On November 2, a contract was signed between HŽ-Putnički prijevoz d.o.o. (Croatian Railways Passenger Transport) and TŽV ’’Gredelj’’ (Railway Vehicles Factory Gredelj) regarding the subject matter of development and building of prototypes for a 4-part electric motor train in urban and suburban transport and a 3-part diesel-electric train in regional transport.
On the same date HŽ-Putnički prijevoz d.o.o. signed a contract with Končar-Električna vozila d.d. (Končar-Electrical Vehicles Inc.) on the production of a 4-part electric motor train prototype for regional transport.
In the presence of Mr. Božidar Kalmeta, Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, and the City of Zagreb mayor, Mr. Milan Bandić, as well as management boards of HŽ-Holding, TŽV Gredelj and Končar, contracts were signed by Mr. Marijan Klarić, the director of HŽ-Putnički prijevoz d.o.o., Mr. Željko Pokrovac, president of TŽV Gredelj d.o.o. management board, as well as Mr. Ivan Bahun, Ph.D., president of Končar-Električna vozila d.d. management board.
The business plan of HŽ-Putnički prijevoz d.o.o. for 2009-2015 envisages procurement of 18 new motor-coach trains for urban and suburban transport, 25 DMUs and 49 EMUs for regional transport. Considering how extensive this rolling stock modernization project is, HŽ-Putnički prijevoz d.o.o. has decided to first procure prototypes in order to check possibilities for application of modern electric motor propulsions for traction on the existing infrastructure. Besides, motor train prototypes produced according to technical requirements of HŽ-Putnički prijevoz d.o.o. will also be tested by passengers during the trial run. All these checkups will result in a final technical requirement specification for serial construction of trains which will be procured by means of a public tender. The City of Zagreb will provide a 50% subsidy for the procurement of new EMUs for urban-suburban transport, based on an agreement signed already in 2005.
The role of new regional diesel and electric motor trains is to enable a gradual substitution of conventional passenger transport trains with locomotive traction in local and inter-city transport, as well as to enable travel time reduction, higher travel comfort and reduction of total use costs. The Croatian companies TŽV Gredelj d.o.o. and Končar-KEV d.d. have been entrusted with development and design of prototypes because of their excellent reputation in railway vehicles production as well as substantial references in this field. The City of Zagreb will finance the development and building of three prototypes with HRK 20 million, the state budget with HRK 40 million and HŽ-Putnički prijevoz d.o.o. with HRK 54 million from its own resources.
TŽV Gredelj is to develop and build an electric motor train prototype for urban-suburban transport; the purpose of this train is passenger transport in the wider City of Zagreb area. Total train capacity is 500 passengers, out of which there are 200 seats, with the possibility of doubling the composition during peak transport periods. The prototype of electric motor train for regional transport will be developed and built by Končar-KEV; this train is meant for passenger transport on all electrified lines with 25 kV 50 Hz power supply system. Total train capacity is around 400 passengers, out of which 220 seats. The prototype of diesel-electric train for regional transport will be developed and built by TŽV „Gredelj“, the purpose of this train is passenger transport on non-electrified lines with intensive passenger carriage. Total train capacity is 450 passengers, out of which 224 seats.
