At least they’re considering it

The `it' is Light Rail, the `they' include:  Nashville http://www.nashvilleledger.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=52855 Ottawa http://www.ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/csedc/2011/05-12/03%20-%20ACS2011-ICS-RIO-0001%20-%20LRT.htm Minnesota  http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2011/04/FTA-awards-Minnesota-474M-for-light-rail.aspx which is more than you can say about Vancouver British Columbia, Covered in Price Tags http://pricetags.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/transportation-transformation/ This Policy Study is published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives CCPA http://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/BC%20Office/2011/04/CCPA-BC_Transportation.pdf http://www.policyalternatives.ca/transportationtransformation   

US, UK, French & Australian Light Rail & transport news

Plans for New Eco-Trams In Bristol Ai?? Wednesday, May 4th 2011 13:17 http://www.jackbristol.com/newscentre/bristols-news/plans-for-new-eco-trams-in-bristol-6013 Ai?? An artistai??i??s impression of a tram in Bristol Ai?? A consortium has put forward plans for a new eco-tram system in Bristol that would run between Ashton Meadows and Temple Ai??Meads station. If it is given the go ahead, the route […]

Vancouver considers higher-density housing plans for Cambie Street corridor – Have we given land developers a $2.5 billion subsidy?

From the ‘Well I told you so department’. In Vancouver, expensive subways are built not to move people, but toAi??subsidize land development. Readers of the Rail for the Valley blog know that this announcement was predicted and why there much hype and hoopla in the mainstream media with the recently opened Canada line metro; the […]

IS IT TIME TO HAVE A ROYAL COMMISSION ON URBAN TRANSPORTATION?

Recent angst and confusion in local and national blogs concerning bus, light rail, metro, and commuter train makes Zwei wonder if a Royal Commission on Urban Transportation is needed. There are no national standards that readily defines transit mode and one is needed, so the average Canadian (read Canadian taxpayer) can engage in honest debate on urban transportation. […]

MLA says TransLink priorities are wrong

From the Oh what a suprise Department Look after south of Fraser before considering UBC http://www.langleyadvance.com/news/says+TransLink+priorities+wrong/4646857/story.html Ai?? The Delta Optimist April 20, 2011 Ai?? TransLink better get its priorities straight and look at improving services south of the Fraser River before looking for money to build a SkyTrain line to UBC. Ai?? Delta South MLA […]

Tram projects planned in northern France

Railway Gazette 14 April 2010 France, Artois-Gohelle http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/tram-projects-planned-in-northern-france/browse/2.html A consortium comprising Systra, Inexia, Eccta, Ilex and Urbanica has been appointed to manage two tram projects in northern France. The contract was awarded by the Artois-Gohelle local transport authority, which is responsible for public transport in an area comprising 115 towns and villages with a total […]

LRT and Subway Construction Costs

From the Toronto LRT Information Blog http://lrt.daxack.ca/blog/ Discussions on Toronto and GTHA LRT Possibilities Much of this site is devoted to promoting LRT as a viable alternative to Subway for rapid transit expansion within the GTA where capacity needs exceed or will exceed that of bus operation, but do not warrant a Subway level of […]

Expansion, improvements and upgrade for Croydon Tramlink

Following the March announcement from Transport for London, that ten new Light Rail vehicles were to be procured for the successful Croydon Tramlink system. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/19308.aspx The mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced the shortlisted bidders to supply Transport for London (TfL) with up to ten more trams, which will increase services on the Tramlink network. […]

Kisses on a postcard

In the 19th & 20th centuries, Trams & Streetcars were part of the streetscape in towns and cities in Canada, Europe & America. Studying contemporary postcards, it can be seen how well this form of urban transport fitted in with homes, businesses & people. ThisAi??coloured postcardAi??of post World War One Karlsruhe, Germany, shows a typical […]

Easter weekend Tram & Light Rail news – Europe, Australia & the USA

Light rail vehicle unveiled http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/bielefeld-vamos-lrv-unveiled.html 21 April 2011 Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai?? GERMANY: The first of 16 high-floor light rail vehicles for Bielefeld city transport operator MoBiel was presented to a select audience at HeiterBlickai??i??s Leipzig plant on April 14.Ai?? MoBiel placed a ai??i??47m order for the cars with a consortium of Vossloh Kiepe and HeiterBlick on January […]