International Railroad Discussion > Argentina places one of the largest tenders for railcars, ever

This is amazing and sad news, riding behind the elderly Alco's was a blast on the Linea San Martin.

https://www.clarin.com/economia/lanzan-mega-licitacion-comprar-1500-coches-trenes_0_ryUklLOsW.html

The Ministry of Transport will launch today a tender for the purchase of 1500 electric cars for the metropolitan railway lines . It is estimated that the acquisition of these vehicles will require an investment of US $ 2 billion , but will also have to allocate another US $ 800 million for maintenance , technical assistance and spare parts. The companies interested should submit proposals where they consider that 20% of the cars must have national components.

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Although the numbers of the Chinese government - which makes monumental railway investments - are unknown, Transport Minister Guillermo Dietrich believes it is " the largest tender for train purchases in the world today ."

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The new cars are part of the process of renewing the train lines, with electrification of the lines that make up the network of regional expresses, a system of 800 kilometers extension that will be ready towards the end of 2023. The units will be for the San lines Martin, Roca, Sarmiento and Miter .

The tender will be published today in the Official Gazette. The result will be known during the first quarter of 2018. But the first new trains will only be operational during the first half of 2020 and units will be incorporated until 2023, when it is estimated that the 1,500 cars will already be in operation. The railway units have an average of 30 years of useful life.

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The train is the most used means of transport by the lower income sectors. "75% of the train users spend 2 hours 32 minutes traveling, most of them combine the train with some bus line," said Germán Bussi, Secretary of Transport Planning.

The Government enters the bidding in an investment of US $ 14,000 million to improve all the metropolitan trains between the end of 2015 and the end of 2023, "The idea is to quadruple the number of people who use the trains, through more frequency 3 to 5 minutes in rush hour), speed in the trip, security and comfort, "Bussi brand. Among the works that are in execution to achieve this is the burial of Sarmiento, the electrification of the Rock and viaducts in three lines. There are about 1.4 million daily commuters on trains.

"Companies must get private financing for their offers," Dietrich said in relation to buying cars. The national State will pay for the trains once they have been delivered. "Before you buy trains without spare parts, technology, maintenance, braking system, now the winner will have to take care of those tasks and incorporate a workshop for 10 years," remarked Marcelo Orfila, president of Sofse, the state company that manages the trains .

Train users appreciate when there are improvements. In the renovated Retiro station, where people usually take long trips, the use of the bathrooms tripled because they are in better conditions than before.

Bombardier, Alston, Siemens, CAF, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Marubeni and Transmaholding are among the 16 companies that participated in the data room. There the companies made 580 questions to take into account when making the bidding documents. The consultations were attended so that the call was technically and transparently worded. "The idea was to prevent it from being aimed at benefiting any company or other business as it had in the past," Dietrich insisted. In the Government they are enthusiastic with the idea that some manufacturer of trains installs a specific plant in the country.

The Production Ministry held meetings with local producers of different components, who could participate in the new cars. The idea is that the bidders with the highest number of pieces of national origin receive a higher score when it comes to pre-qualifying. Martín Irigoyen, Secretary of Industry, identified suppliers of lighting, windshields, seats, coatings, air conditioners and doors, among other parts. "Some Toyota suppliers expressed interest in participating," he said.

With respect to the cars bought by Kirchner's management - like the Chinese who are in several lines - Secretary Bussi estimates that they will continue using those that are in good condition.