The Spanish Secretary of State for Transport, José Antonio Santano, has attended the start of the manufacturing of CAF trains for Cercanías of Asturias and Cantabria, reaffirming his commitment to improving meter gauge service, including infrastructure renewal.
The event held at CAF factory in Beasain, in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the presence of Adrián Barbón, the president of Asturias, María José Sáenz de Buruaga, the president of Cantabria, the Minister of Transport of the Basque Country, Iñaki Arriola, and the president of Renfe, Raül Blanco and the president of CAF, Andrés Arizkorreta.
“It is a milestone resulting from our commitment, our drive, investments and decision-making when necessary,” the Secretary of State for Transport said, highlighting the significance of the milestone to begin the manufacturing of CAF trains for Cercanías of the two provinces.
The investment plan to improve the metric gauge network in Asturias exceeds EUR 630 million, of which 84% representing EUR 533 million have already been mobilised,and that of Cantabria reaches EUR 600 million, with almost 74% (EUR 439 million) already activated.
The new trains will run at maximum speeds of 100 km/h and will deliver more than 200 seats in total in dual configuration, including seats for people with reduced mobility and a multifunctional area suitable for bicycles or baby strollers. The trains will also have WI-FI and plugs and USB in all seats, as well as people counting, passenger information systems.
“The trains will be modern and accessible, fitted with modern technology to always deliver a connected journey. And they will be because we are the Government that has finally decided to invest in them, with EUR 300 million included in this Renfe manufacturing contract with CAF,” said the Secretary of State. In addition to the metric gauge trains, the contract awarded to the railway manufacturer includes 6 Alpine 1000mm-gauge trains for the C-9 line of Madrid Cercanías. This is part of a EUR 258 million contract signed in 2021 for 37 metre-gauge trains for suburban and medium-distance transport services. In 2022, CAF and Renfe signed a EUR 300 million contract for the delivery of 28 medium distance hybrid trains including an option for up to 42 trains. In 2023, Renfe exercised an option for 32 additional trains worth EUR 190 million.
CAF will deliver Renfe 38 new metric gauge trains and it is expected that the first trains will enter trials on the network in the first half of 2026, when the older trains will be gradually phased out on the Asturias and Cantabria rail network.
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