Milanese Citizen Committees Demand Suspension of New Tramlink After Accident
Milan, March 3 – Citizen committees in Milan are demanding the precautionary suspension of the new Tramlink trams operated by ATM, the city’s public transport company. This comes after a recent accident involving one of the new vehicles, which has raised concerns about potential malfunctions and safety.
Concerns Mount After Tramlink Incident
The incident, which is currently under investigation, has prompted groups such as “La 73 non si tocca,” “Gruppo Milano Mpl,” and “AspettaMi: Milanesi in attesa dei bus” to issue a joint statement. They are urging the administration and ATM to halt the circulation of the trams, citing “the possibility of a failure to activate the numerous safety devices of the vehicle” as a primary concern.
Arianna Censi, Milan’s Councillor for Mobility, responded to the committees’ demands, stating, “I believe the magistrate will do so if they decide it is a necessary procedure. I believe this goes beyond our possibilities of choices and decisions.” She emphasized that the trams are used in many other European cities and are considered “latest generation models” in terms of safety.
Tramlink Fleet and European Usage
Currently, about twenty Tramlink vehicles are in circulation in Milan, serving lines 7, 9, and 31. The full order will eventually comprise 74 trams, with the contract allowing for further increases in the supply of these 25-meter bidirectional vehicles. These trams, designed by the Swiss company Stadler and manufactured in Valencia, are also in use in Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Spain, and the United Kingdom, with over 350 units operating across Europe.
Investigation Continues, Families Displaced
The investigation into the accident is ongoing, with authorities seeking to clarify the cause, including reports of a possible blackout of the front camera. The incident tragically resulted in the deaths of Ferdinando Favia, 59, and Okon Johnson Lucky, 49. The Milan City Council observed a minute of silence for the victims, and the regional council is considering similar action.
In the aftermath of the crash, four families from apartments located at the corner of Viale Vittorio Veneto and Via Lazzaretto, the area most affected by the impact, have been temporarily housed in a nearby hotel. Kryalos sgr, the company owning the building, has arranged accommodation until a second structural assessment on Tuesday determines the building’s habitability. One resident, Gianluca Secchi, a financial consultant, expressed his distress: “We had to flee at three in the morning, we only took some clothes. I still have my computer at home: I need to retrieve it to get back to work.”
ATM’s Stance and Future Actions
Searches have been conducted at ATM’s headquarters as part of the investigation, focusing on any communication from the tram driver to the central office regarding the incident. The driver reportedly described a leg pain and a blackout, leading to a loss of control.
Councillor Censi reiterated the need for absolute clarity on every aspect of the incident to ensure public safety. The outcome of the judicial investigation will be crucial in determining any future actions regarding the Tramlink fleet in Milan.
Source: https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_marzo_03/milano-i-comitati-cittadini-contro-il-nuovo-tramlink-va-sospeso-dalla-circolazione-appello-ad-atm-e-comune-9b696e1b-539e-4190-b67e-00586084cxlk.shtml
