ISRAEL: A 16-year contract for CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles to maintain the fleet of vehicles that it is supplying for the Tel Aviv light metro Red Line was signed on September 12, by NTA Chief Executive Officer Yehuda Bar-On and CRRC Changchun Vice President Zhou Chuanhe.
The signing took place at the manufacturer’s regional office in Tel Aviv which was formally opened on the same day. Located in the city’s Ramat-Gan district, the new office is close to the metro stations at Abba-Hillel and Arlosoroff as well as Israel Railways’ principal station at Tel-Aviv Savidor.
The following day saw the unveiling by Transport Minister Israel Katz of a full-scale mock-up of a new light metro car, which is being displayed for public consultation close to the city’s Culture Hall.
CRRC Changchun had been selected in November 2015 as preferred bidder to supply 90 articulated light metro cars to operate the 23 km Red Line, with an option for 30 more. A long-term maintenance agreement was envisaged as part of this contract, subject to government approval and the finalising of an industrial co-operation agreement.
