LAST MONTH Siemens Verkehrstechnik confirmed that it had won a contract worth 25m euros to supply signalling and operations control equipment for the second line in Guangzhou. The first section of the 23 km route is due to open in 2003, with the entire line to be operational by June 2004.
Line 2 will be equipped for automatic train operation, with the train operator merely initiating the departure from each station. The signalling will be configured to allow operation at up to 80 km/h with 90sec headways. Local content will account for 55% of the contract value, through Siemens’ local joint venture Siemens Signalling Ltd in Xian.
Guangzhou Metro Corp has already selected a consortium of Adtranz and Changchun Car Co to supply 26 six-car trains for Line 2, at a total cost of 180m euros (RG 10.00 p630).
- Spanish groups have been appointed to assist with the development of two other metro projects in China. Engineering consultant Inocsa has been selected to assist with development of an initial 20 km route in Xi’an costed at US$600m, which is due to be built in two years. Madrid regional government’s transport & public works arm has agreed to assist the city of Tianjin with expanding its initial 7·3 km line to form a 25 km network with 12 stations.
