News

The EuskoTren XXI Plan envisages an investment package of over 1,212 million euros for the 2007 – 2012 period

25/06/07 - The EuskoTren XXI Plan, which will develop the strategic plans of the companies Eusko Trenbideak-Ferrocarriles Vascos, S.A. and Euskal Trenbide Sarea-Red Ferroviaria Vasca (ETS-RFV), will include an investment package of 1,212.4 million euros for the 2007-2012 period, according to the document that updates the said programme and that analyses progress and compliance levels. The above-mentioned actions are aimed at achieving a high-performance and operational railway network concerning service safety and quality as well as an improvement in intermodal services. This information has been presented today by the Head of the Department of Transport and Public Works of the Basque Government, Nuria López de Guereñu.

In matters of railway infrastructure, the main investments for the 2007-2012 period, which will be implemented by Euskal Trenbide Sarea (ETS) and by the Basque Government, will lead to the development of a railway system where 40% of the network will feature double tracks by 2012. The following actions will be performed:

- Biscay, investment of 271.21 million euros. This part includes, among other actions, the so-called “Durango Operation” (elimination of 27 level crossings, the doubling of the track on the Amorebieta-Lebario section, the construction of new stations at Traña, Durango and Euba); line 3 for the Bilbao metropolitan railway and the construction of the new Artxanda Tunnel.

- Near Donostia, investment of 159.45 million euros. This plan includes actions on the Loiola-Herrera, Fandería-Oiartzun, Añorga-Rekalde railway sections and on the Aia-Orio branch line as well as the access line to Pasaia Port.

- Central district, investment of 16.89 million euros. A new station will be built at Ardantza and the Eibar, Azitain and Toletxegain stations will be renovated. Additionally, the Txarakua level crossing will be eliminated.

- Urola Branch Line, investment of 16.51 million euros. This plan contemplates the re-opening of the Urola branch line for freight traffic.

EuskoTren has also directly planned investments with a view to improving service aspects; more specifically, the acquisition and renewal of rolling stock (147.54 million euros) and workshop equipment (8.6 million).

The operator, EuskoTren, has established a number of objectives that include providing services for 29 million passengers in the year 2012.

The significant improvement in the frequency of railway services is one of the main results of these investments. Consequently, in the geographical area of Bilbao, service frequency will be as follows:

- Bilbao-Amorebieta section: 7.5 minutes
- Amorebieta-Bermeo section: 30 minutes
- Amorebieta-Durango section / Txorierri Line / Etxebarri-Sondika/Derio section: 15 minutes.

In the geographical area of Donostia, service frequency will be as follows:

- Zumaia-Donostia section: 30 minutes
- Lasarte-Amara section: 15 minutes
- Amara-Fandería (Errenteria) section: 7.5 minutes
- Fandería (Errenteria)-Hendaia section: 15 minutes

In the Central Area (Gipuzkoa), investment programmed for the lines operated by EuskoTren will provide the following service frequencies:

- Ermua-Elgoibar: 15 minutes
- Elgoibar-Zumaia: 60 minutes

The objectives set out in the strategic plan defined for the EuskoTren business unit include the promotion of urban and suburban transport as well as the general improvement in service quality. Furthermore, there are plans to offer services on other networks, including the RENFE suburban network, FEVE and the New Basque Country Railway Network.


TRAM PROGRAMME

The development of the Basque Government's Tram Programme is another feature of the EuskoTren XXI Plan. Investments in infrastructure planned for the 2007-2012 period total 85.24 million euros for the Vitoria-Gasteiz Tram Service; 22.17 million for the Leioa-UPV Tram Service and 14.88 million for the extension of the Bilbao Tram Service.

Part of the said financial resources will be dedicated to the acquisition of 11 units for the Vitoria Tram Service, workshop equipment as well as the purchase of a new unit and further rolling stock for Bilbao.

The number of tram passengers will exceed 11.3 million by 2012.


ROAD TRANSPORT

The strategic plan concerning road transport defined by EuskoTren contemplates maintaining the concessions in Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa and a feasibility study with a view to providing services in Álava. The operator's forecasts contemplate transporting over 5.3 million passengers in 2012. The investment package planned totals 5.13 million euros and will be dedicated to the acquisition and renovation of the fleet of vehicles.


FREIGHT TRANSPORT

The EuskoTren XXI Plan also deals with railway freight transport. The objective established contemplates freight traffic volumes of 670,000 tons in the year 2012.

Alliances with other logistic and railway operators, mainly FEVE on narrow gauge lines, are some of the main strategies supported by EuskoTren.

Investments will total 34.83 million euros and will be dedicated to the acquisition of 12 engines and 42 flat cars.

  
   Communication Cabinet