Renfe awarded CAF a EUR 250 million contract for the supply of 37 metric gauge trains which will be used to replace the railway operator’s existing fleet of this type of unit.
31 vehicles will be used on Renfe’s metric gauge lines improving rail services in Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León and the Basque Country. This order also consists of the of parts and the maintenance of 12 trains for a term of 15 years, which will be performed by ACTREN, a company both Renfe and CAF have a stake in. The contract also includes an option for 7 additional trains. 26 of the 31 metric gauge trains will be electric, while the remaining 5 trains have been initially contracted as dual-type, so they can run on both electric and catenary-free lines. These the units will be designed to be converted to the battery or fuel cell-related technology. All the trains part of this order will be prepared to integrate the dual traction module to extend their operating range beyond electric tracks. As required by Renfe, the trains will be fitted out with cutting-edge technology, as well as with a variety of comfort and safety items to make travelling a more pleasant passenger experience.
The other 6 trains, also for metric gauge network will replace the existing fleet which operates on the Cercedilla-Cotos line in the Madrid mountains. The existing trains are running the line for over 40 years. This contract also includes 15 years of first-class maintenance, which will be performed at the existing workshop in Cercedilla.
Under the contracts, CAF will deliver electric and hybrid trainsets to achieve more sustainable mobility and to help Renfe to fight against climate change. The new trains can replace other means of transport for both short and long-distance journeys due to their consumption capacity and efficiency and can also play a crucial role in developing how transport will be in the future.
The metric gauge trains will feature cutting-edge on-board technology, accessibility and comfort, and will provide access to people with reduced mobility, as well as being fully adapted for persons with visual or hearing impairments.
Renfe is currently implementing an ambitious investment scheme with a EUR 5 billion budget to replace significant proportion of its train fleet.
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