On April 23rd, 2018, local time in Argentina, CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd. and the Argentine Ministry of Transport signed a contract for the supply of 200 cars of intercity EMUs and spare parts for the Roca Line in Buenos Aires. This is the third order won by CRRC Sifang to supply intercity EMUs to Argentina.
In 2013, in the purpose of modernizing and renovating the Buenos Aires regional railway lines, the Argentine Ministry of Transportation purchased a total of 709 cars of intercity EMUs in two orders from CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd to replace those old vehicles on Samiento Line, Mitre Line and Roca Line, which were the largest orders for intercity EMUs export from China. All vehicles have been put into operation, of which 300 cars are running on the Roca Line. The 200 cars of intercity EMUs in the contract signed this time is an additional procurement for the Roca Line and are part of the comprehensive passenger rail transportation plan for the Buenos Aires region. After this procurement, the replacement of all old vehicles on Roca Line will complete.
At present, the intercity EMUs operating on the Roca Line are in 3-car or 4-car compositions. After the additionally procured vehicles are put into service, they will be mixed with the 300 cars supplied previously. Each intercity EMU on Roca Line will be expanded to 8-car composition. After the additional procurement and composition expansion, the capacity of the Roca Line will increase by 20%, effectively meeting the demand of passenger transport on the line. It is scheduled that the delivery of vehicles will begin in mid-2019.
As the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is a metropolis with a population of more than 10 million. There are more than 20 satellite cities around the main city area. The satellite cities and the main city area are mainly connected by the intercity railway lines. The 709 cars of Intercity EMUs previously provided by CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd have all been put into operation in Buenos Aires, covering the three main intercity lines, i.e., Sarmiento Line, Mitre Line and Roca Line, serving millions of Argentines every day. These trains manufactured by Chinese are advanced in technology and well-equipped. They are widely recognized by the Argentine government and the public. Official survey of passenger satisfaction is as high as 97%. More and more people in the area are choosing trains for transport.
The signing of the contract for additional vehicle procurement for Roca Line marked the fact that CRRC has won a “frequent customer” in Argentina and is another important breakthrough in the Argentine market.