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State Railways announced that the Chinese consortium CRRC Sifang was awarded the manufacture of six new trains for the fleet of the Chillán – Santiago service, a railway section that connects the Metropolitan and Ñuble regions.
The news was delivered by the Minister of Transport, Gloria Hutt; the mayor of Maule, Juan Eduardo Prieto; and the president of the EFE group, Pedro Pablo Errázuriz.
In the instance, it was detailed that the tender for the new trains implies a investment of US $ 70 million and includes the manufacture of the machines that can circulate up to 160 kilometers per hour, the maintenance of the motor vehicles and the equipment for the maintenance workshop.
Once the award process has concluded, it is now expected that in the next few months the manufacture of the equipment will begin at the Quindao plant in China to be received from 2022 in our country. Its operation is planned to start in 2023.
Nowadays, CRRS – Sifang is completing the manufacturing process of the 12 trains that will renew the fleet in the Bío Bío and La Araucanía regions and whose first group of finished equipment will be shipped from the port of Qingdao to our country.
The acquisition of these new trains together with the renewal of the rolling stock of the Metrotren Rancagua service (six new trains) and the acquisition of three new search rails for the Talca – Constitución service will allow EFE to have a more modern fleet.
Main improvements and news
Among the main features of the new trains for Chillán – Santiago are safety devices for the protection of passengers and crew, in addition to thermo panel windows with glass and polycarbonate, which allow thermal and acoustic insulation and resistance.
To this are added inflight entertainment systems and online information on the status of each route, in addition to equipment that will have more space between seats and more capacity for the transfer of luggage.
In addition, the equipment will be manufactured with inclusive design, with spaces for people with reduced mobility, level access and better information.
From an environmental point of view, EFE indicated that The trains will be bimodal, that is, they will allow the change of power supply mode from electric power to diesel automatically in case of failures, which increases its reliability.
The tender also contemplated the acquisition of an instructional simulator for training and virtual training of machinists and supervisors, a railway tractor for the movement of trains in workshops and replacement components.
Reactions
The Government and EFE reacted positively to this award, which reflects the China’s growing involvement in national affairs.
“With these six new trains we are going to considerably improve the standard of service as they have access at ground level, without stairs to board and with spaces for people in wheelchairs,” said Hutt.
“They will also have a cafeteria, reclining seats, WiFi, inflight entertainment system and information screens that will enhance passenger comfort. The project contemplates important improvements in the infrastructure of the roads, automation of level crossings, bridges and modernization of the stations, ”he added.
Heading to Chillan, with @Pedro_Errazuriz and team @GroupEFE Y @MTTChile to present the result of the tender. 6 new trains, USD70 million, 88Km of reinforced tracks, new stations and time savings on long-distance trains. #ChileOnRieles pic.twitter.com/XVZvp9e8Rf
– Gloria Hutt Hesse (@GloriaHutt) December 2, 2020
“With this project we will achieve significant savings in travel times with express services of 2 hours and 22 minutes to Talca and 3 hours 40 to Chillán ”, said Errázuriz.
“The new trains seek to increase the offer in this section together with providing our users with a world-class service, with the highest quality and safety standards, refurbished stations, more comfort on board and a first-rate infrastructure ”, he added.
A very important step to ensure that the entire fleet of @EFEGroup be it from the 21st century. New trains for Bio Bio and Araucanía in 2021. New trains for Ohiggins in 2021. More trains for Nos 2022. New trains for Chillán operating 2023 https://t.co/2i8Y9khFyT
– Pedro P. Errázuriz (@Pedro_Errazuriz) December 2, 2020
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