By Ashley Karen
Hitachi Rail España will support private high-speed rail operator ILSA’s train fleet after securing a €737m ($856.95m) contract.
This agreement means that Hitachi Rail will maintain ILSA’s 20 new ETR 1000 trains for 30 years, until 2052.
The new trains are going to commence operations in H1 2022, connecting Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Seville, Malaga, and Cordoba.
A new team of over 75 personnel is going to carry out upkeep services, comprising predictive and corrective activities, for the new fleet in Madrid.
Roberto Vitali, Hitachi Rail España’s CEO stated: “Spain is an important country for our Operation Service and Maintenance business. In addition to this full-service contract for the ETR 1000 fleet, we have contract for the maintenance of 53 metros in service on the Madrid metro network and for the maintenance of the high-speed line infrastructure from Madrid to Lerida.”
Currently, ILSA’s fleet is being produced by Alstom Group and Hitachi Rail (previously known as Bombardier Transportation) at Hitachi Rail’s factory in Italy.
The first train is undergoing homologation tests in Spain, while the second and third units are anticipated to reach before the end of this year.
With the capacity for 460 commuters, the 200m-long trains will be made up of 85% recyclable materials and 95% renewable materials.
They will work at a commercial speed of up to 360km/h and feature more spacious seats, 5G Wi-Fi, and a bar area.
