World transit system list as of 2006 – from the LRTA

The following is the number or various type of transit systems around the world including those under construction, excluding airport shuttles, commuter/mainline rail, entertainment parks and funiculars. Classification always brings areas of doubt, particularly in countries such as Japan and Switzerland where clear dividing lines just do not exist. Metro (including SkyTrain) – 146 Light […]

Trondheim – A template for light-rail in the valley? It’s a cert!

Population (2009) Ai??Ai??-Ai??Ai??Total 168,257 Ai??Ai??-Ai??Ai??Density 480/km2Ai??Ai??(1,243.2/sqAi??Ai??mi) Trondheim, Norway boasts the northernmost tramway line in the world: the GrA?A?kallbanen, the last remaining bit of the Trondheim Tramway is an 8.8 km (5.5 mi) route (which is mostly single-track outside the inner most parts of the city; except the stretch between Breidablikk and Nordre Hoem stations) which […]

Trams in the countryside – where’s all the density that’s supposed to be needed for light-rail?

The following video is ofAi??Ai??the famous Stubaitalbahn Innsbruck-Fulpmes Tram, which starts in downtown Innsbruck and terminates in the mountains, servicing the small town of Fulpmes. Standard trams are used through out the journey, providing a seamless or no-transfer journey for the customer. The Stubaitalbahn Innsbruck-Fulpmes Tram is just further proof that light-rail can successfully operate […]

Seeing is believing – Diesel LRT in the USA.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixMw5M9tt80] The following is the New Jersey Camden “River Line, operating Diesel light rail.

April 11 – Highway 1 Day of Action

*BANNER MAKING WORKSHOPS* coming up – Abbotsford, date/time TBA (check back) Want to help make some history? “Rail For The Valley” and “Better Transit, Not Freeways” Present… April 11 – HIGHWAY 1 DAY OF ACTION Gateway to what?! On Saturday, April 11, from 11:00am to 1:00pm, join with others across the region in hoisting banners […]

Can trams (the interurban) operate with passenger and freight trains? They can in Germany!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsdJPaih0Fw] To everyone who says that the interurban can’t operate on existing railways or share tracks with freight trains, this U-Tube video from Karlshrue Germany should be watched. If the Germans can do it, so can we!

Brouhaha over bridge (Abbotsford Times)

This article in the Abbotsford Times today by Rafe Arnott (excerpt): Rail For The Valley spokesman John Buker said, “This is a seriously flawed project – with or without a private partner. “It seems the government has been hypnotized by this project, and wishes to plow ahead regardless of rapidly changing circumstances.” Buker said people […]

Who should run the Interurban? A recommendation.

Now a recap of the earlier posting, Who should run the interurban?” TransLink TransLink has been against the ‘return of the interurban’ from the start and the recent study done by an engineering firmAi??Ai??that had no background in modern LRT was predictable. Why would you consider commuter rail on a route that was not designed […]

An European view of light-rail in North America. Is it time for a new definition of LRT?

The following maybe of interest on why LRT projects in Canada and the U.S.A. seem toAi??Ai??cost more than new European installations and some (Seattle is a good example) have more in common with light-metro, than what manyAi??Ai??people would callAi??Ai??light-rail. It seems in North America, what is called LRT, is really light-metro and real LRT has […]

Who Should Run The Interurban?

Who should run the proposed interurban service from Vancouver to Chilliwack? This is an important question that must be addressed before any operation is to commence. TransLink TransLink has been against the ‘return of the interurban’ from the start and the recent study done by an engineering firmAi??Ai??that had no background in modern LRT was […]