Nicusor Dan, the general mayor of the Capital announced that he has signed the contract with Astra Arad for the supply of 100 trams with a value of 200 million euros, according to a press release from the city hall. Trams will have wi-fi and dedicated space for bicycle transport.
“This is a contract worth about 200 million euros, European funds. I am glad because we are taking a step forward in modernizing public transport, and the tram segment is by far the most left behind. The contract provides for the delivery of the first tram in 15 months, i.e. in August 2022, and from that time of delivery of the prototype, four trams will be delivered each month,” Nicusor Dan said.
He said they are large trams with a length of 36 meters, suitable for the Capital.
“A word about the former administration – if it had not been stubborn to insist on unlawfully awarding this contract to a Turkish firm, and you know what the National Council for the Resolution (CNSC) has ruled, and what the Bucharest Court of Appeal has also ruled, we would have had these trams from the summer of 2020,” Nicuşor Dan added.
We recall that Astra initially lost the tender for the supply of trams in Bucharest, under the mandate of then-mayor Gabriela Firea, which gave the contract to Durmazlar in Turkey. However, the National Council for the Resolution of Disputes rendered void the result of the tender following an appeal by Astra Arad, which complained about the rigging of the tender process.
The 100 new trams, in the 36-meter length range, will have the floor completely lowered, a minimum of 5 double doors, and will be equipped with air conditioning equipment designed to provide both cooling and heating.
Trams were also requested to have a capacity of at least 220 total passengers, of which a minimum of 56 are seated, to have a low noise level and ticket validation equipment.
For people with disabilities, who use wheelchairs, a folding or sliding platform with manual operation will be provided and 2 special seats will be arranged.
Also, information (audio-video) for travelers will be provided through the IT installation that will equip the trams, and well as video surveillance installation and wi-fi.
There will also be the possibility for transporting bicycles through a reclining and fastening system which does not take the space intended for passengers when not in use.