29 April 2004 22:56
Volgograd to get Czech JV for tram production
MOSCOW. April 29 (Interfax) - Pragoimex of the Czech Republic is organizing a joint venture for building new trams
and overhauling existing ones at the tram and trolley repair plant in the Russian city of Volgograd, deputy chief of the
Volgograd regional administration's science, industry and resources section Alexander Nevstruyev has told
Interfax.
Pragoimex had won a tender held by the regional administration, Nevstruyev noted. The timing for setting up the joint
venture has yet to be determined, but it should cost around 8 million euros, he said.
The terms of the tender stipulate that the winner is to implement two inter-linked projects: one for setting up the
venture and the other supplying high-speed tri-sectional tram cars for Volgograd's 'metrotram' system (a
partially underground electrified transportation system unique in Russia).
Where the Czech proposal had the edge, Nevstruyev said, was in that it proposed increasing tram service life from 25
years to 30 and cutting energy-usage by half. The company is also prepared to raise a loan from Czech Savings Bank for
both projects. Pragoimex intends to provide the city with the first of the vehicles in 2004. [RU EUROPE EEU ASIA EMRG CZ
MAC AUT CORA RESF LOA BNK] cf
[Interfax] |
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