Cenex’s Post

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced that a further 21.4 million GBP is being invested in its Metrolink light #rail network over the next 12 months. As the UK’s largest #lightrail network, Metrolink serves 99 stops across 64 miles of #track. Since its opening in 1992, more than 700 million journeys have been made on the trams. This latest #investment now aims to ensure services remain safe and reliable for future passengers. The funding comes from the government’s City Region #Sustainable #Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and was approved by the Bee Network committee on Thursday 22 February. It is part of a planned 147 million GBP package to maintain and upgrade the network through 2027. Over the next 12 months, immediate priorities include track replacement in parts of the city centre, including Piccadilly Gardens and London Road, as well as on parts of the Altrincham and Bury Lines. This will help deliver quicker, smoother and more reliable journeys. In addition, plans include modifications to the trams to implement #safety systems such as sensors in the middle of double trams and speed warning devices. What’s more, a significant part of the communications network for Metrolink’s #signalling and control systems will be replaced. New #electrical substations are also being added along parts of the Bury Line. This will provide additional #power so that more double trams can run in the future. Meanwhile, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is looking to replace the #overhead lines on some of the older parts of the network such as the Bury Line. The work will result in some short-term disruption, which will be communicated to passengers ahead of time. Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: “Metrolink is an integral part of the Bee Network, and it’s really important that we invest in it so that we can continue to provide a #safe, #reliable and positive experience for the thousands of people who travel with us every day. “This is a coordinated package of planned works to #maintain, renew and improve the network and help to keep Greater Manchester moving, and while we understand any disruption can be frustrating, we’ll be doing everything we can to keep it to a minimum. We will make sure passengers know what’s happening well in advance and I’d ask people to please bear with us while the works are carried out, as the benefits will be there to be enjoyed for years to come.”

The "country's most ambitious clean transit effort" (per Axios) broke ground a week ago in Montgomery County, MD. That raises the question: What can other #transit agencies learn from the county's example? A new story by E&E News shares an answer from our CEO, Juan Macias: “The county has proven itself as a national leader in zero-emissions transit in part by prioritizing simultaneous procurement of both the buses and the sustainable infrastructure needed to power them.” In other words, the zero-emissions buses are the tip of the iceberg. The extensive energy infrastructure that powers them must be planned and procured in tandem. Read here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eRMf75sf

The Air District has been awarded $15 million in federal grant funding to spur the creation of a more robust, accessible and equitable electric vehicle charging network across the Bay Area. Funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation will add hundreds of #EV charging ports to the region, with an emphasis on serving disadvantaged communities. ⚡️ The award will be administered through the Air District’s Charge! Program, which incentivizes the purchase and installation of new charging stations at qualifying facilities in publicly accessible places like local businesses, retail centers, municipal and community sites, intermodal transportation and parking facilities, workplaces, commercial districts, parks and more. ⚡️ The funding will help improve local air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and establish a regional charging network that will support and encourage continued growth in #ElectricVehicle adoption. Equity considerations will be emphasized when distributing the grants to ameliorate existing disparities in the transportation system and promote a convenient, reliable and affordable charging experience for all users.

This infographic combines an engaging analogy with data visualization to showcase the critical role of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in the transition towards a smarter grid (grid 4.0) and the evolving landscape of utilities...I love it!

This paper develops a regional strategic travel model system to predict expected changes in traffic volumes and public transport patronage up to 2056!! 💥💥💥 #thoughtprovoking #travelmodel #transport

Great to see the report into the outcomes of the DLR extension consultation led by TfL https://lnkd.in/ei3ukFWv. Overall supportive responses alongside challenging questions, which is healthy for a major infrastructure project that will improve connectivity in London. #DLR #regeneration

MetroLink – it is way past time for our governing insiders/incumbents to create networks which make it easy to move around our capital city for work, leisure and comfort. The proposed €12bn MetroLink continues the bizarre policy of not building interconnected and interoperable commuter rail services, which the FF-PD government adopted in 1998. Despite being extended, the two LUAS lines are still not interconnected for passenger services. MetroLink, if built, will not be interoperable with LUAS or DART.

Congratulations 🎉 to Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) grant recipient, the City of Mesa, for taking steps to make EV charging stations more accessible and convenient for all its residents. The city is seeking industry guidance and best practices with a Request for Information (RFI) to learn from companies about best practices, innovative approaches, and key considerations in deploying a public EV charging network. The RFI responds to a $11.8 million award through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s CFI Discretionary Grant Program to add at least 48 new vehicle charging ports to areas throughout the City with a focus on increasing stations in disadvantaged communities. Find the RFI and more information at https://vendor.mesaaz.gov/ View all CFI recipients: https://lnkd.in/ev8h3sYn

The June public info sessions currently being held by DriveOhio are a helpful reminder of how much #NEVI work is happening beneath the surface of actively open charging stations. As well as the 14 sites under construction, which alongside two in London and Marengo, OH will complete 73% of the state's Round 1 awards, a further 29 sites are on the map to complete Round 2A. If this pace is maintained, Ohio will have added 45 federally funded fast-charging locations with 188 ports by early 2025. Round 2B will then fill in any gaps to complete the Alternative Fuel Corridor (AFC) requirements covering key Interstate and State Routes, representing $46.6M invested and still leaving 64% of the state's NEVI funds for subsequent rounds. Round 3 will focus on further EV travel gaps on non-AFC routes, after which Round 4 will bring more charging options to local communities to enhance destination charging, attract tourism, and add charger redundancy where needed. At that point, 99.5% of Ohio residents are projected to live within 25 miles of a NEVI-funded charging station. $25M will remain in the pot for any final additions not covered by this impressively detailed, statewide deployment strategy. Criticism will continue to be leveled at the program by those who take no time to look beyond the headline numbers. Some states that continue to lag may even be deserving of those complaints. But as others like Ohio forge ahead with meaningful progress, the difference between intentional caution and inadequate attention will be clearer for all to see. #EVcharging #EVinfrastructure #electricvehicles

Making public sector charging facilities available to all fleets could spur electrification and help plug gaps in the national infrastructure. The idea, mooted by the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) #AssociationofFleetProfessionals(AFP) #Chargersharing #GreatBritishFleetEvent2024