BUDAPEST transport operator BKV confirmed on May 22 that it had ordered 170 Metropolis metro cars from Alstom Transport and Ganz Transelektro at a cost of €247m.
The order covers 15 four-car trainsets to operate the initial 7·3 km section of Line 4 which is due to open in 2009. The remaining vehicles will form 22 five-car sets to replace the existing stock on Line 2, which is currently being modernised.
The agreement includes maintenance of the new stock for three years following delivery, plus an option for seven more four-car sets to work the proposed 3·2 km northeastern extension of Line 4 which is expected to be completed by 2012. n
