A.G.R.
Bucharest subway company Metrorex is planning to invest some 350 million RON this year in a number of upgrades, construction works and improved rolling stock, Agerpres reported. Some of the budget will go towards modernizing existing escalators and installing dedicated escalators for disabled persons.
Another section of the budget is dedicated to finalizing construction works on the 1 Mai - Laromet section of the subway network, while traffic safety installations will also require some of the available funds. In the maintenance chapter, Bazilescu Station will be structurally reinforced and prepared for safe decommissioning. According to Metrorex CEO Gheorghe Udriste, approximately 50 million EUR is required for extending the network to Pajura Station and Parc Bazilescu Station by 2011.
Metrorex will also spend some of the budget for improving traffic safety systems pending the introduction of automated drive trains on Grid 1 and Grid 3 (M1, M3) and the modernization of low-voltage installations in 27 stations in Grid 1 and Grid 3. The company will also install new escalators and elevators, including some dedicated to disabled persons, and replace 79 existing escalators that have become obsolete. The investment budget also includes the procurement of 26 new subway trains from Bombardier.