After many delays, the contract for the automation of Bucharest Metro Line 5 was signed on 14 April in the presence of Metrorex, Bucharest metro operator, and Alstom representatives, Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila and Romanian Minister of Transport, Razvan Cuc. It is now possible that the line will be operational by the end of the year.
“This contract is the final phase before commissioning, so that the line could be put into service by the end of the year. Romania is a loyal partner of the business environment. We pay our bills in due time, hence we do not accept deadlines to be exceeded”, said Prime Minister Viorica Dancilă.
Earlier this month, Metrorex General Manager Dumitru Șodolescu declared he would sign the automation contract with Alstom on 9 April and promised to put the line into operation by the end of the year. “According to the Public Procurement Law, we can sign the contract ten days after receiving the reasoning, which means that on April 9 the automation contract will be signed by Metrorex and the winner of the contract”, declared Șodolescu.
Although Bucharest Metro Line 5 works will be completed by September-October, the new line from Drumul Taberei risked staying off service because the appeals submitted in the tender regarding the automation system had not been solved. Metrorex officials said the finalisation of the automation system would take nine months, but it could be reduced to six months if the work day was divided into three shifts.
Last year in April, Bucharest metro operator Metrorex appointed Alstom to deliver “The traffic safety and automation system including the on-board safety equipment and the dynamic information system (sound included) on Line 5 – Drumul Taberei – Pantelimon, Râul Doamnei -Eroilor (PS Opera) section, including Valea Ialomitei Station and Depot”.
Following the evaluation of the offers submitted within the contract attribution procedures, Metrorex selected the offer of around EUR 25 million submitted by Alstom Romania, with UTI Group as subcontractor and Alstom France as third support.
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