The first batch of 18-set metro trains made by a Chinese enterprise were delivered to Porto in northern Portugal last weekend, marking the first-ever delivery of made-in-China metro trains to an EU country.
The trains exceeded the expectations of the public in terms of comfort, safety, and convenience and will elevate the travelling experience of local people, Portuguese Minister of Environment and Climate Action Duarte Cordeiro said.
The trains were made by China Railway Rolling Stock Corp (CRRC) Tangshan and cost around 50 million euros.
Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Zhao Bentang said that the delivery of the trains demonstrated the strategic partnership between China and Portugal and the potential for higher-level bilateral cooperation.
The first train will start operations in May, and all trains will be delivered by the end of September after trials and tests.
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The adoption of digital technologies will lower the production costs of the vehicles, while making them smarter, more environmentally friendly and comfortable, Tan Mu, general manager of CRRC Tangshan, said.
The trains have a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour and a capacity to carry 244 passengers, of whom 64 are seated, according to Xinhua News Agency. The Porto metro network will have 120 cars, counting these new carriages.
Currently, Porto Metro’s fleet is made up of 102 vehicles: 72 of the Eurotram type and 30 of the Tram-train type.
In October 2022, the first batch of China-produced subway trains were shipped to Portugal.
