THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

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JANUARY 2018 No. 961 zaragoza: light rail perfected?

Cambridge: Tramway plans for a historic UK city Thai cities to create four lines in 2018 VDV to lead new tram-train alliance Dublin opens Luas Cross City line

F rench lessons Houston 01> £4.60 Successful urban US city debates the tram integration future role of transit 9 771460 832067 “I very much enjoyed “The presentations, increased informal Manchester networking, logistics networking opportunities and atmosphere were in such a superb venue. excellent. There was a The 12th Annual Light Rail common agreement Conference quite clearly 17-18 July 2018 among the participants marked a coming of age that the UK Light Rail as the leader on light rail Conference is one of worldwide, as evidenced the best in the industry.” by the depth of analysis The UK Light Rail Conference and exhibition is the Simcha Ohrenstein – from quality speakers and CTO, Jerusalem LRT the active participation of premier knowledge-exchange event in the industry. Transit Masterplan key industry players and suppliers in the discussions.” With unrivalled networking opportunities, and a Ian Brown CBE – Director, UKTram 75% return rate for exhibitors, it is well-known as THE place to do business and build valuable and “This event gets better every year; the 2018 long-lasting relationships. dates are in the diary.” Peter Daly – Sales & There is no better place to gain true insight into Services Manager, Thermit Welding (GB) Voices the workings of the sector and help shape its future. V from the T o discuss how you can be part of it, industry… visit us online at www.mainspring.co.uk “An excellent conference as always. or telephone +44 (0) 1733 367600 Well done for such a well-organised and “I had a great time in highly-informative Manchester. Thank you for SUPPORTED BY ORGANISED BY event.” everything, the conference David Hand was a great success.” Global Lead for LRT Ana M. Moreno – & Divisional Director General Manager, Mott MacDonald Tranvía de Zaragoza CONTENTS T he official journal of the Light Rail 12 Transit Association JANUARY 2018 Vol. 81 No. 961 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL Editor – Simon Johnston 4 [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 T ony Bailey, Richard Felski, Ed Havens, Andrew Moglestue, Paul Nicholson, Herbert Pence, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Alain Senut, Vic Simons, Witold Urbanowicz, Bill Vigrass, 9 Thomas Wagner, Rick Wilson Production – Lanna Blyth News 4 zaragoza: a light rail model? 20 T el: +44 (0)1733 367604 Dublin opens Luas Cross City; Škoda sold Ana Moreno of Tranvía de Zaragoza shares [email protected] to PPF Group; UK reveals ‘Transforming the benefits of the city’s first tram project. DESIGN – Debbie Nolan Cities Fund’; VDV alliance for tram-train Advertising orders; Thailand to launch four LRT projects s YSteMS FACTFILE: BRATISLAVA 24 COMMERCIAL Manager – Geoff Butler in 2018; Wellington light rail to be fast- New trams, route upgrades and connections Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 tracked?; BQX mock-up tram revealed. across the Danube are transforming [email protected] Slovakia’s capital, as Neil Pulling discovers. Publisher – Matt Johnston houston BUILDS... AND REBUILDS 9 Tramways & Urban Transit Vic Simons sees how the most car-reliant WORLDWIDE REVIEW 30 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, city in the US is fighting hard to build its Work begins on Bolivia’s first LRT line; Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK light rail presence. Hyderabad metro opens; Stockholm Tramways & Urban Transit is published by Mainspring terminates resignalling contract; Battersea on behalf of the LRTA on the third Friday of each LRT AS PART OF THE LANDSCAPE 12 tunnel works completed; Sound Transit month preceding the cover date. Reg Harman considers three French cities’ orders Brookville Liberty ‘off-wire’ cars. approaches to tramway development and the importance of brilliant urban design. mailbox 35 Incident reponse and tram-train OLE queried. PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION G OING UNDERGROUND IN CAMBRIDGE 16 Warners (Midlands) plc, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK In one of the UK’s fastest-growing regions, CL ASSIC trams: SURPRiSE IN ALMATY 36 LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) this historic city demands better transport, Mike Russell reports on new life planned for Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up argues Colin Harris of Cambridge Connect. the trams of the former Kazakh capital. members of the Light Rail Transit Association. Subscriptions, MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES a nd back issues Big business demands better urban transport LRT A Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley As we head into 2018, it is encouraging to see that the case for sustainable Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. T el: +44 (0)117 951 7785 transport is reaching more local and national agendas. The light bulb is going [email protected] Website: www.lrta.info on in more and more cities as finally it seems the world’s love affair with the internal combustion engine and the tailpipe may be coming to an end... for CORPORATE Subscriptions VISIT The evidence is overwhelming. The effects of climate change are www.mainspring.co.uk recognisable all over the world and a new generation of leaders is prepared to tackle LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE them head-on. The groundswell of public opinion is behind them, too – it has been for 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling DA16 2BY, UK. years – so it is gratifying that the more enlightened are listening at long last. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 This is due in no small part to the world’s mega-conglomerates, who are voting with in England and Wales. their feet. Major tech companies are placing direct transit links at the top of their LRTA Chairman – Andrew Braddock wishlists for their huge new campuses. Amazon’s recent announcement that it is looking [email protected] for a new US headquarters (‘HQ2’) sparked a startling arms race as cities jockey to put © LRTA 2018 themselves at the top of the pile for one of the world’s biggest companies. The prize is significant – 50 000 new jobs, average salaries of USD100 000 and USD5bn of valuable Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution local investment. Heavy and light rail plans across the nation have been dusted off as is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the cities seem prepared to stretch themselves to land this biggest of fish. opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of Facebook and Google are also expanding their European bases, prizing connectivity the LRTA or Mainspring. All rights reserved. of both the digital and physical kind. It makes clear business sense. Efficient, effective No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in transport direct to their gilded doors reduces the need for expensive car parking and any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and encourages healthier and more productive lifestyles – perhaps more cyncially, they can retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from all be seen to be doing their ‘CSR bit’ in looking after the planet. the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the Never underestimate the power of big business. With the shift in global wealth towards magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. the digital and tech industries, these powerhouses have enormous political clout to influence decision-making in a way that individuals cannot. They want to ally themselves COVER: Zaragoza is well-known as an exemplar of with progressive, forward-thinking smart cities with clear plans for the urban realm that how to integrate trams into a city, regularly hosting don’t involve traffic jams and pollution. Don’t we all? Simon Johnston, Editor guests from around the world. Tranvía de Zaragoza

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 3 News Dublin opens Luas Cross City line Services on Green line section start in time for Christmas as Luas welcomes its first 55m tram

he 5.9km (3.7-mile) Luas Ireland in 2015 with the first due Cross City line from to enter service in February 2018. St. Stephen’s Green An additional 1760 passengers to Broombridge in per hour are expected in each TIreland’s capital was to open on 9 direction on the extended Green December. The new 13-stop route line and Ireland’s government is being operated as an extension approved a further EUR100m of the Green line with a basic to expand Sandyford depot service running from Bride’s Glen and lengthen the existing 26 to the city centre, where alternate Green line Citadis trams to nine trams will turn on the one-way sections (an additional 12m) section between O’Connell in November. Street Upper and Parnell Recent surveys by the National Street, with remaining trams Transport Authority (NTA) show proceeding to Broombridge. that the Green line is operating Construction of the line at capacity in peak periods, with began in June 2013, with the crowding taking place between EUR386m project completed to the stops at Balally and Ranelagh. time and budget; major works In order to promote use of the were completed this summer and Luas Cross City line, the NTA operator Transdev has recruited has introduced Luas Cross City ABOVE: Traffic arrangements on Dawson Street have been revised as part of the 29 new drivers for the service. Introductory Leap Card Off-Peak Luas Cross City project. Only buses and trams are now permitted northbound with By 16 November the first fares. These are to be available for a contraflow tram lane southbound. Testing of the line using Citadis 5026 was in of eight nine-section Alstom one year and will cost EUR1 for progress on 14 November. W. Murphy / CC BY 2.0 Citadis 502 trams (5027) had an adult or student and EUR0.50 been received for the extension, for a child. The promotional fare LEFT: with six more to follow. At nearly applies to travel outside peak The first 55m long, they are amongst the hours Monday-Friday, within nine-section longest trams in the world (as the following area: Parnell in Citadis 502 well as being the longest-ever the North, St. Stephen’s Green in at Sandyford Citadis variant) and platform the South, Jervis in the West and depot in November, lengthening works have been Busáras/Connolly/George’s Dock following its completed to accommodate them. in the East. Other Luas cash fares arrival from The EUR36.5m tram order was were raised by an average of 5% La Rochelle, placed by Transport Infrastructure from 1 December. France. Alstom December change sees new European tramlines The annual timetable change will be extended further west (trams run alternately to each station and on to Werdhölzli of 10 December saw the usual to Etoile in the spring and terminus). via Escher-Wysss Platz. list of additions to tramway to the city’s Central Station In the Swiss city of Basel, Stuttgart extended line networks across Europe. (with 3.6km of catenary-free line 3 was extended from U12 1.2km (0.75 miles) from The first 4.6km (2.85 miles) operation) in 2019. By 2021 Burgfelden Grenze to Gare de Hallschlag to Wagrainäcker. of the Luxembourg tramway the line will extend to 16.4km St-Louis in France, adding a The upper station at from Luxexpo to Pafendall- (Findel–Cloche d’Or). further international line to Staatsgalerie and subway to Rout Bréck on the plateau of Sunday 10 December also the network. Charlottenplatz were reopened. Kirchberg was inaugurated saw Innsbruck line 3 extended In Switzerland’s largest city, In Düsseldorf, the using nine of the 32 double- by 3km (1.9 miles) from Zürich line 8 was extended from Rheinbahn is extending ended 45m CAF trams that Höttinger Au/West to Technik Hardplatz over the Hardbrücke line 1 from Rath to Am are being delivered. The line West and Peerhofsiedlung road bridge to Hardbrücke Hülserhof (1.8km/1.1 miles).

Following more than a year of EUR35bn portfolio of assets of the company’s production Škoda sold to speculation, and negotiations in markets such as financial during the period, employing with potential suitors including services, telecommunications, over 5300 staff. PPF Group Chinese rolling stock giant CRRC biotechnology and agriculture. Trams remained the mainstay and Czech billionaire Daniel Kellner retains a 98.92% stake. of its activities last year, with Kretínsky, PPF Group announced Earlier this year Škoda 87 low-floor vehicles produced it had acquired 100% of Škoda announced record 2016 for Helsinki, Bratislava and Transportation shares on 25 earnings of CZK1.57bn Praha and contracts signed for November. The transaction (EUR61.7m) against a turnover deliveries to Chemnitz, Eski ehir is reportedly worth in excess of CZH15.7bn (EUR616.4m). and Riga in 2016. It has also been of CZK10bn (EUR395m); Although turnover had fallen involved in joint ventures for completion is subject to approval by around 15% year-on-year, the local assembly of its tramway by regulatory authorities. company announced that net products in China, including What might have been – a Skoda PPF was founded in 1991 by profit had risen from CZK588m with CSR Quingdao Sifang and 27T 100% low-floor tram was exhibited Czech entrepreneur Petr Kellner (EUR23.1m) in 2015. Exports Beijing Subway Rolling Stock in China in 2015. Škoda and has developed a diverse accounted for just over half Equipment Company.

4 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org New stock UK announces GBP1.7bn for Turkey ‘Transforming Cities Fund’ must be 51% Midland Metro Brierley Hill route funded plus new Tyne & Wear Metro cars local content

new GBP1.7bn A decree published by (EUR1.9bn) Turkish Prime Minister ‘Transforming Cities Binali Yıldırım on 7 Fund’ (TCF) was November stipulates that all Alaunched by the UK Government future urban rail vehicles in November, with the news delivered to Turkish cities that GBP250m would be must have at least 51% local allocated to the West Midlands content. The decree covers “for better transport”. Prime trams, LRVs, metro rolling Minister Theresa May made the stock, funiculars, monorails announcement on 20 November. and cable cars. West Midlands Mayor Andy The decree follows Street confirmed that the money guidelines released by the will be used to extend Midland Ministry of Transport, Metro from Wednesbury, Maritime Affairs & through Dudley town centre, Communication in 2016 to the ‘DY5’ enterprise zone in stating that future vehicle Brierley Hill. The 11km (seven- tenders need to ‘support mile) route has 17 planned stops domestic production’, (including four provisional stops) although no firm targets and will largely run along the Midland Metro 36 in Birmingham city centre on 28 June 2016; confirmation of were set at the time. formation of a disused rail line. funding for the route to Brierley Hill was given on 20 November. Neil Pulling There are currently four Mr Street said the importance rolling stock assembly of the extension “is difficult to cities where this is most needed, The project to replace the current plants in Turkey: Durmazlar overstate,” adding that “this has connecting communities and vehicles, which have largely at Bursa, Bozankaya in been a long time coming – many making it quicker and easier for been in service since the system’s Ankara, Eurotem (Hyundai decades in fact. people to get around.” opening in 1980, has been Rotem/Tüvasas) at “We now begin looking at the “We have already seen the granted GBP337m (EUR377m) Adapazari, and CRRC at next projects we want to fund, impact of better integrated of finance from the National Sincan (near Ankara). with the extension of the Metro transport links for both Productivity Investment Fund. The 38 trams being built to Eastside to connect with the passengers and the local economy A further GBP25m (EUR28m) by Eurotem for Izmir have HS2 station at Curzon and the in cities like Nottingham and is to come from the North East 85% Turkish content. A reopening of the Camp Hill line Manchester. This new fund will Combined Authority. CRRC subsidiary is building very much in our sights.” enable more English cities to reap It is expected that an invitation 342 metro cars for Ankara Once the new line is open, these benefits, helping to deliver to tender will be issued in in nearby Sincan, with the expected for 2023, it is intended the opportunities and ambition January, with a contract award in initial 75 having 30% local that Dudley commuters will be of the Industrial Strategy across early 2020 and vehicles starting content. The remainder will 40 minutes in travel time from the country, as well as driving to arrive from late 2021. Delivery attain the 51% target. the new Curzon Street station. forward the Northern Powerhouse of all 84 trains is expected to take Domestic suppliers Secretary of State for and Midlands Engine.” two to three years. Durmazlar and Bozankaya Transport Chris Grayling As well as announcing the have recently built trams visited Nottingham on TCF Just two days after the Midland Transforming Cities Fund, the for the cities of Izmit launch day: “Investment in Metro announcement, funding UK Government said it planned and Kayseri that are in transport is crucial to a strong for replacement of the Tyne & to work with industry to see the theory 100% local content, and resilient economy. The Wear Metro fleet was confirmed country’s spending on research although some electro- Transforming Cities Fund will in the UK’s annual budget and development reach 2.4% mechanical equipment is drive productivity and growth in statement on 22 November. of GDP by 2027. imported from Germany. Courtesy of Friends of the Brooklyn Queens Connector NEWS IN PICTURES BQX mock-up unveiled Public officials and advocates of proposals to build a 22.5km (14-mile) light rail line connecting the New York boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens revealed a life-size mock-up of an Alstom Citadis low- floor vehicle at the Brooklyn Naval Yard on 13 November. The 14m USD100 000 prototype was shipped from Nice for the event. The Brooklyn-Queens Connector (BQX) is intended to reduce congestion along the waterfront of the East River and improve connections to the city. Still in the early planning stages, the new line could open in 2024; the area’s last lines closed on 31 October 1956. Announced by New York Mayor Bill De Blasio in February 2016, the double-track route would run between Astoria and Sunset Park, although critics have suggested that the plan to issue bonds against future property taxes along the line would not be sufficient to meet the project’s USD2.5bn pricetag and that these funds instead be invested in upgrading the city’s existing networks.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 5 News European tram-train alliance formed VDV partners with German and Austrian operators to co-operate on standards and procurement

he Verband Deutscher operators noted the disparity Verkehrsunternehmen when placing orders compared (VDV – Association to comparable heavy rail of German Transport alternatives. VDV TramTrain Operators)T and seven transport will now attempt to obtain better undertakings from across value for money rather than each Germany and Austria have set operator placing small orders, up a joint group to procure tram- which currently come in around train LRVs to drive efficiencies of EUR6m per car. scale for new rolling stock. VDV TramTrain is now VDV TramTrain embraces preparing specifications for Karlsruhe operators VBK a uniform bodyshell, safety and AVG, Saarbahn, KVG in components and traction system, Kassel, Ems–Neckar Bahn, with options for platform Regionaltangente West in heights, door configurations and Frankfurt/Main, and Schiene axle weights to suit each system. Oberösterrreich from Austria. There would be a common The group, led by AVG’s Thorsten authorisation process for tram and Erlenkötter, plans to tender and train operation – Betriebsordnung A Bombardier-built Flexity Swift ET 2010 tram-train of AVG Karlsruhe enters procure up to 300 tram-train Strassenbahn (BOStrab) and service on line S2. AVG LRVs under a framework contract Eisenbahnbetriebsordnung and cost savings, according to At an early stage the in 2018-24. Of these, 180 are (EBO). It is estimated that joint Project Manager Mr Erlenkötter. participating undertakings and planned for delivery to VBK procurement could achieve cost “One can collect common spare the VDV consulted with rolling and AVG, with four prototypes savings of EUR1m per vehicle. parts, consult with common stock manufacturers, who were expected by 2021. Once a common platform experts, create a vehicle reserve reportedly enthusiastic about The group’s formation is established, resulting orders and last but not least strengthen the proposal. It is envisaged that brings to fruition discussions should also be delivered more the negotiating position with the other operators could join VDV dating back to 2009 as German swiftly, bringing associated time manufacturers,” he said. TramTrain in the future.

New partnership for Support for Pesa’s future Italian urban rail projects Pesa has secured a PLN200m The loan will be followed by (EUR47.6m) loan from a group a corporate restructure with of six banks from Poland, new private investment of Germany and Austria (led by PLN200-400m (EUR47.6-95.2m) PKO Bank Polski) as it seeks to expected by the end of March. restructure its business until a strategic investor can be found. On 10 November, MPK Krakow The Bydgoszcz-based awarded a Stadler-Solaris joint company has dominated venture the contract for up to 50 domestic markets in recent low-floor trams after winning years, delivering its 500th tram bidder Pesa failed to submit (a Swing low-floor model for its financial guarantees. Delivery home city) on 21 September. of the 32m trams must be Milan’s M5 metro line opened in stages between 2013 and 2015 and has been However, cashflow problems completed within 30 months. internationally recognised as an exemplar of public-private co-operation. ATM have been caused by early MPK Krakow announced Pesa termination of a contract to as preferred bidder in August Italian national railway Ferrovie country’s GDP. A joint statement build Fokstrot trams to Moscow, after a decision to exclude the dello Stato Italiane and state- said that ‘the infrastructure owing to the customer’s manufacturer was overturned controlled investment bank gap to be filled has a notable inability to pay. Orders for by Poland’s National Court of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) impact on the competitiveness new inter-city EMUs for Polish Appeal; the operator had sought signed a partnership for new of Italian urban centres. In Italy, railways failed to materialise. to disqualify the company urban rail projects across the rail transport meets only 36% Pesa has also carried out following late deliveries of a country on 15 November. of local mobility requirements, an unexpected number of previous tram order. The agreement confirms a compared with just over 60% warranty repairs, and invested Confirming its decision commitment to develop new in Germany, France and the PLN500m (EUR119m) in to place an order with the metro and light rail networks as United Kingdom’. research and development in second-placed bidder, MPK well as extensions, encouraging FS Italiane CEO Renato the last five years. released this statement: private capital, including Mazzoncini said: “Today we PLN130m (EUR31m) has also “The fact that Pesa failed to public-private partnerships. have a mere 230km of network, been spent on certification and deliver a PLN29.9m guarantee CDP notes the increasing compared with 300km only production of new DMUs for was a surprise because Pesa importance of urban areas in in Madrid. The efficiency of German operators. Pesa says confirmed in writing on 9 national economic prosperity, metropolitan urban transport these issues have affected the November that it had entered with around 68% of Italy’s is crucial to the development company’s ability to fulfil new into a credit agreement and population living in city regions, of integrated door-to-door orders and obtain financial could use up to PLN100m for generating over 40% of the mobility.” guarantees for new contracts. the execution of this contract.”

6 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Four bidders in line for new DLR trains Thailand to launch four Transport for London has issued an Invitation to Negotiate in its search for a manufacturer to design and LRT projects in 2018 build the next trains for the UK capital’s Docklands Light Railway. Four bidders have prequalified Work on over 150km of new lines to begin as part of ‘Thailand 4.0’ for the next stage of the process – Alstom, Bombardier, CAF, and he Thai Government an estimated cost of THB24bn 13.8km Blue line) featuring at- a consortium of Siemens, Stadler has announced that (EUR619m), this 23-stop route grade and elevated alignments is Bussang and Stadler Rail Valencia. light rail projects would link Tha Nun in Phangnga costed at THB28.9bn (EUR745m). It is expected that the contract will in four cities could province to Phuket airport and Reviews of both proposals were be awarded during 2018. Tbegin construction in 2018, Phuket airport to the inner city. expected in December. It is planned that the 43 new representing an investment of Financing options are currently In Khon Kaen, environmental ‘walk-through’ trains, each 87m long, will come into service from over THB100bn (EUR2.6bn). under investigation with impact assessments for a 2022. Of those, 33 trains will replace Transport Minister Arkhom construction tendering expected THB15bn (EUR387m) 22.6km existing stock, helping to boost Termpitayapaisith said the in the second half of 2018. It is (14-mile) line are being finalised. capacity on the system by 30%. projects are cornerstones of expected that this project will The plan for this city in the east > TAUT celebrated 30 years of the the Transport Ministry’s 2018 be included in the government’s of the country includes 18 stops DLR in a special publication (956). infrastructure plan, part of the PPP fast-track scheme. between Tha Phra to Samran in Moscow Metro upgrades wider ‘Thailand 4.0’ smart cities The University of Chiang Mai Khon Kaen’s Muang district. and RER lines planned initiative to integrate digital has also completed studies for the The Office of Transport and RUR550bn (EUR7.95bn) is to be technology, energy efficiency largest city in northern Thailiand, Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) invested in modernising and and sustainable transport. developing two LRT options. The has also completed design work extending the Moscow Metro over Public-Private Partnership (PPP) first covers a 35km (21.7-mile) for Nakhon Ratchasima’s light the next six years, with new trains schemes are envisaged to be network of three routes (a rail project, worth an estimated and three new radial plus one orbital applied for the four projects. 12km Red line, a 11km Green THB15bn. This plan is to be put line programmed. Commuter rail Mr Termpitayapaisith said the line and a 12km Blue line) with before the national Transport lines will also be upgraded and new connections made. most advanced is the 60km (37- both at-grade and underground Ministry for approval before the Mayor Sergey Sobyanin and RZD mile) regional network for Phuket sections at a cost of THB107bn end of the year. Managing Director Oleg Belozerov (population 392 000), for which (EUR2.76bn). A second 40.6km Feasibility studies are made a presentation to President feasibility studies and design (25.2-mile) plan (15.7km Red reportedly underway for projects Putin on 15 October for finance to work have been completed. With line, 11.1km Green line and in Phitsanulok and Udon Thani. upgrade local commuter rail lines to metro standard, with RUR40bn (EUR577m) to be invested. Shortlists revealed for Melbourne completes W-Class audit Parramatta Stage 1 LRT Shortlisted bidders to design, build An audit by Australia’s Victoria and operate the first 12km (7.5-mile) State Government has found stage of the Parramatta Light Rail that just 27 of its stored W-Class project were announced on trams have the potential for 22 November. refurbishment and re-use in Two bidders have been selected for the civil works package, John passenger service. A total of 752 Holland and a joint venture of trams of the type were produced CPB Contractors and Downer EDI between 1923-56 and 224 Works. Three consortia have been remain on VicTrack’s register. shortlisted to supply rolling stock, The famous cars were phased a new depot, railway systems, out of revenue service in 2012, operations and maintenance. although the 27 are those fitted They are Connecting Parramatta with uprated braking systems – John Holland, Alstom and in the early 2000s. Deutsche Bahn; Greater Parramatta – Downer EDI Rail, Keolis Downer, Six cars have already been Downer EDI Works, Ansaldo STS modernised for use on the free and CRRC Changchun; Great River City Circle tourist route and More than 200 W-Class trams remain in storage in the ‘East Block’ of the Newport City Light Rail: Transdev, CAF and given the designation W8; Railway Workshops. B. McLean / CC BY 2.0 Laing O’Rourke. enhancements include uprated future of around 200 stored “Some of them are in OK Transport for NSW expects to traction motors, suspension vehicles (mainly W5, SW5, W6, nick, some are in not-so-great award both contracts in late 2018. and braking systems and LED SW6 and W7 variants). The condition, unfortunately, so Plzeň is the first customer lighting. The cost of such majority are in the Newport we do need to think carefully for series EVO2 production restoration is reported at workshop and haven’t moved because they’re an important Krnovské Opravny a Strojírny AUD2m (approx EUR1.3m) in decades: 139 are deemed part of our history and (KOS) has been selected to supply per car. A further three SW6 suitable for potential static heritage,” Ms Allan added. up to 16 two-section EVO2 trams by cars have been converted for display, operation by heritage Mal Rowe, Deputy President PMDP (Plzeňské městské dopravní use as restaurant trams. tramway groups or as spares of the Council of Tramway podniky) under a KC524m The audit, announced in for the later cars (W5-onwards) Museums, said the trams (EUR20.5m) framework agreement. Pragoimex, which is majority- late 2016 by State Transport already in museums, while 20 were likely to attract plenty owned by KOS, will deliver the Minister Jacinta Allan and specially-painted ‘art trams’ of interest and a variety order and has to date built only one completed in November, have been identified as having of businesses, schools and of the 21.7m 100% low-floor trams, involved detailed external cultural value, alongside two museums have already made entering service in Liberec in 2012. and internal inspection and themed trams and six historic contact about their future: “It’s In contrast to Pragoimex’s Vario a grading scale assessing each advertising cars. A further six probably overdue for a solution family that are based on the Tatra car’s condition. The results could be used for operational because they’re not getting any T3, the EVO2 is a completely new have been handed to a Special spares, while another 15 could better and they’re not any use low-floor design. Reference Group to decide the be used for static spares. to anyone where they are now”.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 7 News Wellington light rail: ‘Get on with it’ Last trolleybuses run in New Zealand’s capital as the new government explores LRT options ight rail plans for the New Wellington Mayor Justin Zealand capital could be Lester and Greater Wellington fast-tracked following Regional Council Chair Chris new Transport Minister Laidlaw say they support LPhil Twyford’s comments that bringing forward the timeline proposals to fix the city’s growing for light rail, but added that the congestion ‘lack ambition’. four proposals require necessary The Let’s Get Wellington freeing up of road space for Moving (LGWM) coalition of public transport. Laidlaw said Wellington City Council, the the message he took away from Greater Wellington Regional his meeting with Twyford and Council and the NZ Transport Lester was to “get on with it”. Agency released four proposals in The process of dismantling mid-November which all include Wellington’s trolleybus system significant tunnelling and road began on 1 November, despite work to cater for expansion of the protests from residents and capital’s bus services. businesses. The recent change of GO Wellington trolleybuses (DesignLine 357 and 341 three-axle vehicles) on LGWM consultation said government had raised hopes of Lambton Quay on 24 November, their final week of operation. Neil Pulling demand to justify light rail was a reversal of the council’s 2014 ten years away and the short-term decision to remove the system, units, but the first vehicles won’t transport committee, said: priority was better bus routes. but Mr Twyford said millions enter service until July 2018; “I’m not proud of this, but I am Three recent proposals include of dollars had already been in the meantime, replacement accepting of it as long as we can enhanced bus mass transit, committed to remove the wires diesel buses have been brought make some real moves to an but LGWM suggests that up to and recommission bus services. in from Auckland. electric future and see Wellington NZD500m (EUR290m) more The city’s 40 trolleybuses are Daran Ponter, Deputy become New Zealand’s first would be needed for light rail. to be refitted with hybrid power Chairman of GWRC’s sustainable electric public transport city.” San Francisco launches Siemens LRVs into service The first five Siemens Transport Workers Union Local the future fleet to 215 cars; carries around 700 000 S200SF LRVs were cleared President Larry Martin who there is a further option for passengers/day on a unique for passenger operation in died on 16 October. 45 more cars. The new fleet is mix of modern LRVs, heritage November and at a ceremony The first batch of 23m cars being built at Siemens’ factory trams, cable cars, trolleybuses on 17 November Mayor Ed Lee was ordered in September 2014, in Sacramento, California. The and motor buses. Trams operate and San Francisco Municipal with a USD648m base order of target is that 24 vehicles should over a comprehensive 115km Transportation Agency 175 vehicles, 151 to replace the be in service by the end of (71.5-mile) network. Director of Transportation increasingly unreliable fleet of 2018, but Siemens is confident The USD1.58bn Central Ed Reiskin dedicated the first Breda trams and 24 for service it can better this position. Subway to accommodate the car to enter service (2006) to expansion. Subsequent options Muni is the eighth largest T Third Street line is scheduled long-time Muni employee and have been exercised, taking transit operator in the US and to open in September 2019.

advanced suspension and door reported interest from both R1 ‘BatTram’ project cancelled systems, the concept also featured Yekaterinburg and Casablanca, The R1 (Russia One) low-floor A three-section prototype an inversely-raked driver’s cab and Uraltransmash’s parent tram prototype will never go into was revealed at the Innoprom that increased forward visibility company Uralvagonzavod found series production, it has been exhibition in Yekaterinburg in by reducing glare and giving itself in difficulties. It was taken confirmed by Uraltransmash’s 2014, dubbed by many as ‘an a 30% wider forward view, over by state-owned defence and new owners, due to a lack iPhone on rails’ or the ‘BatTram’. according to designer OKB Atom. technology conglomerate Rostec of orders and complexities With composite construction, No orders materialised in the following a presidential decree associated with the radical design. innovative interior layouts and subsequent three years, despite on 27 December 2016. Rostec Director of Special Projects Vassili Brovko said: “The R1 is very beautiful... but it has not managed to find a place in the market, and it never will. “First, there is no chassis, then the tram is not easy to repair. If someone broke something, it would be hard to figure out where to order a spare part and how long it would take to get it.” Rostec is reportedly still working with state-owned Vnesheconombank to remedy It’s easy to see why the R1 concept garnered worldwide attention, but it will never go into production. UVZ/OKB Atom UVZ’s financial issues.

8 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Houston Houston builds… and rebuilds Often quoted as the most car-dependent city in theUS , Houston has fought hard to establish its three-line LRT network. Vic Simons reports on how recent events are changing the debate.

lot has changed in Houston – 23 May 2015. Both start at the Theater Opening of the two new lines was delayed (TX, US) since TAUT’s last visit District stop, with separate embarking by six months due to issues with both rolling in August 2014 (TAUT 926). and disembarking platforms which lie on stock and utilities; a stark contrast to the Red Two new lines have opened, different streets. The outbound boarding line northern extension which preceded it two more have been shelved platform is on Rusk, just south-east of in December 2013, ahead of its scheduled Aindefinitely and the city faced the worst the intersection with Bagby Street, while opening in early 2014. tropical storm in decades in August 2017. incoming cars terminate at Theater District Beyond the EaDo/Stadium stop, the In summer 2014, the METRORail Red line on Capitol Street before proceeding to a alignments diverge as the Green line heads had just been extended northwards from twin-track turnback located between Rusk east under the railway lines on reserved track the downtown campus of the University of and Capitol beneath the I-45 Freeway. before entering a median-running section Houston to the Northline Transit Center, on Harrisburg Boulevard for five stops. Only establishing a 21.4km (13.3-mile) route from Green and Purple lines the first three – Coffee Plant/Second Ward, there to Fannin South Transit Center in the The Green and Purple lines are part of a Lockwood/Eastwood and Altic/Howard south of the city, just beyond the middle ring USD1.24bn expansion – including the 8.5km Hughes – opened in 2015 as just beyond Altic motorway I-610 where the main depot and (5.3-mile) extension of the Red line – that is a rebuilt bridge over the freight railroad. maintenance facility is located. The northern has turned METRO’s light rail offering from The Harrisburg Overpass was completed at terminus is close to a major shopping mall, a single line into a true network. They share the end of 2016 with the rest of the Green line a traffic objective in its own right, and track within the city’s downtown core, with opening on 11 January 2017. features a large park-and-ride; this is one an interchange with the Red line at the first With two final stops, Cesar Chavez/67th of only two on the Red line, the other being stop, Central, that was built to provide the Street and the new terminus at the Magnolia at Fannin South (1437 spaces). connection. The joint lines continue using Park Transit Center, the route length runs to The two new routes are the Green and the Rusk/Capitol one-way system before 5.3km (3.3 miles) of a total system length of Purple lines, opening on the same day coming together on Texas Avenue. 37km (23 miles). End-to-end running time for the Green line is 21 minutes. A new depot has been built close to the Altic stop to house the additional LRVs required for the extension. The 10.6km (6.6-mile), ten-station Purple line diverges south beyond EaDo/Stadium

Green line Coffee Plant station showing the spectacular Houston Skyline in the background.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 9 Houston

“Two further light rail lines have been mooted, but these now appear to be either longer-term projects or have morphed into alternative modes.”

for a further six stops. At the TSU/UH Athletics District stop, located next to a major sports facility, a third track caters for short workings on major event days and beyond Palm Center Transit Center there is a small depot used as an outstation to the Altic facility. The other four intermediate stops in outbound order are Leeland/Third Ward, Elgin/Third Ward, UH South/University Oaks, and Macgregor Park/Martin Luther King Jr. Purple line stops in Houston’s predominantly African-American neighbourhoods highlight eight different themes in black history: pioneer, community, emancipate, educate, contribute, protect, dream, and empower. Through murals and written histories, this timeline unfolds from one stop to the next in a fine example of transit reflecting the communities it serves. There is a significant amount of segregated track in the Third Ward area that appears to use an abandoned freight alignment, with the remainder using median-running with some grade separation to prevent cars from invading the track alignment. The Green line was fully-funded by METRO at a cost of USD587m, not including construction of the Harrisburg Overpass; the Purple line cost USD823m with a USD450m contribution from the Federal Transit Administration. Readers of the last Houston update will recall that there are three types in the METRORail fleet, designatedH1 , H2 and H3. The first two are separate batches of Siemens S70 70% low-floor vehicles built in Sacramento, California. A fleet of 18H1 cars Courtesy of METRO were ordered for the initial 2004 opening, with a further 19 coming from an order originally designated for Salt Lake City, arriving in 2013 for the Red line northern Purple Line Urbos 317 has just turned onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard having just left the extension. The 39-strong H3 fleet was built by Palm Centre terminus. Vehicles 301-onwards were CAF and delivered for the 2015 Green/Purple ordered for METRORail expansion. line openings. Full vehicle descriptions appear in the January 2015 feature.

10 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Red line service operates to a six-minute Above left: Purple line Car 316 at the south end of the inbound platform at Robertson TSU. headway in peak times, 12 minutes during Above right: Tap-in device for the Q Fare card at Robertson TSU station. off-peak and all day on weekends. This is reduced further to 18 minutes in the late BELOW: METRO has made a particular feature of public art at its light rail stops; Coffee Plant on the Green line. evenings. The Green and Purple lines each operate every 12 minutes during the day every day, reduced to every 18 minutes in the evenings. Service starts between 04.00 and 05.00 until around 0.00, extended to around 02.00 on Friday and Saturday nights. METRO fares are priced reasonably with a basic one-way ‘Zone 1’ fare at USD1.25 which allows a three-hour transfer covering all light rail and most local bus services. A Zone 1 all-day pass is USD3 and there are discounted fares for students, the disabled, and seniors. The most popular means of payment is the METRO Q Fare card, a rechargeable digital wallet that can be loaded online with fares automatically deducted when the card is tapped upon boarding. As well as cash payment, there is also a mobile ticketing app that can be topped-up online.

The end of LRT expansion... for now Two further lines have been mooted, but these now appear to be either longer-term projects or have morphed into alternative modes. “Do we rebuild in places where there is goodtransit? The proposed University/Blue line was approved in the Metropolitan Transit Can that now be part of the discussion?” Authority’s original 2003 voter referendum Christof Spieler, METRO board member but has faced stiff opposition, particularly from long-time opponent of light rail intermediate stops will all be on Post Oak. harm’s way and protecting its light rail assets. Harris County development, Republican Opposition to the scheme is vocal; widening Other vehicles such as paratransit were Congressman John Culberson. As METRO the boulevard to accommodate the service will used for emergency evacuation and medical concentrated its efforts on the Green remove a great deal of residents and business transport as 210km/h (130mph) winds and and Purple lines, the Federal Transit parking, and a recent request for an additional lashing rain paralysed the city. Administration withdrew its funding USD31m has not been met favourably. Limited local bus routes resumed on commitment in May 2016 “due to inactivity The complex structure of the project relies 31 August, along with a 15-minute light rail and lack of demonstrated progress on on a variety of sources of funding and requires service on the Red line from Fannin South the project’s design and local financial various approvals, leading to delays; METRO Station to Downtown Transit Center. Full commitment over the last several years.” has committed to providing a new fleet of METRORail service was gradually restored, The other planned route was the Gold line environmentally-friendly buses to operate but it took until 5 September before the that would connect a major shopping centre the new line, scheduled to open in 2019. Green and Purple lines reopened fully. at the Galleria and offer interchange with This devastating natural disaster is starting the Blue line. Due to funding difficulties and Changing the conversation to change the debate on public transport further opposition, this has now become a The category 4 Hurricane Harvey hit Harris in the city and convince more and more USD192.6m Bus Rapid Transit project that County hard on 27 August 2017, with residents of the value of a robust public starts at the North-West Transit Center, close catastrophic impacts for tens of thousands transportation system. to I-10. Currently under construction, it of residents displaced from their homes. Christof Spieler, a METRO board member incorporates a dedicated bus lane on Post Oak Yet amidst all the chaos, METRO emerged and lecturer in architecture and urbanism Boulevard and the alignment will use the as one of the saviours of the time with some at the city’s Rice University, argues that as High Occupancy Lanes on I-610. reports suggesting that as many as half a affordable housing stock was destroyed in the The Texas Department of Transportation million vehicles were destroyed or disabled area, should new infrastructure investments is responsible for freeway works as well as by the tropical storm. be targeted towards transit-connected areas? a major bridge at the south end of Post Oak The agency was forced to discontinue bus “Do we rebuild in places where there is good to take the alignment over I-69 to a new and rail operations on 27 August and its staff transit?” Spieler said, “Can that now be part transit hub on Westpark Drive. The eight went into crisis mode, storing vehicles out of of the discussion?”

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 11 ADVANCED An Orléans: Citadis 302 using the APS ground supply is eastbound on Rue des Carmes, showing the attention to detail in the French approach to façade- FRENCH LESSONS to-façade redesign. Reg Harman examines the success of urban integration for three tramways in central France.

he importance of good system well established; furthermore, Le Mans and time at 18km (11.3 miles) – and runs from design and the integration Orleans are just over an hour distant by train. northern Fleury-les-Aubrais, much of it of public transport into the All three cities are of broadly similar size mid-20th Century, past Les Aubrais railway urban realm is sometimes and character. Each has one or two tramway station and south to a combined bus and overlooked. When completed lines, running through the heart of the city tram terminus under the central station. It Twell, the transport network blends into the and established suburbs and supporting major runs south through impressive 18th Century background of city life, offering easy and new development areas, running to high streets and squares, the main shopping convenient travel between work, education, frequencies 1,2. In all three cities, high-quality street, Rue de Republique, and Place General leisure and more essential city destinations, bus routes complement the tramway to offer de Gaulle to cross the River Loire and follow also crucially reflecting a city’s own identity. an integrated public transport network. some pleasant 19th Century avenues. It then When looked upon purely as a means of This article follows a similar theme to that leaves the highway for a southern section on moving people ‘from A to B’ and without on the Rhone area (TAUT 911) 3, but looks at railway track formation through industrial consideration of the onwards journey, the physical incorporation of tramway lines areas and continues on a long loop consisting networks can feel disjointed and rarely into the city fabric, design, engineering and of green track between the scattered high-rise achieve their full potential. widespread traffic management. buildings of the university campus, the new Tramways and LRT systems offer increased It is useful to first outline the key points town of la Source, and the regional hospital. opportunities for greater integration into of the three areas and their tramways, with This is where the line terminates. their surroundings, with a greater degree comments on the experience of using them. Line B opened in 2012 on an east-west of fixed infrastructure and higher service alignment. To the east it runs out to the frequencies. Their implementation can aid Orléans modern development of St Jean de Braye a multitude of cities’ ambitions in reducing The historic centre of Orléans lies along the through a mix of rather nondescript urban congestion and associated pollution, and north bank of the River Loire, focused around areas. Much of the western part runs through driving investment and development. the city’s main squares and the cathedral. older more compact residential areas, the This case study of three cities in central The city’s population is about 120 000, its line having primary use of the narrow road France offers an overview of how this has conurbation 290 000. The original railway with limited vehicular access. Line B’s central been achieved in Orléans, Le Mans and Tours. terminus, rebuilt within a modern retail centre, section is equipped with Alstom’s APS surface lies on the north edge of the city centre, served power supply, not least because it passes the Context by regional trains. Main line services only call cathedral. De Gaulle, where the two lines I first visited Tours in the 1960s as a summer at the junction of Les Aubrais to the north. cross, offers the interesting sight of one line term student, and have since been back with The city’s first tramline (A) opened in with trams running without overhead lines my wife as a tourist. By 2017 the tramway was 2000 – the country’s longest line at the and one with catenary.

12 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org www.rcp.fr Urban design

Le Mans Le Mans has a higher city population of over 144 000 in a conurbation of around 290 000. The city centre itself sits on top of a hill, the railway station lies on the south side and the tramway line (opened in November 2007) climbs through the older part of the city to reach the centre. Beyond this, the first line, the 12.8km (eight-mile) T1, runs through the central square (République) and heads north-west along the Rue Gambetta through older residential areas to the main hospital. Beyond this it loops around the university campus on grassed track between a scattering of large modern buildings. The newer line T2 began with a delta junction near Saint Martin, heading east to Espal, which opened just after T1 and was extended in 2014 to form a distinct line of its own heading north-east through low-rise suburbs to terminate at Bellevue. Tracks are shared between Préfecture and Saint Martin and south of the railway station; T1 and T2 run through an older area alongside the railway to Saint Martin. Line T1 then runs south along the Avenue Georges Durand through mixed lower density residential areas, ABOVE: terminating at the Antares Arena, inside the Le Mans’ central Circuit de la Sarthe racetrack that is world- Rue Gambetta showing route famous for the Le Mans 24-Hour Race, after T1 services on looping round the depot. Line T2 runs east another example through modern development and green areas of façade-to-façade from Saint Martin to Espal Arche de Nature. redesign with limited provision for private “French tramway automobiles.

planning clearly goes far LEFT: Orléans Citadis 301 44 beyond mere transport runs on a median right-of-way on investment.” the tree-lined 19th Century boulevard The tramway is complemented by a Orléans Avenue ‘bus transit’ (BHNS – bus a haut niveau de Dauphine heading service) route, Tempo 3, between the railway southbound on station and the south-western suburbs. route T1. Note the segregration This opened in February 2016. of road traffic Both cities’ tramways are operated by delineated by Alstom Citadis 301 or 302 low-floor tramcars, block paving. in similar colours. LEFT: Cheques Tours Postaux stop Tours has a city population of around 140 000, in La Source new the conurbation over 480 000. The older town Orléans, showing another city lies on an east-west alignment between segregated central the rivers Loire and Cher. But the main axis median alignment is north-south: a straight road from south and green track of the Cher to the hill on the north of the installation in the Loire, once a Roman road and always a major distance. national through-route until a motorway was built up the east side in the 1970s. In the centre this route runs along the main shopping street, Rue Nationale (rebuilt following World War Two destruction), and to the south it forms the tree-lined Avenue Grammont; to the north it crosses the Loire on and then east through modern medium-rise Like Orléans’ T2, Tours utilises Alstom’s Pont Wilson and follows uphill on Avenue de housing to reach the terminus at Vaucasson, APS ground supply system for a short 1.8km La Tranchée, an 18th Century cutting. In 1965 an area of open land and industrial units (1.1-mile) section in the centre of the city to this formed the main north-south trolleybus under development. On the south it crosses maintain the heritage of sites such as the Pont route; by 2010 the whole length incorporated the Cher by a new bridge, runs through Wilson, a designated national monument bus lanes used by high frequency bus routes, a new business and university campus, a that crosses the River Loire. with limited access for other vehicles. freestanding retail centre and a country park. Like Orléans and Le Mans, the Tours The tramway line (A) follows this direct Beyond this it reaches the older town of Joué- tramway line emerged from a cohesive alignment, except for a diversion on the east les-Tours, whose small centre has been rebuilt sustainable urban transport plan (Plans side of Avenue Grammont past the railway in modern style, and then runs through the de déplacements urbains – PDU). This has a terminal station and a large new residential new high-rise residential area of La Rabiere, close two-way relationship with the city area. Beyond La Tranchée it heads north terminating at Lycée Jean Monnet. spatial plan (PlanLocal d'Urbanisme – PLU).

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 13 Urban design

In the formal rules for implementation that constitute Part 3 of the 2011-12 PLU for Tours, higher densities of residential and commercial occupation, coupled with lower limits for parking provision, are allowed in planning zones along the tramway route. The promoters of the Tours tramway placed major emphasis on its design and the role this plays in its integration within the city; the corridor it occupies benefits from comprehensive city planning aimed at ‘requalification urbaine’. Several points are distinctly rebuilt round the line, such as Joué Hotel de Ville, Rue Nationale, Place Choiseul and Place de la Tranchée. The trams themselves, Alstom Citadis 402 Le Mans Alstom Citadis 1013 on the suburban T2 service on Avenue du Dr Zamenhof; the immaculately low-floor vehicles, have strikingly different maintained segregated green track alignment shows that tramway planning is consistent across all sections of reflective metallic finishes and sloped the network. squared glass ends, intended to reflect the areas they run through. The corners have a Tours trams (and buses), such displays show strip light from top to bottom, the front strips the times for each of these too. Stop names in direction of travel showing white, the rear are all announced and on Tours trams this is ones red. The tramway’s maintenance centre accompanied by a short clip of sung music. benefits from a high degree of environmental Every stop has very low platforms, consideration, with significant reductions equipped with a ticket vending machine and in power demands through the use of information panels, basic shelter and seating, photovoltaic cells and water recycling. and a display showing departure times. Stop Tours also has a BHNS route, designated equipment and layouts are standardised for Tempo 2. This too runs north-south, each of the three networks, and generally sharing the tramway alignment on Avenue share common standards with bus stops also. Grammont, but serving different suburbs Simple colour schemes differentiate services: to the north-east and south-east of the city. the Tours bus stop ticket machines and Most of its route follows reserved bus lanes, information panel stands are blue, like the Modern medium-rise suburban development on some through college and hospital campuses. buses, but the tramway items are red. Stops Avenue de l’Europe in Tours, showing the priority Several other bus routes in Tours also enjoy are generally well located and easily accessible given to the tramway in reducing road space and the significant lengths of bus-only carriageway. from the immediate neighbourhoods with continuously grassed track. side or island platforms, depending on local Passenger experience circumstances, of comfortable width. link but without dominating or disturbing Travel on all three networks is made easy All the tramway lines run at high their surroundings. This stands out especially by the soundness of design and high level frequencies during the daytime, every 6-7 in the central shopping streets, where people of integration, covering fares and ticketing, minutes, and operate very early and late, at wander across the tracks in the highway network operations and stop location. lower intervals, as do some bus services. On the and cyclists ride between the trams. Network tickets include singles with transfers long straight alignments in Le Mans and Tours The key is that trams form a mobile element plus multiple use options (24 hours, one it is often possible to see more than one vehicle of the cityscape, reflecting the identity of the week, etc) and can be traditional cardboard, in one or other direction and trams generally areas they serve without dividing them – rechargeable smartcards or via smartphone. have signal priority at junctions; road traffic this applies particularly in Tours. They are validated at readers by the doors appears to yield readily at non-signalled Much of this must be ascribed to the in the tram (or bus); mostly by touching in, crossings. I noted Orléans tram drivers making routing, physical design and layout of the though cardboard tickets at Le Mans and some use of their bells, but not those of tramlines. At stops, the tracks, adjacent Orleans are dropped into a slot. Le Mans or Tours as there seemed little need. footways and carriageways and the platforms Most tramstops offer easy interchange are usually surfaced with high-quality with buses and there are a few joint stops. The tram in the city paving or continuous material such as Onboard screens display the next four stops In all three cities, the trams form a distinct concrete with a bound gravel surface. with the imminent stop highlighted, also physical presence through the areas they In central area streets and through denser showing the other routes that leave it – on serve, providing a fast and easily accessible old areas the whole street has been relaid on

ABOVE (BOTH): Lying within shared central road space, tram platforms and bus rapid rapid stops are staggered on Avenue de Grammont in central Tours; Citadis 402 059 runs southbound on line A and Mercedes-Benz articulated bus 341 southbound on Tempo route 2.

14 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org www.rcp.fr

this basis. Generally different surfaces are used for different parts – paving for the tram tracks, slabs for footways and stops, asphalt for roads. Sometimes there is no distinction for footways or roadways except for lines or raised markers, often oblong slabs, in the surface along the edge of the tramway path. Barriers are occasionally used to ensure safety at points where it might be too easy for traffic or pedestrians from side streets to trespass into the path of a tram. Discreet signals control traffic crossing points on Rue National at Tours; large plant holders or planted trees sometimes perform this function and are also used along the tram routes. These principles of focused high-quality design are also strongly apparent at road junctions, squares and local centres, especially around tramstops, so reaching the stop from nearby areas thus becomes comfortable and easy. Crossing main carriageways is made easy by clearly marked pedestrian crossings; in any case, most vehicle routes are one-way single carriageways. Indeed, the quality of footways throughout the cities, certainly in Tours, is impressive. Place de la Tranchée in Tours, showcasing the total redesign of an inner suburban square. The dramatic pink There has been much discussion in recent posts mark the path of the tram and the paving further highlights the attention to detail. years of this ‘façade to façade’ approach to All images by Reg Harman – September 2017. building tramways through a city and its suburbs, with some suggestions that it might e.g. route 5 to St Pierre des Corps. Incorporating through substantial investment and be overly expensive, and fierce debate over public transport into the city fabric thus runs behavioural change. This has included how it should be paid for. But it does enable well beyond the tramway line. widespread application of traffic management the tramway to provide very high levels of In any case the tramway line (A) follows the and of traffic and environmental access throughout the city and thus improves alignment of a former high-quality bus route engineering, upgrading the city fabric to its effectiveness in attracting ridership. (1) which ran on bus lanes along the north- support very good local environments. This approach to surface design requires the south axis, with limited motor vehicle access How far can these experiences be used on Rue Nationale. It thus forms a further elsewhere? Certainly, planning and decisions advance in continuing development of the for significant transport development in “The key is that trams public transport system, benefiting from the the UK are tightly controlled by central form a mobile element of city-wide approach to traffic management, government; city authorities can do little to transport planning and city engineering. plan and control public transport, let alone the cityscape, reflecting integrate it; spending on local footway and Conclusions highway management and renewal is minute, the identity of the areas In all three cities the combination of even essential cleaning and maintenance frequency and interchangeability with the remains limited. they serve without wider city network offers convenient access Scope for the comprehensive French to employment opportunities, education, approach to traffic and priority to public dividing them.” shopping and leisure throughout the city. transport is non-existent. Most alarmingly, It thus supports more comfortable lifestyles professional skills in co-ordinated public tramway to be given significant priority in use for all and more stable and effective transport development and comprehensive of road space – total priority in some places. operations for the city’s businesses and traffic management appear to have largely This stands particularly in the long straight public establishments, large and small. died out. vistas at Le Mans (Rue Gambetta) and Tours It is also very convenient for visitors with a (Rue Nationale – Avenue de la Tranchée). time budget who wish to explore the city. For more comprehensive detail on the tramways There is a high level of traffic management French tramway planning clearly goes in the cities discussed here, see TAUT 897 throughout these cities, supported by heavy far beyond mere transport investment. (Le Mans), 931 (Orléans) and 933 (Tours). investment in traffic engineering. French The three systems have evolved within people love their cars – the government still a process of city planning that seeks to has significant shareholdings in its two major maximise mobility for all while supporting RCP manufacturers, the PSA Group (Peugeot and high-quality economies and environments. Citroën) and Renault – and access for cars and They have been skilfully woven into the The Tours and Le Mans other vehicles throughout the cities remains fabric of the cities, in physical terms and trams are designed by RCP important. But it is clearly and cohesively consequently in the lifestyles lived. www.rcp.fr organised. Even on the older residential streets Some outer extensions have supported where trams have dominant use, frontagers major development at the edge of the cities, can reach and park at their properties. In a few giving these areas easy access to the rest of places trams share the carriageway with the city without significantly adding to the references motor traffic in one direction but have their burden on road networks and reliance on car own right of way the other. use. But most of the tramway lines have also 1 Brian Patton, The Tramway Revolution The significant priority given to tramlines been built through the hearts of the existing in France - Thirty Glorious Years. Vol.3: Brian Patton, 2016 extends to buses, certainly in Tours and downtown core, from central areas and older The Northern Regions, 2 Christopher Groneck & Robert Schwandl, particularly along the main routes. BHNS route residential zones to 20th Century areas Tram Atlas France, Robert Schwandl Verlag, Tempo 2 benefits especiallyfrom long bus lanes of varying character, expanding city-wide 2014 and short bus-only links, but these are shared mobility while reducing car use. Central 3 Reg Harman, French Tramways – far more by various other routes over sections, and to this approach has been careful and than just transport, TAUT 911, November 2013 similar provision can be found elsewhere; comprehensive planning, implemented

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 15 Light rail for Cambridge

‘too small’ for light rail, and has instead been subject to increasingly strained bus services and a collection of disparate and somewhat disconnected cycle paths. Emanating from Connecting its suburbs, a northern guided busway runs from nearby St Ives to the northern edge of the city, and the shorter southern busway which extends from Trumpington to the Cambridge main rail station area via Addenbrookes, the main hospital. These measures have all been Cambridge has major transport issues to overcome to cope with implemented to reduce congestion along the main transport corridors and make crossing predicted growth. Lanna Blyth outlines a light rail solution for an the city to its outer reaches easier and safer. ancient city with fiercely protected heritage. Yet by its ancient nature, Cambridge is a constrained city and there’s only so far these measures can resolve the problem. ith roots dating back to the Since the start of this second decade of But given the significance of its growth Roman age and beyond, the the 21st Century, the city population has and importance to the national economy, English city of Cambridge grown by nearly 10% and combined with Dr Harris argues that Cambridge is now big is proud of its deep-rooted its surrounding region this number rises to enough for light rail to be a viable – and he history. Famous for its around 650 000. This growth is projected suggests, the right – solution: “Taking the Wglobally-renowned University, established to increase substantially by 2050, and most recent period, from 2011-31, we’ve got over 800 years ago, its centre is a cobbled maze conservative studies suggestit could reach this dramatic growth that in effect means of ancient colleges, museums, high walls and 800 000; others suggest a million. This 140 000 new residents. Cambridge itself narrow alleys. They all muddle along the trajectory doesn’t take into account more has only 130 000 people, so that’s vastly path of the river Cam, itself a twisting, watery than five million tourists who use the city’s increasing the population of the region.” highway of students and tourists meandering congested streets each year, further straining The medieval make-up of an already – or charging – along in punts. capacity on the transportation network. overly-congested core, surrounded by The city’s University is indelibly linked green belt, means that these people cannot with both its identity and attraction, acting Examining the issues take up residence in the city itself – so the as a magnet for scholars and intellectuals Because of its historical layout and legacies, new population influx must look to the from around the world; its landscapes and and because of the controlling ownership the surrounding areas. Dr Harris points out that architecture, and the thousands of people University has over much of the city centre’s growth in these areas is projected to exceed who that cram into the city each day, reflect land, green spaces and commons, there has 30% by 2031: “That’s important in terms of this proud heritage and reputation. always been a reluctance to significantly alter design of the transport system you might This academic prowess has spurred growth the landscape. contemplate. It means more than 50 000 of another kind as the city and wider region Dr Colin Harris, a director of Cambridge new houses are needed by 2030, to cater for are also a world-leading centre for scientific Connect, explains: “This environment is the new residents and to support more than research, pioneering medical and digital one that the residents really cherish. 41 000 new jobs in the region.” technologies. Ahead of growth figures It’s held very dearly and people are keen to This is key, he argues, in understanding elsewhere in the UK, its economic impact see that the values in the landscape and the why Cambridge is different to other UK cities. on both the county it serves as a county heritage are strongly protected, so any new Industries related to science and technology town and the country as a whole is growing transport proposal in Cambridge is almost have grown 7% per annum for the last decade, exponentially – this has led to a brisk rise in by definition controversial.” with turnover growth of around 100% over population figures. The city has also been perceived as being the same period contributing to a total of

Cambridge’s cobbled streets and picturesque architecture form part of a heritage site that residents want to protect, creating one of the key potential objections to light rail through the city centre. M. Pettitt / CC BY 2.0

16 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org GBP36bn (EUR40bn) – comparable to the much-larger city of Manchester. “It certainly punches above its weight for its economic contribution to the UK,” observes Dr Harris. While the city and region are booming economically – and high-paying employment and city growth are all good news – this has meant a significant drain on housing resources, with affordable property in the city in very short supply. Dr Harris points out that almost GBP500 000 (EUR560 000) is now required for a typical ‘two-up, two- Dr Harris argues that the existing guided busway could form part of a future light rail alignment; Stagecoach down’ terraced property. This growth is also 21225 is seen on route A at the Science Park stop. E. Webster / CC BY 2.0 taking its toll on transport, he says: “It’s not fit for purpose… it is creaking”. compromise the values of Cambridge, the river is also an important constraint as The UK Government’s ‘City Deal’ – one of a organising a series of protests. there’s only five bridges in that area, so if you series of initiatives designed to give decision- “Currently, ten buses come into the city go on the surface you’d have to cross one of making power back to the regions – constitutes centre every five minutes, or 125 buses an them or build a new bridge. Environmentally, an investment of GBP500m (EUR560m) hour. By 2031, taking into consideration the another bridge would probably attract principally for transport infrastructure and increases in population, you would need to enormous opposition.” affordable housing interventions across the bring in 20-25 buses every five minutes to region. Another was the formation of the convey just 15% of people into the city, which Going underground Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined is 230 buses an hour. The central bus station Cambridge Connect’s proposal is a network Authority in May 2017, for which an elected on Drummer Street is already heaving. It’s not that links many of the city’s business, Mayor has been given responsibility for a practical solution,” says Dr Harris. education and residential hotspots, including strategic transport planning throughout the An alternative proposal from Cambridge the large biomedical campus (part of the region, again with additional funding for Connect involves light rail. “It’s a technology University) and Addenbrookes Hospital housing and economic development. that is well-proven, well-established and in the south, the new campus on the west implemented in hundreds of cities worldwide. side of Cambridge (West Campus), as well What the Deal means for Cambridge It’s reliable, frequent, fast, has high capacity as a new development called Eddington The Greater Cambridge Partnership (formerly and it’s very scalable. It’s good for the that comprises 3000 houses and research the ‘City Deal’) is to make GBP100m available environment, and crucially for Cambridge, space. Currently under-construction, the for development in the five years from April it could help to protect the inner city University has already invested GBP1.2bn in 2015, with two further tranches of GBP200m heritage,” Dr Harris argues. establishing the community there. from April 2020 and April 2025 if the first One of the most interesting and The scheme includes a new park-and-ride investments are proven to drive economic controversial elements of this light rail at the Girton Interchange, itself at a strategic growth. Local public-private partnerships solution, however, is the suggestion that any convergence of the main road routes into and will match fund those totals, giving a future network should run underground in out of the city (the M11, A428 and A14); light potential GBP1bn for Cambridge and South the city’s core due to the impractical nature rail routes would go underground through Cambridgeshire to spend on transport of street-running through the old and narrow the city to the central rail station, then infrastructure and housing by 2030. part of Cambridge. extend south to the Hauxton junction on Two years ago, the City Deal board initiated Cost inevitably has a significant impact the M11, as well as to the biomedical campus a series of consultation measures around with underground running, but Dr Harris and out to Granta Park, a major science and bus-based solutions, including segregated suggests: “If you think about the economy technology centre in the south. bus lanes and busways. However, Dr Harris in Cambridge and the heritage values within Looking further ahead, there is potential argues against this strategy: “We already the city, we need to weigh that up against for a number of additional routes: Extension A have a busway on the north and south side the investment.” would be partly-underground to the north-east of Cambridge, but they thought ‘this should There are three separate campuses to service the science park and employment just be expanded’. It appears they did not give in Cambridge and the objective of the centres in that area; while an eastern route a lot of consideration to the population of University is to connect them to better on the main rail line would link the nearby 2030, the high number of tourists, and how integrate different disciplines. But rather town of Newmarket, another important that bus solution is going to work in terms of than run lines across the city centre, employment centre. The final extension getting people into and around an already Dr Harris suggests that an important part of within the city would link the lines together, congested city centre.” the proposal is to keep the inner city open in effect creating a ‘Circle Line’ to offer Residents were also concerned about how for business by tunnelling: “The medieval various travel options around the network. the bus-based approach would potentially street layout is not well-suited to trams, and With a fully-developed network, around a

The narrow city streets mean queues of cars easily clog roads, especially during Many of the bridges crossing the River Cam are protected structures, so options peak times and around the main central shopping streets. for crossing this significant waterway into the city are limited; the VictoriaA venue G. Kulkarni/ N. Desai / CC BY 2.0 bridge is one of only a few options. It was rebuilt in 1992. R. Ash / CC BY 2.0

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 17 Light rail for Cambridge

third of the city’s residents would lie within a “We recognise that due to the population Looking wider still, Peter Wakefield of 500m distance of a tramstop – making it very distribution we also link into the wider region. campaign group Railfuture recognises that accessible by design. Dr Harris adds: “90% of We’re looking at two principal routes, one out many workers travel to and from Cambridge the city would lie within a 20-minute walk to the town of Cambourne, and potentially from further afield – the railway between or eight-minute cycle ride of the network, and St Neots, and a second to Haverhill. Both of King’s Lynn and Cambridge through Ely has we think that this would help people make these are important as they provide relatively had all the perceived spare capacity stripped choices to use the public transport system. low-cost housing and people who cannot back over the years. Mr Wakefield says: That should reduce the amount of driving in afford to live within the city often locate “The network is running at capacity. At peak the city, reducing congestion and improving to these peripheral centres. At the moment times four-car trains running every half-hour air quality. they’re driving in – we want to change that.” between King’s Lynn and Cambridge are Barr Hill Histon / A10 Scale: 1:55 000 @ A3 Impington Basemap: OS VectorMap District Move Milton LINK TO v09/2015 © Crown copyright P&R to MILTON Waterbeach? WATERBEACH Prepared by: Milton Cambridge Connect © 2017 www.cambridge-connect.uk 08 Nov 2017 Version 6.3 A14 SHUTTLE LINK 'Fast Forward' Girton HISTON REGIONAL COLLEGE LINK TO SHUTTLE LINK A14 The "Isaac Newton Line" GIRTON HISTON ROAD Science BAR HILL DARWIN Park Business Underground / Overground GIRTON Park A14 Extensions A & B GIRTON INTERCHANGE SCIENCE PARK EXTENSION A Darwin Conceptual Plan 2018-31 Green EXTENSION B 2023-28 Madingley 2028-31 CAMBRIDGE NORTH The proposed network from LINK TO Cambridge Connect. EDDINGTON CAMBOURNE LINK TO & ST NEOTS Northwest Cambridge Cambridge FEN DITTON BURWELL A14 Move Madingley P&R WING Cambourne to Girton Interchange A428 J13 Move Newmarket 5 km (~3.5 mi) A1303 HIGH CROSS P&R to A14 NEWMARKET ROAD Hardwick STANLEY ROAD A1303 West Campus A428 EXPRESSWAY BABBAGE TO OXFORD CONNECT Coton CAVENDISH COLDHAMS LANE AT GIRTON INTERCHANGE Marshalls WEST ROAD CITY CENTRE Teversham PARKSIDE M11 MILL ROAD A603

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18 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org bursting. In the near future, that's going to be doubled to two eight-car trains an hour throughout the day, so 16 cars an hour – that will help capacity, but more needs to be done. “Once you get to Cambridge station – bear in mind that the number of people currently using the station is pretty large for a city of 130 000, something like 12-13 million footfall each year. That’s more than Derby and Nottingham stations together – Barr Hill Histon / A10 Scale: 1:55 000 @ A3 Impington Basemap: OS VectorMap District Move Milton LINK TO v09/2015 © Crown copyright P&R to MILTON Waterbeach? WATERBEACH Prepared by: Milton Cambridge Connect © 2017 www.cambridge-connect.uk ABOVE: Trumpington 08 Nov 2017 Version 6.3 Street is one of the city’s A14 SHUTTLE LINK main throughfares, so has 'Fast Forward' Girton HISTON REGIONAL COLLEGE potential scope and space for LINK TO SHUTTLE LINK A14 The "Isaac Newton Line" GIRTON HISTON ROAD Science a light rail line – but not all of BAR HILL DARWIN Park Business Underground / Overground GIRTON Park A14 the city’s roads are so wide. Extensions A & B GIRTON INTERCHANGE SCIENCE PARK EXTENSION A D. Short / CC BY 2.0 Darwin Conceptual Plan 2018-31 Green EXTENSION B 2023-28 Madingley 2028-31 CAMBRIDGE NORTH LEFT: As one of the largest landowners in the city, the LINK TO EDDINGTON University of Cambridge CAMBOURNE LINK TO & ST NEOTS Northwest is rightly protective of the Cambridge Cambridge FEN DITTON BURWELL A14 heritage and environment Move Madingley P&R WING Cambourne to Girton Interchange of the city centre, sections A428 J13 Move Newmarket 5 km (~3.5 mi) A1303 HIGH CROSS P&R to A14 NEWMARKET ROAD of which have already been Hardwick STANLEY ROAD A1303 pedestrianised. West Campus M. Pettitt / CC BY 2.0 A428 EXPRESSWAY BABBAGE TO OXFORD CONNECT Coton CAVENDISH COLDHAMS LANE AT GIRTON INTERCHANGE Marshalls it’s a busy place and you’ll need efficient, extensions, and if you include all the lines WEST ROAD CITY CENTRE Teversham effective transfers.” out to the region you could be looking at PARKSIDE M11 People are using the road network because GBP2.2bn [EUR2.5bn].” MILL ROAD there’s little real alternative, Mr Wakefield This can be compared to the development A603 argues; the way to convince them otherwise of Nottingham Express Transit, which cost

CAMBRIDGE CENTRAL is to make regional rail networks work harder. around GBP850m (EUR954m), and the He suggests that in addition to light rail current A14 upgrade by Highways England "ISAAC NEWTON LINE" CHERRY HINTON HILLS ROAD A1134 the region needs a ‘metro’ of enhanced rail that is costing GBP1.5bn (EUR1.7bn), to put J12 2018-23 FULBOURN services to link together the market towns those figures into perspective. and cities that are part of the employment Fare revenue will be important to fund its m HOMERTON FULBOURN Fulbourn Comberton a jigsaw: “The northern market town of development, Dr Harris says: “The upfront C

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Barton e Wisbech, for example, can be linked up so it investment needs to be funded through a 30- v CambridgeCambridge Light Rail i LONG ROAD takes some of the burden from Cambridge. year strategy of borrowing and repayment, Grantchester R Addenbrookes Hospital & Wisbech has already said it is willing to build but the operational income will help repay Isaac Newton Line - indicative DEPOT Biomedical Campus 12 000 houses over the next 30 years and it’s that debt. These figures are just broad ADDENBROOKES Overground M11 a place in dire need of regeneration, so if the estimates based on population projections, Trumpington CAMBRIDGE SOUTH railway can link it to Cambridge in 35-40 and by 2031 with an average fare of about Underground BABRAHAM Move Trumpington minutes it will take some of the residential GBP2 per person and with 10% of commuters TRUMPINGTON MEADOWS Extension A- indicative P&R to M11 and commuter pressures off Cambridge at the using light rail, you would generate about Overground same time as revitalising this town.” GBP20m each year. But this figure excludes Wakefield adds: “We’ve highlighted 14 tourists, which are around five million a INTERCITY & TOURIST TRUMPINGTON Underground COACH STATION J11 interventions, mainly focused on Cambridge, year in Cambridge, and that makes the city where the network needs regeneration, somewhat different. Our figures exclude Extension B - indicative AT J11 ON M11 Wandlebury putting back that redundancy that was non-commuter journeys as well.” Overground stripped out. The main station is being Initial funding would be sought through SHELFORD A1307 relieved by a new one that has just been a combination of public and private sources, Regional Extensions - indicative Haslingfield SHELFORD built to the north, and the ongoing problem and the Greater Cambridge Partnership, Regional Extensions - indicative Hauxton Shelfords is highlighted by the fact that the planned Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined A11 EAST-WEST RAIL Stapleford Cambridge South station will serve a medical Authority, land value uplift, borrowing and Maintenance Depot (indicative) CORRIDOR - ROUTE A10 STAPLEFORD campus that already has 25 000 jobs. With bond issues have all been put on the table !!!" LIGHTNewton RAIL STOPLine -Stop INDICATIVE TO BE DETERMINED people currently trying to access this site for discussion. Add it all together, and Colin Harston every single day, it’s become an enormous Harris believes that the scheme could be !!" EXISTINGExisting PARK & RIDE ! Babraham problem for the city.” financially feasible – at least in concept. Research Rail is key in helping to weld the region The next step is proper feasibility studies, C Campus !" PROPOSEDProposed PARK & RIDE !! SHUTTLE LINK Linton together and provide for the planned future which is an aim for early 2018: “I’m confident 5 km (~3.5 mi) SAWSTON SAWSTON / GRANTA PARK Haverhill growth, Wakefield concludes: “Together, that those studies will demonstrate that this Å Existing railway station 15 km (~9.5 mi) regional rail and light rail can penetrate the is the right way forward,” Dr Harris says, “I M11 Sawston A11 !C Proposed railway station urban realm, enable modal shift, strengthen don’t think the bus-based solution is really sustainable development, and hopefully, up to the task, especially if you look ahead to Existing Guided Busway keep all the citizens happy.” the 2030 scenario. And we do need to invest GRANTA PARK in that kind of timeframe because you’re FOXTON SHUTTLE LINK HINXTON 0 1 2 / GENOME CAMPUS GRANTA PARK The figures building major infrastructure – it needs to be Miles Foxton 'TRAVEL HUB' LINK TO A505 HAVERHILL “We openly acknowledge that it’s going to durable and last the test of time, and we think 0 1 2 3 Kilometres cost a lot,” Dr Harris says. “In the order of that this is the right kind of investment for GBP1.6bn [EUR1.8bn] for the city-based Cambridge.”

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 19 Zaragoza

City roads in Zaragoza have seen a drop in car traffic of 30% since the introduction of the tramway in 2011. ZARAGOZA: THE PERFECT ADVERT FOR MODERN LRT Ana Moreno, General Manager of SEM Los Tranvías de Zaragoza, explains how the introduction of the city’s first tramline has fundamentally transformed the areas it serves, and the wider region.

ities around the world have an bears out the success of these decisions developments of subsidised housing such increasing necessity for urban with accurate and quantifiable data around as Valdespartera and Parque Goya have mobility. Growing populations improvements to air quality and a significant contributed not only to the dispersion of the mean more citizens and longer reduction in private vehicles in the city. city, but also the demand for mobility and distances to serve, and without Zaragoza fulfils not only the requirements the average distance displacements. efficientC public transport this equals more demanded by national legislation, but also Having such a high demand for social vehicles on congested road networks. exceeds even the highest requirements of mobility requires a public transportation Excessive growth in private car usage in the World Health Organisation (WHO). network with high capacity, high comfort previous decades is being countered with With its latest published data, the WHO and high commercial speed to avoid huge effective and sustainable modes, and the highlights the dramatic reduction of PM10 increases in traffic in the central city areas. modern tram is today considered an optimal micro-particulates since the introduction of Some cities may have chosen to build a solution for consolidated urban zones with the tram. The city environment currently subway to carry out this task; Zaragoza has severe traffic challenges in constrained areas. features levels of 18.1μgr/m3 (microgrammes relied on the tram – and this decision has Facing this reality, in 2009 the Spanish city per square metre), well below the WHO proven to be the correct choice. of Zaragoza (around 310km/190 miles between recommended maximum of 20μgr/m3. Currently, SEM Los Tranvías de Zaragoza Barcelona and Madrid and the principal stop Zaragoza is the fifth largest city in Spain by transports 29m passengers per year, offering between the two for national rail operator’s population, after Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia 28.74% access to properties around stops in Renfe AVE high-speed services) confirmed and Seville. However, by surface area it is the the southern area of Valdespartera, revealing its plans for a 12.8km (eight-mile) tramline largest of them all by a considerable margin great impact in peripheral neighbourhoods. linking the peripheral neighbourhoods from with 938km2 – the capital, Madrid, covers Average occupancy is 21.93 passengers/km, north to south, crossing the city centre and 35% less land at 606km2. This size results in confirming the high demand for the service. the old town. This ambitious proposal has its an extremely low population density: Line 1 has the highest patronage of any roots in a longer-term Sustainable Mobility 724 people/km2, far below Madrid (5335 tramline in Spain – the second-placed line Plan dating back to 2003. people/km2) or Seville (4981 people/km2). has half this figure – and carries an average of At first, the plan faced strong opposition As such, Zaragoza is a city with a high more than 100 000 passengers per working from different community groups, but today degree of urban sprawl. Recent urban day in a city of 700 000 people. With just one

20 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org PARQUE GOYA

Avenida de la Academia

line, this further illustrates the crucial nature Juslibol Parque Goya of the investment in public transport and its Campus Río Ebro Universidad high usage. de Zaragoza The key to this success is that line 1 connects the city to the growing northern Símbolos and southern districts, crossing areas that generate significant ridership, including the Intercambiador Bus city’s largest hospital, all three University Margarita Xirgu García Abril campuses, the football stadium, some of the Intercambiador Cercanías Goya biggest neighbourhoods (Romareda, Actur, Casablanca), sport centres, key tourist sites Legaz Lacambra Adolfo Aznar Aparcamiento Intermodal bonificado and monuments and large retail centres. As transport sustainability is associated with the level of occupation, in this sense, each Zaragoza tram user only contributes CO2 emissions of 71.49g/passenger km. Pablo Neruda Beyond these impressive achievements León Felipe in ridership and air quality in analysing Clara Campoamor the effect of the advantages seen since the Parque introduction of line 1, it has to be highlighted Rosalía de Castro Tío Jorge that there have been great improvements in the urban environment of the city, Martínez Soria María Montessori prioritising clean transport. This has caused a reduction of traffic of an average of 7.68%. La Chimenea This is more significant in the downtown areas of the city, where the investment Puente in tram infrastructure has contributed de Santiago Río Ebro to a reduction of 32.3% in Plaza Paraíso (Zaragoza’s most important traffic hub) and Plaza del Pilar Basílica Ayuntamiento Zaragoza Murallas del Pilar de Zaragoza Turismo

29.39% in Paseo Pamplona. Mercado Central Fewer vehicles, less jams, less noise César Augusto When the proposals for line 1 were first Plaza de España Teatro presented, many people predicted that with Principal fewer lanes for cars and more pedestrianised areas there were would be significant Plaza Aragón

Universidad “Research shows that de Zaragoza Información Zaragoza is not only the Gran Vía y Atención al Cliente European city with the Fernando El Católico least traffic congestion,

but also the seventh best Universidad Plaza de San Francisco de Zaragoza in the world out of 200

Emperador Carlos V cities studied .” Cámara de Comercio

Auditorio Parque Grande increases in traffic jams. In reality, the de Zaragoza José Antonio Labordeta established line has had the opposite effect. Estadio de fútbol Romareda Hospital Clínico La Romareda Miguel Servet In seeking a quick, regular and comfortable mode of travel, increasing numbers of people are choosing to leave the car in the garage and opting for the public transport option. Casablanca Hospital These results were verified in a study Militar by navigation and mapping company TomTom in 2014. Its research analysed the Canal Imperial traffic densities inside the core urban areas of 60 European cities, 14 of which were in Argualas Spain. It concluded that Zaragoza is not Cocheras Tranvía only the European city with the least traffic Información congestion, but also, if these results are y Atención al Cliente analysed in a worldwide context, Zaragoza is the seventh best city in terms of congestion Los Olvidados of the 200 studied cities. Cantando bajo One of the best examples of how the city Mago de Oz la Lluvia Los Pájaros has changed is Calle Coso. This ancient street, the old boundary of the Roman city, VALDESPARTERA was used by 7-8 buses every minute before Mago de Oz Un Americano La Ventana the tramway was implemented. Now, it is a en París Indiscreta pedestrian area in the heart of the city. Recinto Map and images courtesy Ferial With 25 stops in each direction, the of Tranvía de Zaragoza average distance between them is about

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 21 Zaragoza

Far from being a picture of the bustle of everyday city life, the tramway has reduced environmental noise volumes by 7.5dB in key central areas.

500m and the end-to-end travel time across of the tramway has reduced noise in the city the line’s construction. In 2016, the company the city by tram is 40 minutes, with an centre by 7.5dB at Plaza de España and Calle Los Tranvías de Zaragoza has planted 114 average service speed of 21km/h (13mph). Coso – a very high figure. trees along the boulevards of Gran Vía and Punctuality is one of the system’s strongest Fernando el Católico as previously agreed values. Passengers are not subject to the Zaragoza goes green with the neighbourhood. In total, the same traffic constraints thanks to dynamic The construction of line 1 has not only company has planted 1600 trees across the priority of the city’s traffic signal system and brought better air quality, less traffic, less city since 2009. with a frequency of five minutes during congestion and fewer accidents, but the peak hours and a service availability of tramway project was also conceived as an Technical sustainability 99.98%, the timetable is very accurate. opportunity to create a greener city. Sustainability and environmental It can be consulted in real-time via our The route features more than 42 000m2 commitments are two key elements in website www.tranviasdezaragoza.es of natural grass, all with drip irrigation; placing line 1 in its proper context. The With all these benefits, 24% of passengers the line’s stops also have sedum plants on Urbos 3 low-floor tram, manufactured in now use the tram instead of the private car. their roofs. This type of vegetation, suitable CAF’s factory of Zaragoza, has an Onboard In the last satisfaction survey, the confidence for arid land, requires no maintenance and Energy Storage System (OESS) which provides level in the service was 95.5, within a global – beyond its aesthetic contribution to the intelligent power management and recovers overall satisfaction figure of 8.01/10. city – preserves the freshness of the stops and braking energy in an optimised hybrid With fewer cars, there is also less reduces UV radiation in the surrounding system of batteries and supercapacitors. As environmental noise. The city council has environment. a result, the trams themselves are up to 35% developed a noise map of Zaragoza and Efforts to provide enhanced green spaces more energy efficient. Tranvía de Zaragoza drawn the conclusion that the installation in the city did not finish with completion of vehicles were the first in the world to obtain

Large sections of green track offer many benefits, such as helping to absorb Serving both residental, civic and commercial districts, line 1 has the highest operational noise, further reducing CO2 levels and adding to the city's aesthetics. ridership of any tramline in Spain, carrying 29m passengers each year.

22 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org CAF Urbos 3 trams cross the Ebro river without using v erIFIED results overhead line power. Improvements to the city have been studied by CIRCE, an independent university institute. Its research evaluates the environmental impact of the tram in aspects such as traffic, impact on existing bus routes and the effects on peripheral neighbourhoods of the line. In its conclusions, the research gives evidence that the tram has contributed significantly in improving mobility and air quality in the city of Zaragoza for the following reasons: l The occupancy rate of 21.93 passengers/km is 4.4 times higher than a standard city bus. l The specific energy consumption of the tram is 0.18 kW/user km – 85% less than a city bus. l The specific CO2 emissions are 71.49 grams/ year – 79% lower than a city bus. l Despite covering just 7% of the total distance of Zaragoza’s public transport, the tram transports 25.04% of the network’s overall passengers. l The tram saves 189 661.64MWh +/-9.5% per year. This amount of energy is equivalent to the consumption of 19.6m litres of diesel fuel. l Comparing the annual consumption of total energy of the system (vehicles, stops, workshops and offices) of 9068.02MWh/year in annual savings, the study concludes that for every kWh consumed by tramline 1, it saves 21 kWh. l The tramway avoids the emission of 49 027.48 +/-10% tons of CO2. This is a 6% reduction of CO2 emissions associated with mobility. l The tram has reduced traffic by 7.68% across the whole city, 32.3% in the city centre. l The tram has reduced NOx emissions by 491.72 tons/year, CO emissions by 293.21 tons/year and emissions of solid particulate matter (PM10) by 16.82 tons/year. These values show reductions of 17.73%, 8.83% and 49.11% Ana Moreno, General Manager Tranvía de Zaragoza welcomes delegations from around the world. respectively from 2009. the Environmental Product Declaration enhanced this aspect, with new areas within tramstops. These paintings are displayed according to ISO 14025, in 2011. the city that are car-free. along the line for several weeks. Along a 2km (1.2-mile) stretch in the A cycle lane has also been created along the Recently, Zaragoza Tram has collaborated historic city centre, the tramway runs length of the tramline, and this mode with the Official Association of Architects of catenary-free, drawing traction power to has now become a phenomenon in the region, explaining the significance and recharge its systems using surface-contact Zaragoza, an otherwise flat and dry city history of the main buildings along the line technology. This has been developed with that is perfect for cycling. At the same time, to passengers as they travel on the system. the SIL4 (Safety Integrity Level) certificate, the introduction of the tram has allowed When the first tramline project was the highest security level for this type of the reorganisation of bus services into a completed in 2013, the impression was technology. It is an innovative solution ‘fishbone’ structure where the central axis that Zaragoza had changed its appearance. developed in a city that relies on technology is the tramway’s line 1. On the tram, urban But four years on the city has realised to improve. bus services, and also on the buses to the that the depth of the changes is far more Also, thanks to traffic signal priority being peripheral towns, shared ticketing makes it fundamental, and goes to the heart of applied in the context of a consolidated city easier to travel with one ticket. Zaragoza. Its citizens have grown with the transport network, thousands of stop-start To further encourage travel by public city, changing their routines, avoiding movements for the tram are avoided each transport, line 1 has two park-and-ride sites at private transport and actively creating a day to improve the overall flow of mobility the entrance of the city from both the north better place in which to live and work. throughout the city. The tram service has and the south, with discounted fares for tram Zaragoza has become a proud international greater punctuality, the passenger’s travel users. Leaving your car and travelling into showcase for future urban mobility thanks experience is more comfortable and it is the city by tram costs users just EUR0.06/h. to line 1, receiving visits from delegates easier to adapt frequencies to the real traffic from 222 cities of 63 countries. Political circumstances in Zaragoza. Local and environmental initiatives representatives, public organisations, In the city context, the Urban Mobility Focusing the tramway at the heart of the transport operators, engineers and Service, through the Traffic Control Centre, communities it serves, Tranvía de Zaragoza technicians have come to the city to study manages a traffic light network with 650 invests heavily in social initiatives, line 1’s technology, urban development or signalled intersections, 20 communication giving priority always to those related to transport governance. points, 400 measurement points, 67 traffic sustainability. cameras and a central computer. For example, in 2017, Tranvía de Zaragoza sponsored the 9th International Film Festival ABOUT THE AUTHOR Intermodality of Zaragoza, ECOZINE, that every year A na M. Moreno Lorente has served as General Creating true intermodal travel options has shows and rewards the best documentaries, Manager of SEM Los Tranvías de Zaragoza since also become possible since the introduction feature-length and short films related to 2013. An electrical engineer with a post-graduate of the tramway. For the city’s residents, environmental protection. MBA, Ana worked for a variety of electrical an integrated combination of bus, tram, SEM Los Tranvías de Zaragoza also consultancies and moved to rolling stock bicycle and pedestrian areas means simpler collaborate in the International Urban company CAF in 1997, working on projects in and more convenient door-to-door journeys; Art Festival of Zaragoza, ASALTO. Each the UK, Italy and Spain. This included the role of Rolling Stock and Catenary-Free Development Zaragoza is a very favourable city for year noted Spanish and international Project Manager for Zaragoza Line 1. pedestrians and the tramway has only artists design artworks that feature on the

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 23 Bratislava

New trams, infrastructure upgrades and renewed presence on both sides of the systems Danube have transformed what was once a stereotypical Eastern Bloc system. factfile slovak republic No. Bratislava, 123 Slovak Republic Bratislava

ratislava, then Europe’s the other being Košice, 400km Rain deters Re-gauging the metre-gauge newest capital, greatly (250 miles) to the east. pedestrians, as tramway to 1435mm and installing a helped modern Slovakia The centralised planning years Škoda 29T 7406 is metro were unrealised schemes, but (Slovak Republic/ led to features still found in some on the usually busy the tram service has seen appreciable Slovenská Republika) other former Eastern Bloc systems. square outside the improvements in rolling stock and Slovak National emergeB from the amicable splitting of These include Czechoslovakian KD infrastructure, much funded through Theatre on 20 Czechoslovakia. This was complete in Tatra trams, rudimentary passenger September 2017. the European Union. The Tatras January 1993, three years after the end facilities and extensions into outer represented modernisation and of communist control. housing districts following the 1970s increased capacity when introduced Slovakia borders five countries, oil crisis. Although such expansions in the 1960s, but these came to reflect with Hungary and Austria on the almost guaranteed high ridership, the old political order and were falling capital’s boundaries. Known as conditions altered following the below standards evident elsewhere. Prešporok or Pressburg when in the political regime change. Bratislava’s Once begun, fleet upgrading was Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bratislava regular traffic jams and some inventive substantial and rapid. Batches of was a quarter-century away from parking illustrate how car ownership new Škoda trams were ordered from adopting its present name when the has chipped away at demand and August 2013, the contracts including electric tramway opened in 1895. encouraged outer suburban housing. maintenance support. There had been no horse-powered Measures have, however, been taken The first of twoForCity Plus predecessor and the city hosts one of to restore public transport as the Words and pictures prototypes (7501) was delivered in Slovakia’s two extant tram systems, preferred means of urban travel. by Neil Pulling. November 2014, with trials leading

24 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

THE FLEET

Termed by Škoda ForCity Plus Bratislava, there are 30 each of uni-directional type 29T (7401-30) and bi-directional 30T (7501-30). Both have five sections, are 32.5m long, 2.48m wide and around 90% low-floor, having raised sections over the outer bogies. The 29T has 69 seats and 276 standing places; double cabs and doors on both sides reduce 30T capacity to 52 seats with 304 standing positions. They are the only DPB trams with passenger air-conditioning and low-floor space. All other stock originated from ČKD and may remain officially listed, even if effectively out of service.O f the single cars, generally used as pairs with their own type, in October 2017 there were nominally 48 modernised T3 (a quarter of the total, the first in service during 1965) and 58T6 (from 1991) variants. There are 36 rebuilt 20.4m articulated K2S and one K2G, around one-third of the original versions, mainly from the 1970s. Both depots are to the north-east of the system. Also handling trolleybuses, the sprawling Jurajovdvor site has been modernised for handling Škoda trams, also remaining used for the T3 fleet. NearV inohrady station and adjoining Vozovňa (depot) Krasňany stop, the smaller Krasňany mainly handles K2S and T6A5 classes. It also maintains heritage vehicles, as used for seasonal tour and hire services. Including wide footpaths and cycleways, the renewed Starý most (Old Bridge) has restored the presence of trams on both banks of the Danube.

“Another system feature is all but hidden beneath the main skyline feature, the castle. A 792m tunnel, completed in 1949 for mixed use, became tram-only during 1983.”

ABOVE: Then-new bi-directional trams enabled service continuation during 2015 works. Overlooked by the castle, prototype 30T 7501 is at Nový most.

LEFT: The south portal of Bratislava's tram tunnel.

RIGHT: With the destination set for the next north-bound service, 7524 waits beyond the present Jungmannova terminus in Petržalka.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 25 Bratislava

LEFT: Tatra T6A5 7923 + 7924 at Vozovňa Krasňany stop next to its home depot, with Vinohrady station in the background.

“On a system not short Hybešova of distinctive features, dual-gauge tracks are Hečkova installed from the Černockého 4 5 Petržalka terminus, to Pekná cesta Pri kríži Malé allow for access by a Krasňany OD Saratov Vozovňa new light rail format, DEPOT Krasňany ŽST Vinohrady Drobného now seemingly 7 Nám. Alexyho Biely abandoned.” kríž Jurajov dvor Švantnerova

Magnetová Damborského Mladá garda Odborárska

Horné Krčace Riazanská Zátišie 2 Dolné Krčace Nové Pionierska Mesto Polus City Center

6 9 Karlova Ves Nová doba

Ursínyho Borská Odbojárov

MiÚ Karlova Ves Račianske Trnavské mýto Nemocnica mýto Ružinov Hlavná 1 2 Stanica Nad lúčkami Herlianska Nám. Blumentál Saleziáni Slovanet Franza Liszta Legionárska Segnerova Žilinská Jurigovo nám. Odborárske nám.

Americké nám. Molecova Botanická záhrada Vysoká Mariánska Poštová Lafranconi Kapucínska Kamenné nám. Park Nam. kultúry Chatam SNP 7 Danube Sófer SND 6 Most SNP Šafárikovo

S námestie lovakia A

us Námestie tria 8 Ľ. Štúra

Sad Janka Kráľa

Farského

1 3 Jungmannova

26 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

LEFT: Blumentál, a location retaining a Germanic name (for floral valley). Posters on the Škoda trams identify European Union contributions to system modernisation.

3 5

Komisárky

Púchovská

Záhumenice

Detvianska

Hybešova

Hečkova

Černockého

Pekná cesta

Malé ABOVE: Kamenné Krasňany nám. stop with

Vozovňa 7508 on the central Krasňany Zlaté piesky Špitálska section, 4 closed for rebuilding Shopping Palace during 2017. PPA Controll LEFT: 7528

Jurajov dvor represents modernity in otherwise aged Magnetová DEPOT surroundings at Komisárky terminus Odborárska loop in Rača.

Nové Mesto Bratislava Airport

to modifications in the production vehicles, and the bus fleet has also series; 60 new low-floor trams entered been re-equipped. 8 9 passenger operations in 2015-16. Despite the 60 new trams, this mode Chlumeckého However, the high service levels on remains the oldest by average age. Nemocnica Tomášikova Ružinov Astronomická around 40km (25 miles) of route mean DPB’s new vehicles and some Tatra Súmračná Herlianska that examples from several Tatra types K2G rebuilt 2007-09 by Pars Nova remain in use. (a Škoda subsidiary since 2008) carry The public transport network consisting of trams, trolleybuses and buses is run by city-owned Dopravný network facts podnik Bratislava (DPB); part of IDS BK, the regional association of operators O pened: 1895 using an integrated cross-mode fare L ength: 42km (26 miles) system. As classified on the national Lin es: 9 transport website and local signage,  trams are distinguished as Elektri ky. Depots: 2 In late 2017, Bratislava had nine A pprox. weekday hours: 05.00-23.00 regular tramlines numbered 1-17, of L ine frequency: 8 minutes which 6 and 17 have restricted hours G auge: 1000mm within a prevailing approximately P ower: 600V dc, overhead supply 05.00-22.45 operation. Trams are not F leet: 210 (nominal, 2017) part of the 20-line night network. C ity network/operator: Dopravný Slightly longer than the tramway, podnik Bratislava – www.dpb.sk Bratislava’s 13-line trolleybus system T imetable information: opened in 1941. Once losing ground https://imhd.sk/ba and www.idsbk.sk to buses, it was returned to favour C ivic and tourist information: by the oil crisis. It has also benefited www.bratislava.sk from a recent influx of modern Škoda

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 27 Bratislava

an all-over red livery. Advertising (the name of a nearby riverside park) is widespread, particularly on older on an elevated section which also trams although some ‘factory finish’ crosses a motorway. The extension red and cream remains on Tatra T3 connected with the system at Sturova and Tatra T6A5 stock. street, a central section that had been Most of Bratislava, including the closed for complete rebuilding since city centre and until recently all of early 2014. On a system not short the tramway, is on the north/left of distinctive features, dual-gauge bank of the Danube (Dunaj). At the tracks are installed from the Petržalka southern tip of the Little Carpathians terminus, Jungmannova, and along range, the tramway has highly varied Sturova. This was to allow for access surroundings. Initially bordering the by a new light rail format (billed as Danube, the western arm which rises a tram-train), a project that is now to the Dúbravka district is lined with seemingly abandoned. By 2020 it ABOVE: Of the type used on the Petržalka extension, 30T 7520 housing blocks, often giving sights of is expected that a 3.8km (2.4-mile) leaves Hlavná Stanica terminus. There is escalator access to the wooded hillsides. East of the centre the tramway extension with seven stops station on the higher level. tracks have a more level setting, with will open from Jungmannova. some stops near lakes. The largest, Zlaté It will go to Janíkov Dvor terminus Piesky (Golden Sands), is announced for the Južné Mesto (Southern City) on the tram audio as a resort. development, also a proposed location Amongst Bratislava’s many for a small depot. public housing estates, the greatest Another system feature is all but concentration is on the Danube’s hidden beneath the main skyline south bank in Petržalka. Starý most feature, the castle (hrad). A 792m (Old Bridge), the closest crossing to tunnel, completed in 1949 for mixed the city centre, carried the Vienna- use, became tram-only during 1983. Bratislava local railway and later trams Closures for safety improvements with interruptions from 1914 until led to trams being routed further 1961, long before Petržalka’s main alongside the Danube and via the housing expansion. Finally limited city centre, but in May 2013 the to pedestrian use, Starý most closed tunnel was returned to the network. ABOVE: Tatra K2S trams at Nové Mesto station; 7111 has the all-over in 2013, but a new bridge on the site Other service adjustments have advertising common on this class, while 7129 has an early application of the red DPB livery. allowed restoration of cross-river tram been implemented for system services in July 2016. modernisation. Longer and more BELOW: A classic formation now in decline, Tatra T3P 7787+7788 The 2.4km (1.5 miles) of new route substantial platforms with better pauses for access to Nám. Ľ. Štúra on the evening of 19 September 2017. has three stops, with Sad Janka Krá a shelters have been installed, with

28 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

ABOVE: Pri kríži terminus in Dúbravka, with long upgraded platforms and real-time service displays.

BELOW: Locally built in 1937, BMEŽ 'Štvorokeňák' 18 leaves Krasňany depot.

some repositioning of stops and more ABOVE: No longer in service, T6A5 7907+7908 takes the Obchodná information displays. Availability line past Trinity Church near Kapucínska stop in August 2015. of alternative routes has generally essential facts allowed cross-city services to be Near Karlova Ves on 7 August 2015, a typical suburban installation of tracks between the carriageways. The turning loop for lines 6 and 9 L ocal travel: Print information is maintained in some form. In 2015 is in the background. available locally, but online sources the newly-arrived Škoda 30T are more comprehensive; this is bi-directional trams, intended for the recommended for printing maps or Petržalka line which has no southern using IDS BK’s useful leafletTravelling turning loop, enabled western lines to in Bratislava and its Regions. Ticket continue as far as Nový most, briefly a machines around the network include newer multi-language variants, as at the terminus for the central area. airport. Some tickets have immediate Somewhat away from the centre, validity, but otherwise (as with passes) Bratislava hlavná stanica (main they must be validated upon vehicle railway station) is a key transport entry. All of the tramway and line 61 interchange. Now back on the system, buses between the airport (Letisko M. R. it has previously been deprived of Štefánika) and Bratislava hlavná stanica trams by remedial works needed on the are within zones 100 and 101. long approach ramp and during the Single tickets (valid for 15 minutes) rebuilding of track from the junction start at EUR0.70, but given their low cost and likely levels of use by visitors, near the STU stops. The inconvenience 24-hour duration tickets are a better was offset by the station also being option: EUR3.50 for 24 hours from a concentration of DPB bus and initial validation; 72 hours at EUR8; trolleybus lines which share a separate 168 hours at EUR11.40. These are valid roadway on the ramp. During 2017, the for all public transport modes within continuing reconstruction programme the stated zones. closed a central section along Špitálska towards Blumentál via the junction What is there to see? The main tourist information office at Americké námestie. This put more is at Primaciálne námestie (Primate's trams along Obchodná, a shopping Square) in the old town, signposted street that was renovated in 2005-06. from Námestie SNP stop. This area Bratislava’s main retailing has moved is geared to short stay visitors. The to modern centres away from the city has a strong opera tradition, like centre, some tram-served. Shopping much else in Slovakia this is at lower Palace and Polus City Center are each prices than in western Europe. There is accorded a line 4 stop name. significant local wine production, and The tramway passes around all but Bratislava also has some high quality in-house brewery restaurants. the western edge of the Staré Mesto Check in advance if planning to visit (old town) core, a mainly pedestrianised the Castle due to renovation works. area that is the focus for the city’s There is a UFO lookout on Novy Most tourist trade. The closest stops are (New Bridge) pylon, southern Danube Námestie SNP, Kapucínska, Jesenského bank, while Bratislava is a useful and Nám. . Štúra. The latter is also by road traffic with improvements DPB's three modes low-cost base for trips to Vienna: rail near the quays used by Danube cruise to the promenade and commercial at the bottom of the from Bratislava hlavná stanica or ships, a regularly restocked source redevelopment. Track is one-way east ramp to the main Bratislava-Petržalka (the latter not on the railway station. Petržalka tram extension) stations – both of demand. The riverfront Rázusovo of the junction at Nám. . Štúra, thus routes now end at Wien Hbf; high-speed nábrežie road that includes Most SNP some line directions have different river craft lso make the journey. tram stop has become less dominated routes around this area.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 29 Worldwide Review

AUSTRALIA The USD448m cost of the BROADBEACH – SOUTHPORT. project is being met by the Bombardier has delivered four Bolivian Government. BS new 43.3m Flexity 2 trams (15-18) to the Gold Coast tramway BRAZIL to cater for expansion of the BRASILIA. A solar power plant system; car 15 entered service in has been installed at Guariroba late October. station generating up to 288MWh The 7.3km (4.5-mile) extension of electricity each year to supply to Helensvale should open in the all the facility’s energy needs. The first week of January. The AUD420m USD7.7m investment could be (EUR281m) second phase has recovered within eight years. IRJ been fast-tracked ahead of the CAMPOS DO JORDAO. Service city hosting the Commonwealth on the interurban section Games on 4-15 April. AUD270m between Piracuama and Sao (EUR172.8m) is being contributed Cristovao has been suspended by the Queensland Government, until an unknown date in 2018 AUD95m (EUR60.78m) from to permit reconstruction of the the national Government and infrastructure. BS AUD55m from the city. P. Nicholson BULGARIA SOFIA. Ten more Tatra T6 AUSTRIA trams have arrived from Praha, INNSBRUCK. The first of 20 new 4160-9 (ex-8616/89/93/04/19/22 Bombardier Flexity trams was due and 8701). November saw for delivery to the new depot at the arrival of the remaining Duilestrasse in January. BS Guggummere trams from Basel. WIEN (Vienna). In 2018 line 6 The first Siemens-NewagInspiro will be replaced by the extension trainset car for metro line 3 was of line 71 to Kaiserebersdorf and presented on 15 November. a new line 72 introduced from The consortium was awarded Enkplatz to Kaiserebersdorf. BS a EUR140m contract in 2015 to supply 20 three-car sets BELGIUM and signalling for the first 8km ANTWERPEN. The first use of (five-mile), eight-station phase Hermelijn trams in multiple was of the east-west line, due to during the morning peak on 6 open in 2019. The order is being The first Bombardier Flexity 100% low-floor tram for Wien (Vienna) has been November on line 3 between 70% funded by the EU and the completed at the company’s factory in the city. Wiener Linien Merksem and Zwijndrecht. It is contract includes an option for reported that ten Gent PCCs were ten further trainsets. achieved; 4451/2 were awaiting on 1 September. Seven three- due to arrive in December. DS The trains are being built with shipping from Thunder Bay in section trains are used. BS BRUSSEL/BRUXELLES. Peak driver’s cabs, although the line mid-November. D. Drum run-out for the winter timetable will be equipped for GoA3 WATERLOO-KITCHENER. CZECH REPUBLIC from 18 September is 301 trams, automated operation. BS, IRJ The first non-powered testing PRAHA (Prague). Škoda 15T with 37 7700-series articulated using ION Bombardier Flexity low-floor trams up to 9417 had PCCs still in service. There are 396 CAMBODIA Freedom 002 was on 7 November. been delivered by the end of trams in the fleet. T-2000 PHNOM PENH. It is planned to It was hoped to receive 003/4 October. T3 8497 is being repaired OOSTENDE. The number of build a USD800m rubber-tyred before Christmas. CHILE after an accident (using the front CAF low-floor trams on order for AGT line in time for the Southeast of 8038), and will become a partly the coastal tramway has been Asian Games in 2023, using CHILE open-top party tram. BS increased to 48, which will permit Japanese expertise. The Japan SANTIAGO. The new 15km the replacement of all the current International Co-operation (9.3-mile) metro line 6 was DENMARK fleet by 2022. Nine more cars will Agency is completing a feasibility opened by President Bachelet on AARHUS. A meeting of the be used for service expansion in study that is expected in May 2 November connecting Los Danish Transport Authority the mid-2020s. T-2000 2018, while a delegation has Leones (interchange with line 1) on 13 November did not give visited the Yokohama Seaside with Cerrillos. For this and line 3 permission for the opening of BOLIVIA Line to study maintenance and (due to open next year) CAF is the new tramway, although COCHABAMBA. Works have operational practice. delivering 37 five-car sets equipped on 23 November the city’s begun on the 42km (21-mile) A 2014 study prioritised lines for automatic train operation. IRJ mayor announced that he hoped electrified LRT line to be built along linking the city centre and the that conditional approval for the right of way of a former diesel northern/southern and western CHINA passenger service may be achived rail line by a consortium of Spanish suburbs, with a link to the HEFEI. The 27.8km (17.3-mile) by the end of the year. engineering company JOCA and Phnom Penh International east–west metro line 2 opened thelocal.com, TV2 Swiss rail specialist Molinari Rail. Airport, using three-car trains on 26 November linking Nangang The first phase of the system with a passenger capacity of 330 and Sanshibu. urbanrail.net ECUADOR consists of three lines connecting and operating speeds of up to SHENZHEN. The 11.3km CUENCA. Completion of the the communities of Sipe, Vinto, 60km/h (37mph). Bangkok Post (seven-mile) Longhua tramline new tramway has been delayed Quillacollo, Colcaprihua, Sacaba running north from metro line by an earthquake, but a new and Cochabamba, using 12 CANADA 4 at Qinghu was opened on contract has been signed with an five-section cars with a maximum TORONTO. Bombardier Flexity 28 October. urbanrail.net Alstom-led consortium that operating speed of 80km/h 4449/50 entered service in YINCHUAN. Chinese company should see the final works (50mph). November. Fifteen more cars BYD has equipped a 5.7km surrounding the depot, road It is hoped to start service in are due by the end of the year, (3.5-mile) monorail serving the surfacing and electrical and 2021 using five five-section cars. but it seems unlikely this will be China Flower Expo, which opened control systems completed in

30 / JANUARY 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org August 2018. A revised opening T3, T4 and RhônExpress services date of 3 November 2018 has were disrupted for the rest been announced. BS, El Universo of the day. F. Roski

EGYPT GERMANY ISKANDARIYAH (Alexandria). BERLIN. Storm Xavier on An additional refurbished Düwag 5 October caused all rail, bus and GT6 tram in green and white is 863. tram services to be suspended Trams have been withdrawn from mid-afternoon until later from the section of line between in the evening. El Metras and Mex, and from Dar Although delivery of a total Ismail to St Catherine Square. Male of 210 Bombardier Flexity Berlin riders are reminded that the front trams will continue until 2020 cars of two and three-car tram (when the new tramway link formations (i.e. everything except to U-Bhf Turmstrasse will the Düwag) are reserved for women. open), BVG is already preparing As the six double-deck trams the specification for the next are always at the western end generation of trams, with a tender of three-car formations on the for 117 cars expected in 2019. BS Ramleh lines, this means that BRAUNSCHWEIG. The men are unable to ride on the anniversary of 120 years of electric double-deckers when travelling tramway operation was marked towards Alexandria from on 28 October by a tram parade the suburbs. P. Haseldine featuring 103, 113+250, 35+201, 7751+41, 8165, 9554, 0756 and ESTONIA 1451. Forty-year-old 7756 has TALLINN. Tenders are being been overhauled and returned prepared for the purchase of eight to service due to a shortage of new trams (with an option for serviceable trams. BS a further 20). The specification BREMEN. Wegmann tram calls for vehicles 27-33m long, 557 dating from 1977 has been with a passenger capacity of 200 refurbished and repainted to passengers, 50 seated; deliveries original condition to join the are required within 21 months of museum fleet. BS the contract signing. DESSAU. The Düwag era for The new trams are needed passengers came to an end on for a new line to be built to 15 December when the eight- link the existing network axle car 003 (ex-Duisburg) was with the port in 2021. err withdrawn. Car 007 survives as a works vehicle. BS FINLAND DUISBURG. DVG has selected The first of the new bogie trams for the Japanese city of Matsuyama. G. Bannister HELSINKI. The 13.5km Bombardier as preferred bidder (8.4-mile) extension of the metro for a EUR135m contract to (Raschplatz) opened without ULM. A depot open day has been from Ruoholahti to Matinkylä supply 47 trams. A prototype for ceremony on 18 September, adding organised for 21 April, when the opened on 18 November, with the 34m-long, 2.3m-wide 70% 300m to the network. first new Siemens Avenio will be eight underground stations. low-floor order is due to enter KARLSRUHE. The delivery of presented to the public. BS Construction started in November trial service in late 2019, with the new series of dual-system 2009, but opening has been production versions series due to cars from Bombardier (953-64) HUNGARY delayed by a year. A further run from 2021 to 2023. started at the end of October. BUDAPEST. BKK has exercised 6.8km (4.2 miles) to Kivenlahti With capacity for up to 200 Eight-axle trams 124 (1975) an option for a further 26 CAF is under construction for passengers, the new and 213 (1978) have joined the 100% low-floor trams, consisting completion in 2020. air-conditioned trams will also museum fleet. BS of 21 34m cars and five 56m cars. A consortium of YIT and VR feature the Bombardier’s DAS NÜRNBERG (Nuremburg). This will bring the total fleet of Track has been selected to build collision detection system. On 2 December line 9 was CAF trams to 73, with options the 25km (15.5-mile) Raide– DÜSSELDORF. The 7 January withdrawn and a new line 8 for a further 51 remaining. Jokeri orbital light rail line, with timetable change will see line 701 introduced from Dokuzentrum to Another 60 Škoda-Solaris construction starting in 2019. extended to Am Hülserhof, and Erlenstegen. Line 6 now runs to trolleybuses are also part of the Design work is being undertaken line U71 extended to Rath S-Bhf. Westfriedhof. Line 7 is operating framework agreement, worth a by Ramboll Finland, Sito and The first NF6 trams to be sent to from Hbf to Tristanstrasse via total of HUF27.8bn (EUR88.7m). VR Track. Leipzig for refurbishment were Scheurlstrasse. BS BKK is shortly to announce The route linking Itäkeskus 2102/17 in November. PLAUEN. Bombardier delivered renovation projects for the to Keilaniemi in eastern Espoo Elsewhere, 1924 ex-Mettmann low-floor trams 307/8 in power supply systems for its tram is intended to replace the busy steeple-cab tram loco 100, which September/October. BS and trolleybus networks, in bus route 550. Škoda Transtech has been plinthed at Lierenfeld POTSDAM. The first Siemens advance of the new vehicles’ is supplying a fleet of 29Artic XL depot since 1991, has been Combino XL (410-412) entered delivery. trams to operate services. IRJ taken to Steinberg museum tram service on 3 November. The new Work has started on the 1.7km depot for restoration. DS tram link to Campus Jungfernsee (1.1-mile) western extension of FRANCE FRANKURT/ODER. Tatra KT4D was served by line 96 from tramline 1 from Etele út/Fehérvári LYON. Citadis tram 0863 on line 212 has been repainted in a livery 10 December. DS út to Kelenföld railway station. T4 sustained severe damage on based on traditional red and ivory, STUTTGART. The first of the Interchange with metro line M4 10 November when it was hit by but with a modern layout. BS new batch of Stadler DT8.14 units will be provided at Bikás Park a car at Part Dieu, and derailed, GOTHA. Party tram KT4D 111 to enter service was 3551/2 on line and Kelenföld. The HUF8.6bn hitting a traction pole; 26 has received a new black-and- U3 on 4 November. (EUR27.5m) project is financed passengers were injured, and the yellow livery. BS Metre-gauge heritage tramline 98.5% by the EU, and should tram driver seriously. The car HANNOVER. The new terminus 23 was due to re-open on be ready to carry passengers in driver was also hospitalised. T1, for routes 10 and 17 at Hbf/ZOB 26 December. DS early 2019. IRJ

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2018 / 31 Worldwide Review

ROTTERDAM. From NOVOCHERKASSK. The city 29 December metro service will has officially unveiled the first be extended by an additional two of five Elektrotransport 16m hour on Saturday/Sunday 71-407 trams that Uraltransmash mornings, finishing at 01.30. OR is supplying under a RUB81.5m UTRECHT. CAF tram 6002 made contract signed in June 2017. IRJ its first test runs on the new Uithof SANKT PETERBURG. Seven line at the end of September. OR six-car metro trains have been ordered from Škoda Transportation NEW ZEALAND and Kirovsky Zavod, with AUCKLAND. The new national delivery in 2018-19. The RUB4bn government wishes to pursue (EUR57.8m) bid beat rivals electrification of the Papakura – Oktyabrsky Electric Car plant. RGI Pukekohe line and as a result the NIZHNY NOVGOROD. NZD133m (EUR77.3m) contract A RUR1.3bn (EUR18.8m) signed with CAF for 15 three-car contract has been signed with EMUs will be for straight electric Metrovagonmash for 23 metro The Elektrotranpsort/Uraltransmash 71-407 tram delivered to the Russian rather than battery electric units. cars (ten driving cars and 13 system of Novocherkassk ran for a time in Volgograd. N. O. Kopylov The option for battery power at a trailers) for delivery by the end of later stage will still be there. RGI the year. The new cars will be leased INDIA The proposals replace an earlier through Sberbank Leasing. RGI AHMEDABAD. A fleet of 32 scheme for a tram depot and PHILIPPINES three-car metro trains have been stables on the site, which was MANILA. Mitsubishi/CAF SINGAPORE ordered from Hyundai Rotem shelved as unaffordable. has been awarded a EUR225m MASS RAPID TRANSIT. Alstom under a EUR134m contract The horse tram stables on contract to build 30 106m sets for has been contracted to supply for delivery in 2019-20. Summer Hill are owned by Douglas LRT-1, with delivery in 2020-22. the signalling for the final phase The 2.9m-wide air-conditioned Council, were put up for sale last The order is being funded by a of the Circle line, including trainsets will be built in year and are now under offer. Local Japanese loan. automatic train operation, and Changwon, and have capacity for enthusiasts fear they could be The 20km (12.4-mile) north– a doubling in size of the depot. 782 passengers. demolished for development. south line 1 is being extended south The 4km (2.5-mile) section of line Bids were received from Alstom, by 11.7km (7.3 miles) to Bacoor. RGI should open in 2025. Bombardier and CRRC, although ITALY the Chinese manufacturer was NAPOLI. A EUR90m contract has POLAND SPAIN disqualified for non-fulfilment of been awarded to CAF for the supply ELBLĄG. The tramline along Gen. VITORIA. The 1.4km (0.9-mile) technical and financial criteria. of ten six-car metro trains for Grota Roweckiego and 12-Lutego tramway extension from Angulema Phase 1 of the metro will have a delivery in 2019. There is an option opened on 9 November, served to the university is to be built length of 37.7km (23.4 miles). for a further ten trains. The metro by lines 4 and 5. transphoto.ru for service from June 2019. BS RGI, Hindu Business Line is being extended from Garibaldi ŁÓDZ. The contract signed with HYDERABAD. Metro service Stazione FS to Naples International BOGESTRA in Bochum, Germany, SWEDEN was inaugurated on 28 November Airport at Capodichino. IRJ is for 32 Duewag MGT6D partly STOCKHOLM. The EUR80m by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, TORINO. Tramline 6 ran for the low-floor trams dating from resignalling contract for the when two lines were opened. The last time on 1 October due to 1992-93 for EUR32m. There is an 41.2km (25.6-mile) Red line 13km (8.1-mile) line 1 runs from insufficient ridership to justify option for two more. DS metro placed with Ansaldo STS Miyapur to Ameerpet and the 17km tram operation, with electric buses OLSZTYN. A tender for up to in late 2010 was terminated by (10.6-mile) line 2 from Ameerpet taking over the following day. 12 new trams, with options Storstockholms Lokaltrafik on to Nagole in the northern suburbs. This meant the end of the section for further cars, was issued in 7 November. The existing Hyundai Rotem has supplied the of tramway to Piazza Hermada. November, and unlike the existing signalling system will remain in 57 three-car trains. urbanrail.net The 2800-Series trams used on 2.5m-wide Tramino cars, a width use and Ansaldo STS has been the route have been reallocated, of 2.4m will be permitted. This asked to repay advance payments Isle of Man with services on line 13 enhanced decision is expected to encourage plus a penalty. Ansaldo STS has GENERAL. Isle of Man Transport to five-minute headways during more manufacturers to bid. responded that the cancellation carried a record number of peak periods and eight minutes at The alignment for the city’s was groundless. RGI passengers from March to other times. second tramline was approved November 2017 – despite well- A collision between two line in November, linking Pieczewo SWITZERLAND reported problems on the 13 trams at Via Pietro Micca on estate with the Michelin factory BASEL. The opening celebrations Snaefell Mountain Railway, which 8 November saw 16 passengers and the city centre with an 8km for the inauguration of the 3.1km closed earlier than advertised. injured. The line was closed for (five-mile) double-track route. (1.9-mile) extension of line 3 Other than on the SMR, the season the afternoon as GTT engineers Completion of the route is to Gare St Louis in France were ended on 5 November. rerailed FIAT/Ansaldo low-floor expected in late 2019/early 2020; scheduled for 9 December, with The steam railway, car 5052 and investigated the cause 85% of project finance is coming regular service from the following Manx Electric Railway, SMR and of the collision. BS, ANSA Piedmont from EU finding. day. tram Douglas Bay Horse Tram saw a InooTram, Gazeta Olsztynska LIESTAL – WALDEBURG (WB). combined 13% increase in JAPAN Tenders have been invited for ten passengers, amounting to MATSUYAMA. Two 12.5m RUSSIA 45m 70% low-floor double-ended 512 847 passenger journeys. In bogie trams have been delivered KOLOMNA. A fleet of 21 type LRVs for the future BLT line 19. spite of the shorter season on the as 5001/2. BS 71-407 bogie trams have been The contract will be a joint one SMR there was a 27% increase. ordered from Uraltransmash, for with BDWM, which needs eight One of the main contributors was NETHERLANDS delivery in 2017-18. Six trams are cars of the same type for the growing demand in group travel. DEN HAAG. Full testing on due for delivery by the end of the Limmattalbahn. tram The Department of tramline 19, using 3114 and year, with the remaining 15 by the NEUCHÂTEL. TransN has Infrastructure has been unable to 4027, started on 6 November in end of February 2018. transphoto.ru signed a contract with the agree a further lease of the horse readiness for the inauguration NIZHNIY NOVGOROD. Apenzellerbahn to purchase tram stables for the 2018 season of passenger service between The tramway undertaking is Be4/8 31-5, dating from 2004-08, and has submitted a new planning Leidschendam Leidsenhage and considering the purchase from for delivery in 2018. They will application for temporary stables Delft station on 17 December. Moskva of 50 little-used 71-153 be modernised by Stadler before on part of the Summerland site. digitaltram.nl (LM-2008) trams. N. Semyonov entering service. tram

32 / JANUARY 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org UKRAINE No injuries were reported. The DNIPRO. Two-axle tram 002, event has been reported to the Rail rebuilt from a disused snowplough, Accident Investigation Branch. has been placed on a plinth Transport for Greater Manchester outside depot 3 to mark the 120th has indicated that the decision anniversary of the city formerly to stop all services is to be reviewed known as Ekaterinoslav and closely with the operator. Dnepropetrovsk. transphoto.ru Technical issues brought delays across Metrolink on the evening United kingdom of 25 November. All services were BLACKPOOL. Work started briefly suspended following the on preliminary utilities works failure of a double tram unit in the for the tramway extension to Piccadilly Gardens area, which Blackpool North station after the was later removed, while a points close of the 2017 Illuminations on failure on the Bury line saw 5 November. Other works include services suspended and technical expansion of Houndshill shopping issues also affected electronic centre, which will accommodate customer information displays at a new store to replace an existing stops across the network. Normal shop due to make way for the service was resumed on the new Blackpool North tram morning of 26 November. The southern end of Metrolink’s Crumpsall stop (UK) on 14 November with terminus. Utility works beneath Work is proceeding on the Bury-bound 3039 passing the new foot crossing ramps that constitute the first stage of work to create a turnback facility at this location. A major part of the new sections of Talbot Road will take Trafford Park extension with most Trafford Park line scheme will be the installation of a terminating third track to place until March 2018. road traffic restrictions lifted for the left side of the foreground ramp.Mike Haddon A Fleetwood Quays the Christmas shopping period. redevelopment scheme is being At Crumpsall, work is continuing Coventry has been trialled The project includes the promoted by Wyre Dock to construct the third track to at junctions to demonstrate construction of two new branches Development Ltd. It includes a allow services from Trafford Park that trams would not impede totalling 6.9km (4.3 miles): transport heritage centre and ‘new to terminate after running other traffic. The test is part of Lechmere to Union Square and energy tram-train link’ to Poulton- through Manchester city centre. preparations for the demonstration Lechmere to College Avenue. le-Fylde along a disused railway The next phase of construction tramway planned by Trampower. There will be six new stops, and line. A potential internal tramway affecting highways near the intu Beyond a pilot line, proposals exist a new depot. The new routes are would be operated by vintage Trafford Centre will start in for the Preston Guild line with intended to remove the need to trams and there is a suggestion this January. It is planned that the 12 stops, running from Preston interchange between the suburbs could be linked to the existing extension will open in 2020. station to junction 31a of the M6 and central Boston, reducing tramway at the Ferry terminus. Subject to parliamentary motorway. Preparatory works on private car usage. Construction is If planning permission is granted approval, decisions on major the demonstration line were due to scheduled to get underway in 2018. the first elements of the scheme transport projects will be decided start before the end of 2017. In further news, the MBTA has could be in place by 2022. locally by Transport for the North For more on the Preston tram project, selected a consortium of Cubic EDINBURGH. The cost of the – the body set up to drive links see TAUT 949. and John Laing as preferred inquiry into the construction between northern cities. From MIDLAND METRO. Road works bidder for a PPP contract to of Edinburgh’s tramway has April the UK Government will on Bilston Road to permit track design, supply and operate a reached GBP7.2m (EUR8m), formally consider requests to fund relaying finished slightly ahead multimodal fare payment system according to information released plans the organisation puts of schedule and the road for the operator. This will include by the Scottish Government forward and TfN will be consulted reopened to traffic on 2 December. account-based ticketing with in November. The figure was on decisions about who will run Passenger services through to mobile and contactless bank card published in response to a Freedom the Northern and TransPennine St George’s resumed on 10 options, as well as dedicated cards. of Information request. rail services. However, TfN will December, following testing. The USD575m contract includes The inquiry is currently not have the same decision- The penalty fine for irregular ten years of operations and undertaking its public hearing, making or devolved funding travel on Midland Metro was set at maintenance, with two five-year which began in September powers as Transport for London. GBP10 (EUR11.20) in the Midland extension options. (TAUT 960). A report and Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive of Metro (Penalty Fares) Act 1991. It is believed to be the first fare recommendations are expected TfGM, has been confirmed as the It is proposed to ask the Secretary collection programme of this scale to be published at the end of the new President of the 26-member of State to authorise an increase delivered under a PPP agreement process. Information including European Metropolitan to GBP70 (EUR78.35), with the in the USA. E. B. Havens transcripts can be found at Transport Authorities. Dr Lamonte cost halved if paid within 21 days. DENVER, CO. The Federal www.edinburghtraminquiry.org replaces Wolfgang Schroll, Railroad Administration has given GLASGOW. Transport Minister joint CEO of Austria’s USA its approval for testing to resume Humza Yousaf has said issues Verkehrsverbund Ost-Region. BOSTON. The Massachusetts on the G line to Wheat Ridge raised in a report to Transport LONDON (TRAMLINK). It is Bay Transportation Authority is and the University of Colorado Scotland on the proposed expected that the Rail Accident awarding the USD1.08bn design A LRT lines, although the RTD GBP144m (EUR161m) Glasgow Investigation Branch’s final report and build contract for the long- has conceded that the G line Airport tram-train can be on the Sandilands accident will delayed Green line extension to will not open in 2017 following overcome. The paper from be published by the end of 2017; Somerville to GLX Constructors, further delays to the testing consultant Jacobs suggested the seven people died following the a joint venture led by Fluor programme brought about by final scheme would cause problems derailment in November 2016. and including Balfour Beatty regulatory approval from for existing services. LONDON (UNDERGROUND). Infrastructure, Herzog Contracting the Colorado Public Utilities GREATER MANCHESTER. Tunnelling work on the GBP1.2bn Group and The Middlesex Corp. Commission (CPUC). The CPUC A low-speed collision between 3.2km (two-mile) Northern The contract includes options has agreed to expedite the date of a two trams at St. Peter’s Square line extension to Battersea was for platform canopies, additional new hearing, reducing the normal on 10 November brought major completed in November. The lifts, public art, walking routes and 30-day public input process to disruption, with trams stopped route is to open in 2020, with new depot enhancements, separated ten days, and it is bringing in across the network while operator stations at Battersea Power Station from the main infrastructure an Administrative Law Judge to KeolisAmey Metrolink undertook and Nine Elms. works to reduce costs after the conduct the hearing. an assessment into the extent PRESTON. An articulated bus project was deemed unaffordable The 30.7km (19.1-mile) Southeast and impact of the collision. hired from National Express and put on hold in 2015. Rail extension of services E,

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2018 / 33 Worldwide Review

F and R is on time and on budget, station in late November to gather The headway on light rail line The tramway remains open although the N line commuter passenger feedback on the design. 902 will be reduced from 30 to through the winter period rail expansion to Commerce In July 2016 Governor Andrew 15 minutes. E. B. Havens on Saturdays and Sundays, City, Thornton, Northglenn, and Cuomo confirmed that the MTA TACOMA, WA. Sound Transit 13.00-16.30. eventually to North Adams County is to buy 1025 new cars for the has placed a USD26.5m order is behind schedule. V. Simons B Division of the Subway, which with Brookville Equipment Corp. CONTRIBUTORS For more on the delays to Denver’s includes the lettered routes as well for fiveLiberty low-floor trams, to Worldwide items for inclusion rail expansion see TAUT 958. as the Staten Island Railway. The be delivered to the Tacoma Link should be sent to Michael Taplin LOS ANGELES, CA. The LACMTA ‘walk through’ cars are to feature line in 2020-22. There is an option Flat 8, Roxan Villa, 33 Landguard board has agreed to exercise an wider doors, real-time information for a further five cars. The 2.6km Manor Rd, Shanklin PO37 7HZ. option and contract Talgo to displays and LED lighting. (1.6-mile) line, operated by three Fax: +44 (0)1938 862810 or refurbish the remaining 36 Red A manufacturer is yet to be Škoda 10T trams, is to be extended e-mail: [email protected] line metro cars. The contract selected, although this is expected by 3.9km (2.4 miles). IRJ UK and Ireland items are is worth USD18.3m and the in 2018. welcomed by Home Editor, John 18-year-old Breda-built cars will PORTLAND, OR. The proposed UZBEKISTAN Symons, 17 Whitmore Avenue, follow on from the 38 cars already bond issue to finance the TOSHKENT. The orbital railway Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 being addressed. E. B. Havens Southwest Corridor light rail line proposed for the capital will be 0LW, UK. E-mail [email protected] MIAMI. The first new Metrorail to Tigard has been postponed built as a 52.1km (32.4-mile) metro, Acknowledgements are due trainsets entered service on 30 from 2018 until 2020. E. B. Havens mostly elevated. The USD422m to ANSA Piedmont, Bangkok Post, November. Miami-Dade Transit ST LOUIS, MO. There is still no project should be completed in Blickpunkt Strassenbahn (BS), placed a USD300m order for the opening date for the Delmar Loop four years. RGI digitaltram.nl, DoT (Ireland), 68 two-car sets, to run as coupled heritage tramway, with the Loop Drehscheibe (DS), Edinburgh Evening pairs, with HRI predecessor Trolley Company now seeking museum news News, El Universo, Gazeta Olsztynska, AnsaldoBreda in 2012; the USD500 000 to cover start-up WIRRAL TRANSPORT David Harman, Mike Haddon, Hindu cars are assembled locally at a costs, and avoid insolvency. MUSEUM (UK). The Taylor Business Line, InooTram, International 13 043m2 (140 400ft2) plant in The USD51m project has received Street premises are largely closed Rail Journal (IRJ), Irish Independent, Medley, FL, that opened in 2016. a federal grant of USD33.9m. to the public until early May 2018. Manchester Evening News, Miami-Dade Transit expects E. B. Havens A new entrance will be created Merseyside Tramway Preservation to be able to replace half of its SAN JOSE, CA. The base fare will with the former Ferry toll booths Society, Nottingham Evening Post, peak fleet by July 2018, with full increase from USD2 to USD2.25 as a feature. Other changes will Op de Rails (OR), Eric Pounder, replacement by the end of 2019. in January, with a monthly ticket include a new cafeteria area with Railway Gazette (RGI), thelocal. NEW YORK, NY. A mock-up of increasing from USD70 to USD80. seating and new toilets, with full com, tram, transphoto.ru, Tram- a future R211 metro car was put Electronic tickets will permit disabled access to both levels of 2000 (T-2000), TV2, urbanrail.net on display at 34 St-Hudson Yards free transfers within two hours. the museum for the first time. and Wolverhampton Express & Star.

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

D eCEMBER Friday 12. Glasgow 19.30. Gavin Booth: Trams on the shores Saturday 16. Beeston 14.00. of the Forth and the Tagus – From 12.00 Christmas Dinner Musselburgh & Lisbon Trams. followed by David Hanger: (STTS) Funicular Railways. (TLRS) Monday 15. Liverpool 20.00. Monday 18. Sheffield 19.30. Charles Roberts, Chairman of Stuart Cooke: The birth of Online Transport: The story of Supertram. Crosville Motor Services Ltd. Tuesday 19. Leeds 19.00. Charlie (TLRS Mersyside) Watson: Wonderful world of trams. Monday 15. Sheffield 19.30. Mel Tuesday 19. London. 1900. Reuben: The Hong Kong tramway. Mike Russell: Nostalgia Night – Tuesday 16. Leeds 19.00. Tramways of East Germany Tony Wilson: Trams on cine. (DDR) in 1974. Tuesday 16. London. 1900. John Monday 18. Wickham 19.30. Laker: France 2017 (in HD video). Members’ Christmas Bash. Thursday 25. Manchester 19.00. Tony Young: The Tramways of Bury January 2018 Friday 26. Leicester 20.00. John Lessells: British tramway and Tuesday 2. Southampton 19.30. light rail systems – looking back Mike Russell: Ancient trams in over the last 50 years. (TMS) Egypt and modern systems in Friday 26. Edinburgh 19.30. North Africa. (LRTA/SEG) Iain MacDonald: Progress on Saturday 6. West Midlands 14.00. GARL, Glasgow Airport Rail Link. Area AGM (TLRS) Saturday 27. Beeston 14.00. Monday 8. Thames Valley 19.30. Modelling: What’s on your John Laker and Keith Spillett: workbench? (TLRS) Projection HD video – St Petersburg, Saturday 27. Garstang 14.00.Jim Crich 50, Midland Metro and Saunders: Travels to Italy, Slovakia Germany 2017. (TLRS) and Romania on slides. (TLRS)

34 / JANUARY 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 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.

Minor accident delays: It wouldn't happen with a bus...

I walked up to St Peter’s Square tramstop in Manchester at about 09.00 on 10 October, only to find the usually impressive Metrolink system at a standstill. Two Piccadilly-bound trams had collided; I think the name in the business for what had just happened was a ‘kiss’. On slippery rails, one LRV had bumped the one in front and there were trams on all sides stationary, with flashers going. More and more people in hi-vis jackets arrived, pictures were being taken and leaves were being scraped out of the rails behind the second vehicle. All understandable – for a while. But it took ages before trams were allowed past the scene, and to use the Second City Crossing only. The new layout at St Peter’s Square saved the day, to some extent. The question is, why even a minor bump, with no reported injuries, has such an impact. Owen N. The Piccadilly route was still shut three hours after the accident. carry out swift investigations on the RAIB’s behalf into minor I did catch a tram leaving the city eventually bound for Eccles, incidents, to get things moving as quickly as possible. Those witnessing at successive stops the delays all over the system, agents seem to have been stood down. with frustrated passengers stranded amid rain and cold winds. It seems daft to treat tramways as if they were railways. I was told at the scene of the collision that the Rail Accident Detailed investigations of serious accidents must happen, Investigation Branch writes the rules, and insists on such a but I can’t imagine streets being shut for hours if a couple of standstill. I am told that employees of tramway operators were Manchester buses bumped into each other during the rush hour. originally trained and designated as ‘accredited agents’ to Nicholas Owen, Reigate (UK)

Energy usage… in the good old days! The full history of Hannover 601 Upon reading the article on energy I enjoyed the article ‘Üstra at 125’ in the optimisation in the November issue (959) October edition (958) , but I was somewhat I immediately thought of this passage on surprised that no mention was made of the page 23 of the book Bath Tramways by Colin surviving prototype car, 601. After its time in Maggs (Oakwood Press, 1971): “Power meters Hannover from 1970 to 1975 for evaluation (on each tramcar) to check consumption (along with car 600 which has not survived) of electricity by each driver were fitted, but the car received a complete overhaul at taken off about 1920. Motormen who drifted the Düwag works, before being shipped to a lot and cut their power consumption had Vancouver in 1976. their names on the Good Conduct board.” However, a change of Provincial So, nothing new under the sun then, Government in British Columbia, literally although I am certain that in the 1900s there when 601 was on the high seas, led to the was not the hierarchy of Data Gathering, Sky Train system being built rather than a Modelling and Testing, Training Course conventional 600V light rail system. So, 601 Development, Driver Training: Theoretical Tram-train Pilot OLE at Tinsley North. S. Coulthard languished on its shipping cradle and and Practical, plus Monitoring and never turned a wheel for 11 years before Management ‘buy-in’ that every initiative air. However, on a current cost analysis we being purchased by the Edmonton Radial seems to require in this day and age! have found this design cheaper than the Railway Society for eventual use on its High Simon Hutchinson, by e-mail additional cost of piling needed to create Level Bridge line. two single-track cantilevers for double-track In the meantime, Edmonton Transit kindly Comparing apples with apples sections. It requires less disruptive possession stored the car at its LRT shops and permitted May I thank I. Thwaite (Mailbox, TAUT 959) time and safety critical resources. the ERRS to run a special charter on 13 for drawing the attention of your readers An output from this Pilot scheme will be September 1998 on the LRT line using 601. to the significant progress we are making a fully-approved 750V dc system for use on The car was finally moved to the ERRS car with the electrification of our route for the the national rail network. We will take the barn in Strathcona and its first outing on the tram-train service. However in making experience from designing and installing line was in July 2004. comparisons between systems it may be best this to help consideration of future schemes. While clearly more modern than our to compare ‘apples with apples’, rather than Simon Coulthard, Network Rail, by e-mail other cars on the HLB – Osaka 247 (dating single and twin-track electrification systems! from 1921), Melbourne 930 (1947) and Perhaps the enclosed photograph of single- Monorails in Dallas Edmonton 33 (1912) – 601 proved very track cantilevers from the tram-train route is Thank you for a great article on transit in useful for moving large crowds, especially a better comparison with Holywell Junction? Dallas (959), which always seems to have on Canada Day and during the Fringe Your readers may judge for themselves if, on something new to ride each time I visit. Festival each August. comparison, this looks over-engineered for For completeness, there are also monorails, Many of us missed 601 this past summer, the national network. not only at DFW but also from Irving after the car had been sent back to Hannover At first glance the twin-track cantilever Convention Center on the Orange line into in 2016 in time for its 125th celebrations. system shown as the comparator in TAUT surrounding housing developments. We wish it well back in its home city. 959 appears to place a lot of steelwork in the John Rye, by e-mail J.A. (Tony) Kernahan, Edmonton (Canada)

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2018 / 35 Classic Trams New Life for Almaty Trams Mike Russell reports on the trams of the former capital of Kazakhstan which, perhaps surprisingly, still exist, and are safely stored. 1

he opening-up of Eastern Europe German systems. Initially, 50 KT4D cars vehicle but was originally delivered to Ufa and the worldwide spread of arrived from Berlin, later followed by T3 bogie as its 1092, later 1111. It passed to Termitau information on the internet cars released by Chemnitz and Schwerin in 2012, where it assumed fleet number means that the surprises of and T4 vehicles from Dresden and Leipzig. 11, which it retained on being acquired by yesteryear in the tramway world Inadequate maintenance in Almaty resulted Almaty in 2013 as a party tram. The last such areT now very few and far between. Just in many of these cars having a short afterlife car in Almaty’s own passenger fleet had been occasionally, however, one such occasion and the last acquisition, in spring 2013, was withdrawn from service around 1999. does arise. of a further 17 modernised KT4D articulated Quite what the future holds for the An example of just this during the writer’s cars from Berlin. The better German rolling extensive fleet of former BerlinKT4DtM recent visit to Almaty was the unexpected stock was insufficient to effect a significant cars stored in the former running shed is discovery of the survival of the tramcars that operational improvement, with the new not clear, but the fact that so many remain were hastily removed from service almost two acquisitions effectively just as grid-locked in on the property in secure storage is an years previously following two accidents and the melee of frenetic traffic movements as unusual situation in a part of the world reports of poor track conditions. had been their predecessors, and breakdowns where unwanted assets are usually disposed Almaty (Alma-Ata until 1992) was until equally as frequent as in the past. of quite quickly. There is no suggestion, at 1997 the capital of Kazakhstan, when the The resultant extended journey times least at present, that any form of operation is status was ceded to the newly-developed city did nothing to increase the attractiveness proposed, but stranger things have happened of Astana several hundred miles north in the of travel by tramcar and many passengers and the possibility cannot be completely midst of the Eurasian steppe. Almaty remains deserted in favour of trolleybus or motor discounted. All of the internal depot tracks a thriving commercial and cultural hub in bus operations. Following a series of serious are intact, the lines having been cut at the the extreme south of the country, with a accidents in October 2015, operation of the depot entrance in Baitursinov Street, but current population of around 1.7 million and tramway was suspended from 1 November more interesting is the fact that north of the development overshadowed in the south by and subsequently permanently closed. Most adjacent road junction with Gogol Street the the impressive snow-topped mountain range, of the track has since been lifted or covered street-running double track and overhead the Zailysky Alatau, the northernmost line of in asphalt. These actions seemingly heralded wiring remain intact, almost two years after the Tian Shan mountains. the end for the unloved residual network. the closure. Street track elsewhere on the former system has been removed, leaving just Soviet-era tramway Unexpected discovery some sections of reserved track in the outer The city began tramway operation in Readers will therefore more fully understand suburbs. Whether it is too fanciful to believe December 1937 as one of many in the Soviet the surprise when, during a visit in September that a heritage-style tramway operation Union to receive this form of public transport 2017, the writer found not only most of the might be introduced on reconnected track during the great electrification programme final tramcar fleet still stored safely in the remains to be seen. of the earlier Stalinist period. By 1993, former central depot, but a new life for some Kazakhstan is no longer fertile hunting the system had developed into one of ten of the last Almaty trams actually in course of ground for tramway students, but some lines, supplemented from April 1944 by a preparation as part of an urban regeneration operations do survive. Chief amongst trolleybus network, which now encompasses project known as Evolution Park. It turned them, by far the most impressive and 11 routes. After several post-war extensions, out that the depot premises, on which the imaginative and the only system that may development of the tramway stagnated, buildings still stand (albeit the main running be considered as secure, is that in Pavlodar with trolleybuses being the preferred shed has now lost its roof), are to be converted in the extreme north-east of the country. mode to serve new suburban developments. into an arts and recreational centre, and some Here a large network with a fleet of 105 cars Many tram routes were closed after 1993 and of the trams will have a future there. is in operation, including some Ust-Katav- the tramway was reduced to just two, albeit The site plan shows the overall layout. Even built KTM-23 cars delivered in 2014-15, the lengthy, lines by 1999. though most of the entries are in the Kazakh most recent tramcar deliveries in the whole By 2011, when the writer last witnessed language, those that are in English provide country. New low-floor vehicles have been the Almaty tramway in service, the actual some indication of the intentions behind the ordered to enhance and update the fleet. operation was quite chaotic. This is a project. At least one of the Tatra T4 bogie cars Elsewhere, tramway operation in Öskemen, particular challenge in cities laid out on a grid is to be retained as a café or restaurant, and it in the east of Kazakhstan close to the Russian principle, where the provision of adequate is thought that two are to serve as recreational and Chinese borders, is now a shadow of its public transport priority is essential if fixed- facilities within the arts complex. former self, with around 16 cars in operation track vehicles are not to become seriously Perhaps most surprising is the fact that from a fleet of 30 on four routes; whilst the obstructed by general traffic. The need to two tramcars are to be restored as museum industrial network at Termitau, in the centre accommodate right and left-turning private exhibits, housed and displayed within the of the country, has been similarly reduced and commercial vehicles was prioritised old workshop building. One will be a former to 30 serviceable cars out of a fleet of 44, over that of free straight-ahead passage for Berlin Tatra KT4DtM car; many of these including some 12 former Potsdam KT4D tramcars and it was consequently not unusual remain on the site but it is former Berlin 7010, articulated units. to see trams missing two or even three phases latterly 1013 in the Almaty fleet, that appears It would be fitting if Almaty, as the of traffic signals at junctions. to have been earmarked for restoration. erstwhile capital, were to be the one place in Starting in late 1998, all the remaining A pleasing surprise was the discovery of a the south of the country where some memory Soviet-built rolling stock was replaced Riga-built RVZ-6, a type once widespread on of the former importance of the tramcar to by Tatra cars, both bogie and articulated the Alma-Ata tramways. The car, an RVZ-6M2 the economy and its population could be versions, released by a variety of former East model of 1987, is not an indigenous Almaty kept alive.

36 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. Proudly standing on the track fan outside the former central depot building to be seen by passers-by on Baitursinov Street on 19 September 2017 is Tatra KT4DtM car 1016, formerly 7003 in the Berlin fleet.

2. Almaty as it was: a scene at the central depot (now Evolution Park) on 25 April 1998, with various Russian- built vehicles on stabling roads awaiting service. In the foreground is RVZ-6M2 car 1186, with others of the same type and Ust-Katav-built KTM-5 cars in the background.

3. The outer sections of the two surviving Almaty tram routes in 1998 still contained some undeveloped sections, as illustrated here by RVZ-6M2 car 1197 operating on line 6 on 25 April 1998.

4. Tatra T3 bogie car 1040 started life as 473 in the Chemnitz fleet and has been 2 earmarked to serve as the café tram in Evolution Park. It was seen on 19 September 2017.

5. Seen near the central market on 19 October 2011 is car 1016, a Tatra T4D-MS model dating from 1978, that arrived from Dresden in 2008, where it was originally 224 114.

6. A long-lived survivor of one of the first batches of Tatra T3 cars acquired from Chemnitz in 2002 and 2004 was 1049, formerly Chemnitz 496, seen on 19 October 2011 in one of the 3 4 quiet residential back streets of the terminal loop at St. Zhetisu, well removed from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

7. Of the 50 KT4D trams acquired from Berlin starting late in 1998, only one – this example, 1014 – survived until 2012, by which time it had been retained nominally as solely a driver training car but, as here on 20 October 2011, was sometimes pressed into passenger service. Dating from 1977, it started life as 219 043 in the East Berlin fleet. 5 6 8. Many, if not all, of the last delivery of 17 modernised KT4DtM cars from Berlin have survived. This is 1002, formerly Berlin 7031, at the back of the main depot building on 19 September 2017.

7 8 All photography by Mike Russell

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2018 / 37 BOOKSHOP Order online from lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 31 Ashton Road, Wokingham RG41 1HL Postage & packing – Any UK address: add 10%; All addresses outside UK: add 20%. For Airmail despatch outside Europe: add 30%.

Berliner U-Bahn: Zeitgeschichte in The Tramway Revolution in France 1985-2015: Liniennetzplänen von 1902 bis heute “Thirty Glorious Years” – Vol. 5: The Southern Regions A really interesting look at the with The Tramway Revolution in North Africa development of the German capital’s In the final part of his review of the underground rail system over 115 years past 30 years’ developments, Brian through a plethora of maps, diagrams and Patton takes us to Algeria, Morocco and photographs. The impact of two world Tunisia where French involvement has wars and the partition of the city add to produced seven new systems since 2011. the unique history of this busy network. German and English text. > 240x215 mm softback, landscape > 300x260mm hardback, landscape format; 160 pages, format; 216 pages, 289 colour and 19 numerous black & white and colour pictures; 90 maps. black & white pictures, 10 maps. £36.50 plus postage & packing as shown above. £18.00 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Atlas Sieci Tramwajowych Polski 2017 Mit der Straßenbahn durch das Berlin der 60er Jahre: Band 8: Die Linien 55 und 64 The second edition of this excellent guide to the tram and trolleybus networks of A further volume packed with atmospheric Poland is highly recommended. Detailed images in the divided city of half a Excellent maps show how each system has century ago – again concentrating on one grown and a good range of illustrations West Berlin route and one in East Berlin. depict the present-day scene. Polish text German text. with summaries in English & German. > 215x240mm hardback, landscape format; > A5 hardback; 172 pages, 96 pages, 100+ mainly black & white 164 colour pictures, 110 maps. pictures, four maps. £20.00 plus postage & packing as shown above. £21.50 plus postage & packing as shown above. See our website for previous volumes available in this series.

Trams 2018 Überland-Straßenbahnen in Deutschland Strassenbahn Magazin Special Nr. 32 The ever-popular Dutch annual review of developments in the low countries A useful review of interurban lines in and the rest of Europe, plus a special Germany, including those no longer in feature on standard tram types. operation. The variety of vehicle types, Dutch text. track gauges, ownership and links to urban networks are well covered. > A5 softback; 272 pages, fully illustrated German text. in colour throughout. > A4 softback; 116 pages, 300+ colour and £17.50 plus postage & packing as black & white pictures, several maps. shown above. £18.00 plus P&P as shown above.

Pacific Electric 1: LA to the Inland Empire | 2: LA to Santa Monica | 3: Santa Monica to Redondo Beach

This three-volume photo album set is a must for anyone with an interest in what was once the largest interurban network in the world, wantonly destroyed at the height of the US’ love-affair with the motorcar. Happily, the Los Angeles region is now in the grip of a light rail renaissance that has restored several of the former PE routes.

> A4 softback, landscape format; 214 pages in total, 200+ full-page black & white pictures; 5 maps.

£52.50 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Please bear in mind that we often advertise books before stock is received from publishers so delivery can take some weeks. in your next issue of

Systems Factfile: wire-free light melbourne’s Mainz rail solutions GLORIOUS HISTORY A major new line, new stock and With many new-build tramways Mike Russell begins a three-part infrastructure improvements have incorporating elements of catenary-free exploration of museums in the greater moved trams back into Mainz’s public operation, TAUT rounds up some of Melbourne area of Australia, with a visit transport mainstream. Neil Pulling the solutions on offer – and the reasons to Hawthorn depot – whose collection reports from the Rhineland city. behind their adoption. spans the cable tram era to the 1970s. PLUS... FEBRUARY + Looking forward to the new systems planned to open in 2018 eissu + T he latest news and analysis, rolling stock orders, system developments, and transport policy and industry comment from on sale around the world 19 January

THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Bratislava

New trams, infrastructure upgrades and systems renewed presence on both sides of the Danube have transformed what was once a stereotypical www.lrta.org factfile Eastern Bloc www.tautonline.com system. slovak rePuBlic Sub scribe now! No. Bratislava,

O. 961 JANUARY 2018 N 123 Slovak Republic Bratislava ZARAGOZA: LIGHT RAIL PERFECTED? Now entering its 81st year, Tramways & Urban Transit is the

ratislava, then Europe’s the other being Košice, 400km world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to light newest capital, greatly (250 miles) to the east. Rain deters Re-gauging the metre-gauge helped modern Slovakia pedestrians, as The centralised planning years tramway to 1435mm and installing a (Slovak Republic/ Škoda 29T 7406 is metro were unrealised schemes, but led to features still found in some on the usually busy Slovenská Republika) other former Eastern Bloc systems. the tram service has seen appreciable emergeB from the amicable splitting of square outside the These include Czechoslovakian improvements in rolling stock and Czechoslovakia. This was complete in KD Slovak National Tatra trams, rudimentary passenger Theatre on 20 infrastructure, much funded through January 1993, three years after the end facilities and extensions into outer September 2017. the European Union. The Tatras of communist control. housing districts following the 1970s represented modernisation and Slovakia borders five countries, oil crisis. Although such expansions increased capacity when introduced with Hungary and Austria on the Cambridge: Tramway plans for a historic UK city almost guaranteed high ridership, in the 1960s, but these came to reflect capital’s boundaries. Known as conditions altered following the the old political order and were falling Prešporok or Pressburg when in the Thai cities to create four lines in 2018 political regime change. Bratislava’s below standards evident elsewhere. Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bratislava and urban rail developments. regular traffic jams and some inventive Once begun, fleet upgrading was was a quarter-century away from parking illustrate how car ownership substantial and rapid. Batches of VDV to lead new tram-train alliance adopting its present name when the has chipped away at demand and new Škoda trams were ordered from electric tramway opened in 1895. encouraged outer suburban housing. August 2013, the contracts including There had been no horse-powered Dublin opens Luas Cross City line Measures have, however, been taken maintenance support. predecessor and the city hosts one of The first of twoForCity Plus £4.60 to restore public transport as the Slovakia’s two extant tram systems, 01> preferred means of urban travel. Words and pictures prototypes (7501) was delivered in by Neil Pulling. November 2014, with trials leading French lessons Houston US city debates the 9 771460 832067 24 / january 2018 www.tautonline.com Successful urban . www.lrta.org tram integration future role of transit

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