THE mayor of Nice Mr Christian Estrosi has confirmed that the French city plans to complete the first phase of its second light rail line by 2017.
CAF is celebrating the first order for its Urbos 3 low-floor LRV from a German customer after signing a contract with Freiburg Transport (VAG) for 12 metre-gauge vehicles, which will support the expansion of the city's light rail network.
NETHERLANDS Railways (NS) has announced it is to proceed with the acquisition of a 49% share in The Hague Tramways (HTM) Passenger Transport from the municipality of The Hague.
THE city council of Gmunden, Austria, has voted in favour of linking a metre-gauge tram line with the Gmunden - Vorchdorf line of the same gauge. The €30m project involves construction of a 700m line in the city centre and across the river Traun on a road bridge which needs to be rebuilt.
VIA Transport, which operates the light rail/metro networks in Duisburg, Mulheim and Essen, Germany, has issued a call for tenders for a contract to refurbish its fleet of 45 GT10NC LRVs which operate in Duisburg. Closing date for bids is April 15.
BRAZILIAN president Dilma Roussef approved funding of Reais 800m ($US 404m) on March 6 for the planning and construction of a 15km a light rail line in São José dos Campos northeast of São Paulo.
ŠKODA Transportation has been awarded a contract worth around €104.7m to supply 60 low-floor LRVs to the Turkish city of Konya, beating off bids from Astra Arad, Bombardier, CAF, CNR Tangshan, and Pesa.
BUDAPEST Transport Centre (BKK), which is responsible for managing and developing the Hungarian capital's transport network, has called for tenders for the purchase of 37 low-floor LRVs of two types, with a option for a further 87 vehicles.
THE City of Ottawa has finalised a $C 2.1bn ($US 2.1bn) design, build, fund and maintain contract with the Rideau Transit Group for the Confederation Line, a 12.5km light rail line from Tunney's Pasture in the west to Blair in the east.
MANCHESTER Metrolink launched full commercial services on the East Manchester line on February 11 with the opening of the initial 6.3km section between Piccadilly and Droylsden.