SPANISH manufacturer CAF has entered into a framework agreement with Malaysian construction firm Gamuda Berhad to supply up to 23 nine-section Urbos LRVs for two light rail lines in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
The deal, signed earlier this month, also includes the provision of spare parts, depot equipment, and a driving simulator, and is worth approximately €200m.
The LRVs will operate on the Xidong and Keelung lines, managed by the Taipei City Department of Rapid Transit Systems (Dorts), which awarded a Gamuda-led consortium a $US 603m contract to build the 5.56km Xidong Line in December.
Construction of the entirely elevated line that will run from Xizhi District Office to Luzhou Village in Neihu District of Donghu is due to commence this year with completion expected in 2032. It will provide interchange with Taiwan’s Xike mainline railway station and the Keelung Line. Gamuda holds a 75% stake in a consortium alongside Taiwan-based companies MiTAC Information Technology (15%) and Dong Pi (10%).
The budget for the 15.6km Keelung Line, which will run from Badu in Keelung City to Nangang, Taipei, with 13 stations was submitted to Parliament in December. Funding for the project is expected to be finalised this month, and a contract for detailed design awarded later this year for completion in 2033.
CAF will supply LRVs to the Keelung Line as an option under the contract with Gamuda if the consortium secures the construction contract. CAF told IRJ that the specific number of LRVs from the possible order for 23 that will be assigned to each line has yet to be finalised.
Each of the Urbos LRVs will be around 55m long, with a maximum capacity of 615 passengers. CAF says the LRVs will incorporate advanced technology suited to the local climate and the high passenger traffic experienced in the densely-populated New Taipei metropolitan area. The vehicles are also fully accessible to passengers with reduced mobility.
The projects form part of a broader infrastructure initiative aimed at improving public transport across New Taipei, Taiwan’s most populous municipality and home to nearly 4 million residents. This is CAF’s second major project in Taiwan, following its involvement in the Kaohsiung light rail system in the south of the island.
For detailed data on Asian light rail projects, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
