RUSSIA: Škoda Transportation subsidiary OOO Vagonmaš has been selected to supply eight six-car trainsets for St Petersburg metro Line 3. The 3·8bn rouble contract is expected to be signed in the next few days.
The vehicles will be lighter than those of the metro’s existing fleet, thanks to the use of aluminium sandwich panels. According to Škoda, the trains will be able to achieve energy savings of up to 30% through regenerative braking. The interior will be equipped with an audio-visual passenger information system and CCTV.
The first trainset is due to be delivered this year, followed by two more next year and the remaining five in 2017. Manufacturing will take place in St Petersburg.
Following a development programme which began in 2007, Škoda Transportation has already supplied nine six-car NeVa trainsets to St Petersburg; these entered service in 2013.
