New tram orders in June 2006 : After winning orders for 146 new LRVs for Frankfurt-am-Main and 30 for Porto (see earlier stories), Bombardier has sealed its place as the world's biggest tram builder with the news that BVG Berlin has given the company a letter of intent for 210 new trams worth EUR 570 million. Final details of the design for the 30 and 40-m long low-floor cars are still being finalised; they will be a Berlin version of the Flexity called Flexity Berlin. Four prototypes should arrive in 2007/8. the new order will replace Berlin's remaining Tatra trams (delivered before German reunification).

CUB Bordeaux, which has already bought 70 Alstom Citadis low-floor trams, has ordered four more, plus centre sections to extend two 30-m cars to 40-m cars. The final fleet will be 58 40-m trams and 16 30-m trams.

The Italian city of Cagliari, Sardinia, has increased its order with Skoda for 30-m part low-floor trams from six to nine, for delivery by September 2007. They will cost EUR 2.16 million each.

19 June 2006