THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE www.lrta.org www.tautonline.com NOVEMBER 2020 NO. 995 INTENSIVE SERVICE IN NEW TERRITORIES How LRT provided the foundations for modern Hong Kong UK: ‘Devastating consequences’ ahead? Berlin confirms expansion timetable Bucharest opens first M5 metro phase T yne and Wear Haifa – Nazareth £4.60 Looking forward to Global experience Metro’s next 40 years shapes Israeli LRT Certifi cate: PA05/04429 The design and implementation of urban Urban Transit light rail networks in busy towns and cities present signifi cant engineering challenges. Innovation Whether it’s for road or pedestrian crossings, tram stops, depots or complex crossovers Metro & Tramway Crossing Systemsand turnouts, our engineered solid rubber panels help you overcome your challenges Rosehill faster and more cost-effectively than other systems. Think Rosehill. For more information, call the Rosehill Rail sales team on +44 (0)1422 839 610. rosehillrail.com Rosehill Rail - TAUT Half page Ad_185x130mm_NOV2020.indd 1 30/09/2020 15:32 THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Hong Kong Now amongst MTR’s worldwide operations, SYSTEMS the Hong Kong Light Rail system was devised to support local www.lrta.org FACTFILE and feeder www.tautonline.com demand No. MTR Light Rail - in newly- CHINA Hong Kong SAR, China urbanised areas. NOVEMBER 2020 N O. 995 157 By Neil Pulling. Hong Kong SUB SCRIBE NOW! INTENSIVE SERVICE IN NEW TERRITORIES Now in its 83rd year, Tramways & Urban Transit is ong Kong’s Light Rail A pair of Phase 1 LRVs (HKLR) system Wai (classified with Yuen Long). the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to with a 706 circular installation sometimes followed The Wharf group, then owners of serves neighbouring service on Tin Shui construction of buildings, many being the tramway dating from 1904 on communities in a Road on 7 August 2020. high-rise residential blocks in estates. Hong Kong Island, did not proceed north-western part of Indicating the development era, the theH New Territories, an area leased beyond early interest in the light light rail vehicles (LRV) have level rail project. For Hong Kong overall, by the British from China in 1898. access from high platforms reached rail planning and operation With ad hoc settlement unsuited to variously by ramp, steps and lifts. major population growth, the New became handled by two bodies, the Services began in 1988, with Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) Town Development Programme was patronage encouraged by removing and the newer Mass Transit Railway enacted from 1973. The lease expiry some bus routes within the catchment Corporation (MTR). Later becoming led to all of the British colony of Hong area. The KCR West Rail line between a major international operator, Kong being returned to China in 1997, the new towns and Kowloon opened How LRT provided the foundations for modern Hong Kong the latter was created for the new becoming designated as a Special in 2003, with completion at around light and urban rail developments. metro which first opened in 1979. UK: ‘Devastating consequences’ ahead? Administrative Region (SAR). 36km (22.5 miles) during 2009. A 2007 Under a government agreement in Consistent with the Development restructuring saw HKLR, West Rail 1984, it was KCR that created and Programme favouring rail-based links and – an updated part of the original Berlin con rms expansion timetable initially operated HKLR. for new districts, a self-contained Kowloon-Canton Railway – East Rail Although fringed by substantial system was planned for – listed become MTR operations. Exemplified hills, the towns served are mainly Bucharest opens rst M5 metro phase in development order with 2019 at several HKLR sites, MTR’s property on level ground, some being populations – Tuen Mun (495 100), development powers make substantial £4.60 Pictures by Howard reclaimed land. Space for tracks Yuen Long (645 000) and Tin Shui contributions to this largely Hong Pulling, unless noted. was allocated in advance and Tyne and Wear Haifa – Nazareth Kong government-owned corporation. Looking forward to Global experience shapes Israeli LRT www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org Metro’s next 40 years NOVEMBER 2020 / 431 431-436 SF Hong Kong MTR Light Rail.indd 1 06/10/2020 09:31 05/10/2020 13:27 409_TAUT2011_cover.indd 1 We deliver comprehensive worldwide news and analysis, incisive technology features and key interviews with leading industry figures each and every month. Either in print or digitally, don’t miss out. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Personal membership with TAUT subscription: For Personal membership online payments: www.lrta.info/personal To December 2021 (13 issues) For details of Student membership and other enquiries please email UK £56.98 Europe £76.70 [email protected] International £83.20 Personal membership with TAUT and Tramway Review: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms To December 2021 (13 TAUT + 5 TR) Forename........................................................... Surname ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ UK £76.98 Europe £101.70 International £108.20 Address .................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Personal membership with online only access to TAUT : To December 2021 (13 issues) £39.54 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Postcode ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Personal membership with online only access to TAUT and Email ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... Tramway Review: To December 2021 (13 issues + 5 TR) £55.17 I enclose a cheque for £ ............................................. payable to ‘LRTA Subscriptions’ Please complete this form and send it with your payment to: LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK NOVEMBER 2020 NOVEMBER CONTENTS 419 T he official journal of the Light Rail 431 Transit Association NOVEMBER 2020 Vol. 83 No. 995 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL EDITOR – Simon Johnston [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 R ichard Felski, Ed Havens, Andrew Moglestue, Paul Nicholson, Herbert Pence, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Alain Senut, Vic Simons, Witold Urbanowicz, Bill Vigrass, Francis Wagner, 427 Thomas Wagner, Philip Webb, Rick Wilson PRODUCTION – Lanna Blyth NEWS 412 systems factfile: mtr light rail 431 T el: +44 (0)1733 367604 UK and US networks warn of bleak future; It was designed as a support system for [email protected] Alstom signs cut-price Bombardier deal; newly urbanised areas; Neil Pulling explores DESIGN – Debbie Nolan Berlin timetables tram extensions; Major how the MTR system that serves Hong Kong ADVertiSING new vehicle orders in Moskva, Düsseldorf, has developed and grown. COMMERCIAL ManageR – Geoff Butler Duisburg and Phoenix; București opens M5. Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 W ORLDWIDE REVIEW 437 [email protected] comment: children in transit 418 Kunming opens 43km metro line; Maryland PUBLISHER – Matt Johnston Paul Comfort on why capturing the Purple line LRT construction paused as Tramways & Urban Transit imagination of future generations matters. PPP contractor leaves; Bonn launches 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, Germany’s first contactless ticketing; Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK HAPPY BIRTHDAY METRO! 419 cyclone-damaged Kolkata lines reopen; Tramways & Urban Transit is published by Mainspring We conclude our special on the Tyne and tramline construction underway in on behalf of the LRTA on the third Friday of each Wear at 40 by looking at the arrival of the Katowice; Lyon’s T2 to open in November. month preceding the cover date. new fleet and network expansion. MAILBOX 442 nofit line: HAIFA – NAZARETH 424 Why clarity on costs is essential for effective PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION Phil Hewitt describes how a new inter-urban promotion; The Tyne and Wear Metro’s test Warners (Midlands), Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK LRT project in northern Israel is taking centre; and the importance of terminology. inspiration from Europe and the US. LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) CLASSIC TRAMS: the tatra T II 444 Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up members of the Light Rail Transit Association. A fuel for the future? 427 In the second of his three-part series, Beverley Nielsen showcases the work of UK Mike Russell looks at how Tatra’s innovative LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY companies developing a biomethane railcar. cars came to Czechoslovakia and the USSR. Brian Lomas [email protected] [email protected] SUBSCriPTIONS, MEMBERSHIP AND BACK ISSUES Check your facts,