Following the delivery of 10 electric multiple units for regional transport, the first out of 10 electric multiple units for local and intercity transport of the City of Zagreb was put into regular traffic on 6th October 2015. The train runs on Dugo Selo – Zagreb main station – Savski Marof (Harmica) route and vice versa.
Zoran Milanović, the President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, Siniša Hajdaš Dončić, the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, Dražen Ratković, CEO of HŽ Putnički prijevoz and Board Members Siniša Balent and Robert Frdelja, Darinko Bago, CEO of KONČAR – Elektroindustrija and CEO of KONČAR – Električna vozila Ivan Bahun with associates, were present on its first ride.
This is state-of-the-art train. It is equipped with free wifi and air conditioning. With this set of new trains for local and intercity transport, HŽ Putnički prijevoz acquired trains of the 21st century. It is also worth mentioning that this train is a genuine Croatian product manufactured using the Croatian skill and know-how. Around 2,000 people were involved in its production. Through further investments in infrastructure and construction of new lines – in parallel to rehabilitation and modernization of the existing railway network – our citizens will get a quality transportation service by rail, which is one of the best modes of public transport, emphasized Mr Siniša Hajdaš Dončić, the Minister of Maritime, Transport and Infrastructure.
Mr Dražen Ratković, CEO of HŽ Putnički prijevoz, expressed his satisfaction with the new train and said:
This train will travel on Dugo Selo – Zagreb main station – Savski Marof (Harmica) route. Travel time to Zagreb main station from both directions will be between 20 and 30 minutes. There are 19 stops in local and intercity transport of the City of Zagreb. Around 5 million passengers are carried per year. During peak times, local and intercity trains run every 15 minutes. The competitiveness of rail transport is evident in the shortest travel time on the mentioned route, which contributes to disburden the roads and parking areas in the city and helps reduce environmental pollution.
The train and its main parts (electronic transformers, transformers, drive and electric powered towing motors) are developed and produced by KONČAR Group branches, in collaboration with numerous subcontractors. In compliance with the obligations arising from the Contract, KONČAR Električna vozila delivers two trains per month to HŽ Putnički prijevoz, and the implementation of such production dynamics confirms once again that the domestic industry is capable of carrying out even the most demanding projects.
The production of those trains represents an important deal for KONČAR and a great number of suppliers in Croatia, not only in financial terms but also in terms of an excellent reference. New trains are manufactured by using state-of-the-art technology. This is the product we can be proud of, said Mr Darinko Bago, CEO of KONČAR – Elektroindustrija.
Technical specification for local and intercity trains
The first train for local and intercity transport of the City of Zagreb is a four-part electric multiple low-floor train set. Its maximum speed is 160 km/h. It has 133 seats and a total capacity of 505 passengers. It has eight double-folding external doors on each side, two portable wheelchair ramps as well as bicycle storage area. The passenger area is a single spacious unit with partial bulkheads, which do not close the area visually, but protect the passengers from cold air while the doors are open. The seats are one-seaters and two-seaters, except in areas intended for persons with reduced mobility, which have folding seats. Thanks to double-folding wide external doors, a greater number of passengers can get in and off train faster. The window glass is tinted 60% for sunlight protection. The train is fitted with state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems as well as video surveillance and free Wi-Fi for passengers. Stopping at stations and stops is announced via passenger information system, which uses a GPS to track the train´s location and emits the messages on displays and speakers. The construction, design and driving characteristics of new multiple units ensure a high level of driving comfort.
First electric multiple unit will be used in local and intercity transport of the City of Zagreb. It will carry passengers on Dugo Selo – Zagreb main station – Savski Marof (Harmica) route and vice versa on a daily basis. The new visual identity of HŽ Putnički prijevoz, based on the display of railway routes in blue, is applied to local and intercity trains.
The company Končar Električna vozila d.d. produces 32 electric multiple units – 16 for local and intercity transport and 16 for regional traffic as well as 12 diesel and electric multiple units. The total value of acquisition is HRK1.63bn. Trains will be going into service during 2015, 2016 and 2017. A set of new local and intercity trains is produced based on electric multiple unit prototype for local and intercity transport, which was put into traffic in 2011.
During the year 2015, six low-floor local and intercity trains will be delivered.
Key features of the new trains include a high level of reliability due to the implementation of new technologies, assemblies and devices while they are being utilized full-scale in all weather conditions. All assemblies, devices and new technologies, which will be implemented, comply with legal regulations of the Republic of Croatia, HRN, EN, IEC, UIC as well as EU Directives on public passenger transport.
The acquisition of new multiple units will result in an increase in the quality of transportation service, reliability and availability of vehicles at much lower operating costs as well as a more stable timetable, along with the possibility of increasing train frequency and the number of passengers. Furthermore, new trains will contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution as well.
