It points out that the new High Speed, Commuter and Medium Distance trains will improve punctuality, reliability and comfort
MADRID, 16 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Renfe has allocated an investment of around 5.5 billion euros to renew and expand its fleet through purchases and remodeling of trains and locomotives, both in Renfe Viajeros and Renfe Mercancías.
This investment effort, “the largest in recent decades” by the public company, will generate around 52,000 new jobs and will allow Renfe to have the most modern fleet in Europe in 2026/27, as stated.
The objective is to guarantee the quality and improvement of public services (Cercanías and Media Distancia) in the coming years by reducing the average age of the railway fleet, especially in the case of Cercanías and Regional trains.
Thanks to the new trains that will circulate both in High Speed and in public services, “greater reliability” and, therefore, “an improvement in punctuality, reliability and comfort” will be achieved, according to Renfe. In addition, they will be “much more efficient” than the current ones.
Within the scope of Renfe Viajeros, the railway company has signed contracts with Alstom and Stadler for the manufacture of 280 high-capacity trains – which will be used in the large Cercanías and Rodalies hubs – and their maintenance for fifteen years. With a global investment of 3,119 million euros, these are the largest contracts signed by Cercanías in the history of Renfe.
These trains, which have at least 900 seats each, have a minimum of ten doors and large halls, which will reduce the time it takes for passengers to get off and on. These vehicles are accessible for people with reduced mobility, include areas for bicycles and strollers and offer Wi-Fi connection.
Renfe’s second major contract currently is the one signed with Talgo for the acquisition of 30 AVE and Avlo trains of the 106 series for 786 million euros. When these new trains come into service – Renfe has pointed out a delay in delivery by the manufacturer – the High Speed train will have a greater number of frequencies, more seats and shorter travel times.
The S-106 can carry more than a thousand travelers (almost 600 in Avlo format) in eleven cars and “its design is an example of energy efficiency,” according to the public company, since its 3.2 meters wide allow for five seats per row. Likewise, its lightness has been highlighted, as it weighs 30% less than a standard train.
On the other hand, Renfe has signed a contract with Talgo for the purchase of 26 power units for High Speed trains for an amount of 204 million euros. In this way, it will be able to form AVE trains with the compositions of Talgo cars transformed into what will be the new Renfe 107 series, and this will make it possible to reach a maximum speed of 330 kilometers per hour.
This contract includes the supply and comprehensive maintenance of the 26 power heads, as well as their integration and coupling with the converted car compositions. In addition, Talgo is in charge of the transformation of the hotel trains into the new 107 series and the comprehensive maintenance of thirteen trains, for 103 million euros.
Additionally, Renfe is carrying out with Talgo, through an investment of 35 million euros, the comprehensive restoration of fourteen Alvia trains of the 730 series and 30 S-130 trains. These convoys will operate on the Extremadura High Performance Line and other high-speed lines.
Likewise, the railway company has purchased 31 trains for the metric gauge network and six Alpine trains, manufactured by CAF, for 287 million euros, which also includes their partial maintenance for fifteen years.
These trains, which must have a bicycle area and a battery-powered last mile system, will be able to travel at a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour, according to Renfe, which has specified that five of the trains will be hybrid, which will help reduce polluting emissions.
CAF will also manufacture 57 electric trains (29 Cercanías and 28 Media Distancia) and will take care of their maintenance for 15 years and spare parts, for a global amount of 483 million euros.
Within Renfe Mercancías, more than 300 million euros have been dedicated to the incorporation of 24 new locomotives manufactured by Stadler. Of these locomotives, Renfe highlights that they are “environmentally friendly”, as they will circulate powered by electrical energy of 100% renewable origin, and that they offer “low aggressiveness towards the track, a low level of interior and exterior noise and absence of vibrations”.
On the other hand, the new locomotives, which will mean greater loading capacity and better levels of reliability, will allow Renfe Mercancías to offer its customers improved productivity.
Recently, Renfe also approved tenders for the supply of 149 wagons for its Freight area, for 38 million euros, and for the implementation of the ERTMS railway safety system in 28 locomotives of the S/253 series for 13.5 million euros. euros.
Part of the amounts of the Renfe Mercancías contracts – 15 million euros in the locomotive contract and 14.5 million in the wagon contract – come from the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan of Spain, financed by the funds European NextGenerationEU.
