MUMBAI Metro Line 1 – India's first metro rail project built under a PPP model – launched on June 8, with chief minister of Maharashtra Mr Prithviraj Chavan riding the first train on the elevated 11.4km route from Versova to Ghatkopar.

SWEDEN's national passenger operator, SJ, has placed a $US 200m contract with ABB to install electrical equipment on its fleet of 36 X2000 trains as part of a $US 510m project to refurbish the 200km/h tilting sets.

SOUTHEASTERN Pennsylvania Transit Authority (Septa) has awarded ABB a contract to supply a second Enviline energy storage and recovery system for Philadelphia's Market – Frankford line.

PKP Group power subsidiary PKP Energy has awarded ABB a €30m contract to supply 138 rectifier units for traction substations on the Polish network.

PAULISTA Metropolitan Trains Company (CPTM) has awarded three contracts to upgrade the traction power supply system covering the six-line 284km São Paulo commuter rail network.

THE Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has received seven bids for its Rand 123bn ($US 14.93bn) rolling stock fleet renewal programme (IRJ June p16) for state-owned commuter operator Metrorail.

A prototype power-electronic traction transformer know as Pett has been developed by ABB and is currently being tested in an electric locomotive. The objective is to develop a compact, lightweight but powerful and energy-efficient converter for use on multiple-units where space and weight are at a premium.