Keith Barrow

CONSTRUCTION of the initial phase of the Ion light rail network in the Canadian city of Waterloo reached a milestone on November 7, when LRV testing began on a section of line close to the depot on Dutton Drive.

THE CEO of Algiers Metro Company (EMA) Mr Omar Hadbi confirmed on November 7 that two extensions of the Algiers metro network will open before the end of the year, while several other Algerian cities will complete light rail projects in the first half of 2018.

AUCKLAND Transport (AT) has retreated on a plan to order 17 Independently-Powered Electric Multiple Units (IPEMUs) to replace DMUs on suburban services to Pukekohe, opting instead to exercise an option with CAF for 15 additional AM class EMUs.

MALAYSIA’s Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) issued a tender notice on November 6 for a turnkey contract to construct and equip Kuala Lumpur’s Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit Line 3 (MRT3).

THE Czech region of Karlovy Vary announced on November 3 that it will provide funding for a new weekend cross-border service between Karlovy Vary and Zwickau, where there will be connections with Mid-German S-Bahn services to Leipzig and Halle.

TRANSMASHHOLDING subsidiary Metrowagonmash and Sberbank leasing have signed a Roubles 1.3bn contract with Nizhny Novgorod Metro for 23 type 81-717/6/714.6 metro cars, which will support the expansion of the urban rail network in the Russian city.

MINSK Metro has disclosed details of an order for 10 new metro trains from Stadler Minsk, which are due to be delivered between 2018 and 2020.

RHINE-Ruhr Transport Authority (VRR) has awarded DB Regio NRW a four-year extension to its contract to operate three lines of the Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn network.

POLAND’s largest rail freight operator PKP Cargo has reached an agreement with Minezit SE to acquire its remaining 20% stake in Czech rail freight operator Advanced World Cargo (AWT).

CITY of Edinburgh Council has begun tendering for contracts to extend the city’s light rail line from its current city centre terminus at York Place to Leith and Newhaven.