News from the Cities
29 November – Lyon (T3 – LEA) : a suburban tram line
This 14.6-kilometre line uses a former rail corridor closed during late 80’s and protected from other uses. From the main railway station, it serves the partly urbanised western area of greater Lyon region. The investment costs amounted to € 172 million, including a brand new track. The interest of LEA lies in its commercial speed
18 November – Aulnay-Bondy in Ile-de-France (T4) : a significant upgrade of old train tracks
This 8-kilometre line serves a dense area within the eastern suburbs of Paris / Ile-de-France region. A former heavy rail line has been closed, upgraded and doubled where constituted by a single track. 3 new stations have been added to the 8 existing and a new tram-train rolling stock (Siemens Avanto) has been purchased. The
13 November – Clermont-Ferrand (line 1) : an innovative tyre technology from Translohr
The specificity of the first tramway line of this city (14-kilometre long, 31 stations, € 290 million invested) lies mainly in the technology using the Translohr tram on tyres. The result is a combination of excellent performances in terms of acceleration /braking, noise, and climbing (up to 13%) with the benefits of guided systems, however
Consultation begins on detailed proposals for London-wide Low Emission Zone
The Mayor of London also announced on 13 November, the start of detailed consultation by Transport for London on the proposed London-wide Low Emission Zone. The scheme is aimed at reducing emissions from the most polluting diesel engine lorries, coaches, buses, heavier vans and minibuses. From 2008, diesel engine lorries, coaches and buses that fail
The importance of transport for the future of London and the UK
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone set out on 28 November a 20-year transport programme aimed at ensuring London’s future economic prosperity. Transport for London’s (TfL) T2025 report highlights the importance of sustained investment and sets out ways that the impact of transport on the environment can be reduced. London’s economy is expected to grow by
First line of Madrid Metro 2003-2007 extension plan opened
In Madrid, two new stations have been inaugurated on the metro line 5 extension on 25 November, which represents the first operation achieved within the current Metro extension plan 2003-2007. Moreover, the opening was four months in advance compared to the expected schedule. The tunnel works including the operating systems have been achieved in less
Two metro lines to be built in Dublin
The Irish Railway Procurement Agency presented on 19 October the selected route for Metro North and opened on 22 November the consultation aiming at defining the route of Metro West. Metro North is scheduled for completion in 2012 and will use underground, surface and elevated tracks. An estimated 34 million passengers a year will use
YTV to reform Helsinki region Travel Card system by 2014
The electronic Travel Card system has been in use in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area since 2002. Presently, the Travel Card is used on the public transport of five municipalities. The same card is in use in all transport modes – buses, commuter trains, trams, metro and Suomenlinna ferry. Over a million cards have been issued.
London: new responsibilities for TfL and new trains for passengers
Transport for London (TfL) announced that a £223m (€330 million) contract to build and maintain more than 44 new trains has been awarded to Bombardier with the aim of revitalising London’s rail services, addressing issues of capacity and train performance. The contract also includes further options for extra carriages for the North London Railway and
New contract for train supply expected in Ile-de-France :
SNCF (French National Railways) launched in February 2004 a call for tenders for a supply of 330 new train sets for Paris-Ile-de-France region (180 trains and 150 more in option). The amount of the total contract is estimated €3.9 bn. This contract is highly expected as no new rolling stock has been added since 2003
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