Renfe Operadora and the European Investment Bank have signed on December 2, the financing agreement for the procurement on new passenger trains.
Under the agreement, EIB provided a EUR 800 million financial support for the rolling stock renewal project, which envisages the acquisition of 211 electric trainsets of high capacity to replace ageing rolling stock in Madrid suburban rail services. EUR 2.52 billion is the total value of the project.
In October, the bank has announced the appraisal of Renfe’s funding application for this project.
In March, Renfe has approved the tender for 211 high-capacity EMUs, including 15 years’ fleet maintenance. The order includes 176 100m-long trains with a capacity of up to 900 passengers and 35 200m-long trains. The contract also includes an option for 120 trains, of which 96 100m-long trains and 24 200m-long trains.
The maintenance of the new rolling stock will be carried out in existing depots. One of them, namely the depot of Fuencarral, will be extended and modernised.
The new trains will be used for suburban services around Madrid. It will replace old vehicles that are at the end of their economic life, do not meet the current passengers expectations of performance and comfort.
In addition, the capacity of the Madrid suburban fleet in terms of seated and standing passengers will be extended by around 40%. This will contribute to alleviating the overcrowding in the rush hours. The project will respond to the growing demand for suburban rail services and is expected to increase the attractiveness of rail services compared to the current situation.
The new rolling stock will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology in terms of energy efficiency. It will be in conformity with the relevant requirements concerning noise and accessibility for persons with reduced mobility and persons with disabilities.
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