The Railway Reform Authority (ARF), as the contracting authority, and Alstom Ferroviaria, as the supplier, concluded on Friday an Additional Act for the purchase of 17 more long-distance electric frames, which are added to the 20 electric inter- regional (RE-IR) provided in the initial contract.
“The Additional Act provides for supplementing the contract concluded by ARF with Alstom Ferroviaria SpA, on March 25, 2022, with 17 more long-distance electric frames and ensuring the maintenance period for them for a period of 15 years from the delivery of each electric frame, to which are added the training services of the personnel in terms of exploitation, train operation and the use of software applications, which are provided by the supplier,” it is mentioned in a press release by ARF.
The total value of the contract for the purchase of the 37 multiple electrical units and their related maintenance services for a period of 15 years amounts to a total cost of almost 2.422 billion lei, excluding VAT, with a deadline for delivery of the first frame at the end of 2023 and providing the complete package of 37 frames by the end of 2024. The financing of the project is provided by non-reimbursable European funds and the state budget.
ARF mentions that the maximum running speed of the electric frames is 160 km/h, they are composed of six carriages (two end carriages with driving cabins and four intermediate carriages) and provide 351 seats. The units have an ERTMS level 1 and 2 signaling and safety system, the national PZB90 system and are equipped with air conditioning systems, wi-fi connection, spaces for bar/bistro and for travelers with disabilities, as well as an area for the automatic distribution of tickets and composting machines.
The RE-IR electric frames will connect the Capital with the main urban centers of the country, but will also facilitate inter-regional connections, contributing to ensuring mobility, reducing travel times and improving the general level of public services provided for public rail transport.