Sets of Talgo trains that were bought by the “Railways of FBiH“ back in 2005, will operate on BiH railroads, for the first time since their delivery in 2010. They were bought by commodity loan from the Government of Spain and they cost 132 million BAM (66.7 million EUR).
This information was confirmed by Rifat Cabric, Executive Director for railway operators of Railways of FBiH. Previously given information from this company state that claims that these sets of trains cannot run our railways were not accurate, and that it is possible only with appropriate funding model.
Cabric explained that this state-owned company is working at full speed in order to, within 2 months, put Talgo trains in traffic, on the railway lines Sarajevo – Zagreb and Sarajevo – Banja Luka. The promotion is planned on the section Sarajevo – Zenica.
“We are conducting final preparations for the releasing into traffic. Talgo service technicians are already in Sarajevo and they are performing technical inspection of trains. We got all the permission for operation in BiH and Croatia. With the completion of the overhaul of the southern railway line, these trains would drive on the line Sarajevo – Ploce,” said Cabric.
“Our desire is that BiH citizens are finally taking ride in modern trains, rather than in the old ones.” Railways of FBiH will alone, without any help, finance the release of trains in circulation, but later on, we do expect help of the Government of FBiH,” emphasized Cabric.
He said that the highest cost, when it comes to these trains, represent their maintenance on an annual basis because, only for two sets – they need 2 million BAM (one million EUR).
“Maintenance is done by the company ‘Talgo’ from Spain, until our people are capable of doing this work by themselves. But to us, it is important that these trains are finally opened for traffic, after many years of waiting,” said Cabric.
(Source: akta.ba)
