THE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

www.lrta.org www.tautonline.com

JUNE 2020 No. 990 ’S UNSUNG TRANSPORT HERO

Special focus: Personal reflections on ’s 20 years UK LRT given pandemic cash lifeline USD500m for California transit projects Antwerp plans for 50/50 modal share

Caen Museums £4.60 Moving from rubber The challenges of tyres to steel wheels life under lockdown Due to the ongoing global Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, some of our 2020 diary will be rescheduled in accordance with current advice from local and national authorities to protect the welfare and well-being of participants, guests and staff. We are delighted to have the full support of our event partners during these unprecedented and challenging times, and continue to work with them to deliver events that connect people and share knowledge and expertise from across the public transport sector. For those that have already booked their places, we will keep you fully up-to-date with new information as it becomes available. For those who would still like to attend, speak or exhibit, please contact us for the latest details.

BIRMINGHAM, UK ENGINEERING LRT EXCELLENCE Dinner at the ROLLING STOCK Zaragoza, LRTEXCELLENCE Spain Roundhouse Derby, UK NEWCASTLE, UK

WOLVERHAMPTON LONDON, UK UK

Mainspring’s Knowledge Services division is operating normally, supplying organisations of all sizes around the world with the key data, insightful analysis and vital connections they require to operate efficiently during these challenging times and prepare for the future. Contact [email protected] for more details. www.mainspring.co.uk • [email protected] • +44 (0)1733 367607 CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail 215 Transit Association JUNE 2020 Vol. 83 No. 990 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL Editor – Simon Johnston 208 [email protected] Associate Editor – Tony Streeter [email protected] Worldwide Editor – Michael Taplin [email protected] News Editor – John Symons [email protected] Senior Contributor – Neil Pulling Worldwide Contributors Richard Felski, Ed Havens, Andrew Moglestue, Paul Nicholson, Herbert Pence, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Alain Senut, Vic Simons, Witold Urbanowicz, Bill Vigrass, Francis Wagner, 230 Thomas Wagner, Philip Webb, Rick Wilson Production – Lanna Blyth News 204 systems factfile: CAEN 230 Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 Five English operators receive GBP30m in Neil Pulling visits the small French city that [email protected] emergency pandemic funding; USD500m has taken the bold step to replace a failing DESIGN – Debbie Nolan for Californian transit projects; Antwerpen transit system with a modern tramway. Advertising confirms city transport reorganisation plans. COMMERCIAL Manager – Geoff Butler WORLDWIDE REVIEW 236 Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 ‘WE NEED STRONG LEADERSHIP’ 207 Work starts on São Paulo expansion; [email protected] UK CEO Alistair Gordon on why light Odense begins tramway testing; Planning Publisher – Matt Johnston rail can’t be seen as a ‘fringe industry’. granted for Limmattalbahn depot; Work Tramways & Urban Transit restarts on expansion. 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, JERUSALEM’S CRISIS PLANNING 208 Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK Reuven Levy of Connect Jerusalem LRT MAILBOX 240 Tramways & Urban Transit is published by Mainspring shares the detail of how his organisation How do we bounce back?; Thoughts on on behalf of the LRTA on the third Friday of each could mothball and restart its LRT service. changes to the global rolling stock market. lrt: more relevant than ever 211 heritage tramways in crisis? 242 Matt Johnston makes the case for light Mike Russell talks to museums and heritage month preceding the cover date. rail investment in environmental and operators around the world to gauge the PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION economic terms to help economies rebuild. effects of the pandemic. Warners (Midlands), Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF LONDON 215 Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up TAUT goes behind the scenes to pay tribute to the great modern LRT success story members of the Light Rail Transit Association. that has transformed travel in South London. LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY Brian Lomas [email protected] [email protected] Time to pause, reflect and celebrate everything light rail Subscriptions, MEMBERSHIP and back issues LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Another month of lockdown has given me further time to reflect on both my Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 own, and our collective, travel behaviour. Despite the high number of news [email protected] Website: www.lrta.info reports that suggest people will want to work at home more in the future, and that life may ‘never be the same again’, personally I can’t wait to start for CORPORATE Subscriptions VISIT www.mainspring.co.uk travelling again. I’m doing my best not to buy into the paranoia or the arguments of the gloom mongers, LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE and I would encourage you all to do the same. We’ve been given a glimpse of one potential 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 4TU, UK. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 future, and there are elements of it I really like. The world will bounce back, and hopefully in and Wales. in a better way as we all come to appreciate the benefits of cleaner air. LRTA Chairman – Paul Rowen In future I will certainly minimise my car usage even further. I still want to travel but [email protected] will be using that time to talk to people, read, think and enjoy the journey. I understand © LRTA 2020 all the reasons that public transport journeys can’t take place in the same way for a good Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also while yet, but my passion for all things light rail burns strongly. later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution Perhaps it is the fact that we’ve spent the last few weeks putting together a fascinating is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the collection of personal insights into the past, present and future of the (yes, opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of I’m still going to call it that) light rail network; perhaps it is reading about how Caen has the LRTA or Mainspring. All rights reserved. swapped rubber tyres for steel rails; perhaps it is the inspiring stories of how museums No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in and heritage operators are making do without visitors. any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and Your fantastic comments on our last issue are encouraging and gratefully received. retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from We are here to help share and disseminate information – and that relies on you, so a the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the sincere thank you to each and every one of you who has taken the time to talk to us in magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. endless hours of phone calls, video conferences and webinars over the past month. Last time we promised you bigger issues to while away your time, and we’ve certainly COVER: Two generations of line up at delivered this time – happy reading! Simon Johnston, Editor Therapia Lane in February 2019. Neil Pulling

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2020 / 203 News Last-minute rescue package for UK networks Five English systems split GBP30m emergency funding to keep systems open for key workers

n 2 May, the UK at its current reduced services Government for key workers and essential confirmed GBP30m journeys. Once this funding (approx. EUR33.5m) ends in early June, we will simply Oin emergency funding for five not be able to continue running English light rail systems to help Metrolink.” close the financial gap caused by Nexus, the public body which the coronavirus crisis. Passenger owns and manages the Tyne numbers have collapsed & Wear Metro, has a similar since lockdown measures GBP10m (EUR11.2m) hole in were imposed in March; the its budget. Councillor Martin agreements will assist systems’ Gannon, Chair of the North-East dire situations for 12 weeks. Combined Authority said that The announcement came local councils are unable to fill the after weeks of negotiations, with gap, telling local media: “Metro is was the first to announce its funding package, supporting authorities warning that systems losing close to GBP1m [EUR1.12m] services until the end of June. TAUT could close “within days” a week and we need all of our without help. Back-dated to costs covered, not just 80%. Stagecoach takes the revenue risk said it would continue to press for mid-March, the funding is split “We will restructure some debt for Supertram. vital support from the relevant between five English systems: and find some cost-cutting and There was also disappointment devolved administrations. Manchester Metrolink: we will keep the Metro operating. that Blackpool was omitted from Providing public transport in · GBP11.6m But the Government is also the announcement; Blackpool London costs around GBP600m/ : GBP8.6m instructing us to increase the Transport Services closed its month (EUR671m/month), · Nottingham Express Transit: frequency of as we get the tramway on 29 March, although and TfL ‘furloughed’ 7000 · GBP3.7m economy back up and running, the operator also runs the staff (25% of its total) from West Midlands Metro: GBP2.1m and the cost of doing that needs parallel route 1 bus service. 27 April, allowing it to access · Sheffield Supertram: GBP1.3m to be covered. It cannot come Blackpool North and Cleveleys the Government’s Job Retention · Transport Secretary Grant from local councils because we MP Paul Maynard– a former Scheme, saving GBP15.8m Shapps said the nation’s light rail have not got it.” transport minister – said the (EUR17.8m) a month. systems play “a crucial role in In March the Department tramway was “far more than a With the coronavirus crisis getting NHS staff and emergency for Transport unveiled support tourist attraction” and could having demonstrated how services to work – and it is only for bus and heavy rail operators provide vital links for key workers. varied local transport funding right that we offer operators – effectively nationalising As London Trams, the systems are in the UK, the support during this time of services for six months – but and the Urban Transport Group of major national crisis.” similar packages for light rail fall under public authorities has urged the Although the funding have been complicated by the the remit of Government not to reduce urban injection was generally different funding mechanisms (TfL), they are being considered transport funding. “The cost of welcomed, criticism came that adopted by individual networks. separately as TfL’s financial losses dealing with this immediate crisis it isn’t enough to secure services As examples, Transport for are far greater and its status differs should not mean sacrificing our beyond June. It is costing West Midlands, Transport for from other urban authorities. ability to invest and support the GBP5.4m (EUR6m) a month Manchester and Nexus take is also not transport policies, programmes per month to run Metrolink, the revenue risk on their light covered by the new funding, and projects that remain essential even in its reduced state with rail/metro systems, while although trade body UKTram to addressing these objectives.” only 5% of its usual patronage, and Mayor Andy Burnham had previously Transport for London counts the human cost warned the network may need to be ‘mothballed’. He said: “At the As transport workers across the been on the front-line of the national “I am sad to say that as of Friday start, we were told to spend what globe succumbed to the effects effort to beat the pandemic. They are 1 May, 37 of our colleagues have we needed to provide essential of COVID-19, Commissioner Mike all heroes, enabling doctors, nurses, passed away. The incredibly services, but now we find out we Brown released a statement on 1 May ambulance workers and many other important role that they have played that highlighted the devastating people carrying out critical roles to for this city will be remembered by only have three-quarters of the impact on TfL: “[Transport staff] have get to work and save lives. all of us forever.” income Metrolink needs to run

Hangzhou adds 70km of metro routes 24 June 2019. A further 2.5km with line 5 at Lüting Rd to (1.6-mile) western extension to Jiuzhou Street in the Lin’an The Chinese city of Hangzhou both ends. Line 5 has been built Laoyuhang is under construction. district; 14.8km (9.2 miles) opened 70km (43.5 miles) of new and is operated by MTR Corp. The same day saw inauguration is elevated and trains reach metro on 23 April, doubling the under a 25-year PPP concession; of the 35km (21.7-mile) line 16 120km/h (75mph). The city’s length of line 5 with extensions at the first section opened on running from an interchange metro is now 209km (130 miles).

204 / june 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org USD500m for California rail projects New grants for vehicle and infrastructure plans to support state’s climate and air quality ambitions

eventeen operators have Sports and Entertainment been awarded a total of District at Hollywood Park USD500m by California’s (a new stadium) State Transportation The Los Angeles–San Luis SAgency (CalSta) under capital · Obispo Corridor Agency programme grants announced on (Lossan) will receive USD38.7m 21 April (using the Road Repair for infrastructure and rolling & Accountability Act of 2017). stock improvements CalSta hopes that the funding The San Diego Association of will leverage nearly USD5bn in · Governments has been allocated additional grants by 2027. USD12.1m to build an additional San Francisco Muni will receive track and platform in El Cajon · USD41.7m to start two of three to permit Green and Orange line high-priority routes in its LRVs to terminate at El Cajon Muni Forward programme, Transit Center (there would be including increased capacity on a shuttle service between there light rail lines J and M 20 new S700 LRVs for Sacramento will be built in Siemens’ local facility. Siemens and Santee). This will improve San Francisco BART has been operational reliability · allocated USD107m to expand (Sacramento Valley – Folsom), the feasibility of zero-emission its fleet of vehicles which is switching from trains on the Antelope Valley SacRT has placed a USD100m by 34 cars to 306, enabling it to high to low-floor operation line between order for 20 Siemens S700 operate 30 trains/hr through in a USD150m programme Union Station and Santa Clarita low-floor LRVs. There is an the Transbay Tube connecting which also includes platform The city of Inglewood option to increase the order by the city with Oakland modifications and adding new · gets USD95.2m to build a 72 cars. Delivery will start in Sacramento Regional Transit passing loops 2.6km (1.6-mile) automated 2022 and the contract price · District (SacRT) gets USD23.6m Los Angeles County MTA peoplemover with three stations includes spare parts. These are to buy eight low-floor · is to receive USD107m to to connect the Crenshaw/LAX the first new cars for the system LRVs for its 507 Gold Line increase capacity and assess LRT line to the Los Angeles since 2002.

UK public transport use NEWS IN PICTURES ‘could fall by 20%’ The number of journeys made by work from home more; 14% will public transport could fall by as find alternative ways to travel; much as 20% in the UK after travel and 67% believe virtual meetings restrictions are lifted, according will replace some or all business to a survey of 1500 adults trips or meetings. undertaken by SYSTRA in April. Katie Hall, Director of Travel The report’s findings are Behaviour at SYSTRA, said: striking. In London, commuter “Our climate emergency has not Tube and bus use could fall by as been cancelled. There is no doubt much as 40% from pre-lockdown that this situation has opened levels; rail use across the country up different ways of working could fall by 27%; and 20% of for many, but if people start Transport for NSW respondents predict they will use rejecting public transport over public transport less. the car for work and leisure trips Of those expecting to reduce – that’s a massive step backwards. their use, 49% say they will do Public transport operators must so for fear of getting ill; 24% will rise to this challenge.” Sydney completes CBD and South East programme The first passengers were carried on the 3.2km (two-mile) Moore Park to Kingsford branch on 3 April, completing Sydney’s CBD and South East LRT Gorzów Wlkp completes reconstruction project. The five-stop route is operated as L3, running through from Juniors Kingsford to Circular Quay to give a total length of 12km (7.5 miles). Trams After 929 days of closure, the first east-west corridor from Wieprzyce operate 05.00-01.00, using a fleet of 60 five-section X05 test on the 11.8km (7.3-mile) to Katedra and Silwana, scheduled low-floor trams, working as 67m coupled pairs. rebuilt tramway in Gorzów to reopen to passengers on 2 July. Construction of the CBD and South East LRT programme began in October Wielkopolski (Poland) took The next phase covers the 2.7km 2015, with L2 (Circular Quay –Moore Park and Randwick) opening on place on 16 April using ex-Kassel (1.7-mile) route from Katedra to 14 December 2019. It has been delivered by the ALTRAC Light Rail consortium double-ended, articulated Piaski, to be modernised by 2022 under a AUS2.1bn (EUR1.2bn) PPP concession that covered four years of construction followed by 15 years of operation and maintenance. 258. It was followed by one of the at a cost of PLN69m (EUR15.1m). 14 new 2.4m-wide Pesa Twist cars The PLN225m (EUR49m) An estimated 16.9m trips were taken on public transport across the city (310) a few days later. programme is being supported in March 2020 compared with 68m in March 2019. Despite the 75% drop in The first section to be from Poland’s national budget patronage, timetables are being maintained. completed is the 9.5km (5.9-mile) and the European Union.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org june 2020 / 205 News

InnoTrans moved to 2021 InnoTrans, the world’s largest rail technology fair, which was Antwerpen plans major next due to take place in Berlin on 22-25 September 2020, has been postponed to 27-30 April 2021. network restructure It follows a ban on events attracting more than 5000 people until 24 October, imposed by the Berlin Details confirmed as Belgian city aims for 50/50 modal shift by 2030 Senate in order to limit the spread of coronavirus. The organisers plan to revert to he Belgian port an autumn show in September 2022. city of Antwerpen (Antwerp) is planning a Joint venture for Shanghai’s complete revamp of its autonomous tram project Ttransportation system, including In April a consortium of Shanghai Fuxin Intelligent Transportation its metre-gauge tramway, in Solutions (China) and Cognitive December 2021. Details of the Pilot (Russia) announced plans project, developed by a for an autonomous tram control Dutch-Belgian consortium that system for trial in Shanghai. includes Goudappel Coffeng, Initially a driver advisory system, The New Drive, APPM, Sweco driverless ATO is to follow. Trial and Rebel, were announced for operation is planned for 2021-22. consultation on 12 March. The project builds on Cognitive Pilot’s work in Moscow with PK The current Flemish Transportnye Systemy that has Government inherited the work created an autonomous driving tool of its predecessor (Routeplan An Antwerpen Flexity on line 10 shows some of the problems that will have to be which detects vehicles, traffic lights, 2030), but is adapting it overcome to achieve the results intended for the new network. A. Janmart pedestrians, tram and bus stops, to respond to the climate pointwork and other obstacles. emergency, with the object of a and 3 (20.8km/h/12.9mph) lines (M) and classic tramlines Haifa-Nazareth LRT 50/50 modal split between public and the worst on lines 11 (with some PCC operation) with tenders launched transport, cycling and walking (11.7km/h/7.3mph) and 12 an 8-10 minute service. Trans Israel, the Government- and private motoring. (11.6km/h/7.2mph). This could Infrastructure work includes owned company promoting the For the tramway the plan is to be achieved by 2030, but in the a new loop at Boekenberglei 41km (25.5-mile) Haifa-Nazareth achieve a frequent and punctual short-term the changes will start using Cruyslei, Gitschotellei LRT project, has published service with a commercial with the introduction of the and Drakenhoflaan streets; and its Invitation to Tender for a speed of 25km/h (15.5mph) by necessary principles. a new loop for the relocated P+R Supervisory Independent Safety increasing reserved track and Each outer terminus is to Linkeroever; 800m of tramway, Assessor and launched the pre- qualification for bidders for the traffic light priority, with a 600m be confined to one line with a between the ramp Muggenberg PPP concession to design, build, minimum distance between 7.5-minute service, using coupled and Stenenbrug loop, will no operate and maintain the line. stops. At the moment the best sets of Hermelijn trams and the 66 longer have a service. Many The new LRT service – with commercial speed is achieved new CAF cars. The network will be platforms will require extension 20 stations – is expected to carry on lines 8 (22.8km/h/14.2mph) a mixture of so-called pre-metro to accommodate the coupled sets. around 30m passengers/year between the two cities in northern Israel and is due to open in 2026-27. Details of the tenders can be found at http://lrt.transisrael.co.il Polish bogie tram breaks cover NY Subway temporarily cancels overnight service Silesian tramway operator (1949) and 1118 (1951), proving a Modertrans (a subsidiary of MPK New York MTA ended overnight Tramwaje Śląskie, which runs 20-minute service. Poznan) for ten new low-floor Subway operation from 6 May Poland’s largest tramway network The route along . Piekarska bogie trams at a contract price of to allow intensive disinfecting of its trains and stations as part based on the city of Katowice, was formerly part of line 35, PLN29m (EUR6.4m). Eight were of its COVID-19 response. The has some unique operating withdrawn in 1979. After to be single-ended trams for use agency stressed however that conditions, including the famous pressure from local residents the on line 24 in Sosnowiec, but two night operation would be ready line 38 in the town of Bytom, just shuttle line 38 was introduced are double-ended, suitable for use to resume once demand returns. 1.35km (0.85 miles) on single- on 10 February 1982, but only on line 38. There is an option for Replacement bus service is track with no loops at either end. the two-axle double-ended trams five more (variant unspecified). provided for the affected lines. It is permanently worked by one could be used here. In early The first two were delivered In other news, the agency’s of two N-type two-axle trams, 954 2018 an order was awarded to to Zawodzie depot on 16 March, board has ratified 41 family with the first trial run through benefits agreements that include a USD500 000 payment to the the city made a month later. The spouse, beneficiary or estate of any entire order should be delivered MTA worker who dies as a result by the end of June. The Moderus of COVID-19, as well as providing Beta MF10AC is 14.9m long and three years’ health insurance to 2.4m-wide and is the first 50% dependents up to the age of 26. low-floor bogie tram to enter Russia’s aluminium tram service in central Europe (there PK Transportnye Systemy has are small interior steps to the confirmed it is developing what floor area over the bogies). is claimed to be Russia’s first all- Because of the coronavirus aluminium tram body. The three- pandemic, driver training has not section 71-931M1 Vityaz-M will draw been able to start on schedule, so on the best examples of European no date for entry into service can production and the design includes provision for onboard energy be given. The two N cars will be storage for off-wire operation. The first of the new Modertrans bogie trams for Tramwaje Śląskie in the Poznań retained and make semi-regular factory yard. Tramwaje Śląskie appearances for enthusiasts.

206 / june 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Comment learning lessons for the future Alistair Gordon, CEO of public transport operator Keolis UK, explains why light rail can no longer be of lower strategic importance to our transportation networks.

et me begin by saying how proud I am of everyone who We need clear and swift intervention at times like these and is continuing to keep our cities moving during these currently we do not have a strong authoritative voice, saying challenging times. Over the past few weeks there have ‘these are extraordinary circumstances, this is what we need’. been instances where a small minority of the population What the future holds depends on governments’ resolve. have been abusive, rude and have even spat at our staff, The UK is in better shape than a lot of other nations as we carry Lbut our dedicated teams continue to rise above this and carry on less debt, but every country is going to face difficult decisions. with their jobs – and most of the time with smiles on their faces. However, we don’t need to do what we were doing before and we Urban transport networks are a crucial element of our society, now have a real chance for change. Of course a lot depends on helping key workers get to work and home again safely and how long the lockdowns last. If countries get back to ‘normal’ moving people around who need to complete essential tasks. We after a couple of months, I’m not sure the reset will happen. rightly thank health and care workers, but we should show similar But if our travel restrictions last into the summer, this crisis will respect and support to those running our transport networks and have profound effects on people’s long-term behaviour. keeping our supermarkets open. They are the unsung heroes. Companies and individuals are recognising that you can be We are all learning lessons during this pandemic. With Keolis efficient working at home more and that you don’t need to be operations in Shanghai, as early as January our group head of in the office all the time, so I just can’t see people buying season safety began a weekly conference call for all of the cities in which tickets or rushing to board busy peak-time services five days a we operate. Countries are obviously at different stages in their week. Some of our long-distance travel demands may take a long timeline in dealing with COVID-19 and that resonates on what time to come back and international travel could well be affected are often difficult calls. for years as borders will likely be one of the last things to open up. As the most advanced in this crisis, our This forced experience should therefore Chinese colleagues began by offering advice “We need to seriously feed into our thinking when we come out of on cleaning and hygiene, social eating and this. We will need to seriously think about social distancing. As the nation is now think about the future of the future of our transportation networks coming out of lockdown they’re sharing and their strategic role. For example, do we information on how traffic is moving, our transportation need the full extent of HS2 quite so quickly? as well as network data as systems are If we determine that we don’t, can that gradually bringing people back to work. networks and their money be spent elsewhere on light rail for This is invaluable information for our cities and city regions that need better and future planning. strategic role when we more resilient transport? In the UK, most networks are now at come out of this.” I’ve been pushing for a while that when 50% or lower service and with 5-10% of the the Williams Rail Review is complete we passenger demand. By contrast, Australia should put light and heavy rail together is only seeing a 75% drop-off in demand. In Hyderabad we’ve with a dedicated, responsible agency to look after both – now closed the metro down completely and are now formulating plans could be the right time for this to happen. to look at opening it again in the coming weeks. Yet in Norway, A big advantage of this approach would be that parts of the we’re actually running more trams than normal as they haven’t UK rail network are maintained to heavy rail standards, but very imposed a lockdown but are still practising social distancing. lightly-used or expensive to maintain. Some of those lines could We’re also talking to the various Passenger Transport be converted to LRT, like they’re doing in Cardiff now and Authorities we partner with to share how others are dealing with have already done in Manchester and the West Midlands. If the the crisis. Some are finding themselves in an extremely perilous Government is still interested in re-opening lines that closed under position financially and with an emergency of this size it all Beeching, these could be re-opened as light rail services as well. comes down to the response of central governments. Only they We have a product that works incredibly well for the have the resources to handle all the risks of lost patronage and lost communities it serves. It’s good for the environment and revenues and provide essential support. customers really like it; yet we still don’t have a pipeline of In the UK, the Government came in very quickly in terms of schemes going forward. Too many cities are having to do a lot of heavy rail. When the lockdown was announced on Monday the work on their own with no support from the centre, so maybe 23 March we were given ‘emergency management agreements’ to this is an opportunity to take the critical situation being faced sign that Friday. The Government is now absorbing all the revenue today to see how we can make ourselves stronger tomorrow. risk on the rail network for the next six months. It has delivered similar packages to some bus operators, but the recent equivalent As CEO of Keolis UK, Alistair Gordon oversees strategy for the UK and Ireland. Keolis operates in 16 different countries and has been in the UK funding settlement for the light rail sector provides at best a since 1996, today employing over 13 000 people across a number of light short-term sticking plaster – huge financial challenges remain and heavy rail franchises including London's Docklands Light Railway, to ensure the continued viability of networks. Sadly, that leaves Greater Manchester’s Metrolink and Nottingham Express Transit. so much uncertainty for our tramway and metro systems exactly when they need clarity and leadership the most. Each authority is having to deal with this on their own and I Have your say... think that exposes a weakness in our sector’s structure in that we What positives can we take from the pandemic? lack a strong centralised body. We are still treated as something of [email protected] a fringe industry. It is clear from this crisis that this must change.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2020 / 207 Jerusalem JERUSALEM LRT: MEETING THE COVID-19 CHALLENGE Reuven Levy of Connect Jerusalem details the potential plans for shutdown and recovery of the city’s successful LRT system.

he COVID-19 pandemic has spread to all four corners of the globe, with ramifications felt in every sphere of human existence. For much of the Western world, theT wide-ranging impacts caused by the onset of the crisis occurred within the space of a little over a month. The previously unimaginable steps that governments have taken, such as the closure of all public events and large-scale lockdowns and quarantines, have now become commonplace. Within this unprecedented context, a new City Hall on 19 April 2020. In the heart of Jerusalem, this JLRT stop would usually be filled with people in the discussion has arisen in cities everywhere: middle of the day. To what extent should public transport be halted, if at all? And how should systems that has become intrinsically linked with or close entirely. The JLRT operating schedule remain open adapt to the growing crisis? Jerusalem’s wider prosperity, with crowded was changed by law to end on weeknights at Compelling reasons support the different LRVs becoming a standard feature of the city. 20.00 instead of 00.00, and with no service at sides of the discussion, and tailored solutions What changes would now have to be made to all on Fridays, Saturday nights after Sabbath, have been formulated for the circumstances of our approach to service, to protect both the or on days preceding holidays. Considering each city. It is certainly acknowledged that for public and our employees? The implications of the circumstances, this was far less restrictive many, public transport remains the only way this question were uppermost in our minds as than what could have been ordered. The to purchase food and medicine or go to work. we entered the mode of crisis management. recognition that we should remain operational But it is no less critical to note that given their Parallel to the outcomes of our internal to this extent can be attributed to the unique confined space, trams, trains and buses are key deliberations (outlined below), new emergency status the JLRT has achieved in Jerusalem and locations where the coronavirus can spread. regulations were being enacted by the the professional relationship we have with In this article I will explore the challenges Government of Israel to contain the pandemic. Government stakeholders. facing us, Connect Jerusalem (Light ), These have dramatically changed everyday life As the situation worsened, more stringent as the operator and maintainer (O&M measures were enacted for the Passover Company) of the Red line of the Jerusalem holiday, restricting certain Jerusalem Light Rail Train (JLRT), and the steps we have “For much of the Western neighbourhoods and mandating limitations taken to adjust to life in the age of COVID-19. on movement between them. A closure was The JLRT has been immensely successful world, the wide-ranging ordered for five of the downtown Jaffa Road in its eight-plus years of service, but, like all stops, with JLRT drivers ordered to essentially operators, we find ourselves in uncharted impacts caused by the bypass this central part of the line. At the territory. Moreover, as a forced shutdown time of this writing (20 April), these station looms as a possibility there is a need to explore onset of the crisis occurred closures have just been lifted. what it would mean to enter ‘shutdown mode’ within the space of a little In tandem with the increasingly severe ‘top – and also how commercial service may resume. down’ governmental enactments – and as over a month.” public life ceased to function as it once had – Challenges facing the JLRT system we implemented a number of ‘bottom up’ As the onset of COVID-19 in Israel became decisions that changed the way our company more of an unavoidable reality in early for millions. We began with social distancing functions. Some of these can be described as March, the JLRT faced questions that were as rules and work-from-home instructions, as normal under the new circumstances, such as disturbing as they were new. well as required self-isolation for those who greatly limiting in-office presence (especially Ours is a fairly small system, the nation’s had come into contact with people confirmed for higher-risk employees) and major first and only light rail service, comprised of infected. These soon expanded to include increases to cleaning/disinfecting activity. just 14km (8.7 miles) and 23 stops. Opening in stricter limitations, such as the closure of most Others, however, had greater impact in their August 2011, the JLRT line winds through the workplaces and public spaces, the cessation of scope and effect: heart of Jerusalem, linking many previously- communal prayer, facemask requirements, and • Closure of the Customer Service Center in unconnected sections of the holy city. even required home isolation for the entire downtown Jerusalem This and other key factors contribute to the public (with several notable exceptions). • Cessation of most customer service relatively large ridership, which in recent years Public transport was not immune to these activities, including ticketing (exceptions: has reached close to 50m passengers annually. enacted changes. Many bus and heavy rail lines telephone call centre, website updating, In many ways, the JLRT’s outsized success were required to operate in limited capacity lost and found for humanitarian items)

208 / JUNE 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Jerusalem

• Cessation of onboard ticket inspections and (hereafter referred to simply as ‘Shutdown’). Shutdown is not expected to include closure most Customer Service Officer (CSO) activity At the forefront of the assessment is the need of the depot complex, which is self-contained • Signage campaigns to promote safe to grapple with the great unknown, namely, and separate from the JLRT line. The following distancing, especially onboard LRVs how long would a Shutdown last? There is no activities are expected to continue, although • Strict limitations on all non-urgent clear answer and worse, what could today with some in decreased capacity: entrances to the depot facility appear as a reasonable appraisal might be far 1. Operation of the OCC • Limiting access to the Operational Control less realistic in just a few days’ time. 2. Monitoring of the JLRT line (from the OCC) Center (OCC) to active operators only, It is a question with real implications, both 3. LRV movements within the complex and while also ensuring the ongoing separation in terms of the regime during Shutdown, as its access routes between other OCC operators well as for assessing how long it would take 4. Security under the standard regime • Encouraging separation of JLRT drivers and to return to commercial service. Under such 5. Workshop-related maintenance as per the limiting access to the Driver Rest Centre to unclear circumstances, it seems reasonable designated regime active drivers and essential personnel only (or rather, less unreasonable) to assume that 6. Training/refreshment activities • Cessation of other non-essential or if Shutdown is going to occur, its duration 7. IT systems management supplementary activities would be in the range of 30 to 90 days. 8. Management meetings As of today, commercial service continues With this in mind, we defined a number of within the above framework, albeit under a vital assumptions, summarised below (some of Now the underpinnings of a full Shutdown diminished schedule and without most these actions have already started). These are are in place (in particular setting out the non-operational activity; it is a testament followed by an outline of the envisioned differentiation between the depot and the to the years the JLRT has invested in its operation and maintenance regime if a JLRT line), we can focus on provisional plans situational readiness that these were able to be Shutdown becomes necessary. It is hoped that for the revised operation and maintenance rapidly implemented. Some of these decisions the attention to advance planning will allow regimes and define the day-to-day aspects were nonetheless extremely difficult as they us, JLRT’s concessionaire (CityPass) and the that must continue and those which can be required the furloughing of valued employees. JLRT Maintainer (Citadis Israel), to effectively put on hold. It’s also very important to note that the weather such a scenario and be ready to above changes – both governmental and by resume reliable service as soon as possible. Maintenance during Shutdown us – have come with a steady and staggering 1. Cessation of all commercial LRV movements The symbiosis between O&M Company and decrease in passengers. JLRT ridership today 2. Cessation of regular maintenance activities, maintainer, at the heart of any successful stands at less than 10% of its usual figure, adoption of a designated Shutdown regime LRT system, continues to be crucial. Connect highlighting just how different the reality has 3. Shutting down high voltage power outside Jerusalem retains overall responsibility for the become for a once-crowded LRT line. the depot complex (rectifier stations/OCS) maintainer’s work, leading to a close working Sadly it may not stop here. The COVID-19 4. Removal from commercial use of all relationship that has taken years to develop. pandemic is a fast-moving crisis with automated ticketing machines This new regime is not only responsible numerous influencing factors. Its evolving 5. Cessation of all commercial CSO activity for maintaining the JLRT at appropriate nature and the success in containing it will 6. Closure of the Customer Service Center in and acceptable levels, but is a primary play a central role in determining how long downtown Jerusalem, and the temporary factor regarding how quickly a resumption the status quo lasts, or if further changes are removal of certain installations inside of commercial service can safely occur. required. What if a full shutdown becomes 7. Cessation of most customer service Achieving these targets with diminished staff necessary, for an indeterminate timeframe? activities, including ticketing services will be a central challenge. As much as we all hope that does not happen 8. Closure of the Driver Rest Centre in northern The overall concept can be summarised in to us or any system, it could well become a Jerusalem and the CSO centre on Jaffa Road three principles: question of central importance for many public 9. Cessation of the fine cancellation requests 1. All safety-related maintenance activities transport operators that should be studied. and appeals process shall continue 10. Discontinuation of all non-urgent legal 2. Essential, non-safety related maintenance Shutdown and resumption of service activities, including collection/enforcement that is already scheduled shall continue Our examination considered a number 11.  Partial cessation of IT systems 3. Continuation of other activities that, of likely assumptions should a complete 12. Furloughing of certain O&M and were they to be stopped, would mean shutdown of commercial service be required maintainer personnel. unreasonable delays to resumption of commercial service. “JLRT ridership today is less than 10% of its usual figure.” Rolling stock, infrastructure and civils maintenance: Detailed planning sets out a comprehensive list of actions and their intervals, conforming to the conceptual principles above. For example, fleet inspection is reduced to twice per week, and LRV movements (including functional and dynamic brake checks) would occur in the depot complex once per week. The actions for various subdivisions of infrastructure maintenance (OCS/track, power, signalling, ticketing, telecoms etc) and civil works are similarly diminished, but are tailored to ensure the JLRT is maintained at an acceptable minimum, with corrective maintenance as necessary. Power: High voltage power is planned to be ‘switched off’ outside the depot complex only. Low power subsystems will still be utilised by the operators for monitoring purposes (CCTV, lighting etc). Line surveys: Periodic line surveys continue with an eye towards identifying impacts to

LEFT: An empty Ammunition Hill stop; Government measures have restricted non-essential travel in the city.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org june 2020 / 209 LEFT: Social distancing as practised on the JLRT, with notices on the seats that are not to be occupied.

order to refine best practice for similar events and to enable independent critical review.

Company culture Senior and middle management will maintain close contact with all employees to provide assistance where possible (both professional and personal). This is an intrinsic part of our DNA with respect to our employees, most of whom have worked together for many years. We place a great deal of confidence in our culture – one of our greatest developed assets.

Resuming commercial service So, how can JLRT service be safely and quickly resumed, once notice has been given to end “The COVID-19 pandemic has left the world the Shutdown? This is difficult to quantify on a definitive basis, depending on so many scrambling; public transport is no exception.” unknown elements. For example, there will likely be a significant difference if Shutdown infrastructure or other issues that warrant has been given for a gradual/staged return lasts 90 or more days instead of only 30. immediate maintenance attention. to service. Or if the order to resume service places a Approvals: Any change to maintenance Driver refreshment plan B – Expedited: demanding timeline or other conditions for activity with safety implications shall require Under a considerably shortened period, this doing so, which in turn could impact the Operations Manager approval; similar programme connects groups of drivers to ability to carry out operational refreshments. approval is required prior to resuming trainers and requires at least several hours The availability of furloughed employees to commercial service. This conforms with of refreshment driving per driver along the return to work, not to mention subcontractors the German BOStrab principles (adopted in entirety of the line. This approach can be and service providers, is obviously a key factor. Israel), which emphasise the overall authority utilised in scenarios where seven days of In more general terms, the success of both our of the Operations Manager. advance notice has been provided. own teams and the maintainer in achieving Driver refreshment plan C – Adapted: the regime goals set during Shutdown will Operations during Shutdown Scenarios for fewer than three days’ notice also play a fundamental role. Taken together, Ensuring that JLRT driver refreshment can be prior to the restarting of commercial it is certainly within reason (and perhaps just carried out efficiently is a key element in the operation. This requires modification to simply wiser) that resumption should occur in time needed for resumption of commercial some procedural norms and greater hands-on staged or gradual fashion. service. Additionally, the overall ability of the managerial oversight. Trainers accompany So much for the unknowns. What is known O&M Company to quickly return furloughed drivers on initial journeys, with elevated and can be relied upon are the organisational employees to work shall be consequential; supervision to continually assess fitness; strengths of our professional teams and the this is especially true for customer service intensive oversight is maintained over co-ordinated planning they have produced. and CSO activities, which will unfortunately several days as drivers return to their The strength of the company culture and suffer the most from furlough. natural conditioning. its adaptability will go a long way towards ensuring that both employees and passengers Operations Safety can return both safely and quickly. Operations Managers: Shall continue As no substantive changes to the JLRT to oversee all activities. system are anticipated, formal ISA approval Conclusion OCC: Reduced shifts, with rotations to ensure is not expected to be warranted (though The COVID-19 pandemic has left the world full-time, albeit minimal, presence in the OCC. independent review is certainly welcome). scrambling; public transport is no exception. Those operators who have not worked in the Incident reporting shall continue to be When the danger has finally passed, the OCC for a period exceeding 30 days shall have prepared and submitted as required. These sector will have to be rehabilitated, much like to undertake short refreshment training. activities ensure our ‘living safety culture’ is every other industry. It may take a good while Trainers/Minders: Continued engagement not negatively impacted during Shutdown. for passenger confidence to return and for to ensure they are fit to carry out driver ridership to come back to its usual levels. refreshment. Wherever possible, trainers and Finance But with careful planning and confidence minders shall not exceed 30 days without This department shall continue to take care of in the professional culture we have built, we having driven the entirety of the line. regular business, including making payments can anticipate some of the challenges to come Drivers: There are several potential regimes, and submission of reporting as required. It and hopefully reduce their effects in advance. depending on the length of Shutdown. Each would remain the point of contact between As I sit in isolation, working from home, has its own detailed planning and emphasis, the O&M Company and its subcontractors I am thankful for the blessings we still have but all rely on the following base assumptions: and service providers. and I’m praying for those who are suffering. 1. The return to work of a sufficient number Hopefully this terrible pandemic will be of drivers from furlough Line security quickly overcome and humanity will soon 2. Availability of trainers and minders to carry Unlike the depot complex, security along see better days. out refreshment training the JLRT line is carried out directly by 3. Availability of sufficient maintained LRVs governmental security services, so close 4. The ability to drive on the full line during contact is essential and we would recommend ABOUT THE AUTHOR refreshment training. continued surveys along the length of the line. Reuven Levy is a Senior Manager and General Driver refreshment plan A – Baseline: Documentation Counsel at Connect Jerusalem (Light Train), Following the standard operating programme, Given the unique nature of the crisis, the the operator of the Red Line of the JLRT system. He joined the project in 2007. He offers his the Baseline programme can be utilised O&M Company will document changes thanks to the managers and staff at the JLRT during an extended period of Shutdown to enacted as part of the Shutdown and activities for their dedication to the travelling public maintain a minimal level readiness for all required for resuming service. This can and for their assistance with this article. drivers, or in a scenario where lengthy notice provide the basis for future case studies, in

210 / JUNE 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org The need for investment MAKING THE CASE AFTER CORONAVIRUS

Matt Johnston of Mainspring explains why authorities need to be brave in their decision-making after the current crisis has subsided.

uch of the recent commentary in the mainstream media has suggested that the war on coronavirus has made Mall other concerns irrelevant. In a world dominated by discussion of cataclysmic economic impacts and seismic shifts in society, while it is certainly true that we need to focus on public health, it is important that we don’t lose sight of the future. This is the second successive decade where major economic shocks will influence decision-making. If the 2010s were the ‘austerity decade’ as we came to terms with Zaragoza’s tramway is a fantastic example of modern light rail in action; using state-of-the-art technology, it the fallout of the global financial crisis, is supporting city growth and delivering cleaner air for the Spanish city. Patrick1977Bln / CC BY-SA 2.0 then the 2020s are the ‘pandemic’ decade. Yet without optimism on how we rebuild l 71.8%: Road transport (of these emissions, and an eye on the future, we run the risk of 44.1% were from passenger cars, 18.2% came from economies shaped by fear: fear of investment, heavy-duty vehicles, 8.7% from light commercial fear of growth, fear of travel. vehicles and 0.9% from motorcycles/scooters). Ensuring that investment flows to not l 13.9%: Aviation only maintain continuity of public transport l 13.3%: Maritime during the current crisis, but also to keep l 0.5%: Rail transport ourselves on track to meet climate change l 0.5%: Other transportation forms objectives has never been more important. Source: European Environment Agency, In an open letter published in early April, updated December 2019 3 The International Association of Public Transport (UITP), United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the International “The vital need to address Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Union of Railways (UIC) urged climate change isn’t governments to ensure that ‘the current health crisis does not turn into a social one.’ 1 going away.” In this updated extract from a submission made to the UK Department for Transport urban centres by 2050. This is also, logically thirds by 2050 if we are reach international in 2019, we will outline the evidence for therefore, where the economic growth will climate change targets and drive real change. 3 continued investment in urban transport, be focused: ‘With more than 80% of global Sadly, we don’t have 30 years to wait. exploring a few of the environmental and GDP generated in cities, urbanisation can In the UK alone, an estimated 28% of CO2 socio-economic benefits with research contribute to sustainable growth if managed emissions were related to transport in 2018 , gained from Mainspring’s decades of well by increasing productivity, allowing with the main contributors being petrol- and experience in the sector. innovation and new ideas to emerge’.2 diesel-powered road vehicles. Transportation To free urban areas up to growth, has historically been the second highest The environmental case innovation and prosperity, they need safe, emitting sector; however reductions in the The vital need to address climate change clean, efficient transportation networks. energy supply market mean that since 2016 isn’t going away. As economies rebuild, there Trams and LRVs (light rail vehicles) are the transport has been the most. Between 1990 is a great deal of evidence to suggest that most environmentally-friendly form of mass and 2018, there has been relatively little ‘business as usual’ solutions, with a reliance transit at point of use – this is well-known. overall change in the level of greenhouse gas on private travel modes, are unsustainable Data from the European Environment emissions from the transport sector, even over a medium- to long-term timeframe. Agency (EEA) shows that rail-borne transport though motor vehicle traffic has increased.4 The proliferation of automobile usage is in European member states accounts for just So as we seek to reduce city, regional and not an efficient use of urban space in our 0.5% of the total greenhouse gas emissions national carbon footprints, a shift to more already-crowded towns and cities. This is of transportation (see above). In 2017, 27% efficient mass transport is one of the easiest increasingly important as urban populations of the total EU-28 greenhouse gas emissions routes to large-scale social change. expand. The United Nations and World Bank came from the transport sector, an increase of An exemplar of light rail in practice is the forecast that 70% of the world’s population 2.2% compared with 2016. The EEA’s reports city tramway in Zaragoza, Spain. With 8% less (up from 55% today) will live and work in suggest these figures need to decrease by two- traffic on the city’s roads since the tramway’s

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2020 / 211 The need for investment

ABOVE: UNT Dallas station, southern terminus of the DART Blue line, opened in October 2016. M. Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0

LEFT: Nottingham’s tramway currently caters for almost 19 million journeys each year, with 30% of tram trips formerly taken by private car. M. Buck / CC BY-SA 2.0 inception in 2011, Zaragoza now fulfils not benefits can be quantified with two key On the other side of the coin, significant only the strict requirements around air measures: direct and indirect job creation, savings related to improved efficiency are quality demanded by national legislation, but and inward investment and regeneration. there to be made as well. Nobody likes also exceeds even the highest requirements of In more modern times, Phase Two of queuing, and urban gridlock cost the UK an the World Health Organisation (WHO).5 the UK’s Nottingham Express Transit light estimated GBP6.9bn (EUR7.85bn) in 2019. 12 Just three years after opening of its first line, rail system generated over 1600 direct jobs This equates to an equivalent average of the tramway welcomed its 100 millionth at its peak construction in 2016, and the GBP894 (EUR1017) per motorist. passenger, with an average of 100 000 expanded network has created many more Linking transport to land usage policies passengers per working day – and all in a city ongoing career opportunities.10 Elsewhere in a far more cohesive manner leads to of just 700 000 people. On 11 October, this in the UK, growth of similar networks in more comprehensive urban planning single 12.8km (eight-mile) line recorded an the West Midlands and Greater Manchester objectives with common strategic goals and incredible 148 490 passengers in a single day. 6 also feature commitments to employing a longer-term view.

As well as reductions in CO2 , mounting hundreds of people within their respective Internationally, investment in light rail evidence of the harm caused by communities in the construction, operations plays a vital role in the shaping of more microparticulate matter is something that and maintenance of their extensions. enlightened city authorities. For example, can also be addressed through the adoption of Light rail is also proven to stimulate the Swedish capital, , is investing steel wheel-on-steel rail transport. Congestion investment in housing and commercial around EUR4.5bn in the period 2010-21 to charging and removing vehicles that cause developments, with research showing that support regional growth as well as national the most damaging emissions from urban environmental aims. This will underpin centres is one way of dealing with this issue, “Dallas’ 20-year light rail residential developments of almost 30 000 and pressure is mounting to take measures to new homes along new light rail and metro remove this invisible threat to public health. 7 programme has delivered routes, enabling connections to over 80 000 However to avoid economic stagnation, workplaces and creating a new fast link to while at the same time improving USD1.72 in regional Bromma Airport, the closest airport to the accessibility, high-quality alternatives are city centre.13 required if the cars, vans and lorries are to be economic activity for Across the Atlantic, the Texan city of removed from our towns and cities. Dallas famously quotes the transformative Digital technologies to promote green every USD1 spent.” effects of its 20-year light rail programme travel decision-making are a way of driving as having delivered USD1.72 in regional this agenda. The ten+VAO app is a partnership house prices and rentals close to tramway economic activity for every USD1 spent between the Government of the island of and light rail routes often carry double-digit (USD8.8bn against an investment of Tenerife and transport operator Metrotenerife premiums over neighbouring areas that are USD5.1bn). The regional transit agency to replace private vehicle journeys with tram further away from new routes.11 projects a total of USD10.8bn in existing, trips. Car-pooling for journeys of over 13km This becomes a virtuous circle and can under construction and planned (8.1 miles) is rewarded with free parking be used to leverage additional finance for developments around DART’s (Dallas Area spaces, free tram passes and other benefits expansion. This has been demonstrated Rapid Transit’s) 64 light rail stations.14 such as tickets to museums and public recently with the confirmation of GBP291m attractions. It was launched in June 2018 and (approximately EUR325m) towards the The societal case within three months a reduction of 75% in Docklands Light Railway Accelerated Growth So, light rail is good for the economy, the use of private vehicles was noted – the Programme from the Housing Infrastructure but what about people? Well, removing result was an increase in tram usage, and Fund in the UK Government’s Autumn 2018 road traffic is proven to improve safety if an average saving of 3467g of CO2 for each budget. This expansion of the phenomenally implemented in conjunction with well- journey of 13km with three occupants. 8 successful ‘Regeneration Railway’ will planned traffic management concepts support the building of up to 18 380 homes and urban realm improvements such as The economic case and the creation of new employment pedestrianised areas. With railways offering a sense of permanence opportunities in the Royal Docks and And if nothing else, the current pandemic not seen with other modes, ever since the Isle of Dogs areas of East London, where has shown the vital role our systems have early days developers have profited from the development is currently constrained played in keeping cities moving, ensuring increased land values, footfall and prosperity by a lack of capacity on the Docklands our key workers can carry out their jobs that that comes with rail development. 9 These Light Railway. mean society can function.

212 / JUNE 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ABOVE: Wien (Vienna) regularly tops the charts of most ‘liveable’ cities; it is currently investing heavily in re-equipping its expansive tramway. K. Rasmussen

LEFT: The KC Streetcar was a key component of this US city’s development plans. P. Sableman / CC BY 2.0

REFERENCES

1 –   ‘Covid-19 pandemic: The continuity of passenger transport services is crucial’ – www.uitp.org/ Light rail likewise improves the quality Dispelling the myths sites/default/files/COVID19_GlobalStatement_ of life, evidenced by successive ‘liveable A key challenge is the public image of SIGNED_8Apr2020.pdf cities’ surveys. Published annually, these tramway and light rail systems being an 2 –  www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment show – time and time again – that of the top ‘expensive luxury’ – especially in times of 3 – www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/ ten best judged places to live in the world, constrained public spending. Figures are transport-emissions-of-greenhouse-gases/ all feature an established tramway, light rail often quoted that are at best flawed, and at transport-emissions-of-greenhouse-gases-12 or metro service.15 From the top 50, over worst, misleading. 4 –  2018 UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions, p. 14 – assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/ 90% feature a fixed-track network, or are Figures from UITP suggest that the cost for uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/ studying its implementation. This is surely new LRT schemes delivered between the start file/862887/2018_Final_greenhouse_gas_ no coincidence. From the various studies, of the modern renaissance in the mid-1980s emissions_statistical_release.pdf there is a clear link between quality of life and 2015 average between EUR20m/km and 5 –  ‘Zaragoza: The perfect advert for modern LRT’ and accessibility to attractive, convenient EUR30m/km.19 – Ana Moreno, Tramways & Urban Transit, and sustainable transportation systems. Simple analysis (some of which is January 2018, pp. 20-23 Interesting opportunities also surround the highlighted earlier) reveals that construction 6 –  www.tranviasdezaragoza.es/es/noticia/el-11- enlightened use of mass transit as a catalyst costs per km vary greatly due to the de-octubre-con-148-490-viajeros-dia-record- en-toda-la-historia-del-tranvia for the creation of ‘Smart City’ infrastructure. individual conditions, equipment and 7 –  ‘Inquest to examine role of UK Government The KC Streetcar in Kansas City (US) vehicles, so comparisons are more difficult to in pollution-linked death’ – New Scientist, is a fundamental component of this Midwest make than would first appear. Light rail trade December 2019 – newscientist.com/ city’s wider public policy ambitions; new body UKTram has undertaken a great deal of article/2227846-inquest-to-examine-role-of-uk- LRT infrastructure (implemented in 2016) work related to reducing construction costs, government-in-pollution-linked-death/ now forms the backbone of high-speed dispelling the myth that new UK lines are 8 –  Global Light Rail Awards 2018: public Wi-Fi, with sensors on key city vastly more expensive than their counterparts Best Environmental and Sustainability infrastructure elements also used to monitor in both Europe and North America.20 Initiative – MetroTenerife: ten+VAO OKC Streetcar: A new chapter in the weather conditions and urban pollution and 9 –  ‘ Cinderella story’ – Peter Ehrlich & Simon integrated smart LED street lighting. An investment in the future Johnston, Tramways & Urban Transit, In addition to delivering free Wi-Fi to Although a snapshot of the arguments April 2019, pp. 140-142 residents and businesses along the 3.5km for supporting light rail and rapid transit 10 – NET Phase Two Local Economic Evaluation, (2.2-mile) route, opted-in smartphone users investment, I hope this article has W. Rossiter, p. 5 – irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/ receive real-time promotions for special demonstrated that the time is right for wise eprint/28095/1/PubSub5644_Rossiter_v2.pdf offers at local restaurants and shops, creating and considered investment as economies 11 –   lloydsbankinggroup.com/Media/Press-Releases/ a further revenue stream but embedding seek to stabilise and rebuild once we emerge press-releases-2017/lloyds-bank/House_prices_ the system as an essential part of the urban from the current coronavirus challenges. boosted_after_opening_ tram_routes/ 12 –  inrix.com/press-releases/2019-traffic-scorecard-uk fabric. This success has helped to leverage Creating certainty for the long-term 13 – ‘Stockholm: Past, Present and Future’ – private sector partnership from some of survival of existing systems, as well as a Tramways & Urban Transit, May and June 2019, the biggest names in telecommunications pipeline for new schemes, will increase the pp174-179 & pp. 214-218 and networking technology. Best of all, the speed with which they can be planned and 14 – dart.org/about/dartreferencebookmar18.pdf service is free for passengers.16 delivered, also reducing costs. 15 – Economist Intelligence Unit, Global Liveability Public belief in the benefits of the new The returns are far from immediate; Index – www.eiu.com/topic/liveability ‘streetcar’ service saw a 70% ‘yes’ vote to instead they are an outlay set against future 16 –  ‘KC Streetcar: Looking to the future’ – Hans create a new Transport Development District prosperity. The costs of inaction in the Retallick, Tramways & Urban Transit, October 17 2016, pp. 377-380 to extend the starter line in a 2017 ballot. longer-term are potentially far greater. 17 –  kcstreetcar.org/transportation-development- LRT appeals to the younger populace as district/ well; far more environmentally-conscious Matt Johnston is the Managing Director 18 – 'A vision of future urban mobility' – Prof. Glenn than Generation X-ers, ‘Millennials’ ally their of Mainspring and Publisher of TAUT. Lyons, UK Light Rail Conference, July 2019 green credentials to a willingness to forego Mainspring also organises the UK Light Rail 19 – ‘Public Transport Modes: LRT Update’ – car ownership in order for enhanced social Conference, EU Light Rail Congress and the L. Dauby, EU Light Rail Conference, May 2018 time. With a disproportional rise in the cost Global Light Rail Awards, and offers data 20 – Briefing Paper Costs of Light Rail Schemes, of motoring and changing societal dynamics, and knowledge services to organisations and October 2012 – uktram.com/wp-content/ uploads/2018/07/Briefing_Paper_-_Costs_of_ 48% of 17-20 year olds held a driving license authorities worldwide. Matt can be contacted Light_Rail_Schemes.pdf 20 years ago, compared to 29% today. 18 at [email protected]

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2020 / 213 in your next issue of C. Isgar WHY RAILS DON’T THE GREAT FRENCH SYSTEMS FACTIFLE: LAST FOREVER... tram revival In the second of our masterclass series, In the first part of a two-part special Neil Pulling reports from the ’ Daniel Pyke explores some of the ways focus, Mike Taplin provides a detailed second city, which has a much-amended that rail degrades during its life, exploration of the background and key first-generation tramway operating in also providing pointers on potential ways drivers of the modern LRT revolution association with the city’s metro – both of to extend the life of this key asset. in France. which are projected for expansion. JULY 2020 PLUS... issue + Classics: Mike Russell continues his survey of the Leipzig museum + The latest news and analysis, system developments, transport policy On sale announcements and industry comment from around the world 19 June

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CELEBRATING YEARS OF 20 TRAMLINK TAUT pays tribute to arguably the greatest success story of the UK’s second-generation tramways

In the fastest-growing London Borough, Tramlink plays a vital role in supporting a busy and diverse community. Variobahn 2558 on the single-track Church Street section in Croydon town centre, bound for , in February 2014.

hen the Tramlink system That consortium had won a 99-year PFI of our employees are BAME [Black, Asian serving Croydon and its contract in 1996 to design, build, operate and and Minority Ethnic], reflecting the people surroundings opened in May maintain the tramway on behalf of the city’s who live in and around Croydon, and 2000, it closed a near 50-year transport authority; the now world-renowned that’s fantastic.” gap since the last of the UK Transport for London took over from London The official inauguration was not the capital’sW trams had ceased running, in 1952. Regional Transport (LRT) within weeks of beginning of the story – initial studies took The new network was quite different, however, the tramway’s opening. Of the estimated place from 1986, public consultation from with single-deck low-floor cars partly running GBP200m (approx. EUR330m) capital cost, 1991 (with 80% in favour of the tramway on former railway alignment, rather than the GBP125m (approx. EUR208m) was provided plans) and the Act of Parliament authorising street-running double-deck cars of memory. by central Government. the system’s construction followed in July Nor was this a municipal operation, having Although considered by most just to be part 1994. Nor of course was it the end. This been delivered through a Private Finance of ‘South London’, Croydon is the largest of month, London’s only tramway celebrates Initiative (PFI) by Tramtrack Croydon London’s 32 boroughs and would be a sizeable two decades of service, growing into arguably Ltd (TCL), a consortium of Royal Bank of city in its own right if located elsewhere. Since the most successful of the country’s original Scotland/3i (finance) and Sir Robert McAlpine/ 2000, its population has grown by 10% every second-generation schemes. Amey (construction and maintenance) ten years, nearing 400 000 in 2020. Now semi-retired, Mike Steward, TOL – with Bombardier Transportation as Jackie Townsend, current TOL Managing Planning Manager, has been with the system vehicle supplier, and FirstGroup subsidiary Director, says: “Despite its size, Croydon is from the earliest days: “It was a quite a CentreWest Buses operating under a new not a rich borough and we have an challenge bringing trams back to London! name, Tram Operations Limited (TOL). incredibly diverse community. Around 40% Several people in the 1980s in both London

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Transport and the local council worked really “Access to New knowledge that may otherwise have given hard to get it going. If I had to single out one Addington was very them a commercial advantage when the next person, it would be the late John Gent, Chief poor. I remember bus tramway contract was put out to tender. Planning Officer at LT. He kept pushing and journeys of 45 I think it is safe to say that had we had greater pushing as he lived in Croydon and he got minutes... the tram continuity of experience, the delivery of everyone on side throughout the whole period managed it in 19.” systems would have progressively improved, of gestation, planning, Acts of Parliament and John Rymer although the realistic understanding of the all the other things that were necessary. costs and associated risks could equally have “Without those key early supporters it we were mad to go to , because prevented schemes from being delivered at all… might well never have happened... it was they’d just trash the system and smash up It took leadership at the highest levels to revolutionary for London to start digging up the trams – they never did, probably because maintain that continuity, he says: “In reality, the streets and so on, this was a big issue.” the service is so valued. That link is one of the this was provided through Her Majesty’s A wider confluence of circumstances allowed system’s great achievements.” Railway Inspectorate and it is in no small the new scheme to progress from just an part down to the informed and authoritative idea to the capital’s first modern tramway, as Engineering challenges support, and challenge, from the likes of Major Mike continues: “Closure of the railway from After nearly ten years with London Kit Holden and Steve Firth that the system was Elmers End through to some years Underground’s Civil Engineering division, able to be delivered as quickly as it was. earlier had left a valuable corridor free, and the Phil Hewitt sought a new challenge and was “As a consequence of this industry Wimbledon – Croydon railway line ran every brought onto London Regional Transport’s fragmentation, Peter Hendy [then Managing 45 minutes, a dismal operation. It just took a Tramlink – Joint Ventures team to oversee the Director of TfL Surface Transport, and not yet bit of joined-up thinking to connect the bits utilities diversions and technical assurance a Sir] hosted a dinner for all of the networks of old railway with a modest amount of street in 1997. He has worked in light rail ever then operating or planned. It was clear that track. It all fell into place at the right time.” since, also overseeing tramway expansion each was suffering from the same issues and But this was about far more than just in Nottingham and the West Midlands, and there was a desire to both share knowledge connecting old railway lines. John Rymer – now using that valuable experience on Israel’s and grow talent. The creation in 2005 of TOL Managing Director from the beginning Haifa – Nazareth LRT project. UKTram, and subsequently the Light Rail until 2017 – emphasises the significance of “One of the biggest challenges was the Safety & Standards Board, are a direct result of creating new connections to poorly-served need to overcome over 50 years of lack that dinner, and of the experiences gained in communities. “There was a real desire to do of development and delivery of tramway the development and delivery of Tramlink. something about New Addington, a satellite infrastructure in the UK,” he remembers. The importance of stakeholder town with lots of people and a high- frequency “The first four second-generation schemes management then, as now, was key to success, bus service over a demanding hilly route. (Manchester, Sheffield, Croydon and he argues: “Tramway systems were, and still Access to Croydon was very poor and I Midland Metro) had to essentially learn are in many respects, far simpler in concept remember bus journeys of 45 minutes. from scratch. The fact that each system was and design than their heavy rail cousins. The tram managed it in 19. built by a different consortium meant that There is, however, one important difference: “The other thing it gave was accessibility. knowledge transfer was very limited. This was tramway construction takes place in busy There were people in New Addington who compounded by the commercial mechanisms urban centres, a few metres from people’s rarely left as they couldn’t physically get on by which the systems were procured, making homes and businesses and in an environment the buses, and couldn’t afford a car. Some said it difficult for the PFI companies to share where mobility and access for stakeholders

Crowds line the platforms at East Croydon on opening day, 10 May 2000. Courtesy of TOL

216 / june 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ABOVE: Tracklaying in Road, 25 June 1998. J. Gent LEFT: Preparing the way: early works in George street, 1 December 1998. J. Gent Below left: Construction of the Wandle Park flyer, on the Wimbledon route, in 1998. M. Steward Below: adjustment on George Street in August 1999. M. Steward has to be maintained. This requires a disproportionate effort to be put into the planning and management of what are, in effect, relatively simple engineering works.” This lesson had to be learnt during the early utilities diversions, he explains: “The need to excavate wall-to-wall along Church Street and Addiscombe Road for many months to manage major sewer diversions necessitated by the tramway was not going to be accepted. As a result, the sewer reconstruction was conducted in tunnels excavated beneath the streets by former coal miners – all hand-dug in headings from a couple of access shafts.” Another major engineering challenge was Driving innovation creating one of the system’s most important interfaces, inserting tramway infrastructure Pioneering technical solutions Snowden to supply a unique technology which has right outside the doors of the busy East is something that lies within turnout with an operation subsequently been installed the Croydon DNA. One such switch blade in one half and in every other English Croydon station – and making it all fit: “East example is a highly-specialised the other half left ‘open’ as the tramway. Following this Croydon bridge is in fact multiple bridges track design for the Croydon turnout was only ever going to Vossloh supplied a 40m section constructed over decades, and the southern town centre section. David be used in a trailing direction. of interlaced (advanced switch) deck is much higher than the northern one. Walters of Vossloh Cogifer UK “This, along with a second track crossing near Drummond It is on a vertical curve as well, making the explains: “Back in 2004, Corus one at Reeves Corner, was Road at Church Street tramstop. achievement of the maximum stepping Cogifer (as we were known successfully supplied and A similar interlaced section distances and lining up the platforms a real then) were given a challenge by became the first of many has also been installed on challenge. We also had to both strengthen the TCL Engineering Manager Jim using the Cogifer ‘sandwich’ .” various structures making up the northern span and come up with a special trackform to minimise the deadload on the old bridges and meet the vertical alignment constraints. “The whole thing had to be watertight from a stray current perspective, both to protect the old structures and to ensure there was no risk of interference with Network Rail’s signalling underneath. All of this was heightened by the presence of some fairly large utilities at Dingwall Road to the west and a series of shallow pedestrian subways on the east end linked to the NLA tower. In the end we had to divert a fairly large water main across the roof of the subway in a complex multi-pipe manifold arrangement.” This key stop was remodelled in 2009 – including the construction of the short-lived ‘Dingwall Road’ stop – to relocate the switches and signals at the bus station (east) end of the stop away from potential conflicts with the Post Office taxi rank, which meant an extension of the interlacing back over the road crossing.

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Once construction was complete, the borough in 1951. The route to section of track that was open, but you didn’t commissioning went relatively smoothly, Junction opened on 23 May 2000, and route want a stack of drivers sitting around. On the John Rymer explains: “The system was 1 from Elmers End to Wimbledon completed other hand you didn’t want to be late.” around six months late on delivery, which in the network on 29 May. HRH Prince Charles Right from the first planning, the system retrospect seemed quite respectable.” became the first member of the Royal Family was envisioned as an extension of South Asked if the tramway could be built now, to travel on the network in a special event London’s bus service – albeit a superior he says: “Although we took quite a lot of with tram 2549 on 5 December that year – version. Most of the early staff came from woodland through the Shirley and Addington joining guests such as TCL Chairman Bob FirstGroup’s London bus operations. John Hills – without any difficulty at the time – ten Dorey and Mary Walker, Croydon’s previous says: “I was working for CentreWest as an years later we might have found substantial Mayor and a key supporter of the early operating manager at a large bus garage in opposition. The only other solution would development of Tramlink. West London. I’d been taken out of that to do have been a dual carriageway.” a small project for a bus network in The official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Building a new service and was then asked to do this. 10 May 2000 was performed at New “The challenge from my point of view was the “Our core competency was recruitment Addington by then Croydon Mayor Dr Shafi delivery of drivers,” John remembers. “You and training, and a key skill we had as bus Khan and a special guest in Fred Roberts, had to time recruitment carefully so you had operators was control room management. driver of one of the final tram services to serve enough drivers to make the most of the first Westbourne Park, at that time, was at the forefront of controlling routes through a control room, and that looks very similar to The ‘Voice of the Tram’ speaks… what we have here. I was grounded in that, and we approached it that way; we didn’t TV newsreader, journalist and the termini at New Addington, really want to transplant any heavy rail Global Light Rail Awards host Elmers End, Beckenham Nicholas Owen has a close Junction and Wimbledon. thinking into it at the time. personal relationship with the So many of the places served “Having a large percentage of bus trams in Croydon: “Having one I have known all my life. controllers was especially important during clear memory of riding on an “It was a tremendous pleasure commissioning, trying to keep the thing original Croydon tram with last year when I went with my going. We were also used to running a my mother back in 1951, it was grand-daughter Katie, born degraded service: when you’re running buses inevitable I would take a close coincidentally the day passenger through , especially 20-25 interest when it was announced services began, to Therapia years ago, it was high pressure with things that the trams were coming back. Lane to meet the staff, examine going wrong a lot of the time related to Before a rail was laid, myself and the trams, and try out the new a couple of fellow enthusiasts simulator – and to discover what external circumstances. walked much of the proposed a perfect voice Katie now has to “Without constantly going to someone routes – it was very hard then to become a new ‘Voice’! saying ‘I need more money, I need more imagine LRVs buzzing past. A final, important thought. people’… you had to learn to fix problems “When the first tram arrived, on a test trip. I was so honoured No-one will ever forget the within your resources. That served us with the same friends, I helped to then be asked to do the awful Sandilands accident. Let extremely well as we were very strongly into push her into the depot. I was onboard announcements. us hope that tram passengers multi-skilling. also there the first night a tram “I like to think I know every and staff everywhere will be “It was a real luxury for us, having your made its cautious way under inch of the system, from the sure of safer journeys thanks to power through the town centre busy stop at East Croydon, out to the lessons learned. own track for most of the way, but because you had to have incident officers and mobile

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inspectors as part of the contract, if you TIMELINE 1952 started putting those extra staff into the bid London’s original tramway era ends, with your whole infrastructure just grows. We had the last vehicles running to New Cross the mentality that if something goes wrong depot. Trams had disappeared from you can check tickets at any time, our people 1991 Croydon the previous year. had the skills to go out and assist people at tramstops and also drive if required. Public consultation takes place on plans for a “There’s nothing worse than a bus or tram new tramway serving the south of the capital – what would become Croydon Tramlink. coming down with 200 people on it that gets 1994 to the changeover point, the driver’s driven the maximum amount of hours and you’ve Royal Assent is given for Tramlink’s got no-one to take it on.” construction. Multi-tasking must increase the mutual 1996 understanding tremendously? “Staff management becomes much easier as Tramtrack Croydon Ltd is awarded a everybody respects each other - the guy across 99-year PFI contract to design, build, the desk has done your job, and continues to operate and maintain the new tramway. do your job. It was a new challenge for us all, 1997 but we had tremendous staff morale. That was Work begins. The Addiscombe – Elmers a huge asset.” End and West Croydon – Wimbledon rail In its first year the tramway carried around lines close to make way for the new system. 15 million passengers. No other second- 1998 The tramway will also use some of the generation UK tramway has seen figures near formation of the former Woodside and those in its first 12 months of operation… Deliveries of Bombardier CR4000 vehicles Joint line, closed in 1983. some still don’t. begin; 24 will be supplied in total. Mike Steward remembers: “I think Croydon 1999 Council managed the public consultation and even though there was a movement The first vehicle for the new system (2530) against the tram to begin with, they got it moves under its own power, returning through. As soon as the system opened all of 2000 trams to London. that vanished. It just shows you’ve got to be forthright, set your target and go for it.” The official opening of Croydon Tramlink John Rymer expands: “The greatest thing takes place on 10 May. In December the that stands out is the team we put together, system is visited by the UK’s heir to the and who stayed. The turnover of drivers and throne, HRH Prince Charles. 2002 management staff was miniscule. We were Concept work takes place on various recruiting from the street, from retail – it was a potential extensions, including between new start, with no baggage, and a tremendous Sutton and Wimbledon, and Beckenham privilege. It was a large chunk of my working 2005 Junction and Crystal Palace. life, and I’m really proud of it.” It didn’t take long for the new system to Tramlink gains an extra stop in central establish itself as a crucial, much-loved, part Croydon, at Centrale. of the community, and that continues to this 2008 day. Jackie Townsend is a 40-year heavy rail industry veteran with an obvious fondness Transport for London buys out Tramtrack for the system, having grown up in the area. Croydon Ltd in a GBP98m (approx. She was proud to be asked to come and take EUR124m) deal. A new green, blue and on the top job at TOL: “It was a great privilege 2011 white livery is launched, and ‘Croydon’ is being asked to come and work here, because I dropped from the system’s name. Stadler is awarded a contract to supply six remember the planning, I remember it being Variobahn vehicles, delivered in time for the built, I remember how excited everybody London Olympics in 2012. Riots in Croydon was about having a new tramway. If you during August put the tramway out of 2012 look at every photo of Croydon now it action for two days. A scheme to improve the infrastructure, features a tram. replacing single- with double-track “I am always out and about on the tram and between and Mitcham Junction, you see people from all walks of life: business 2013 is completed. people, people going shopping, school children, leisure users – everyone just calls Further Stadler trams are ordered; by it ‘the tram’. We have very little vandalism 2016 the number of Variobahn trams delivered reaches 12. or litter because people want to look after it. 2016 It doesn’t matter what time of day or night, there are always people willing to give up On 9 November, tram 2551 overturns their seats for others; you don’t see that very on a curve near Sandilands stop; seven often on other modes. people are killed. The RAIB later issues 15 “Everybody knows we have very high rates 2018 recommendations, aimed at both Croydon and the wider UK light rail industry. of knife crime in Croydon, and we work TfL consults on three possible routes for very closely with the British Transport Police transit to and Sutton, with both and the ‘Met’ to try to resolve some of that LRT and BRT options. The system goes using our CCTV footage. That said, everybody ‘cashless’ from July, with removal of ticket 2020 usually behaves incredibly well on the machines from stops. The route for the system’s first expansion tram and that’s a fantastic reflection on the in 20 years is confirmed, – community we serve. Sutton, with an interchange to the existing “It’s often said, but this really is a transport Wimbledon route at Belgrave Walk. system for the people. New Addington was obviously a hugely important ambition, but it also connects places that it would be very

220 / june 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org The London Riots

Between 6-10 August 2011, what began as protests in North London spiralled into riots and looting across the capital. Former TOL Managing Director John Rymer recounts the terrifying events of the evening of Monday 8 August, which saw destruction across the borough. Millions of pounds in damage was caused, with cars destroyed and buildings set on fire: “The overhead wires were down and the buildings were burnt, but we narrowly avoided something far more serious as the police had given the control room authority to bring the trams back through the centre of town. “Steve Duckering, our Operations Director at the time, suddenly spotted something on the cameras and countermanded that and said ‘we’re not coming back’. We had many trams stuck out on the east side and asked ‘do we continue to operate to the town centre?’ The police said ‘please do, because although you’re mindful of bringing people in, we’re mindful of the people we’re taking out’. It was all happening very quickly. I remember watching people taking TV sets out of warehouses and stores on the control room CCTV. “Then we didn’t know what to do with the trams at the end of the night. Reeves Corner had gone, the wires were down and it was complete destruction. We had nowhere safe to put the trams, so we went to Beckenham Junction as we couldn’t go to Elmers End because there wasn’t enough room. We had to be CR4000 2547 at Reeves Corner on 16 August 2011. The tramway returned very careful, but we also had to just keep going. to service within days, following rioting the week before that pulled the wires “We also had to get drivers to their homes, or back to the depot, so we were down and destroyed the family furniture store that had stood as a landmark on all driving cars backwards and forwards. The driving staff were terrific and the the corner since 1867. control room were making all the right calls.” hard to get to by public transport, like Wandle Park and Phipps Bridge. We also have a lot of schools in Croydon, with more planned, and the tram is a safe mode for them to get to school and back every day.”

A nip here… a tuck there In physical terms, the 28km (17-mile) standard-gauge system still closely resembles its shape on opening day, aside from upgrading some formerly single-track route to double-track, and the addition of the Centrale stop on Tamworth Road in central Croydon in December 2005 to serve a major new shopping centre that opened the previous year. Another footnote in the story was the renaming of Ampere Way tramstop between October 2006 and March 2008 in a sponsorship deal to promote IKEA’s local store (IKEA Ampere Way). With 39 stops, the system mainly re-used heavy rail formation with the addition of key sections of on-street running – and mostly within the Borough of Croydon itself. Yet it is the constraints around the tight central ABOVE: Tram 2545 pictured on Tamworth Road on the single-track Croydon ‘town loop’ in June 2007.

“Everybody ususally behaves incredibly well on the tram and that’s a fantastic reflection of the community we serve.” Jackie Townsend

Examples of the early Tramlink styling at the Transport for London Museum in Acton.

ABOVE: The route to New Addington was the first to open, opening up new travel opportunities for this under-served satellite town. In this November 2018 view we see the covered ticket machines, removed from service when the system went ‘cashless’ in July that year.

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Croydon loop that cause the main challenges. “It’s something like two to three miles of street-running in total,” Mike Steward explains, “everything else is on private track of one sort or another. The only true street- track section is Addiscombe Road between Sandilands and Croydon, and even that is not a through-road as such as buses and access transport can use it. There’s also a couple of bits within the town centre where it’s common with other traffic. “I’m pleased in one sense that there isn’t more as the town centre is always the operating challenge in that it’s a quart in a pint pot as there are some narrow roads. But it’s amazing how well it works. Inevitably things go wrong on occasion, there might be an incident or if the police are called it can easily shut down a road – but we have tried and tested plans for that. We stop at East Croydon on one side and Reeves Corner on the other, and just reverse the tram while they’re sorting out the incident. When it’s clear, we stitch it all back together.” A perfect case study in the conversion of disused or under-performing rail lines, trams now operate along A key enhancement came in 2012 when a a section of the former Woodside and South Croydon Joint Railway. Falling into disuse in the 1980s, the line closed in 1983 and now forms part of the Beckenham and Elmers End tram route; Variobahn 2554 seen near roughly 1km (0.6-mile) section of single line Blackhorse Lane in February 2019. “I’m pleased in one sense use and to cater for slightly different Car 2530 arrived at the newly-completed that there isn’t more operational models – for example, the centre Therapia Lane depot on 13 September 1998, [street running] as the articulated section features seats on the undergoing its first tests a month later. town centre is always the CR4000 where the K4000 had ticket Regular network testing started in November operating challenge – it’s machines – the choice of proven technology 1998, with the 24th and final car (2553) a quart in a pint pot.” was key for the concessionaire, as John Rymer arriving in June 1999. Now having covered Mike Steward explains: “They worked out of the box and many millions of miles, all remain in service were well-proven in service in – that other than 2551, the vehicle damaged in the between Mitcham Junction and Mitcham was one of the selling points. Most of the Sandilands accident of November 2016. was doubled. “That was the first one,” Mike commissioning, the harder work, was on the In a nod to the past, the numbering series explains. “ Lane to near Mitcham infrastructure.” (2530-2553) follows on from the original Junction followed and that has reduced the London Transport sequence and as delivered bottlenecks appreciably. On that route the they featured a red and white livery based only remaining bit of single-track that maybe Tram 2535 – Stephen on historic colours. This was replaced with could be doubled is Phipps Bridge to a lime green, blue and white colourscheme Road, which is a fast straight section. Parascandolo applied during refurbishment in 2008-09 “We’ve also got single-track on the following TfL’s buy-out of the original PFI Beckenham line, parallel to the Network Rail concessionaire. line, so that route couldn’t run any more Sequential numbering was also adopted for frequently than ten minutes, but it doesn’t the 12 trams (2554-65) need to. Elmers End has only got a single delivered in two batches between 2012 platform at the moment – there are plans to and 2016. An original six were ordered in a double that, but it works as it is for now.” GBP16.3m (EUR18.6m) deal confirmed in August 2011, and to ensure delivery in time London Trams fleet for the 2012 London Olympics the initial By the middle of this decade the original fleet three were diverted from an order for ’s will be approaching 30 years old, leading Bybanen (Norway) – effectively reducing the TfL to consider whether replacement and CR4000 2535 was named ‘Stephen lead time from 18 to five months. Built at expansion to accommodate network growth Parascandolo’ in October 2007; seen here on Stadler’s Berlin Pankow plant, the first cars could be made to coincide. 12 March 2012, shortly after leaving the were tested in in December 2011 The 24 CR4000 trams delivered for the Sandilands tunnels, visible in the background. before delivery to Croydon from January 2012. system’s opening are Swift Only one of the Croydon fleet carries A follow-up order was placed in 2013 for vehicles built in Wien (Vienna) in Austria, a nameplate – CR4000 2535, Stephen another four, later increased to six. The newest and are closely-based on the K4000 used on Parascandolo. car (2565) entered service on 4 November Germany’s Köln (Cologne) network. South London native Stephen tirelessly 2016, four months ahead of schedule. Single articulated and double-ended, the promoted the trams’ benefits in the early The 32.4m-long trams have space for 204 days, comprehensively documenting the 30.5m long and 2.65m-wide cars are 76% passengers, 72 seated. Using eight 45kW hub construction and operations on his ‘unofficial low-floor, at 400mm above rail height with Croydon Tramlink’ website before his death in a motors – eliminating the need for axles and door entrances at 350mm. They have capacity car accident in 2007. He was just 26. bogies – the Variobahn is a true 100% low-floor for 208 passengers (70 seated) and eight The naming ceremony took place at type, although is significantly heavier with a doors. Power is drawn from overhead wires Beckenham Junction on 20 October 2007, on weight of 41.8 tons compared to the 36.3 tons at 750V dc; electrical and traction equipment what would have been Stephen’s 27th birthday, of an unladen CR4000. is supplied by Kiepe Electrik of Düsseldorf, and drew a crowd of family, friends and The two types are maintained at Therapia using four 120kW three-phase asynchronous enthusiasts. Unveiling the name plaque, Roger Lane and used interchangeably, as Jackie motors fitted to the two-axle powered bogies Harding, then General Manager of TCL, said in Townsend explains: “The older vehicles have his tribute: “In the early days we didn’t really at the outer ends. The centre car rests on an a slight step onto the tram, and they also don’t understand what he was trying to do, but we unpowered four-axle bogie. came to know and love his contributions and have air-conditioning, all the things people Although minor modifications were made warmed to his role.” expect nowadays, although the new trams to enable the K4000 to be approved for UK are more complex to maintain. They drive

222 / june 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org very differently and, interestingly, our drivers actually seem to prefer the older trams.” Although the network maximum is now 70km/h (43.5mph), the CR4000s were built for 80km/h (50mph), as Mike Steward tells TAUT: “That was their maximum, but in practice there are very few places where you could do that anyway. The Stadler trams, because of their geometry, have a much lower limit on corners. Obviously they were designed for use elsewhere so we’ve had to adapt a little to fit them. For example, there were a few platforms where the heights had to be adjusted as the Stadler trams have a single door at the end, so you will see humps on some platforms to maintain level access.” With life-expiry considerations and with 31 out of 35 trams required to maintain the intensive timetable, new vehicles are being planned for the coming years, as Mark Davis, current General Manager of TfL division London Trams, explains: “When looking at the new fleet, the operational concept is the first thing I want to establish: How are we going to use the vehicle? What do passengers expect to see on them? Without those answers it becomes more difficult to procure the right vehicles. “Our new trams may look very different to the ones you see in other parts of the country. Clearly they have to be fully-accessible, but we’ll make sure we leverage whatever ways forward have been shown on other fleets to make sure we get the best vehicle we can. “The Bombardier vehicles are starting to show their age, but they are still the majority of our fleet and our fleet team do an excellent job day-in, day-out to get 31 trams available for service. We’ve got the budget to make sure reliability stays where it needs to be, but the sooner we can get the ‘spec’ going and go out to the market, the sooner we can get the new trams in… “We’ve also got to put the case forward to make sure that whatever vehicles we need we can get as soon as possible. The big spend is in about four years’ time, so the new trams are probably five years away.” facilities, eight stabling sidings – additional ABOVE: Inserting the tram infrastructure at East capacity was added in 2015 – a driving Croydon was a complex challenge; the trackwork Therapia Lane simulator, and the system’s control room was upgraded in 2009 to ease operating constraints. Formerly the site of railway sidings, Therapia and offices. It is the base for both TOL and The landmark NLA Tower is seen in the background. Lane is home to the system’s only depot. London Trams teams (the latter relocated here Below left: K4000 4005 and 4053 wait at The facility is sited 3km (two miles) in 2011), including its staff that look after the Neumarkt stop in central Köln in April 2007. The north-west of Croydon’s town centre, on full fleet of 35 trams. advertising livery on the lead car is coincidentally the south side of the Wimbledon leg, and The latest version of TfL’s Draft Business very similar to that of the original Tramlink. has its own adjacent tramstop. Plan for 2020-25 includes plans for converting Below: Track between Mitcham and Mitcham The complex includes a two-road depot Therapia Lane to solar power, part of the Junction was doubled in 2012, although the bridge building (with pits, lifting jacks, work gantries authority’s commitment to providing 100% over the tramway just beyond Mitcham Junction still and a wheel lathe) as well as tram washing renewable energy to its rail services by 2030. features a single-track layout.

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Along the route Further infrastructure improvements and expansion were proposed in TfL’s Trams 2030 paper – currently under revision to consider the future transport requirements across the South London borough. As mentioned earlier, the heart of the system is its loop through central Croydon itself. A constrained urban environment means this is single-track, with trams running clockwise and serving significant stops including , Centrale and Reeves Corner. Mike Steward explains: “It’s more or less at the limit of occupancy as you’ve got some very complicated road junctions and the trams have priority at most of them. We do well, but you can’t run more than 21-22 trams/hour through there. The service has changed a number of times over the years to make the best use of the track available, but I think the maximum we’ve ever had was 24 trams/hour around the town.” Moving west, the tramway initially uses new formation before quickly joining the route of the Wimbledon – West Croydon rail line that opened in 1855 and closed in 1997 to facilitate Tramlink’s creation. This serves Therapia Lane, Mitcham and , and terminates at . Mike continues: “The main change to the service pattern since 2000 has been the Wimbledon line. When it opened we The only new stop on the system since it opened in May 2000, Centrale welcomed its first passengers on ran every ten minutes as the economic 10 December 2005 to serve the major new shopping centre of the same name that opened in April 2004. forecast suggested this section wouldn’t be a particularly strong part of the system. Croydon to Wimbledon. We could never have heading south for New Addington and But over the years it’s been brilliant, so first envisaged that at the start.” north for Beckenham Junction/Elmers End. we went to eight trams/hour, and then 12, The former Southern Railway station Northbound trams for Beckenham Junction/ and for a couple of years we had a rather at Wimbledon is managed by UK rail Elmers End initially share the same double- odd service where we had a through infrastructure manager Network Rail and is a track former railway formation as far as a New Addington – Wimbledon service that major interchange for National Rail, London junction at Arena. ran every seven to eight minutes, and Underground District line and Tramlink From here, trams run north-east to Elmers a through service from Elmers End to services, with trams using platform 10. End and an interchange with National Rail Wimbledon every 15 minutes. The two didn’t An extra platform was added here in services on the line to Hayes. This section mesh particularly well, but it was the best that November 2015, with services terminating at was built as single-track and in 2012 a could be done at the time. Dundonald Road while the works took place. passing loop was added just before Elmers “A huge revamp in 2018, modelled by Heading east from the central loop, trams End; in 2018 it was announced that this TfL’s planners as they’ve got some really clever for Beckenham Junction, Elmers End and New part of the system would also be double- software now, has worked a treat in that we’ve Addington all serve the major interchange at tracked in the future. completely relinked the routes. The New East Croydon, and follow the same route as Beckenham Junction trams diverge to the Addington route now only goes to central far as Sandilands Junction. From here, trams north over new double-track infrastructure as Croydon, but Beckenham and Elmers End move off-street onto north-south former far as Harrington Road, from where a single- trams both go all the way to Wimbledon, so railway infrastructure (closed in 1983) via track line parallels the Network Rail Crystal we get a five-minute service all the way across a new junction created for the tramway, Palace – Beckenham Junction line as far as the

ABOVE: A more unusual view, showing a New Addington-bound service passing through a rural setting near Gravel Hill – 13 November 2018. LEFT: The tramway’s integration with other TfL services is a crucial factor in its success; Variobahn 2560 is on the single-track section at West Croydon in November 2018.

224 / june 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org latter, where the tram terminus is adjacent to the main line station. Southbound, trams enter the Sandilands tunnels and shortly afterwards diverge from the former heavy rail route just north of the former Coombe Road station. Now heading in a more easterly direction, Tramlink maintains its double-track status to New Addington – apart from a short stretch of single line approaching the terminus. All stops generally have shelters, CCTV and communication points as well as ‘touch in’ card readers (passengers don’t have to ‘touch ABOVE: Variobahn 2565 at Arena junction, ABOVE: The tram on the right has cleared the out’, except for exiting at Wimbledon station where the Elmers End and Beckenham Junction single-track section at Phipps Bridge on the gates). As the system uses some former rail routes diverge. Wimbledon route. stations, existing platforms were rebuilt to meet modern standards; the only exceptions were Elmers End and Wimbledon where the track level was raised to meet the higher platforms to enable cross-platform interchange. Reflecting the change in payment methods, ticket machines were taken out of use on 16 July 2018 when the system went completely cash-free. By that point, only a tiny minority of tickets were being bought by methods other than contactless bank cards or Oyster stored-value cards. An innovation that has improved travel across TfL’s transport network is the introduction of the ‘Hopper’ fare in September 2016, part of the electoral manifesto of current London Mayor – and former UK Minister of State for Transport – . Mark Davis explains: “Let’s be honest, being able to go from New Addington to Wimbledon for GBP1.50 [EUR1.70] is the bargain of the century. Look at other tram networks in the UK and you see a huge difference. The Hopper CR4000 2540 at Beckenham Junction, showing the island platform configuration; the main line rail station fare has had a tremendous impact on people’s is just out of the frame to the left. ability to get a longer journey on their commute using trams and buses; it’s the absolute case Hewitt, who takes up the story: “In 2005 I “The concession had study in affordable public transport.” inherited – as a result of being the ‘last man been structured around In 2018 the route map adopted its current standing’ – the role of Tramlink Project a number of economic form, with three routes as follows: Manager, responsible for overseeing the and financial assumptions New Addington – West Croydon management of the concession. that proved early on to (7-8 minute headways) “Since soon after opening, Tramlink had be unrealistic.” Wimbledon – Beckenham Junction been struggling to meet the expectations Phil Hewitt (up to ten-minute headways) built into the financial models underpinning Wimbledon – Elmers End the PFI contract. The concession had been (up to ten-minute headways) structured around a number of economic A story of phenomenal The current route structure is a and financial assumptions that proved passenger growth simplification over the previous version, early on to be unrealistic. However, one of Year Passengers (m) which had four separate routes – one of which the most significant changes came in 2000 2000-01 15.0 had been introduced in 2012 facilitated by when London’s first directly-appointed 2001-02 18.2 expansion of the tram fleet. Since the latest Mayor and TfL took over London Transport’s 2002-03 18.7 reorganisation, line numbers have no longer responsibilities for the project and this been used on destination indicators. soon led to fares policy being aligned to 2003-04 19.8 Mayoral objectives. 2004-05 22.0 ‘Team Tram’ “Whilst the concession sought to ensure 2005-06 22.5 As passenger numbers grew (see right), so did that TCL was ‘held safe’ against the impacts of 2006-07 24.6 concerns about the growing compensation paid changes to fares policy, it was evident that the 2007-08 27.2 by TfL to the concessionaire to keep fares low in contract mechanisms would either provide line with other London modes. An agreement insufficient funding for TCL to overcome 2008-09 27.2 to buy-out the original PFI concession was its financial challenges, or would prove 2009-10 25.8 signed in 2008, bringing Tramlink under TfL unaffordable for TfL. To find a way forward, 2010-11 27.9 control in terms of capital expenditure and both needed to get a definitive understanding 2011-12 28.6 maintenance. There is continuity nevertheless: of two key issues: who would be responsible 2012-13 30.1 the same staff still maintain both the for future capital investment, and to what 2013-14 31.2 Bombardier vehicles supplied for the opening extent TfL was obliged to compensate the and those of subsequent deliveries from concessionaire for fares policy changes.” 2014-15 30.7 Stadler, while TOL now operates the system Project Seagull was thus formed with 2015-16 27.0 directly on behalf of the authority. members of TfL’s Corporate Finance, Legal 2016-17 29.5 Although day-to-day operations changed and Commercial teams to resolve Tramlink’s 2017-18 29.1 little, absorption into London’s main financial challenges once and for all. 2018-19 28.7 transport authority brought a period of Mr Hewitt continues: “It soon became clear shadow running led by TfL manager Phil that maintaining the existing arrangements Source: Department for Transport Light Rail Statistics

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From red to green: A CR4000 undergoes refurbishment and a change in colourscheme as part of the PFI’s takeover by TfL, 2 April 2009. made little financial sense for TfL and that changed’. Passengers don’t care about (12mph) speed limit sign at the entrance to acquisition of TCL, whilst maintaining the acronyms – they just want to get from A to B. the curve at 73km/h (45mph). structure of the PFI concession, would be the The minute we lose sight of that, we’re lost.” The RAIB report concluded “that it is simplest and easiest route to securing the probable the driver temporarily lost awareness system’s long-term future. After extensive Sandilands on a section of route on which his workload negotiations with TCL’s Board, shareholders A day that lives in everyone’s memory is was low. The investigation has found that a and financiers (as well as with HMRI who 9 November 2016. On an early morning possible explanation for this loss of awareness needed assurance of the safety management service from New Addington, tram 2551 was that the driver had a microsleep, and that arrangements) TfL acquired the shares in overturned at Sandilands Junction; seven this was linked to fatigue… It is also possible TCL and I together with my shadow people lost their lives in the worst UK that, as he regained awareness, the driver management team were ‘handed the keys’ tramway accident in more than 90 years, became confused about his location and to Tramlink.” This was the start of what has with only one person out of the 69 onboard direction of travel through the tunnels. The become known informally as ‘Team Tram’ escaping injury. infrastructure did not contain sufficiently Despite changes in personnel, ‘Team Tram’ At Sandilands, Croydon-bound trams leave distinctive features to alert tram drivers that has only become stronger, as Jackie Townsend a former railway alignment onto a 30m curve they were approaching the tight curve.” explains: “As we all work in the same place, after a stretch of straight running, less than According to the RAIB: it’s a very powerful relationship and one that 100m after emerging from the last of the There was no mechanism to monitor driver works very well. We’re all about the customer, three closely-spaced tunnels that together are alertness or automatically apply the brakes and that drives our behaviour. 515m long. In its 181-page report released in in the event of a tram travelling too fast Mark Davis agrees: “When I was at DLR and December 2017 (updated in October 2018), There was inadequate signage on the we were refranchising, when Keolis came along the UK’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch system to remind drivers when to I was asked ‘what’s the critical success factor?’ (RAIB) found that the accident was caused by start braking or to warn that they were I replied that ‘nobody notices anything’s excessive speed, with 2551 passing a 20km/h approaching the sharp curve

CREATING SAFER SPACES: THE Tram-Pro Driving Simulator

In 2017, TfL planned an upgrade to Tramlink that benefit if the entire system was modelled. The included the testing of new in-cab safety systems. co-operation and enthusiasm of TOL’s drivers, trainers To provide a guaranteed safe space to rigorously test and union representatives ensured the simulated new systems prior to vehicle fitment, the creation vehicle types behave accurately with a life-like ‘feel’. of a virtual environment was crucial. Simulator New in-cab systems were added and additional testing established the suitability of in-cab driver controls (on touchscreen or physical panels) were interfaces and enabled a better understanding of the implemented, enabling driver review. The Tram-Pro implications for workload and potential driver error. team, TfL, suppliers and designers collaborated to With a ‘digital twin’ approach and a proven track integrate the new Physical Prevention of Overspeed record for delivering high-quality individual systems, (PPOS), tram tracking (iTram), correct door side Tram-Pro was selected to address this requirement. enabling (CSDE) and in-cab fatigue monitoring The Tram-Pro team’s experience in tramway system (Guardian). These innovations were then operations and, importantly, the integration of emulated in the simulator with all aspects thoroughly human factors ensured the delivered simulator was tested. Further testing was conducted using TOL of Courtesy designed and tailored specifically for the task. simulated driving sessions to establish likely changes Following lengthy consultations with the team to driver workload following their implementation. from Croydon, a customised dual vehicle simulator As with all Tram-Pro systems, a dedicated was developed to allow the testing of in-cab systems supervisor workstation is connected to the driving in both the original CR4000 and newer Variobahn simulator. All sessions are monitored and analysed, vehicles. A simple user-friendly operation enables providing easily retrievable recorded data. an easy switch-over between the two vehicle Throughout the process, teamwork and types, using instantly configurable touchscreens comprehensive engagement resulted in the to accurately emulate the separate controls. To required outcome, including positive adoption of address differences of position and the simulator technology by the whole operational form of the Traction Brake Controllers (TBC), team including – most importantly – the drivers. Tram-Pro developed a hinged TBC module that This engagement represents best practice in human enables quick, reliable vehicle changeovers. factor integration by improving user buy-in and Software that monitors the hinged module position reducing the likelihood of human error in operation. means the touchscreens configure automatically. Following testing of the new in-cab systems, The initial project involved 5km (3.1 miles) of the training department have now implemented geo-specific track to test the new systems, but TfL training in the simulator for new drivers and

quickly realised the simulator would deliver greater refresher training for existing qualified drivers. Tram-Pro of Courtesy

226 / june 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org The windows broke when people fell maximum speed limit has been reduced from 331% increase in self-reporting. Everybody’s against them, so many passengers were 80km/h (50mph) to 70km/h (43.5mph). learning to eat well, sleep better and we’re thrown from the tram causing fatal or Lighting around the Sandilands tunnels has holding open days with our teams’ families serious injuries been modified. On the vehicles, 175 micron- to introduce the issues to everyone. The Fifteen recommendations were made by the thick window/door film has been fitted in Guardian device hardly goes off at all now.” RAIB, not only to TfL and TOL but to the UK place of the previous 100-micron film and Mark Davis agrees: “No-one will ever forget industry more widely. In addition, the safety new emergency lighting has been procured. what happened. We’re always there to support body issued urgent safety advice in November A further response has been the the families of those involved in the incident 2016 advising the operators “to take action establishment of a new national Light Rail and will continue to do so. to reduce the risk of trams approaching the Safety and Standards Board, mirroring its “All of the things we’ve done since that curve at excessive speed.” heavy rail equivalent the RSSB, with Jackie terrible accident have put the tramway, and Of the recommendations, TfL reported in Townsend commenting that “most of their the industry as a whole in this country, in a September 2019 that the “vast majority” learning comes from Croydon”. much safer place. Some of it has taken were complete, with the remainder “in the The memories of Sandilands are obviously longer than we would have liked, and a late stages of implementation”. painful for all those who work on or around lot of it has been technologically difficult, Actions have included contracting (in 2018) the tramway, as Jackie explains: “As part of but we are there with virtually all the RAIB Derby-based Deutsche Bahn subsidiary ESG the community that we work and live in – recommendations now and I like to think to design and fit a new system to prevent we have all been touched by it. we’ve been leading the way. speeding at certain locations, known as “Many of the RAIB’s recommendations “But that doesn’t mean any transport Physical Prevention of Over-Speeding (PPOS). were for the tram industry per se, but we’ve provider can be complacent and we’ll The previous year saw installation of the worked closely with London Trams on some certainly keep on learning. ‘Guardian’ Driver Protection Device that great work on fatigue management and we’re “We’re finalising the safety verification of detects signs that a driver is not alert, and now world-leading in these areas. I do many the Physical Prevention of Over-Speeding gives warnings through an audible alarm and talks around the country, and representatives system now and that’s been a huge vibration of the driver’s seat. This project from many countries come to visit us. technological advance – the first of its kind brought recognition for TOL and London She adds that “we have reduced the amount in the UK. It’s designed to be a passive Trams at the 2018 Global Light Rail Awards. of fatigue in this company by over 45% in system, so if the driver is driving the way they New signage was installed before services one year. We’ve also built a greater culture should it will only intervene if something resumed after the accident and the network of trust and responsibility that has led to a goes wrong.

ABOVE: The new platform layout at Wimbledon, completed in 2015, has allowed an additional four trams per hour to serve this busy leg of the system.

ABOVE: An additional six trams were ordered in 2013 to allow for expansion of service across the system; Variobahn 2560 wears the ‘gift wrapping’ livery as it approaches Kent Gate in November 2015.

ABOVE: There are seven interchanges with main line rail services. Southern 455807 waits at on the Beckenham route as CR4000 2548 approaches in February 2017.

ABOVE: 2552 and 2550, both wearing bright advertising liveries, meet at Dundonald Road when ABOVE: Delegates at the 2009 UK Light Rail Conference tour Therapia Lane depot to mark the tenth the stop served as a temporary terminus during anniversary of the system. Wimbledon trackworks in August 2015.

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ABOVE: Stadler Variobahn 2554 lines up alongside a Bombardier CR4000 at ABOVE: Trams could reach Sutton within the new few years. The 280 Therapia Lane depot at the press launch of the new fleet, 15 December 2012. St George’s Hospital – Belmont bus route crosses the proposed new tramline.

“Importantly, nothing we have introduced Trams 2030 also proposed that the logical However, Trams 2030 is currently being has affected the line of sight principle – the terminus for services from Sutton would be revised in light of a levelling-off in terms of minute you move away from that you become a spur at , though things previous patronage projections. As Mark Davis more like a train.” have moved on since (this was part of the explains: “We have the might of our transport now-rejected Route option 1 – see right). planning colleagues in TfL and they’ve got Near-term planning Separately proposed was a link to Morden, access to all of the background economic and Growth. It’s a nice problem to have – but diverging from the existing line on the edge demand information that underpins TfL’s a challenge nonetheless on a constrained of . plans in that regard, so we’ve got to see what suburban system. From 31 million journeys in Updated in 2016, the plan argued that numbers come out… 2013-14, some projections suggest passenger improved tram services complemented rail “In the previous iteration things like the figures could reach 60 million by 2031. Indeed, plans in the south of the UK capital, with Dingwall Loop were talked about, but I think TfL’s Trams 2030 report from 2014 suggested: that plan has passed its prime now. We want ‘Forecasts show that without an increase in “Passengers don’t care to see if we can start turning more trams back capacity, passengers will be left behind in the about acronyms – they at East Croydon, so that’s a package of works peaks in tramstops across the network.’ just want to get from that’s being looked at and we’ve already It was believed that capacity on the A to B. The minute we carried out some work to improve the points Wimbledon line would have to rise 66% lose sight of that, we’re so they can be remotely operated and we can beyond already committed schemes to meet lost.” use the centre platform more regularly.” demand; on the system’s eastern branches the Mark Davis Under the programme, East figure was 36%. Croydon is now served by 16 trains per hour Key priorities were: to create a more resilient hubs at places such as Mitcham Junction running through central London, making it timetable to accommodate development at and West Croydon, as well as the potential one of the country’s busiest rail stations. Westfield, site of a new 200 000m2 shopping to connect with the proposed 2 at “There are things we can still do to optimise centre; building of the ‘Dingwall Loop’ Wimbledon. the use of our fleet as well. We’re particularly between East Croydon and Wellesley Road to In total the proposed scheme was a concentrating on the New Addington loop to circumvent the worst town centre congestion; GBP737m programme (EUR931m – 2016 see if we can get more trams through there… additional stabling to allow for a larger fleet; prices) covering around 15 years. Funding was We’ll also see whether some clever changes to increasing capacity from the west by both foreseen as coming from a mixture of sources timetables or headways can eke a tram out to doubling track on the Wandle Park flyover including TfL, developer contributions, allow us to increase frequency on other parts and by introducing a turnback facility or loop, third parties such as Croydon’s Community of the network as well.” almost certainly near Reeves Corner; and Infrastructure Levy and potentially directly A key driver behind much of the potential providing longer trams. from Government. growth is the GBP1.5bn (EUR1.7bn) Westfield redevelopment of the town centre. As of March 2020 this is now reportedly ‘on hold’. More trams for London? Mark Davis continues: “One of the things we’re all waiting for – not just us but the Other tram projects have been the major stations at Euston, ready and willing to help if ever whole of Croydon – is a decision on Westfield. suggested for the capital over St Pancras and King’s Cross, and we get the go-ahead to put in the last couple of decades, but have crossed the River Thames another tram system in another Depending on the split between retail and none have so far moved beyond via Waterloo Bridge. part of London.” residential, that might mean fewer shoppers the proposal stage. They Although not in London itself, Mike Steward adds: “The but more new space there to live, so they will include in particular the West a more recent scheme is still history of modern tramways need to get to and from work. They won’t London scheme from 2002, being actively promoted for in Britain is a bit hit and miss – all work in Croydon, so we’ll need to make which would have run for 19km the area to the east of the city. more miss, sadly. There have sure that if they need to get to East or West (12 miles) along a corridor from The proposed ‘Kenex’ scheme been some great success stories Croydon station, there’s provision to do that. Uxbridge, Ealing and Shepherds would link the Bluewater and the way Manchester has “Demand at the moment is fairly flat, so we Bush, using the A4020 Uxbridge shopping centre and Ebbsfleet expanded is brilliant. They Road. However, the scheme in Kent with Grays in Essex, started in similar way to need to look at where is there house building, failed to gain local support and crossing under the River Croydon, an ingenious way of where are the new school places, and is there was shelved in 2007. Thames in a prefabricated connecting up heavy rail lines demand from particular legs of the network The following year, tunnel. A 2019 study concluded with street-running sections to to allow us to be able to plan accordingly? cancellation came for a further that the project was feasible. serve the town centre. But they While we have 35 trams we’re always going to proposed scheme, the Cross- Mark Davis believes that keep building on it. be constrained, but if we see that demand on River Tram. This would have future schemes all come “It needs more long-term various legs is likely to increase then we might run for 16km (ten miles) from down to demand and political thinking though… it could be be able to work up a business case to increase Camden in the north to Brixton backing: “We’ll wait to see what argued that we are a short-term future tram orders. and Peckham in the south, with happens with the forthcoming country, and need to think more branches. It would have served mayoral election. I’m certainly about 20 years’ time.” “We’re always happy to work with local authorities and share our plans. Westfield

228 / june 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org is still at least five years away, even if they Another example of a more rural started today, so what’s important is that setting; CR4000 2538 seen at the road when work does start we need to be able to crossing on the edge of access to South help the local area, move people around and Norwood Country Park in February 2019. still encourage them to come to Croydon.” What about other plans? “TfL’s funding issues are well-documented, but I’m not worried as we have plans in place to put the service where our passengers need it, carry out improvements as necessary, and have sufficient funding to carry out all of our required maintenance. We’ve also got enhancements coming in terms of replacing assets and things like that.” Renewals and infrastructure work for 2019-20 -2023-24 is budgeted at GBP52m (EUR59m), according to the TfL Business Plan for the period.

Onward to Sutton… In early 2020 TfL confirmed the route for the system’s first real extension. Costed at more than GBP400m (EUR457m), the ‘’ would expand the tramway south by around 8km (five miles), running largely on-street to “create a high-capacity route for people travelling between Sutton town centre and Merton”. Consultation on three options took place in 2019: Route 1 (tram or BRT): South Wimbledon – Sutton via Morden Road and running along St Helier Road, Rose Hill and Sutton High Street, with a loop ABOVE: The short Elmers End branch, another former around Sutton town centre railway alignment, offers easy interchange with main  Route 2 (tram or BRT): Colliers Wood Contractor VolkerRail completed a renewal of line services. Passengers can travel from here on a single – Sutton via Belgrave Walk, sharing the the track on the town centre loop in 2012. service to Wimbledon – and all for GBP1.50! same route as option one from south of Morden Hall Park “Any further additions are more likely to be very low as a percentage of the people we Route 3 (tram): Wimbledon – Sutton piecemeal, a bit like Paris where new routes fill carry. The customer satisfaction level with via Wimbledon Chase, South Merton, in gaps in the wider network. There have been trams is 90% typically, much higher than any Morden South, St Helier and Sutton other ideas over the years, but of course with other mode. We just try and make sure that Common, with the only common section the Southern rail network around Croydon whatever we do complements the local bus with the other options being the central there aren’t many gaps to fill now.” and rail networks to fit the way local users Sutton loop. Re-emphasising the role the tram plays in travel around. Although TfL has selected the second the community, Jackie Townsend adds: “We “The trams have genuinely transformed option, the first actually scored more highly have a lot of people with social needs that are journeys for people, to the extent they could with the public. However, the authority not easily identified, so we support a charity go a lot further than they otherwise would argues that the Colliers Wood route offers in New Addington to support people with have been able to. That has been embedded in greater transport benefits, is easier to build, mental health issues there and also have a the network since it started and will continue and will be more effective for supporting feed-in programme for the children of the to be so.” regeneration and new homes. less well-off in New Addington that would Finance has still to be secured, with TfL normally have school dinners. All images by Neil Pulling unless otherwise working with the London Boroughs of Merton “I think that, 20 years on, this remains a stated. Interviews by Tony Streeter and and Sutton to examine funding options, community transport system, and one that Simon Johnston. Grateful thanks are due including contributions from a national level. has evolved to reflect the community that has to Jackie Townsend, John Rymer, Mike Other potential extensions have included changed over those two decades.” Steward and Krissie Meseg of TOL; the idea of reaching Crystal Palace. Although The final words go to Mark Davis: Mark Davis of London Trams, Phil Hewitt, never progressed, this was consulted on as “People love the system. We get the odd and everyone else who has assisted in the long ago as 2006 and, like much of the existing complaint, you always will, but these are compilation of this TAUT special. network, envisaged taking over an existing heavy rail line, with a new junction being installed near Harrington Road. Current heavy Croydon Tramlink: A Definitive History rail services to Crystal Palace would terminate instead at Norwood Junction. Further Looking at the political, economic address and contact details to suggestions have included routes to , and social aspects of Tramlink's [email protected] by Brixton and , although none have as development – as well as the 22 June.* yet moved beyond the proposal phase. mechanical details of the network Looking at the Sutton plans – progressed by – Gareth David’s fascinating new SPECIAL OFFER: Get Croydon Tramlink: A Definitive History a discrete team within TfL – from a network book is the first full history of for GBP22.50 (RRP: GBP30) by planner’s perspective, Mike Steward sees it as London’s only modern tramway. As well as a special offer forTAUT visiting www.pen-and-sword.co.uk an essentially self-contained service: “They readers , we also have five copies of and using code TRAM25 at the seem to have gone away from any thoughts this new title to give away to lucky checkout to claim your discount. of running trams through from Sutton to readers, courtesy of publisher Pen * Winners will be chosen at random, full Wimbledon – there wouldn’t really be the & Sword. To be in with a chance of terms and conditions are available from capacity – but it’s a shame as it would be nice winning one, please submit your [email protected]. to see the system grow into a true network.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org june 2020 / 229 Caen

Although having features characterising systems many French light Caen rail operations, Caen’s system is distinguished FRANCE factfile by it having replaced a No. Caen, mode that was intended 152 France as a tramway alternative.

aen is 200km (125 miles) 272 100 residents in 48 constituent Replacing operation had a more east-west spread west of Paris, located communes. A slight population fall premises destroyed than its two fixed-link successors. around two hours by rail has since occurred in Caen commune in 1944, the The central coverage included Caen from Paris-Saint- Lazare. (107 523) and some rural areas, but university ‘Campus Saint-Martin, a terminus for the local 1’ spreads across the It is the capital of Calvados urban communes such as Hérouville coastal railway that closed in 1950. hillside to the left department,C as it was for Basse- and Ifs have had increases. Costing EUR260m to implement, of this view on 13 Normandie until Rouen took that Caen la Mer’s public transport November 2019. including rolling stock, today’s tram role for the combined Normandie network has the brand name Twisto, This section system also increased net coverage region in 2016. adopted in 2002 to replace CTAC. is used by two over the guided trolleybus mode it The city’s 11th Century rise to In addition to the three tram lines lines between replaced; this had operated from 2002 prominence owed much to sea access (-T3), Twisto covers 28 bus routes, Université and the until the end of 2017. Bombardier’s and military exploitation of its high a night bus circuit and cycle hire. acronymically titled Transport sur Voie Réservée system (TVR; ground. Another convergence of these Continuing a long tenure, the current CROUS SUAPS. GLT in anglicised form) used a central Words and pictures factors led to extreme destruction six-year operating contract which ends by Neil Pulling guide rail and a single-wire overhead when German forces made Caen a in December 2023 is held by the Keolis supply. The three-section, 24.5m defensive stronghold following the subsidiary, Keolis Caen Mobilités. rubber-tyred vehicles (501-524) ran June 1944 Normandy landings. The 16.2km (10.1 miles) of the in reserved space, operating a The remit of the former transport 36-stop tramway which opened on two-line service designated as A and B. body, Viacités, was subsumed in the 27 July 2019 exceeds that of the The only other French TVR system, new Caen la Mer Urban Community original electric tramway (1901-37). still part of Nancy’s STAN network, in 2017; at the time there were Although smaller, this metre-gauge has double wires for twin trolley poles,

230 / JUNE 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

THE FLEET

In a manner similar to co-operation between the Brest and Dijon systems, Caen’s Viacités combined with its counterpart in Amiens (now in Hauts-de-France region) for greater bargaining power when procuring rolling stock for their future tramways. The scrapping of the Amiens project in 2014 – in favour of BHNS/high-level bus service – ended this intention. Caen received the first of what has become a 26-strong fleet (1001-26) of bi-directionalCitadis 305 in October 2018. Assembled at La Rochelle, this is a fully low-floor, five-section variant of Alstom’s latest XO5 generation of light rail vehicles with a length of 33m and six double-doors per side. Capacity is for 158 standing and 54 seated passengers. Only the short centre module has no doors. Relating to the system’s demands, Alstom identifies handling of gradients of up to 8%. Brightness by day or night is an interior feature, courtesy of LED lighting, large information screens and a high proportion of glazed areas. There are USB charging points on some handrails. Tram 1009 carried a special livery related to the tramway’s ABOVE: With the castle ramparts in the background, southbound 1021 curves around opening, although it has since appeared in the standard grey another Caen landmark, the Church of Saint Pierre. and black colour scheme

ABOVE: Bernières stop on Avenue du Six Juin, with a junction installed for a potential westward extension. LEFT: The TVR system ended near the buildings in the background in Grâce de Dieu residential district. Twisto’s 1026 is on a section of new southern coverage brought to Fleury commune by the tramway.

Titles of remembrance: Pont Winston Churchill over the Orne river at the southern end of Avenue du Six Juin.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2020 / 231 Caen rather than Caen’s use of pantographs the TVR closure, 12 vehicles were with return current via the guide rail. given to Nancy for spare parts. A Keolis Close to Citis stop towards the operation since January 2019, STAN system’s northern end, the depot used is also due to cease TVR operations by Caen’s TVR remains in bus use. in favour of a steel-wheeled tramway. Being away from TVR infrastructure, Views of Caen’s TVR in operation and depot access involved manual steering the 19-month infrastructure transition and the onboard engine. can be found by using the Google Uptake for Twisto’s TVR had been Maps Street View and time function. good, being a new core service with The hills that had encouraged more rights of way and increased the settlement of Caen also brought capacity over buses. The system proved unreliable however and was costlier to maintain than projected. network facts Such factors became more problematic when Bombardier withdrew the Opened: July 2019 (original 1901-37) product about two years after the Caen Lines: 3 opening. The city faced high costs just Depots: 1 to continue the mode for an original Approx. weekday hours: 05.45-00.30 30-year design life and also had no way to increase capacity. Line frequency: 10 minutes In 2011 Viacités opted to upgrade to Length: 16.2km (10.1 miles) a conventional tramway and following Gauge: 1435mm Power: 750V dc, overhead supply Fleet: 26 City network: Twisto – www.twisto.fr Operator: Keolis Caen Mobilités Civic information: https://caen.fr (Metropolitan area: www.caenlamer.fr) Tourist info: www.caenlamer-tourisme.fr

View from the castle walls near ABOVE: North of Leroy stop on Rue des Muets was a location where Château-Quatrans the gradient was reduced during the tramway conversion. stop. Conversion to a tramway allowed for RIGHT: Twisto adding long sections buses handle of grassed track. east-west demand: an Irisbus Créalis Neo 18 with a line 6 orbital service is at Hérouville Saint Clair. This former TVR terminus was not redeployed for trams.

RIGHT: Part of the tramway project, the maintenance and control centre was built in Fleury commune to the south-west of the urban area.

BELOW: Saint Pierre stop on the section hosting all three lines, close to the central shopping area.

232 / JUNE 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org lasting transport challenges. Along with anticipated cost savings over the type of tramways then spreading 0 1 2 across France, the suitability of TVR T2 Kilometres for steep gradients was part of the Campus 2 rationale for adopting the mode. CITIS

With relatively minor alignment Côte de modifications, the trams have proved Nacre Campus 4 equal to the task and provide much improved accommodation. The system is also now capable of expansion and CHU T1 far less tied to proprietary equipment. Château Saint-Clair Much of the new tramway reused d’Eau the TVR alignments, masts and Place de Café des some power supply equipment. Most Cité U Pierre l’Europe Images Lebisey Heuzé stop locations were retained, albeit Calvaire with platform lengthening for 33m Saint-Pierre Copernic long trams and some name changes. The most substantial section not redeployed was a route into a northern CROUS-SUAPS university site, deleting Maréchal Juin stop and a central campus terminus. The tram counterpart (reusing the Canal de Caen à la Mer Campus 2 name) is on the site’s Université eastern edge, albeit better suited for Place de la Mare potential extension. Château T3 A TVR symbol located at the Quatrans system’s southern limit, the roof at Jean Vilar terminus in Ifs commune, Saint-Pierre Bernières T2 was retained, but with the layout Presqu’île Résistance changed to a convergence at a single Saint-Jean Orne platform. TVR had separate arrival Quai de Juillet and departure platforms here, with Gare-Rives de l’Orne vehicles turned on a balloon loop Gare SNCF beyond the terminus. The angular northern counterpart at Herouville Leroy Saint Clair also remains, but for bus use only. The tram terminus, again Lux-Lepiné with a single platform, was built on a new straight section a little closer to Hérouville retail park. Guynemer The most significant extra coverage under the tram project is a branch of Poincaré around 650m that leaves the core route Aviation at a delta junction just south of Pont Grâce de Dieu Winston Churchill, leading eastwards Rostand to Presqu’île (the peninsular). Located Fresnel Liberté between Le Cargö concert venue and T3 a library complex, the terminus is in Collège Hawking a former commercial docks area. The DEPOT Concorde scheme to redevelop this brownfield district (http://caen-presquile.com) Modigliani is to restore asset value and provide alternatives to more growth around the city’s edge. With clear extension T1 potential, this branch also includes Jean Vilar northern pedestrian access to Caen railway station from Gare-Rives de L’Orne stop. The main and closer tram access is on the southern side where the

LEFT: Citadis 1021 climbs from CHU towards the bridge over Caen’s northern ring road. The vast Caen Normandy hospital is amongst the system’s biggest traffic generators.

Right: The tramway’s presence at Presqu’île is part of the intended regeneration of the former port area.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2020 / 233 Caen

SNCF station adjoins Gare Routière, as The tramway project included a used by longer distance buses. new combined maintenance and The tramway’s introduction, control centre in the south-western projected to carry 64 000 passengers/ commune of Fleury-sur-Orne. Access day in contrast to the TVR’s 42 000, is by track added south of the former also brought changes to the network’s TVR limit at Grâce De Dieu, with bus routes. The three tramlines each a revenue section as far as Collège have a mainly ten-minute frequency Hawking stop. Evident in late 2019, and this coverage is at least doubled works across the ground beyond the over a long section between Copernic depot compound indicate potential and Poincaré. Within this, all three southwards coverage, although the lines share tracks at five stops between project for developing a retail park Château-Quatrans and Quai de around the existing IKEA store is Juillet. This distance of about 1.2km being contested. (0.75 miles) curves around the eastern edge of the city’s commercial core. ABOVE: The driver and passengers of 1017 are held until 1002 clears The area is visually dominated by a essential facts the single track and platform layout at Jean Vilar. rocky outcrop which is topped by a walled fortress, Château de Caen. Local travel: The Twisto information The longest line, T1, is scheduled for centre which opened in June 2019 is 43 minutes between termini. sited away from the tramway, near the theatre at 51 Rue de l’Oratoire. Ticket A spread of university and school machines are located at all stops and sites around the system makes a re-chargeable card adds an initial students a core passenger group. EUR0.20 to fares: One-hour tickets Opposite CHU stop on the northern cost EUR1.50; 24-hour EUR4; 72-hour arm, the regional hospital complex EUR8.05, and all are valid on both trams which incorporates a hotel is a major and buses. Duration of tickets is from traffic generator. As this arm carries first validation; onboard validations are just one line (T2) and also serves a expected at the start of all journeys. university campus and Côte de Nacre What is there to see? retail park, uncomfortably high The half-timbered Maison des loadings can occur during peak times. Quatrans (opposite Château-Quatrans ABOVE: Gare The north-eastern and southern stop) suggests what was lost to the SNCF stop, the main arms, the latter branching at Poincaré, war and the post-1945 rebuilding tram access for lacks the cohesiveness of Le Havre’s Caen’s railway and each have mainly residential catchments including high-density reconstruction. Nevertheless, Caen long-distance bus appeals as a both lively and liveable city. stations. public housing. Tram destination The castle grounds and ramparts displays and signs at the stops are led by LEFT: The bright have free access, with charges for interior of a Twisto the title of the commune. Twisto has a galleries and museums within the Citadis X05: the published pre-determined replacement site. With an emphasis on the 1944 small grey boxes on service – suitably titled Bus Plan B Normandy campaign, the separate some handrails are – which can be implemented in the Mémorial de Caen museum extends to USB chargers. event of tramway disruption. wider perspectives on war: access is by Twisto bus 2 from Bernieres tramstop. Sword and Juno are the closest of the invasion beaches, found to the west of the seaside resort and port of Ouistreham – ‘Ligne Gare Maritime Express’ buses connect Caen with sailings.

Reconfigured from the TVR layout to a single platform, Jean Vilar terminus is in Ifs commune. Close to the southern ring road, it has a park-and-ride site.

234 / JUNE 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Higher Speed The design and implementation of urban and light rail networks in busy towns and cities presents signi cant engineering challenges. At the same time, the pressure to minimise disruption and cost has never been greater.

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Road Crossings // Pedestrian Crossings // Tram Stops // Depots // Anti-Trespass

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THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Caen

Although having systems features characterising many French light Caen rail operations, Caen’s system is distinguished www.lrta.org factfile FRANCE www.tautonline.com by it having replaced a No. Caen, mode that was intended as a tramway alternative. JUNE 2020 N O. 990 152 France Subscribe now! LONDON’S UNSUNG TRANSPORT HERO Now in its 83rd year, Tramways & Urban Transit is

aen is 200km (125 miles) the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to 272 100 residents in 48 constituent Replacing west of Paris, located communes. A slight population fall operation had a more east-west spread premises destroyed around two hours by rail has since occurred in Caen commune than its two fixed-link successors. from Paris-Saint- Lazare. in 1944, the (107 523) and some rural areas, but university ‘Campus The central coverage included Caen It is the capital of Calvados urban communes such as Hérouville Saint-Martin, a terminus for the local department,C as it was for Basse- 1’ spreads across the and Ifs have had increases. hillside to the left coastal railway that closed in 1950. Normandie until Rouen took that Caen la Mer’s public transport of this view on 13 Costing EUR260m to implement, role for the combined Normandie network has the brand name Twisto, November 2019. including rolling stock, today’s tram region in 2016. adopted in 2002 to replace CTAC. This section system also increased net coverage The city’s 11th Century rise to is used by two In addition to the three tram lines over the guided trolleybus mode it prominence owed much to sea access lines between (T1-T3), Twisto covers 28 bus routes, replaced; this had operated from 2002 and military exploitation of its high Université and the Special focus: Personal re ections on Croydon’s 20 years a night bus circuit and cycle hire. until the end of 2017. Bombardier’s ground. Another convergence of these acronymically titled Continuing a long tenure, the current CROUS SUAPS. Transport sur Voie Réservée system ( light and urban rail developments. UK LRT given pandemic cash lifeline factors led to extreme destruction TVR; six-year operating contract which ends GLT in anglicised form) used a central when German forces made Caen a Words and pictures in December 2023 is held by the Keolis by Neil Pulling guide rail and a single-wire overhead defensive stronghold following the subsidiary, Keolis Caen Mobilités. supply. The three-section, 24.5m USD500m for California transit projects June 1944 Normandy landings. The 16.2km (10.1 miles) of the rubber-tyred vehicles (501-524) ran The remit of the former transport 36-stop tramway which opened on in reserved space, operating a body, Viacités, was subsumed in the Antwerp plans for 50/50 modal share 27 July 2019 exceeds that of the two-line service designated as A and B. new Caen la Mer Urban Community The only other French £4.60 original electric tramway (1901-37). TVR in 2017; at the time there were system, Although smaller, this metre-gauge still part of Nancy’s STAN network, Caen Museums has double wires for twin trolley poles, The challenges of 230 / JUNE 2020 Moving from rubber www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org tyres to steel wheels life under lockdown

230-234_TAUT 2006 SF Caen.indd 1

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AUSTRALIA A Saturday service is provided NEWCASTLE. The new tramway Monday-Friday. T-2000 closed for the last week of April BRUSSEL/BRUXELLES. During to permit repairs to sections of the coronavirus pandemic line rail with cracks. Bus replacement 44 is operating Musée du Tram – services were provided along Tervuren only, with passengers Hunter Street and King Street. from Montgomery using line 39 Newcastle Herald to provide a connection. SYDNEY. On 7 April Transport The first test train into the new for NSW invited Expressions underground metro depot at of Interest for the two major Erasme was 607+608 on 9 March. infrastructure packages for the T-2000 24km (15-mile) Sydney Metro GENT. Since 18 March a holiday West project, covering the boring timetable has been operated on of 50km (31 miles) of twin tunnels the tramway. The return of trams between Westmead and The Bays. to Moscou terminus has been The city’s second driverless postponed to 2022. T-2000 The tramway in the Italian city of Napoli has re-opened using its AnsaldoBreda metro line will link the Westmead HAN-SUR-LESSE. The diesel- Sirio low-floor trams after several months of infrastructure work.I. Stubbs health and education campus electric tramline to the Grottes was west of Paramatta with the suspended from 13 March. T-2000 CZECH REPUBLIC the coronavirus pandemic. Trams CBD, where interchange would OOSTENDE. Gent Hermelijn tram PLZEŇ. Five more EVO2 trams operated to a Sunday timetable. be provided with the under- 6333 has been moved to the coastal have been ordered from Krnovské LE HAVRE. Service was reduced construction Southwest line. tramway to act as a breakdown opravny strojírny for delivery from 16 March in accordance car. A 20-minute service has been before the end of 2020. They will with government guidelines, with AUSTRIA operated since 21 March. replace Škoda Astra cars. infotram.pl trams running every 30 minutes SALZBURG. Finance for the 750m Delivery of the first CAF-built PRAHA (Prague). A framework between 06.00 and 21.00. subway extension of the Lokalbahn tram, 6111, was delayed from agreement has been signed with LE MANS. From 20 March to Mirabellplatz was released on mid-April due to lockdown-related Pragoimex for the supply of a SETRAM operated Sunday service 19 February. Passenger service is issues. T-2000 minimum of 11 partly low-floor on its bus and tram network, but expected in 2025. The city has tram bodies per year to rebody without evening service. At that created a company under GmbH BRAZIL 50-year old Tatra trams. The cost per time passenger numbers were just (limited liability) regulations to SÃO PAULO. On 5 April work body is CZK3.48m (EUR130 000). 8.5% of the normal level. lineoz.net own and operate the Lokalbahn, began to build the 8.3km (5.2-mile) A revised metro seating layout is LYON. TCL trams operated at Pinzgauer Lokalbahn and Salzburg north-east extension of metro line being tested to improve passenger reduced frequencies from 30 trolleybuses. 2 from Vila Prudente to Penha. flow; the current 2+1 transverse March, with a 15-minute service The Land would have a 75-80% It is due to open in 2026. RGI configuration is being realigned on most lines; metro services interest in the new company and with single seats turned 90º to operated every ten minutes. Tram the city 20-25%. This would take CANADA face the aisle. doors were opened by drivers at all responsibility for the loss-making MISSISSAUGA. Metrolinx and stops. Night service was withdrawn. services away from the city-owned Infrastructure Ontario have selected DENMARK MONTPELLIER. Tramline 4 Salzburg AG. Further details are Stantec to provide technical ODENSE. The first test runs on was withdrawn on Sundays and to be announced before the advisory services for the planned the new tramway took place on holidays from 10 April for the transfer is completed in 2022. EB 18km (11.2-mile) Hurontario 21 April using Stadler Variobahn period of lockdown. lineoz.net WIEN (Vienna). Services were light rail project. Preliminary work tram 06 (delivered on 5 April). MULHOUSE. Reduced timetables reduced from 17 March due began on 1 April and is due for J. Hansen took effect on 30 March, with a to coronavirus. From 14 April completion in 2024. D. Drum 30-minute service on the tramway passengers were obliged to wear a TORONTO. From 20 April trams ESTONIA and a two-hourly service on the mask covering mouth and nose. returned to line 505 Dundas, but TALLINN. The city council has tram-train to Thann. Bombardier Flexity 309 was bus replacement started on line given notice to proceed with the ORLÉANS. After weeks of the last tram delivered before the 511 (Bathurst). Line 503 (Kingston tramway connection between Old running a 20-minute tram service, factory closed during the pandemic. Rd) operated between Bingham City Harbour and Ülemiste, site of Keolis introduced 15-minute Surviving E1 trams available are Loop and Queen St East/Kingston the future Rail Baltica terminus. frequencies from 27 April. lineoz.net 4539/40/2/9/52/4/8, 4774/80/4, Rd only. Line 508 (Lakeshore) was The projected cost is EUR15-20m, PARIS. Fifty metro stations were 4808/33/44/55/8/61-3/6/7 with withdrawn. With an 85% drop in with design tenders to be launched closed during March and April c4 trailers 1301/12/7/23/5/6/8/35 patronage and a loss of CAD90m in May. Construction is planned to (those without an interchange /6/9/42/51/4/6/7/9/60/3. EB (EUR60m) in monthly revenue, begin in 2022 for a 2023 opening. to another line). Trains ran on 23 April TTC announced a err.ee from 06.00 -22.00 with a AZERBAIJAN temporary staff reduction of 1200 30-50% timetable. Trams ran from BAKU. The metro was closed from employees. D. Drum, P. Webb FRANCE 06.00 to after midnight but with 31 March until 20 April to help BORDEAUX. With the 30-50% service. RER services were prevent the spread of coronavirus. CHINA Declaration of Public Utility in provided 06.00-22.00 with special infotram.pl CHENGDU. Metro line 18, the place, the 5km (3.1-mile) branch timetables, mostly offering a 66.2km (41.1-mile) Airport Express, of line A from Lycée de Mérignac 30% service. BELGIUM expected to open this summer, to the airport should be ready to REIMS. During the period from ANTWERPEN. From 17 March has received the first of 26 open in early 2022. T-2000 23 March to 18 April tram A ran lines 11 and 12 were withdrawn 140km/h-capable eight-car trains BREST. From 24 March tramline every 14 minutes, but tram B just and crew changeovers took place built by CRRC Sifang. RGI A provided a 30-minute frequency every 56 minutes. From 19 April only at depots to reduce the risk for HONG KONG. The Government 07.00-22.00 (Monday-Sunday). the respective headways were staff waiting at stops. This is causing has approved the Tung Chung DIJON. During the coronavirus 20 minutes and 120 minutes. some disruption to service between metro extension, extending the pandemic, tram service is every 20 ST-ÉTIENNE. During the 11.00-13.00 and 17.00-19.00. The line from Tung Chung to Tung minutes, finishing at 19.45. coronavirus pandemic only tram routeing used on depot runs is Chung West and adding a new GRENOBLE. Public transport lines T1 and T3 have operated. left to the discretion of the staff, intermediate station at Tung service was free during the period of . During March giving some interesting variations. Chung East. IRJ reduced frequencies resulting from and April tramlines A-E were

236 / JUNE 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org operating every 20 minutes 05.00- . After reducing 22.00 (line E every 30 minutes). frequencies on VBK lines from Line F was withdrawn. Opening 17 March, 20 April saw restoration of the 1.7km (1.05-mile) of line F of 80% of the service. AVG from Faubourg National to Comtes service was restored to has been put in doubt. T-2000 100% from 4 May. KVV KÖLN (Cologne). The GERMANY coronavirus pandemic saw AUGSBURG. Tram services were the introduction of a Saturday switched to a 15-minute headway timetable on Monday-Friday (but from 24 March as passengers fell with some enhancement on lines to 20% of their normal level. 1, 7 and 18) and cancellation of . A Saturday service was night service. The 23rd rebuilt introduced on Monday-Friday Stadtbahn-B car is 2401 (ex-2101). U-Bahn and tram services from In the workshops are 2408/19 16 March. (ex-2108/19). DS BREMEN. The first of 77 Siemens (RNV). The extra GT8N-2 is 3202; 3201 Monday-Friday journeys worked was undergoing trials at Siemens by the 1957-built former RHB Pesa has substantially revised its Twist model, with the first examples of the new Wildenrath in April. The batch articulated tram sets resumed design delivered to Czestochowa. Pesa of 37m trams have been branded from 27 April. Schedule 1 leaves from 17 March, but timetables JAPAN ‘Nordlicht’ (Northern Lights). Rheingönheim depot at 05.18 reverted to normal from 20 April TOYAMA. Toyama Chitetsu CHEMNITZ. Tramline 5 was and works on line 7 until 09.29. as travel restrictions were eased opened the 100m north-south diverted from 20 April over new Schedule 2 leaves Möhlstrasse in Germany. connection between the 7.6km track in Augustusburger Strasse to depot at 05.47 and works lines 9, WOLTERSDORF. The tramline (4.7-mile) Port Line light rail and avoid road works at Stefan-Heym- X and 7 until 09.27. provided a basic 20-minute the 7.3km (4.5-mile) city tramway Platz. Normal timetabled service Schedule 3 leaves Rheingönheim service from 6 April (every 30 on 21 March. The Port Line was resumed from 20 April until 18.00, depot at 06.57 and works lines E, X minutes in late evenings). VBB extended under the railway and after which there was a reduced and 7 until 09.49. There are operates three routes on the city evening service. Masks covering the similar workings in the afternoon HUNGARY tramway to the University (circular) nose and mouth were required for 14.54-18.59. DS BUDAPEST. The original five- and Minami-Toyama with four all passengers from 20 April. MÜNCHEN (Munich). The car set of Russian-built metro cars, services/hour using the TLR0600 DESSAU. From 23 March all tram planning application for the 8.3km 100-104, has been restored to and 9000-series.. G. Barsky and bus services were replaced (5.2-mile) West Tram tangent original condition and is available by full-time operation of the night (Romanplatz – Aidenbachstrasse) for special trips. DS LUXEMBOURG bus network N1-N6. C. T. Wagner was submitted on 9 April. SWM LUXEMBOURG. Tram service DORTMUND. Due to the hopes to start work in 2023 INDIA was withdrawn on Sundays fall in traffic, a holiday timetable and carry passengers in 2026. LUCKNOW. Metro service was from 22 March in response to was introduced on all lines from Plans were also submitted for the suspended from 14 April until the coronavirus pandemic. Staff 23 March. However, with the tracks in Parzivalstrasse to be used at least 3 May because of the and passengers were required to return of schools traffic (from 23 full-time for line 23 to extend coronavirus pandemic. RGI wear face marks on public transport April) services reverted to normal service (at present they are used from 20 April. T-2000 frequency from 20 April. only for empty stock movements). IRELAND DUISBURG. Tramline 901 In response to social distancing DUBLIN. Luas service levels MEXICO was temporarily withdrawn from concerns, MVB adopted a have not been cut, despite a MEXICO CITY. From 23 April, 18 March and other services temporary solution from Moveo considerable drop in passenger 20% of the city’s 195 metro, switched to a Saturday timetable Software that facilitated drivers numbers, although they may still bus and light rail stations were on Monday-Friday. signing on and off from the cab be reduced if staffing problems closed. The metro carries around DÜSSELDORF. Saturday of their vehicle rather than using arise. Bus services in the city have 5m passengers/day normally: schedules were introduced on the crew room. F. Buchleitner, RGI been cut. stay-at-home measures reduced the network on Monday-Friday NÜRNBERG (Nuremburg). that number to around 890 000 from 17 March. Late night service VAG has converted 14 of its 75 ISLE OF MAN in March. Mexico Daily News on Fridays and Saturdays was options for the purchase of Siemens GENERAL. Reconstruction of cancelled. From 6 April additional Avenio trams into a firm order, so 26 Douglas Promenade has been NETHERLANDS service was provided on lines U76, are now on order and 61 on option. paused due to coronavirus AMSTERDAM. From U79, 701 and 709. From 20 April a holiday timetable restrictions. All events on the 30 March metro service on line -AM-MAIN. From was introduced on U-Bahn line heritage rail lines are currently 51 (Centraal Station – Isolatorweg) 30 March reduced frequencies U1. Other lines and tram services shown as suspended until July. was suspended, and through ran on U-Bahn and tramlines (an provided a Saturday service on Local enthusiasts decided to passengers have to change trains enhanced Sunday schedule) with Monday-Friday. DS hold the ‘Rush Hour’ event planned at Van der Madeweg using line 50 night services suspended. RHEIN-RUHR. The contract to for Easter in a ‘virtual’ format to and from Isolatorweg. A contract between Frankfurt operate S-Bahn lines S1 and S4 streamed on social media. Peak-hour tram services 6 and Airport and Bombardier was signed from December 2019 to December 11 were cancelled, and other on 31 March, for the operation 2031, originally awarded to Keolis ITALY services adjusted to operate every and maintenance of the Skyline subsidiary Eurobahn, has been NAPOLI. Further to our note on 15 minutes, although from 6 and peoplemover linking terminals 1 reallocated to DB Regio. IRJ the resumption of tram service 14 April lines 1, 17 and 26 had to and 2 for a further ten years. RGI RUHRBAHN. Services were in January, line 1 is running be adjusted to run more frequently HAMBURG. Hamburger reduced from 23 March, but over 4.8km (three miles) from at peak periods. Hochbahn has brought an restored to normal levels again Poggioreale to Piazza Municipo DEN HAAG. Tram services 6 Alstom HESOP reversible power from 20 April. (Colombo) via Piazza Giuseppe and 12 were diverted away from substation into service at line SCHÖNEICHE. The planned Garibaldi. The depot link at Haagse Markt from 23 March U2 station Rauhes Haus. The open day in May to mark the 110th San Giovanni is being and all GTL-8 trams had the front unit supplies traction power and anniversary of tramway operation rebuilt. A further 3.5km (2.2 seats taped out of use; 6 and 12 recovers ‘up to 99%’ of braking has been postponed to 2021. UTM miles) from Colombo to returned to their normal route from energy for re-use within the station, ULM. A Saturday service was Mergellina should open in the 3 April after acrylic glass protection returning any excess to the grid. RGI introduced on Monday-Friday next months. I. Stubbs had been fitted to tram cabs.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2020 / 237 Worldwide Review

also assist long-term forecasts, (EUR920 000) under the Future prioritising future investments and High Street Fund towards a maintenance programmes. Further feasibility study into creating a plans will see the technology rolled tramway loop from Starr Gate to out to lines 2-5 later in 2020. RGI Kirkham & Wesham, Poulton- BILBAO. Euskotren reintroduced le-Fylde and Fleetwood . full peak-hour service on metro It would use part of the existing line 3 on 20 April, so passengers Blackpool South line and the can maintain social distancing. mothballed Poulton to Fleetwood CÁDIZ. Kapsch TrafficCom has railway branch. Connections to been awarded a EUR2m three- the existing tramway would be year maintenance contract for made at each end of the new line. communications networks, CCTV, COVENTRY. French engineering passenger information systems consultant Ingérop has won the and ticket vending machines on contract for detailed design of a the new tram-train line. RGI low-cost trackform for the city’s GRANADA. From 16 March Very Light Rail scheme. Works are underway on the new bridge for Stockholm’s Lidingöbanan; the tram service was reduced by 30% EDINBURGH. Service was further wooden ‘mould’ for the first part of the bridge structure near Ropsten is under construction, seen here on 16 April. T. Johansson at peaks and 50% off-peak. Peak reduced from 12 April, with trams hours are 07.30-09.30, 13.30-15.30 operating every 15 minutes Trams are running a 15-minute 18 April, affecting lines 5 and 9, and 19.00-21.00. From 23 March until approximately 19.30, then service on Monday-Friday and a with additional service on lines 17 there was no service after 21.00. reduced to every 30 minutes until 20-minute service at weekends. and 30. The same applied in Malaga and the end of normal service. The Door push buttons are placed KRAKÓW. Tram traffic in the Sevilla. Metropolitano de Granada tramway has seen a reduction of out of use with drivers opening subway under the main railway over 95% in the normal number and closing doors at all stops. station was suspended from of customer journeys but has been ROTTERDAM. Service 11 April, taking advantage of . A Sunday service was kept open for key workers with an frequencies were reduced from the reduction in traffic to allow operated on all BVB and BLT lines enhanced cleaning regime and 16 March, and again from essential maintenance work to be from 23 March. Cross-border social distancing measures. 23 March (20 minutes). Line 20 carried out. Line 5 was suspended services to St Louis and Weil-am- GLASGOW. Subway services was temporarily withdrawn. OR and lines 19 and 50 diverted. Rhein still operate. For a time, were reduced from 28 March to UTRECHT. Tramline 22 between From 20 April lines 1, 4, 20, 21 line 10 trams to did not operate only on the Outer Circle CS and P+R Utrecht Science Park ran a normal service 04.30-09.00 stop at Leymen stop (in France), but line, running clockwise from was suspended from 20 March and 13.00-18.00 with an hourly this restriction was soon rescinded. Govan and stopping at all stations. as passenger traffic fell by 85%. service at other times; lines 2, GENÈVE. Sunday services An eight-minute headway runs However, protests led to the 9, 11, 13, 14, 18, 19, 22, 24 ran were operated from 1 April after 06.30-21.00 Monday-Saturday, re-instatement of peak service 04.30-09.00 and 13.00-18.00 passenger numbers fell by 75% and 10.00-18.00 Sunday. from 1 April, with trams running only; lines 3 and 8 ran Saturday of their normal level due to the Passenger numbers show the 06.30-09.00 and 14.30-18.00. GVU timetables; lines 5, 6, 10, 16, 17 were coronavirus pandemic. Tram 17 busiest section is West End to City suspended completely. infotram.pl continued to run to Annemasse in Centre, so running Outer Circle NEW ZEALAND POZNAŃ. A tender has been issued France. clockwise services is the best AUCKLAND. Work on the for the repair and refurbishment NEUCHÂTEL. From 17 option to serve most demand. NZD4.45bn (EUR2.5bn) City Link of the undertaking’s 14 Siemens March Saturday service on the GREATER MANCHESTER. commuter rail tunnel resumed Combino trams dating from tramway line 215 also operated Metrolink could be extended from on 28 April after being suspended 2003-04. The work will involve Monday-Friday due to the Rochdale to Bury and Heywood during the lockdown. RGI repainting, fitting AC drive with coronavirus pandemic. transn.ch via Castleton, as part of a asynchronous motors, a new ZÜRICH. Planning permission regeneration project. This would POLAND heating and ventilation system, has been granted for the CHF44m create 7000 new houses and CZĘ STOCHOWA. The a wheelchair ramp, flange (EUR1.6m) depot to serve the 250 000m2 of employment space ten Pesa Twist trams lubrication system, LED lighting Limmattal line. The facility should along the railway line from now being delivered are to a new and new passenger information be ready in 2022. Castleton to Rochdale and on to design, designated Twist II. The first displays. The work is intended to Tram headways were increased Smithy Bridge and Littleborough. arrived on 31 March. DS give the cars a further 640 000km from 7.5 to 10 minutes from The Bury to Heywood line is GDAŃSK. Twelve of 15 new Pesa (400 000 miles) of life. infotram.pl 30 March. From 6 April additional currently part of the East Lancashire Jazz Duo air-conditioned low-floor peak tram service was provided Railway heritage operation. trams had been delivered by the between HB/Bahnhofstrasse and Proposals have been drawn end of April; 1070 has been painted LISBOA. The first contracts for Bahnhof Enge to serve university up by urban planners Broadway in a special white and green livery the expansion of the metro were and hospital needs. Malyan and WSP with the newly- to mark the 75th birthday of Lech awarded on 12 April, valued at formed Greater Manchester Walesa. A further 15 are on order EUR48.6m. The Yellow and Green THAILAND Station Alliance, a partnership for next year. Tenders have been lines will be joined by a link from BANGKOK. The Blue line metro of Network Rail, Northern Rail, invited for seven sets of propulsion Rato to Cais do Sodré. publico.pt was completed on 30 March Transport for Greater Manchester, and control systems to modernise . The tram parade due when the western extension LCR Property and the Greater N8C-MF01 trams. infotram.pl to take place on 9 May has been from Tao Poon to Tha Phra Manchester Combined Authority. KATOWICE. Tramlines 0, 11 and cancelled. M. J. Russell was opened, bringing the line to Services were further reduced on 38 were suspended from 13 March 48km (30 miles). IRJ all routes from 6 April. Headways due to the coronavirus pandemic, SPAIN are every 20 minutes rather while only a limited timetable was BARCELONA. SENER and UNITED ARAB EMIRATES than every 12 minutes, 06.00- offered on line 49. Work has started FMB are to install ‘intelligent’ DUBAI. Tram and metro services 22.00 Monday-Saturday and to replace the 2.5km (1.6 miles) ventilation systems at metro were suspended from 5 April due to 07.00-22.00 Sunday. of single-track on ul. Chorzow in stations on line 1, using artificial the pandemic. Khaleej Times Free travel on Metrolink was Swietochlowice with double-track intelligence to measure criteria offered to health and social for line 11. The value of the works such as temperature, humidity, air UNITED KINGDOM care workers in the region from is PLN29.7m (EUR6.5m). quality and electrical consumption BLACKPOOL. Blackpool, Fylde Saturday 11 April; those with an Tram track on ul Karol Godula in and adjust the environment and Wyre Councils have each existing Metrolink Ruda Slaska is being repaved from accordingly. The system will submitted bids for GBP800 000 could apply for a refund.

238 / JUNE 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org SOUTH YORKSHIRE. From CINCINNATI, OH. The tram 1 April Supertram operation was service was suspended from 30 reduced to an hourly service on March due to coronavirus. CBC the Yellow, Blue, Purple and tram- DALLAS, TX. Construction of train routes, with Monday-Friday Hidden Ridge station began in enhancement to every 30 minutes early May. Located between on Yellow and Blue routes 06.00- North Lake College and Irving 09.00 (from 08.00 on Sundays). Convention Center, DART’s 65th The last trams operate at 22.00 on light rail station is expected to be all but the tram-train, at 18.30. complete in early 2021. The next change planned is Light rail service started for 4 May when a further phase operating 20-minute headways of track replacement between from 23 March. The Dallas Hackenthorpe and Donetsk Streetcar continued to operate as Way requires the Blue route scheduled. The McKinney Ave to be curtailed to Birley Lane heritage service operated reduced with onward links to Halfway hours from 16 March (07.00-20.00, only, by bus 120. There are also weekends 10.00-20.00). The coronavirus pandemic has led transit operators to enforce social distancing. This interior view of Portland, OR, LRV 405 in April shows the profusion of notices consequential amendments to EL PASO, TX. Streetcar service restricting seats that can be used. S. J. Morgan the hourly Purple route timetable. was suspended from 22 March due The trackworks are due for to the coronavirus pandemic. on seats in order to maintain been fitted with driving controls completion in early June. KANSAS CITY, MO. Streetcar social distancing. S. J. Morgan at both ends. Funding to complete TYNE AND WEAR. Automatic service operated reduced hours SAN FRANCISCO, CA (BART). the rebuild is being sought. ticket gates which were opened (06.00-20.00) from 25 March, with From 8 April weekday service was LLANDUDNO (UK). The in March to avoid close contact just two trams in service. reduced to 30 minutes frequency Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric of passengers have been brought LOS ANGELES, CA. On 1 April after patronage fell to just 7% of Railway Society has lost much of back into operation with the city of West Hollywood its normal level. Staff are being its funding through cancellation markings added to the floor of submitted the first phase 1 Funding moved to infrastructure projects. of May’s Victorian Weekend, concourses to ensure passengers and Project Delivery Strategy From 21 April face masks were and the need to raise GBP1000 stay two metres apart. Gatelines are Plan to Metro for the USD1.26bn required of all passengers. RGI (EUR1145) for rent to keep tram located at the busiest 13 stations. Crenshaw North light rail line, SEATTLE, WA. Sound Transit 7 securely protected and for Metro loadings are currently 5% intended to run from Exposition has announced it is to move away basic maintenance materials. of normal and most passengers Blvd to Wilshire and Hollywood from line names in favour of The contingency fund was spent use a smartcard to enter and leave metro stations. WHAM letters or numbers for each type over the winter on repairs to the stations with gatelines. MINNEAPOLIS, MN. The of service. The ultimate light rail road trailer on which 7 is mounted. Normal track replacement Southwest light rail project (an network will cover lines 1-4, while MALMÖ (SE). The museum works, including a 250m section extension of the Green line) Sounder commuter rail will cover tramway at the Technical on the Crossgate viaduct that has been allocated USD81m lines N and S. Mass Transit Museum is to operate on Saturdays involved 450t of ballast and 650 by Hennepin County. Once TACOMA, WA. The tramline is and Sundays from 6 June to new sleepers, continued during a USD929m federal grant is to be redesignated line T rather 27 September 12.00-16.00. MfSS April, with no trains between confirmed, work will start, for than the Tacoma Link. Mass Transit WIRRAL (UK). The Merseyside Hebburn and South Shields. completion in 2023. Mass Transit WASHINGTON, DC. During the Tramway Preservation Society is WEST MIDLANDS. Work on NEWARK, NJ. On 11 April coronavirus pandemic the Metro to hold a large running day once the extension from Centenary New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has operated 05.00-21.00 with travel restrictions are lifted to Square to Five Ways stopped from signed an order mandating Red line trains every 15 minutes celebrate 25 years of the tramway. 23 March but resumed following the wearing of face masks by all and a 20-minute service on other A two-tram service will be provided introduction of social distancing transit riders. Only 50% of the lines. The first and last cars of all using all seven available trams. measures in early April. Progress seats on a bus or tram may be trains closed to the public to protect was already ahead of plan and occupied, while seats near the front operators; 19 of the 91 stations have CONTRIBUTORS the two-week shutdown is not door were removed. J. Marinoff been closed. Worldwide news items for expected to adversely affect NEW YORK, NY. The last R32 Metro is taking advantage of the inclusion should be sent to completion of the extension. subway cars were withdrawn from reduced ridership to accelerate its Michael Taplin at Flat 8, Roxan With the completion of work service on 26 March. All users of USD300-400m platform rebuilding Villa, 33 Landguard Manor Rd, on tram 26, the whole fleet is public transit had to wear face programme, extending its summer Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 now equipped with batteries masks from 20.00 on 17 April in shutdown to nine stations on 6EA, UK. Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 and can operate over the full accordance with a State Order. the Orange and Silver lines. The or e-mail [email protected] route from Centenary Square to NEW ORLEANS, LA. Travel project is part of a three-year plan to UK and Ireland items are Wolverhampton. on public transit was free from rebuild platforms at 20 stations. The welcomed by the Home After changes were made to the 29 March, but frequencies first phase, completed in summer News Editor, John Symons, Monday to Saturday timetable on were extended. On the tram, 2019, was a 107-day shutdown of 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, 30 March, Sunday services were St Charles service operated every six Blue and Yellow line stations Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 0LW, UK. adjusted from 12 April. A basic 36 minutes, Canal/Cemeteries south of Reagan National Airport. E-mail [email protected]. 15-minute headway will operate every 32 minutes, and Riverfront R. Barrows, Arlington Now Acknowledgements are also throughout the day 08.00-23.00. was withdrawn. Tram service due to: Arlington Now, CBC News, Free travel was provided for after 22.00 was suspended from MUSEUM NEWS Drehscheibe (DS), Edinburgh Evening healthcare workers from 3 April. 12 April. CRICH (UK). The museum is News, err.ee, infotram.pl, Irish Times, PHILADELPHIA, PA closed until at least 21 June; events International Railway Journal USA (SEPTA). Tram services 34 and have been cancelled until the end (IRJ), Khaleej Times, lineoz.net, BOSTON, MA. A USD17.8m 102 were suspended during the of that month. Manchester Evening News, Mass contract has been awarded to coronavirus outbreak. Other lines ISLE OF WIGHT (UK). It is hoped Transit, Metropolitano de Granada, replace four Green line light rail provided a Saturday service on that reconstruction of Ryde Pier Mexico Daily News, Newcastle stations (St. Paul St, BU West, Monday-Friday. tramway Drewry Railcar 2 can be Herald, Nottingham Evening Post, Babcock St and Pleasant St) on PORTLAND, OR. From 5 April completed this year. However, Railway Gazette International the Boston College line with two MAX service was reduced to every construction of a new matching (RGI), Tram-2000, transn.ch, Urban new stops that will consolidate 15 minutes, with Sunday service trailer has not taken place on cost Transport Magazine (UTM), WHAM passenger use from 2021. R. Barrows at weekends. Notices were placed grounds and the railcar has thus and Wolverhampton Express & Star.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2020 / 239 Letters

Mailbox Get your views into print [email protected] Letters submitted by post should be clearly typed and preferably not handwritten. We reserve the right to shorten contributions for publication.

Now is the time for us all to hit the reset button

Just a quick note to say how much I appreciated your dedicated In the UK, do we even need the full extent of HS2 or the coverage of the effects of the dreadful COVID-19 pandemic in planned projects? the latest edition. As the single biggest news over the previous While we all have the time to pause and reflect, I would four weeks, I enjoyed how you chose a refreshed layout to argue that there is no better time to exercise our imaginations. include not only the key news from around the world related The case needs to be made for better, cleaner local transport to to the topic, but also including real-life experiences from keep city regions moving and help them to recover – now is the such a diverse range of operators. This really personalised the time for our leaders to be bold and brave. terrible effects of what is truly a major global challenge. This was alluded to in the editorial leader and Mr Harkins’ Importantly, you also highlighted the positive effects on air contribution to your Mailbox pages, but it is up to us all to quality as lockdowns have reduced private car usage. There ensure that we can drive the right decisions as we resist the may be a silver lining to our current dark cloud after all, and temptation to return to ‘business as usual’. one must hope that authorities – both local and national – see Economies will recover. We just need to keep the pressure this as a real opportunity to hit the ‘reset button’ and rethink up on governments to ensure that this is done in a more how we want our society to move, to work and to function. sustainable manner for the benefit of future generations. For example, do we need large-scale airport expansion? T. M. MacAllay, by e-mail

Simple approaches to crisis comms For me the ‘great threat from CRRC’ was has the potential to lead to more affordable I really appreciated the contribution from always somewhat of a red herring, although vehicles which could benefit small-start your US correspondent Morgan Lyons on one would imagine that as a result of the systems in cities where tramways were crisis communications (‘Whack-a-mole: current coronavirus pandemic, the regulatory previously considered unaffordable. A lousy crisis strategy’ – TAUT 989). Both authorities that stymied the progress of P. Allen, by e-mail entertaining and informative, you can Alstom’s merger with Siemens last year will tell that Mr Lyons is indeed a master of his be somewhat more sympathetic this time Why does everything take so long? craft, and I’m sure that his common sense around when it comes to safeguarding jobs as Your interesting article on Den Haag in approach would be similarly appreciated by European economies rebuild. TAUT 988 mentions how – in the Netherlands our professional audience. As intimated within the analysis, it will be (as elsewhere in Europe, I’m sure) – a new Indeed the whole issue was marked by a interesting to see how the product lines of tramway extension starts as an idea one number of very personal viewpoints on moment, and seemingly in no time at all is the current pandemic situation. This is a not only under construction, but complete, welcome addition to the more descriptive “There is a certain irony that up and running. nature of the magazine’s content, that is How pathetic by comparison then are the often focused on technology and systems. Bombardier has chosen efforts – or rather lack of them – in the UK. It is important that we don’t forget the One has come to see that this is a historic fault people who work on our tramway (or light to focus its future on of course and nothing new. rail, or streetcar) systems, and I for one corporate aviation given The fault line runs throughout our would welcome more personal insight into bureaucracy-dominated country; examples the key issues of the day from those who are what has now suddenly abound of city transport plans snuffed out currently working within the industry. at birth or soon after by the bureaucrats. K. Turner, by e-mail happened around the Manchester somehow escaped the dismal johnnies and built and expanded its End of the line for a rail giant? world to air travel.” tramway, succeeding magnificently whereas The news that Alstom is bidding to take over – say – Leeds’ and Liverpool’s efforts got the divested rail division of Bombardier is nowhere and were cancelled many years ago. interesting, although there is a certain irony both companies are consolidated in the future Manchester proves it can be done, and the that Bombardier chose to focus its future and what that may mean. West Midlands is, at last, showing signs of on corporate aviation given what has now Such a deal should also been seen as good larger-scale developments. suddenly happened around the world to air news for the smaller car builders, however. Sadly, the example that proves this awful travel, which will likely take years to recover. While all the familiar names were included in general rule must surely be the efforts to The company’s Transportation division, as Mr Taplin’s review, it was great to see some build the short tramway extension from shown in Michael Taplin’s excellent annual new companies in his lists, catering for the promenade to Blackpool North station. round-up of the global LRV market in the different niches that cannot be filled by the The story is well-known in transport circles: same edition (TAUT 987), has performed bigger suppliers. Or perhaps they are simply endless council debates from 2011 onwards quite well over the past 12 months. This is not interested in tenders for four cars here, or – ‘shall we, shan’t we; shall we, shan’t we?’ – despite well-publicised issues with deliveries ten more technically complex cars there that and the final absurdity, demolition of a and recalls that could well have damaged its do not fit within their ‘modular designs’. building essential to permit the construction reputation. One of the most interesting developments of the terminus hasn’t even been started yet I am sure that Alstom will be very pleased for me personally was the emergence of the [demolition of the Wilko store was due to to remove its largest competitor in the trend for ‘self-assembly kits’ from Eastern begin in April]. tramway and metro equipment sector – at European manufacturers. The rails have been in place from the least in the major western markets – and take As highlighted by commentators in promenade for over a year now… and all this advantage of its main rival’s misfortune. previous editions of TAUT, such a service for an extension of about two-thirds of a mile!

240 / JUNE 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org named Alliance TW. Together they have developed, constructed and manufactured the EVO2 tram type. Shouldn’t it be better therefore, when speaking about manufacturers in next year’s lists, to use Alliance TW instead of Pragoimex? Ciril van Hattum, Nuenen (Netherlands)

Memories of London and California I can certainly confirm the benefit of tram tracks for urban wayfinding ‘Navigation( as a silent benefit of trams’, Mailbox – TAUT 988): my own mental map of Leicester centres on the ghostly forms of the tram routes. My mother grew up in small villages in Shropshire and was no adventurer. When she later lived in Selsdon 1937-40 and needed to go into central London, she relied on the 16/18 trams; she said she knew she couldn’t get lost because of the fixed tracks. Her and my final sight of London trams was standing on the Embankment a week before the 16/18 routes were withdrawn – though we The undertaking in the Czech city of Brno is assembling EVO2 trams in its workshops from parts supplied by didn’t know it at the time. Alliance TW/Krnov/Pragoimex/Cegelec; car 1823 was one of the first to carry passengers on 26 April. Frazzer The other letter about Marin County (‘SMART needs more thought to garner success’) This sad example typifies the UK’s worries me in connection with public also recalls a memory. My bio-father lived ponderous, halting, bureaucracy-dominated transport; I suspect here it means the buses there for many years before his death in attitude to new schemes, starting with the can be used in segregated locations, (reserved 1998 and hearing from me about the wonders politicians of course. If something can be tracks and tunnels), and non-segregated (i.e. of Toronto transit services told me of the delayed, it seems that it will be, buried in the on traffic-congested roads). However, since traffic jams caused by commuters headed for political morass. We understand that lots of the system will be ‘trackless’ there will be no San Francisco. committees have to pore over the plans, but reservations, except inflexible tunnels. His preferred solution was a monorail such committees exist elsewhere – so is this It may be that the traffic engineers in and even after I pointed out the poor cost/ a peculiar issue with the British mentality Cambridge have developed new systems capacity and operational issues, he persisted towards city transport? that are world-class, efficient, attractive and as he believed it would be easier to build Must we deduce that we British are incapable economic. At the moment I see nothing in through the area and skim above the massed of any other than a drag-the-feet attitude? the consultation material that clarifies what automobiles. It’s a great pity that Marin Can we change? Do we want to? History is being proposed and therefore I think the refused to join BART back in the 1960s. proves otherwise but we must hope. consultation must be regarded as flawed. Philip Webb, Toronto (Canada) John Gilbert, by e-mail Potential users of the system can have little or no idea of what they are voting for (or against). Not all rail is created equal CAM: Where ‘metro’ means... a bus As they say: ‘Why reinvent the wheel?’ A few comments on the article Not all rail is My interest was aroused by the short article created equal in TAUT 989. about the Cambridge Autonomous Metro “At the moment I see I spent my entire working life in the (CAM) in TAUT 988, partly because I couldn’t permanent way design and maintenance imagine what was being promoted and partly nothing in the [CAM] departments of (28 years) and by the statement that there were to be four consultants (18 years) and not once in all regional routes, but the map showed six – consultation material that time did I hear flat-bottom rail referred the routes to Waterbeach and Hauxton not to as Vignoles rail. While accepting this may being mentioned. that clarifies what is being well be considered the correct term for this I called up the website seeking type of rail, in my experience it was only ever illumination and learned the system is to be proposed.” flat-bottom rail, and I believe this is still the a ‘technologically-advanced, sustainable, case today. highly-flexible, trackless electric vehicle’. I am of course thinking of steel wheels, It was also not the present design of So although using the ‘metro’ name, could smooth riding, pollution-free, automatic bullhead rail that was intended to be ‘flipped this be a driverless articulated battery bus then? guidance, safe, etc. And railcars? They are upside down’ to extend its useful life; this was A picture confirmed that this is what is certainly flexible – join two, three or four or an earlier design called double-headed rail. being offered as a ‘metro-style... world-class more together to cope with different traffic The cross-sections of the head and the foot public transport system’, ‘tackling air quality levels; have single-ended or double-ended of bullhead rails are quite different, whereas issues’. Yet nowhere was mention made of cars; have two-section or three- section or… those of double -headed rail are the same. particulate emissions in tunnels. nine-section cars if your base load calls for However, when it came to ‘flipping’ the I’m sorry, but I think the citizens of them. Now that’s flexibility. double-headed rail so that the foot became Cambridge and surrounding areas will be Neil Mackenzie, Edinburgh (UK) the head and vice versa, it was found that disappointed in their ‘metro’. It will be seen over time the chairs in which the rail sat as a glorified bus, subject to the current evils Pragoimex or Alliance TW? had each worn a slight depression (called of traffic congestion unless 100% segregated. In Mike Taplin’s excellent survey of tram chair gall) into the rail. This produced a very The use of driverless articulated buses in orders he gives a list of railcar manufacturers uneven running surface in the ‘flipped’ rail approximately 18 miles (29km) of tunnels on page 133. Amongst them is Pragoimex, a and was obviously less than satisfactory, so will not be an enticing prospect in my view firm in the engineering business, but mostly the use of double-headed rail was eventually and will require some advanced technology a trade company and certainly not a railcar discontinued in favour of bullhead rail. to make it feasible. manufacturer. Finally, the ‘nickname’ of the current Echoes of the trials of buses in the Essen In 2001 it formed – together with Krnovské design of 95lb/yard bullhead rail is 95 BS(R), tramway tunnels can be heard, while the word Opravny a Strojírny (KOS), a former workshop for British Standard (Revised), but more ‘trackless’ seems ominous to old fogies like me. of Česky drahy but now independent, and commonly 95RBS, not 95RBH. ‘Flexible’ is another word that construction firm VKV Praha – a holding Roger Smith, by e-mail

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2020 / 241 Classic Trams Special CLASSIC OPERATIONS and THE PANDEMIC As cities continue under ‘lockdown’, Mike Russell gathers first-hand accounts from museums and heritage operations around the world on the current and future effects of the present health crisis.

t is not just city tramways that have had BELOW: Storm damage to Düsseldorf Düwag to adjust to rapidly-changing conditions articulated car 2304 at the Hannover Tramway resulting from the global coronavirus Museum has resulted in the car being written off. pandemic. Tramway museums and René Jonzeck heritage operations are also faced INSET: As we closed for press news came that the Iwith extreme challenges, with closures and HSM has secured Poznań 711 as a replacement for consequent severe erosion of valuable income. the storm-damaged 2304. Here it is still in Poznan The author gathered information from eight service on 11 June 2019. Marcel Hilgers such operations around the globe, with frank, first-hand reports from local correspondents.

Hannover Tramway Museum Wehmingen, Germany Our museum suffered two blows early in 2020. First, a storm on 10 February damaged about 600m of overhead and destroyed Düwag articulated car 2304. The measures surrounding the coronavirus then stopped almost all activities on 17 March. This was due to a government order that all museums had to close and all club meetings were to be cancelled. At the time of writing, the start of the 2020 season, due to take place on 5 April, has been postponed indefinitely. All events up to and including June 2020 have been cancelled; no decision has yet been taken regarding events from July onwards. The society AGM has also been postponed. The vintage bus meeting (originally 10 May) may be rescheduled to later in the year, but the other special events will not take place before 2021. Most work on the museum premises has had to cease. Tramcar restoration and maintenance and some infrastructure projects continue at a low level, with a maximum of two people working together. There are security patrols raised, this may move to Wehmingen in the of the position regarding reopening through and CCTV is also in operation 24 hours. near future. our website (www.tramway.co.uk) and via The effects on the museum’s financial Even if the museum does open, events social media. position are uncertain. The first two months such as the vintage car meeting on 9 August, From Tuesday 24 March the museum has of the season typically account for 25-30% of which attracts in excess of 2000 visitors, may been shut to all the workforce, volunteers and each year’s visitors. May is usually rather busy, be cancelled as events with more than 1000 members. As such it is now unable to service with two or three major events or ‘themed’ people are banned in Germany until 31 August. any library or archive enquiries. Virtually days and extra opening days due to public Up-to-date information is available at all staff have been furloughed to enable the holidays. These will now be lost. www.tram-museum.de and the museum’s museum actively to pursue the wages grant All expenditure has been cut wherever Facebook page www.facebook.com/wehmingen. offered by the Government, which will be possible. Fortunately the museum owns Donations for moving 2664 to Wehmingen critical to the survival of the museum. half of the museum site and has leased the are gratefully received and may be made by Although effectively mothballed, an other half from the local city council for a PayPal: paypal.me/trammuseum. intermittent presence is maintained to cover peppercorn rent, meaning that only monthly Christoph Heuer – Editor of the society magazine urgent administration and the 24-hour instalments for utilities, insurance and bank security arrangements have been boosted. loans are due. The museum can draw on The museum is particularly vulnerable reserves, accumulated for the construction Crich, UK financially at this time of year as the opening of the new combined depot and workshop The National Tramway Museum opened for of the season follows a period of high capital building, but these will not last indefinitely. the 2020 season on 14 March, yet the numbers expenditure over the winter. The immediate Even though businesses of all sizes may of paying visitors over the following days were estimate on finances, even optimistically receive state help, no programme is available for insufficient to cover even seasonal staff costs. looking to re-open at the end of June, non-profit organisations in Germany at present. The decision by the General Manager to close indicates cumulative losses approaching At best, loan payments may be deferred. on Mondays and Fridays was overtaken by UK GBP600 000 (approximately EUR690 000). As far as tramcar restoration is concerned, Government strictures of social distancing and Volunteer tram crews and others assisting at the return of modernised Berlin KT4D 6016 forced the closure of the museum. Seasonal the museum are stood down, but away from to traffic will be delayed and this will have a contract staff therefore had to be laid off. the museum volunteers are still carrying out knock-on effect on other planned work. The decision was made at that time to work on various projects. There is some relief as far as damaged car cancel special events until at least the end Since all workshop activities have been 2304 is concerned: a replacement has been of June. These events include some of those halted, this has suspended restoration sourced in the form of 2664, latterly Poznań most popular and financially beneficial to the progress: work was continuing on LCC 1 711. Provided the necessary funds can be museum. The public are being kept informed and nearing completion for LPTB 1622

242 / JUNE 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org and THE PANDEMIC As cities continue under ‘lockdown’, Mike Russell gathers first-hand accounts from museums and heritage operations around the world on the current and future effects of the present health crisis.

and Newcastle 102. Plans for future work activities, markets, museums: everything that problem. We do not have any paid employees, will have to be re-evaluated. Additionally, is not work-related is cancelled. which for us is a great bonus; there are some commissioning work on tramcars planned for Business can go on, but when it is not financial aid measures from our various use this season has not been completed. possible to work from home or have enough governments, but until now we do not meet Recovery when the current situation distance at work, the company must close the full conditions. If this is all over by mid- improves will not be a quick fix; the return of temporarily. This took effect on 14 March, May, we will probably have an average year as staff will be to their established routines, but initially until 5 April but subsequently we think more people will visit us in summer. also meeting additional backlogs as the rest extended twice until the end of April. Restoration works are slowed, but as everyone knows, this is a very long and slow process. A sad point is that we were starting our season with great prospects – this year the restoration of no fewer than five (yes, five!) trams was due to be finished. Two of them (our goods cars) were delivered in mid-April, coming back from renovation in France (CITEV), and a further two (steam trailers) are now in Thuin and require some work. The same applies to the iconic 9888, which was going to be back in operation after 20 years. Finally, our main events in August and September are still planned; a new schedule will be published for our steam tram as soon as we have more information – www.asvi.be Yves-Laurent Hansart – Editor of the ASVi journal L’Etincelle and museum volunteer

Work on LCC 1, the current major restoration project For ASVi this has meant the seasonal in the Crich workshop, as well as commissioning opening of 4 April has been postponed and work on Feltham 331 for the 2020 season, have both in the meantime everything will remain been suspended since late March. Mike Crabtree closed. At the moment it is not known when of the world gears up after shutdown. For the the confinement will end, how we shall be Final work on the ASVi’s iconic two-axle car 9888, formerly operated in the Gent area but sent to tramway directly, museum management and allowed to reopen and under what conditions. Hainaut at the end of its life, has been halted by the workforce resources will be required to repeat It is important not to spread the virus again restrictions on working. It is still hoped to return it to safety examinations of the infrastructure and ASVi will follow the recommendations. service towards the end of the season. O. Vercouter and vehicles as if it is the opening of the Until we are allowed to reopen there are season. Some annual equipment and safety no activities in or around the museum. Some Danish Tramway Museum inspections will inevitably be overdue, and yearly inspections and works are delayed, Skjoldenaesholm, Denmark availability of materials from suppliers may which means we may not reopen immediately Our season should have started on 25 April, also be held up. Proposed continuing social since we will first have to complete work on but due to government and health authorities distancing measures could severely limit the the line. Some maintenance was needed on restricting assembly to a maximum of ten number of passengers carried on each tramcar. the steam tram involving specialists from people, we first delayed our opening to 8 May The museum is very aware that other France, but this has also been delayed. There (a holiday in Denmark), and then to 16 May. organisations are in as much need as we are will be no steam operation before their visit. Personally, I do not believe we will be able at this time. We would however appreciate Individuals are allowed outside for walks, to open on 16 May, but hopefully we shall any donations to support us; one way readers as long as they do not go near each other, so not see more than a further month’s delay. may wish to help is by buying an annual ticket we have a regular inspection of our line. We Two-metre social distancing, washing using Gift Aid in addition to their subscription. recently had a fallen tree on the tracks and hands regularly, staying at home and other Richard Sykes – long-time TMS member, Crich that will be taken care of soon, but without measures have worked well in Denmark. At volunteer and sometime Board member. hurry as the museum and lines are closed. time of writing we have ‘only’ recorded 404 Financially, of course, this is not good. deaths in the last two months; actually, the ASVi The annual season is only seven months long number of deaths in Denmark in the same Lobbes-Thuin, Belgium and all group visits have been cancelled or two-month period last year was higher by 304! The Belgian Government has not required postponed. Some will not come back as During the closure, visitors have not been a complete lockdown, but recommended they are part of complex arrangements. allowed on the premises. We do not have everyone to stay at home – outside meetings Groups are the biggest regular income. paid staff and volunteers are allowed so long of groups are not allowed. Cinemas, sports Normal opening days are not very as they follow the guidelines and with a events, restaurants, concerts, outdoor profitable until summer, so that is not a maximum of ten at one time. Generally there

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2020 / 243 Classic Trams Special

have been volunteers on site for a minimum from 14 April onwards, but from the day prevent contamination. The Massarelos site of four days a week, which does not differ before all passengers are required to wear face has a round-the-clock guard, so no additional from the norm. masks that cover the mouth and nose on all security measures have been needed. We have strongly recommended elderly forms of public transport. All events for more On the motor bus side, since 14 March volunteers and those in risk categories to stay than ten people are expected to be forbidden passengers may only use the centre or rear away. Those attending are primarily involved until the end of June, although we hope this doors; drivers no longer sell tickets; all in getting the museum ready for its opening – serious situation will have a quicker end. validators are out of use and a yellow ribbon premises, trams, buses etc. Only a small number of people have access has been installed to prevent passengers We expect a significant reduction in visitors to the vintage cars in Erdberg. Everybody can approaching the driver from the centre aisle. – 5000–10 000 rather than a predicted total of reach our offices by mail and by phone for Drivers now begin and end their day with the 25 000 – but it all depends on when we are questions and bookings, although tram same bus and always at depots, to minimise allowed to re-open. We expect to lose income restoration work is currently not possible. the risk of infection. Articulated buses are used to the tune of DKK750 000 to DKK1.5m Rent a Bim has the same fixed costs as where possible in preference to rigid models, (approx. EUR100 000-200 000). We can everybody else and we hope to manage these to provide extra space between passengers. manage using buffer funds or funds set aside for from our reserves. Furthermore we hope No tram-replacement bus services have projects, and in the worst case these can carry that some of the cancelled rides will be made been provided, so passengers using stops us through a complete year without income. later this year. At the moment we do not on the steeply-graded Rua da Restauração Financial relief packages are being put know whether we will get external financial now receive no public transport service at together by the Government, but so far not assistance and feel a little let down by politics. all – levels of passenger traffic, even on main for museums. An official request has been If the crisis lasts longer than June 2020, routes, are severely depressed in any case. submitted on behalf of all 19 Danish vintage Rent a Bim has an essential problem, not only Since 18 March there has been a nationwide train operations, including our tram museum. financially but also regarding the driving State of Emergency, meaning that people Current projects are going ahead as licences for vehicles and personnel. must have a valid reason to leave their homes. planned, but progress is slow as the number We are hoping to survive the crisis well, At present leisure activities are not a valid of volunteers is down. Some work is being but we would be very happy if readers wish reason. Most office workers are ‘teleworking’, done by outside firms, and this continues to plan a city tour with us when travelling but only essential shops such as supermarkets within strict financial guidelines. We have to Vienna later in the year – thus making a and pharmacies remain open. postponed one major project (replacement of valuable contribution to the preservation of Reports from local correspondents. part of the trackwork leading to Depot 1) until Austrian cultural heritage: www.rentabim.at next winter and others are at risk of being Sabine Grahsner and Roman Lillich – postponed, most probably by a year. Volunteers with Rent a Bim The crisis affects us all – and the negative effects will be felt for up to a five-year period. Denmark is not expecting many foreign visitors – at present the borders are closed – which will have a huge impact on tourism. We are fortunate that 95% of our visitors traditionally are Danish – and we hope that once restrictions are lifted that people will want to support Danish attractions as they are unlikely to travel abroad much this year. Tivoli will be greatly affected as there will be Porto's three heritage tram routes have all been no cruise ships this season, when last year suspended; Car 205 approaches the top of the hill at there were up to 400 callings. Largo do Viriato on 2 May 2014. Mike Russell One of the last outings for the Rent a Bim fleet Mikael Lund – Chairman and Museum Director in Wien (Vienna) before the operation was closed saw Type T car 408 and trailer out on the tracks to Historic streetcar operations Nussdorf on 19 January. Sabine Grahsner San Francisco, USA California is on official lockdown until Porto museum and heritage operations at least 15 May, although State Governor Porto, Portgual Gavin Newsom has said that this could easily In Portugal the tram museum and operations continue into June or longer and that any on lines 1, 18 and 22 using traditional cars, are reopening will be phased. a department of STCP, Porto’s urban public Muni (San Francisco Municipal Railway), transport operator for the buses. operators of the various public transport STCP is run by an independent board and modes in the city, has taken a sequence of has been since 1946. Today it is owned by six steps to reflect the changed situation. These shareholders, namely the six municipalities started with removal from service of the cable where the company operates (Porto, Gaia, cars and historic streetcars on lines E and F Matosinhos, Maia, Valongo and Gondomar), from 17 March; they were initially replaced by A 2017 aerial view of the campus of the Danish so all decisions regarding COVID-19 are made buses on the same routes (except E, deemed Tramway Museum at Skjoldenaesholm, completely by STCP in accordance with public health redundant in the face of collapsing system- devoid of visitors. Small groups of volunteers have regulations issued at a national level. wide ridership). been permitted to continue restoration work during the closure. Courtesy of SHS The Massarelos museum closed after Subsequently, from 30 March, Muni also 10 March, with no firm date for re-opening. replaced its light rail lines that use the subway Tramway museum and Rent a Bim After 14 March tramway operation was under Market Street with surface bus service, Wien,Austria suspended for an indefinite time and all staff again on the same routes. The city-wide bus The last vintage tram hired from Rent a Bim, are told to stay at home for ‘voluntary social route structure has since been reduced from M 4023, ran on 12 March. The ‘shutdown’ isolation’. For the last two days, passengers 87 routes to 17. The cable car routes are no began in Austria on 16 March and since were not allowed on the front platform but longer covered by buses, nor is the section 19 March, Wiener Linien has tried only to use were allowed to enter and leave this way. of the F line north of The Embarcadero low-floor-cars with an enclosed cabin for the For the first time ever, the annual parade of (Fisherman’s Wharf, its primary destination, drivers; E1 and E2 cars are temporarily out of museum tramcars, due to take place on 9 May, is all but completely closed). Market Street is service. The Erdberg museum is also closed. has been cancelled. covered by the T-Third Street bus (replacing The number of passengers is on the decline, The workshops remain open, but alternative a subway line), which uses the F line streetcar 70-80% of normal numbers. More trams ran maintenance schedules are in operation to terminal at Castro and Market Streets.

244 / JUNE 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Most people, including those over 70, must stay at home. Limited surveillance and emergency repairs are permitted, and for Ferrymead, a management committee member and a staff member, both well under 70, make regular visits. Little vandalism has occurred although some wind damage to a building has been discovered and repaired. Some volunteers have taken items home for restoration or repair. This was the situation for nearly five weeks, but from 28 April there has been a change to Level 3. This has enabled the Ferrymead workshops to reopen, but limited to paid staff only and with strict conditions related to hygiene, social distancing and contactless pickup and delivery. The restaurant tram was to be delivered on 1 May. Tram operation cannot yet resume, and volunteers still need to stay at home. The government has provided a 12-week wage subsidy to any non-government enterprise that can show a minimum of 30% loss of earnings in any month, and both Ferrymead and Attractions have been ABOVE: A scene on the San Francisco F line that For both tramways, COVID-19 is their granted funding from this source. With no is unlikely to be repeated in the near future, with second recent catastrophic experience, the current earnings, however, like many other Blackpool Boat 228 at the Building heading first being the Christchurch earthquakes of visitor activities, the latter are virtually in along the Embarcadero and PCC 1059 in Boston 2010-11. This resulted in both lines being ‘hibernation’. More emphasis on restarting Elevated Railway livery and San Francisco Muni abruptly closed on 22 February 2011. The the economy is expected in coming weeks, no. 1 of 1912 in the distance on 9 September 2018. Ferrymead tramway suffered relatively little but any further assistance is not yet known. James Cusworth damage and resumed operation that May, At Ferrymead the tramcar restoration The historic streetcar fleet is a collection of but the badly-damaged city centre remained programme has been virtually halted and one-of-a-kind electric rail vehicles from both empty and in lockdown for several months, there are concerns that usual funding sources the US and around the world. The current while damaged buildings were assessed and such as from gambling proceeds (government- historic streetcar fleet consists of 34 PCCs, demolition commenced. controlled lotteries), pub charities (poker 11 former Milan Peter Witt cars and eight Some track was broken, a bridge damaged machines), and private benefactors may dry vintage streetcars. These normally operate and overhead lines had fallen or were removed up because of reduced earnings and higher along the F Market & Wharves and E during site clearance. This meant longer (humanitarian) priorities. Embarcadero lines, which are popular routes delays, with re-opening eventually achieved CTL has indefinitely delayed its request for tourists and locals alike. in two stages – November 2013 and November for further trams and is limiting expenditure The current project will rehabilitate five 2014. The extension, part constructed on repairs and refurbishment. It is unclear vintage streetcars in accordance with the pre-earthquake, was completed to an interim whether the city track extension will proceed Historical Vehicle Rehabilitation Program of terminus and opened in January 2015. as planned or be delayed because of the the SFMTA Fleet Plan. These five double-ended Particularly for the City tramway it has Council’s now stated intention to reduce cars are critical to meeting E and F line service been a long recovery period, but with a new costs. Some delay may also occur in the demand and the rehabilitation will upgrade central city retail area completed – plus the provision of imported materials needed for the major electrical and mechanical systems and pending completion of a new Convention extension (pointwork and overhead fittings). ensure these systems meet ADA requirements. centre and cruise ship facilities at the local Various events have been cancelled or Rick Laubscher – President, Market Street Railway port of Lyttelton –the future was looking rosy. postponed, and in the city completion of the Fleet expansion was underway with a further convention centre has been delayed, with a Ferrymead & Christchurch Tramways tram to be supplied by Ferrymead later this projected October opening put back to 2021. Christchurch, New Zealand year, in time for the 2020-21 tourist season, Dave Hinman – Secretary, Tramway Historical Society Christchurch has two tramways – the 1.5km expected to be the best yet. Additional tram and former town planner with Christchurch City Council (0.9-mile) tramway at Ferrymead Heritage storage space was also under investigation. Park, and the 4.6km (2.9-mile) Christchurch Work on the extension was due to get Tramway in the city centre. underway by the end of this year. Owned and operated since 1968 by the And then… the pandemic! No physical Tramway Historical Society, the not-for-profit damage this time, but from early March Ferrymead Tramway is largely volunteer- run, visitor numbers began declining and the although it does have a small paid workforce, company began to economise and adapt to engaged in restoration, repairs and fast-changing conditions. This included early maintenance, both for Ferrymead and the City. closure of the restaurant tram, previously due The City Tramway is operated by for partial refurbishment at Ferrymead from Christchurch Tramway Ltd (CTL), flagship of early June, now brought forward to early April. the Christchurch Attractions group. Built by The end came at quite short notice - two Christchurch City Council and opening in days’ advice from the Prime Minister that 1995, the central city tourist line was extended COVID-19 Alert Level 4 (total lockdown other The hive of tramway activity that should in 2015 and operates daily with paid staff. than essential services) would take effect be Ferrymead, seen here on 1 April 2017 with Christchurch 1, Dunedin 22 and Brisbane 236 all in Five of its seven trams are leased from from 00.00 on 25 March. All tram operations evidence. Mike Russell Ferrymead and one from the Sydney Tramway (not regarded as public transport) and work

Museum. Restaurant Tram (ex- W2 at the Ferrymead workshops had to cease. Tramway museums are a vital part of our cultural heritage. 411) is jointly owned by CTL and Sydney. A Our last trams ran at Ferrymead on 22 March So if you are able, we would urge you to support your local core of full-time drivers is augmented by part- and in town in the afternoon of 23 March. groups – or any of the organisations listed on these pages – timers, often in their 60s and 70s. is now closed. during these most challenging times.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2020 / 245 NEWS FROM THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ASSOCIATION Cleaner air saves lives LRTA petitions UK Government as ‘lockdown’ evidence demonstrates benefits of reduced pollution

ne of the benefits of the lockdown has World Health Organisation (WHO) figures petition on the Parliament Petitions website been a noticeable absence of planes in suggest that 4.2m premature deaths each and a draft letter for readers to send to their O the sky and fewer vehicles on the road. year can be attributed to exposure to ambient local MP urging them to support binding Not only has that meant a clearer night sky, air pollution. Indeed, the WHO estimates legalisation. but also less pollution in our urban centres. that over 80% of those living in urban areas The full text of our petition is: New research from the Centre for Research that monitor air pollution are exposed to air on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has estimated quality levels that exceed guideline limits. Action on Non-Exhaust Emissions that 11 000 deaths have been avoided All this evidence supports TramForward’s The UK Government should adopt as legally across Europe – with 1752 of those being in campaign for the 2020 Environment Bill binding, the World Health Organisation guideline the UK. After Germany, with an estimated currently being considered by Parliament to levels for PM2.5 of 10µg/m³ as an annual mean 2083 avoided deaths, these are the highest have legally binding WHO-recommended threshold by 2030. reductions in Europe, illustrating just how bad levels for air pollution. We have launched a The Environment Bill must include legislation air pollution is in the UK. on non-exhaust emissions – these are particles The CREA found that over the first 30 days from tyres, the road surface and plasticisers. Also of lockdown there was a 9% average reduction known as PM2.5, the major source of this invisible in particulates, and a 36% reduction in NO2 microparticulate pollution are buses and lorries. levels in British cities and towns. Environmentally-friendly and sustainable transport Other forecasts for avoided health solutions must be found for our busy towns and implications include: 1.3m fewer days of work cities, which should include light rail systems. absence, 6000 fewer new cases of asthma in Parliament should recognise and support in children, 1900 avoided emergency room visits law efforts to clean up the air in our towns and due to asthma attacks, and 600 fewer pre-term cities. This should include the provision of a births. Most of these impacts are linked to new local transport infrastructure fund to enable chronic air pollution exposure. transport authorities to develop sustainable clean At the same time, a study by Harvard alternatives, including light rail. University in the US has shown a correlation between high PM2.5 pollution and death from You can find further details on our website: COVID-19. The study suggests that “long- www.lrta.org. The CREA report is available at term exposure to PM2.5 adversely affects the https://energyandcleanair.org/air-pollution- respiratory and cardiovascular system, it can deaths-avoided-in-europe-as-coal-oil-plummet/ also exacerbate the severity of the COVID-19 infection symptoms and may increase the risk All LRTA regional meetings have of death… [suggesting] that long-term exposure been cancelled until further notice – to air pollution increases vulnerability to the An air pollution monitoring station in central stay updated at www.lrta.org most severe COVID-19 outcomes.” London. N19± / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tramway Review at 70 Poland AGM In addition to TAUT, the LRTA also publishes moved to 2021 Tramway Review – our historical journal dedicated to the tramways and urban railways of yesteryear. Plans to hold the Association’s AGM in When Tramway Review was first published in Poland this September have been put 1950, the tramway industry – in Great Britain and on hold; the visit is now planned for many other parts of the world – appeared to be in September 2021. terminal decline. As such, the ambition of this LRTA and TramForward Chair Paul journal was to record for posterity, while there was Rowen explained: “With the current still time, the history of lost and dying tramways. uncertainty over travel associated To mark its 70th anniversary, in September with the COVID-19 pandemic and we are publishing a new 144-page anthology. after discussion with tour operator Ian Edited by Geoffrey Skelsey and Martin Dibbs, this Longworth, we have decided to postpone special publication revisits some of the highlights the visit to Katowice until 2021. of the many historical studies and archival “We needed to publish details illustrations from the magazine’s 70-year history. this month, and while we’ve sorted With today’s upsurge in new tramways, this arrangements in Poland, travel to the book will showcase the distinguished history country is still uncertain. We have which lies behind them. therefore taken the decision to move Further details will be provided next month the AGM to 2021 in order to safeguard and on our website. the safety and well-being of members.” Bookshop

Order online from www.lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 38 Wolseley Road, SALE, M33 7AU (Please provide contact telephone or mobile number) Please note: the coronavirus pandemic is impacting on many nations’ postal services and this can result in delays to items despatched from the LRTA and other publishers.

Tramways & Stadtbahnen in Hannover

New from the LRTA. Believed to be the first history of the system to be published in English, this book relates the pioneering nature of the extensive network in and around the city from the 19th Century through the conversion of most routes to the modern light rail lines of today, with several underground axes.

The author, the late Reverend Richard Buckley, was editor of Tramway Review from 2008 to 2017.

> A4 softback; 232 pages, fully-illustrated in colour and black & white plus several maps. £35.50 (UK addresses) £42.50 (outside UK) £47.50 (Airmail beyond Europe) LRTA Members: £3.25 discount

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Network Greater Manchester Baltimore Streetcar Memories

Pictorial review of heavy and light A brief history of the network rail operations around the city from that operated from 1885 to 1963, the 1970s to the present, showing the richly-illustrated with images of predecessors of tram operation on the variety of car types. Includes several lines. Helpfully divided into chapters on the trolleycoach four quadrants of Greater Manchester services that ran from 1922 to plus the central area, and a chapter on 1931 and from 1939 to 1959, Metrolink. plus the modern light rail system introduced from 1992. > B5 softback; 96 pages, 162 colour pictures. > 275 x 215 mm softback; 128 £16.00 – www.fonthill.media pages, 126 colour and 95 black & white pictures, five maps. £20.00 – www.fonthill.media

Croydon Tramlink London Trolleybuses A definitive history A second album in Black & white

This is the first full history of London’s Superb collection of mainly only second-generation tramway, which full-page images covering the celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. final years of the system from It looks at the political, economic and 1950 to 1962 and showing the social aspects of the network and the immense variety of the city’s important contribution of Tramlink to streetscapes. The lack of traffic greatly-improved local transport links. in much of central London is quite staggering! > A4 hardback; 200 pages, 200 colour & black and white illustrations, maps, track > 245 x 280mm hardback, diagrams and timetables. landscape format; 96 pages, £28.00 inc. UK delivery, but see p. 229 for 108 black & white pictures. special offer – www.pen-and-sword.co.uk £19.95 – www.capitaltransport.com 2020

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