Features

Analytical, insightful and topical write-ups on major trends and developments

• Wireless in Transit: New technology, new applications

  May 1, 2013
  The Internet is fast becoming an essential service and the need to ‘remain connected’ continuously is becoming widespread.

• Mecca Public Transport Programme: Metro rail and BRT network planned

  May 1, 2013
  Saudi Arabia has committed SAR62 billion for a three-phase plan to develop Mecca’s bus and metro networks under the Mecca Public Transport Programme (MPTP).

• Presto Card: New generation system gears up for launch [free access]

  May 1, 2013
  In April 2013, OC Transpo, the urban transit service provider in Ottawa city in Ontario, stated that it was ready for full implementation of the next generation Presto Card.

• CTA sets policy for Ventra: Prepares for summer 2013 launch

  April 1, 2013
  In March 2013, the Chicago Transit Board approved policies for the launch of the nation’s first open fare transit system, Ventra, in summer 2013.

• Revamping public transit: Auckland rolls out new strategy, rolling stock and fare system

  April 1, 2013
  Several projects to improve public transport are currently underway in Auckland and a few others are planned. Global Mass Transit discusses the key projects and initiatives taken in the city to develop a modern public transport system.

• GTP, Malaysia: Radical transformation programme [free access]

  April 1, 2013
  Malaysia aims to become a high-income, developed nation by 2020. Recognising that this goal cannot be fulfilled with small and incremental changes, the government is planning dynamic transformation process that is radical enough to totally change the way in which the country’s institutions operate and break years of status quo.

• Lanzhou BRT: China’s second high-capacity BRT [free access]

  March 1, 2013
  In late December 2012, Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province in the north-western region of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), became the second city in the country and the third in Asia to have a high-capacity bus rapid transit (BRT) system.

• Singapore Rail Plans for 2030: Opportunities galore as MRT takes centre stage

  March 1, 2013
  The Singapore government’s announcement in January 2013 that it would continue to expand the mass rapid transit (MRT) network until 2030 under the new Land Transport Master Plan (LTMP) 2013 was a significant positive development for the Singapore MRT system.

• Sustainable Transport for East Africa: Addis Ababa, Kampala and Nairobi

  March 1, 2013
  A sustainable transport project, funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), was launched in January 2011 for three East African cities of Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Kampala.

• Automatic fare collection in Latin America: Significant presence

  February 1, 2013
  Being the primary interface between customers and the public transport operator, fare collection systems are one of the most important components of a public transport system.

• Siemens to acquire Invensys Rail: Aiming for consolidation in rail automation industry

  February 1, 2013
  A big step forward was taken in the process of one of the most strategic acquisitions in the rail automation industry when in November 2012, the Supervisory Board of Germany-based Siemens AG approved the acquisition of Invensys Rail, the rail automation business of UK-based Invensys for GBP1,742 million.

• Rail projects in Algeria: Focus on tramway systems [free access]

  February 1, 2013
  The urban rail segment in Algeria has witnessed a flurry of activity in the last few years.

• IDB initiatives for public transport in 2012: Leading resource for the region

  January 1, 2013
  The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is the leading source of long-term financing for the Latin America and the Caribbean.

• Ottawa Transit Budget 2013: Key highlights [free access]

  January 1, 2013
  The Transit Services Department provides public transportation in Ottawa.

• NFC ticketing in France: Gearing up for nation-wide deployment

  January 1, 2013
  France is among the leading nations in the world in the adoption of near field communication (NFC) technology.

• Second Urban Transport Project in Wuhan: Supported by the World Bank [free access]

  December 1, 2012
  The Second Urban Transport Project in Wuhan, China aims to continue progress in developing take an integrated, efficient and sustainable urban transport system.

• UTDP for Lebanon: Activities in Beirut and the Greater Beirut Area

  December 1, 2012
  Beirut is at the core of Lebanon’s service-based economy and accounts for one-third of the country’s population.

• Rio–São Paulo high-speed rail project: Revised bidding structure and timelines

  December 1, 2012
  The Rio–São Paulo high-speed rail (HSR) project was initiated as part of Brazil's preparations to host the 2014 soccer World Cup.

• Kenya Urban Transport Improvement Project: Upgrading public transport in Nairobi

  November 1, 2012
  In August 2012, the World Bank approved the National Urban Transport Improvement Project (NUTRIP) for Kenya.

• MAP-21: FY2013 and FY2014 Estimated Apportionments [free access]

  November 1, 2012
  The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) was implemented from October 1, 2012, at the start of the federal government’s fiscal year (FY) 2013.