Israel Railways today announced that it planned to exercise its option to buy 60 more double-decker railway carriages at a total cost of NIS 456 million. The carriages are designed to enlarge the stock of railway carriages in order to cope with demand in the coming years.
The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance have authorized Israel Railways to exercise its option to buy 60 new carriages from Bombardier for €106 million. The carriages to be purchased will arrive in Israel already adapted for operation using both diesel and electric power for Israel Railways' period of transition to an electric train network.
Since 2010, Israel Railways has purchased and put into operation 222 double-decker carriages on passenger routes throughout Israel. Israel Railways is in the process of making its lines more frequent and increasing the number of seats on passenger trains by using longer trains containing more than 1,200 passenger seats.
Israel Railways said that its purchase of the new carriages was essential for beginning the new routes and railway stations in the coming years, and for the new anticipated economic developments, including the IDF move to the Negev and continued work on the Greater Tel Aviv light rail.
The carriages, which will be delivered in 2017 and the first half of 2018, are slated for regular operations and improving service to Israel Railways' customers.
Israel Railways administration said, "In recent years, the number of passengers has exceeded the forecasts. Demand for Israel Railways' service has exceeded expectations year after year. The company is accordingly buying 60 more carriages in order to increase the frequency of its routes and add carriages and seats to the existing trains."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 20, 2016