTION OF FILMS FROM OUR EXTENSIVE RANGE, SENT POST FREE WORLDWIDE. remanufacturing partner of the DVDs £15 EACH, TWO OR MORE £12 EACH. CREDIT CARDS WELCOME. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Thank You, Muni, for letting us play a part in your PMP, 17 BIRCHWOOD DRIVE, LOWER PEOVER, preservation of our nation’s storied transit history. CHESHIRE, WA16 9QJ Tel: 01565 722045 Fax: 01565 722038 E-mail: [email protected] www.pmpfilms.com brookvillecorp.com • 814.849.2000

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VISIT US AT SIFER 21 - 23 March 2017 Stand: 3/230 Lille - France

Road Crossings // Road Rail Access // Pedestrian Crossings // Anti-Trespass Classic Trams WATERFRONT TORPEDOES San Francisco has introduced a second heritage tramcar route to complement the successful F line, the gold standard for such operations. Mike Russell reports on the new service. 1

ntroduction of a second heritage The overwhelming success of the festivals allowed daily operation to begin on 23 April streetcar line has fulfilled a long- paved the way for the first permanent heritage 2016. In contrast with F line, which operates established intention to provide operation, F line, which ran the length of as a full-service tramway 06.00–24.00 daily, such a service along the greater part Market Street between the Transbay Terminal E line is a reinforcing service operating of the Embarcadero, San Francisco’s and Castro district. This took over the former approximately 10.00–18.00. Service intervals Iwaterfront. The success of the F line, 8 line trolleybus service, so providing its are normally every 15 minutes using four or introduced in 1995 and significantly initial customers. Public response exceeded fiveTorpedoes , depending on availability. extended in 2000, may obscure the fact that expectations and provided an impetus for Two features of E line merit special what has materialised as E line is the city’s the line’s extension to Fisherman’s Wharf in mention. First, for around 2km (1.25 miles) original heritage tramway proposal. March 2000. This was greatly facilitated by between Folsom Street and King Street, the Changing circumstances, political area improvement works following demolition heritage cars share tracks with Muni Metro fortunes and planning policies, together of the Embarcadero Freeway, which had been rolling stock operating on N and T lines. with the 1982-84 Cable Car reconstruction badly damaged by the 1989 earthquake. The Muni Metro tunnel rises to surface level programme, precluded early introduction of Fisherman’s Wharf traders had also seen the at Folsom Street, where a junction integrates a line between Caltrain Depot (the present use of the remaining Belt railroad tracks in late its tracks with those of the all-surface E line. King Street station), Fisherman’s Wharf and 1987, with two trams using generator trailers The second results from the rolling stock the Presidio. This was first proposed in 1974 as demonstrating the delivery of customers. being provided by Muni East depot, involving a rejoinder to the Market Street Beautification In 1998 the Muni Metro system had been a lengthy depot-connection journey over Act of 1968, which envisaged removal of all extended, partly in tunnel, to Caltrain T line tracks between there and King Street, surface urban passenger transport from the Depot. At the time of the F line extension it crossing Fourth Street Bridge, a counter- city’s principal commercial thoroughfare. was confidently predicted that an additional weight lifting bridge dating from 1916. Nearly half a century later, that initial E line, between Fisherman’s Wharf and Tram tracks laid upon lifting bridges are not proposal has finally been realised. Caltrain Depot, would shortly follow. a common feature in the early 21st Century. F line rolling stock was provided by 14 Over the freehold section of E line the cars Market Street turnaround former Philadelphia single-ended PCC cars, are not normally heavily trafficked. Its greatest Revitalisation of the Embarcadero was integral remanufactured by Morrison-Knudsen; contribution is in reinforcing service over to city planning in the late 1960s. Despite an original proposal to rehabilitate stored the western Embarcadero, between the growth in cross-Bay ferry services, port San Francisco PCC cars was rejected on cost Ferry building and Fisherman’s Wharf. activity at its many wharves was in decline, grounds. They were joined by historic cars Passenger numbers along this attractive whilst the area exuded a somewhat forbidding from home and abroad that had participated waterfront section have greatly exceeded appearance from the elevated Embarcadero in the 1980s Trolley Festivals and stayed, expectations and full streetcars, unable to Freeway that paralleled its western sector and together with three San Francisco Torpedo clear all intending passengers from the Ferry the State Belt Railroad tracks beneath. double-ended PCC cars. Built by the St Louis stops, had been a feature of F line operation. There was no suggestion then that surface Car Company in 1948, these ten were the city’s The Torpedo cars, with their spacious interiors, electric transport should be retained on first genuine PCCs. AllTorpedoes had been are greatly appreciated by passengers. Market Street after the opening of BART out of passenger service for many years but, Members of the vintage fleet now seldom (1973) or Muni Metro (1980). The embryonic remarkably, eight survived in the city, with appear on F line, which is worked by the concept of operating a heritage streetcar line 1008 as a works car. The three chosen in 1994 refurbished Philadelphia PCCs, some ten was confined to the port area, although in for rehabilitation were 1007, 1010 and 1015. former Milano Peter Witt bogie cars of 1928-35 the absence of construction of a purpose- Although the Muni Metro was expanded bought in 1998, and 11 former Twin Cities built depot, access to the remaining streetcar further in 2008 when T line was introduced, PCC cars acquired after the Newark Subway’s system (which by then would be in tunnel in extending well beyond King Street station re-equipment programme and extensively the central area) would be problematic. The (the renamed Caltrain Depot) to Third Street, remanufactured by Brookville. The double- concept of the E line between Caltrain Depot it was still intended that the new E line would ended Torpedo cars are now largely route- and Fort Mason, operated by a mix of historic terminate at King Street. The terminal here was confined to E line, resulting from the need to Muni streetcars and other acquisitions from a stub, restricting operation to double-ended ensure a float of serviceable double-ended cars. home and overseas, was first adopted as a cars. The three Torpedoes were insufficient There have been long-term plans for policy position in the 1979 Muni Plan. and as it was not envisaged that double-ended an extension beyond Fisherman’s Wharf With behind-the-scenes lobbying, not least members of the heritage fleet would be used, through the former Fort Mason railway by a group of Muni officials far from enthused a further four stored Torpedo cars – 1006, tunnel to the Presidio, which would at the prospect of removing all surface public 1008, 1009 and 1011 – were sent to Brookville significantly extend the already impressive transport from Market Street, and with all- Equipment Corporation for rehabilitation. heritage services. Fully integrated with important political support, gradually the This included replacement of the original the city’s tariff system, these have become mood changed. Things culminated with the General Electric controllers by Westinghouse accepted as an integral part of the public 20-month Cable Car system shutdown for models, whilst retaining GE motors – as part transport offering; the operation has served reconstruction from September 1982. Fearful of the refurbishment programme for as a yardstick for other cities contemplating of the loss of tourists, and acknowledging ex-Newark PCC cars acquired for the F line. the introduction of a similar operation, the city’s historic streetcar collection, Mayor which San Francisco has shown can also act Dianne Feinstein approved the first of what E line opens as an important urban regeneration tool. became five summer Trolley Festivals on Introduction of E line was finally set as Market Street. This followed a free pilot 1 August 2015, with weekend operation only. Some historical background is taken from San shuttle operation in 1981. Greater staff and rolling stock availability Francisco’s F-Line by Peter Ehrlich, 2013.

76 / FEBRUARY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. Crossing the track junction of the Embarcadero with Don Chee Way is Torpedo 1006, one of two carrying the Muni Wings livery. With the distinctive tower of the Ferry Building in the background it is heading for Fisherman’s Wharf.

2. The two Torpedo cars in Muni Wings livery, 1006 and 1008 (on the left), cross the Embarcadero on an E line working on 1 September 2016. In the background is single-ended PCC 1073, one of 11 acquired from Newark and refurbished for use on F line; this example carries the livery of the El Paso City Lines.

3. Torpedo 1007 at the T line LRV station at Fourth and King working a formation journey from Muni East depot. It cannot take on passengers here as there is no low-level loading facility; the station for terminating journeys on the regular route is to the left.

4. Torpedo 1008 proceeds 2 along Jefferson Street before turning into its terminal stand on Jones Street in the heart of the Fisherman’s Wharf area.

5. A feature of E line depot journeys is the crossing of the Fourth Street counter-weight lifting bridge, itself a century old. Note the speed restriction sign for Muni’s LRV cars but also applicable to PCCs, and the special streetcar control signals still set to red following a recent bridge lift. 3 4 6. Torpedo 1009, in distinctive Dallas livery, at the main loading point for Fisherman’s Wharf- bound journeys outside the Ferry Building. This car was one of four taken for rehabilitation in anticipation of E line introduction, despite having suffered considerable damage at the hands of arsonists whilst in store.

7. At first glance carrying a variant of San Francisco’s Muni livery of old, Torpedo 1015, one of the three that formed the initial refurbishment project 5 6 for this class, is actually painted in the Illinois Terminal green/ cream colours. On 1 September 2016 it was on Jefferson Street at Powell Street heading for Fisherman’s Wharf terminus.

8. The meeting of the tracks at Folsom Street, with Dallas-liveried Torpedo 1009 arriving on the surface tracks from Fisherman’s Wharf and AnsaldoBreda-built 1455 (from 1995) operating on N line disappearing underground into the Muni Metro tunnel on the right. 7 8 All photography by Mike Russell.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2017 / 77 BOOKSHOP Order online from lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 31 Ashton Road, Wokingham RG41 1HL Postage & packing – Any UK address: add 10%; All addresses outside UK: add 20%. For Airmail despatch outside Europe: add 30%.

Mit der Straßenbahn durchs Blackpool Trams & Recollections – 1972 Wirtschaftswunder Eine Foto-Rundreise durch Mönchengladbach, A nostalgic look Rheydt und Viersen at what was then the UK’s only tram Until the 1960s Mönchengladbach system, covering was the western outpost of the the introduction of vast Rhein-Ruhr network; this the one-man rebuilt book is filled with iconic views cars that probably of the long-gone trams there saved the iconic and in Rheydt and Viersen, seafront line. with many “then and now” scenes. German text.

> 240x220mm hardback, > A5 softback, landscape format; 64 pages, 80+ black & white landscape; 132 pages, 200+ black pictures. & white and colour pictures. £8.00 plus postage & packing as shown above. £25.00 plus postage & packing as shown above.

The Final Chapter Blackpool Trams & Recollections – 1973 Part 1

An unusual book about the final months of London’s Continues the trolleybus system - in its story from the time the largest in the world - previous year chronicling the withdrawal of of the struggle all of its 1,891 vehicles, with to keep the both scrapyard and in-service tramway going views of every type. in the face of a sharp decline in > A4 softback; 100 pages, visitor numbers 190 black & white and to the resort. nine colour pictures.

£18.00 plus postage & packing > A5 softback, landscape format; 48 pages, as shown above. 70+ black & white pictures.

£6.00 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Auf Schienen zur Schicht Blackpool Trams & Recollections – 1973 Part 2 Die Geschichte der Straßenbahnen in Bottrop, Gladbeck und Kirchhellen More images of Blackpool’s finest complete the review The history of the interurban network of a difficult year for of the Vestische Straßenbahn in the the famous tramway middle of the industrial Ruhr area is between Starr Gate told, including its connections with the and Fleetwood. neighbouring urban tramways of Essen and Gelsenkirchen, during its lifetime > A5 softback, from 1899 to 1978. German text. landscape format; 48 pages, 70+ black > B5 hardback; 180 pages, & white pictures. 190 colour and black & white pictures plus several maps. £6.00 plus postage & packing as shown above.

£24.50 plus postage & packing • The three Blackpool books can be bought together as shown above. for only £18.00 plus P&P as shown above. MULTI-BUY DISCOUNT

Please bear in mind that we often advertise books before stock is received from publishers so delivery can take some weeks. IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF CRRC Alstom/CITAL CRRC READY TO NEW TRAMWAYS SYSTEMS FACTFILE: TAKE ON THE US FOR 2017 OSTRAVA The past two years have seen major Mike Taplin gives his annual round-up With the Czech Republic’s third-biggest metro rolling stock awards across the US of predictions for the new tramway tramway at its core, Ostrava’s transport for Chinese congolomerate CRRC. systems to open over the coming 12 network has had to respond to changing With the first prototypes on the way, months around the world. There are political and economic circumstances Herbert Pence gets access to the new some repeats from last year due to since the 1990s. Neil Pulling reports Springfield manufacturing facility. delays, as well as many new ones. in words and pictures. PLUS... MARCH + Mike Russell examines Washington State’s streetcar museum lines. ISSUE + The latest news, rolling stock orders and movements, system developments and transport policy and leading industry comment on sale from around the world. 17 February

Antwerp THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Aspects of the original street systems Antwerp tramway are evident, yet Belgium's second factfile BELGIUM www.lrta.org biggest system continues www.tautonline.com No. Antwerp, to increase capacity and modernise in a 112 Belgium demanding setting. FEBRUARY 2017 N O. 950 SUBSCRIBE NOW! TENERIFE’S TRAMWAY STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN Now in its 80th year, Tramways & Urban Transit is the world’s leading

narrowing of the Scheldt ABOVE: A system estuary encouraged the preparing for the future early development of – Bombardier Flexity 2 Antwerp (Antwerpen 7323 passes Deurne in the local Dutch / depot on 14 March 2016. French:A Anvers) on the river’s eastern/right bank. Contrasting with RIGHT: City-bound the bulk loads moved through the PCC 7134 takes line 8 modern sprawling port, Antwerp is track near Muggenberg towards the ‘Giant Pipe’ the also the world’s principal diamond tunnel that opened in market and Belgium’s second city after 2015. Tracks around the Brussels, the national capital 45km ramp carry line 24. (28 miles) to the south. Antwerp city monthly publication dedicated solely to light and urban rail developments. – as opposed to the province – had an estimated 518 368 residents in 2016, representing an increase of around 10% within a decade. The first of several horse-drawn Antwerp: Light rail expansion in a demanding setting services began in 1873, becoming integrated and electrified from 1902. 150km added to Chinese metro lines The system also incorporated some but are particularly prone to the long-distance NMVB Vicinal lines some unrealised aims – have been set area’s notorious traffic problems. which needed regauging to the city's out in a series of plans such as Pegasus, NY opens Second Avenue Subway Far from immune to congestion, metre-gauge standard. Trolleybuses Brabo (named after a mythical figure trams have nevertheless been had a comparatively minor presence in Antwerp's history) and Brabo 2. between 1929 and 1964; local and an expanding centrepiece of Turkish PM con rms Diyarbakır tram Master Plan 2020 shows continued regional buses remain important, Words and pictures by Antwerp’s transport landscape for

£4.40 support for enhancing public Neil Pulling many years. Such changes – and 02> transport and recent key developments Going driverless San Francisco Today’s metros – and Torpedo service on 9 771460 832050 www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org tomorrow’s trams? the waterfront februAry 2017 / 63

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Please complete this form and send it with your payment to: LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK FEBRUARY street meets rail

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