Lyon tram-train service launched

The French city of Lyon is opening a new TramTrain line, while in METRO Vancouver TransLink still dreams of massive (and massively expensive) SkyTrainAi??light-metro lines.Ai??After two years, TransLink still Ai??refuses to deal honestly with the RftV/Leewood TramTrain study for the former BC Electric Vancouver to Chilliwack Interurban.

The cost for Lyon’s new 26 km TramTrain line works out to about $7.3 million/km. and fits in quite comfortably with the price range of the RftV/Leewood Study.

TransLink is broke, there is talk of massive road pricing and/or tolling schemes to fund the ponderous bureaucracy, yet no one will deal honestly with the real reason of TransLink’s financial problems which is the SkyTrain light-metro system.

Until TransLink plans for affordable ‘rail‘ Ai??transit for the entire metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley region, which means planning for light rail and its variants instead of SkyTrain light-metro, there should be absolutely no talk from regional and provincial politicians of new taxes and user fees for TransLink.Ai??It should be known by all that any additional tax money sent TransLink’s way will be consumed by its massive and unchecked bureaucracy, with little or no benefit for the regionalAi??transit system.

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Lyon tram-train service launched

September 25,Ai??2012

FRANCE: SNCF began operating tram-train services from Lyon Saint-Paul to Sain-Bel on September 24, following an official opening ceremony two days before.

On weekdays there is now a service every 30 min, increasing to every 15 min between Lyon and L’Abresle during the peaks. It is hoped that ridership will double from present levels to 13 200 passengers a day by the end of 2012.

It is the first of three routes from Lyon Saint-Paul serving the city’s western suburbs that are to be converted to tram-train operation. Subject to obtaining the necessary safety approvals, Alstom Citadis Dualis vehicles are expect to begin operating to Brignais in December, followed by the route to Lozanne that has required construction of a new east to south chord at Tassin.

Total cost of the infrastructure work required for the west (approx. 26 km)Ai??Lyon tram-train programme is estimated at ai??i??150Ai??2m (CAD $190.06 mil.), of which ai??i??91Ai??4m (CAD $115.66 mil.)Ai??is being provided by the RhA?ne-Alpes region, ai??i??16Ai??5m (CAD $20.88 mil.) by the French government and ai??i??15Ai??9m (CAD $20.12 mil.)Ai??by infrastructure authority RFF. Greater Lyon authority has contributed ai??i??13Ai??1m (CAD $16.57Ai?? mil.), the RhA?ne departement ai??i??12Ai??5m (CAD $15.82 mil.) and SNCF ai??i??800 000 (CAD $1.01 mil.).

Infrastructure work comprised doubling some sections of single line, lengthening passing loops, track renewals, electrification and resignalling. Platforms have been rebuilt to provide level boarding, while a ai??i??35m (CAD $44.28 mil.) station modernisation programme included the installation of a real-time passenger information and improved facilities for cyclists. A new station has been built at Lentilly-Charpenay, and Dommartin-Lissieu relocated; both now provide park and ride facilities.

Within a ai??i??650m (CAD $822.47 mil.) framework agreement between SNCF and Alstom for up to 200 vehicles, a fleet of 24 Citadis Dualis tram-trains has been acquired for ai??i??100m, entirely funded by the RhA?ne-Alpes region. The 42 m long vehicles have 100 seats and can accommodate 150 standing passengers, with a maximum speed of 100 km/h.

Maintenance is undertaken at a new facility built on a 1Ai??5 ha site near L’Arbresle station, funded by the RhA?ne-Alpes region (ai??i??11Ai??48m) and SNCF (ai??i??3Ai??82m).

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban-rail/single-view/view/lyon-tram-train-service-launched.html