University train of La Plata
Overview | |||||
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Service type | commuter rail | ||||
Status | Active | ||||
Locale | La Plata | ||||
First service | April 26, 2013 | ||||
Current operator(s) | Trenes Argentinos | ||||
Website | Official web | ||||
Route | |||||
Termini | La Plata Policlínico San Martín | ||||
Distance travelled | 4,6 km | ||||
Average journey time | 20' | ||||
Service frequency | 60' [1] | ||||
Technical | |||||
Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) | ||||
Operating speed | 30 km/h [1] | ||||
Track owner(s) | Government of Argentina | ||||
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The University train of La Plata is a commuter rail service part of Roca Line, currently being operated by State-owned company Operadora Ferroviaria Sociedad del Estado (SOFSE). Trains run within La Plata city of buenos Aires Province in Argentina.
The service was officially opened on April 26, 2013.[2] The units -railcars whose design are based on bus bodyworks powered with 1.7-litre diesel engines by FIAT- were manufactured and assembled by TecnoTren, a local company which developed a train only able to run on abandoned tracks.[3]
The train runs through the Paseo del Bosque of La Plata, connecting La Plata station with the University of La Plata campus buildings, finishing its trip in the "General San Martín" polyclinic.[4][5][6]
The service was interrupted on February 2014 when the units were sent to workshops for maintenance and inspection works,[7] being reestablished one month later.[8]
State-owned company Operadora Ferroviaria Sociedad del Estado took over Roca line (operated by Argentren) after the Government of Argentina rescinded the contracts signed with the company on March 2, 2015. The contract terms specified that the concession could be cancelled with no right to claim compensation.[9] The agreements had been signed in February 2014, commiting Argentren and Corredores Ferroviarios to operate the lines.[10][11][12]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Viajamos en el tren universitario", Crónica Ferroviaria, 13 May 2013
- ^ "Ya rueda el tren universitario", El Día, 26 Apr 2013
- ^ "TecnoTren: La verdad es que nos cuesta muy poca plata fabricarlo" - interview to Jorge Beritich, president of TecnoTren, Infoauto.com
- ^ "Comenzó a rodar el Tren Universitario", University of La Plata website
- ^ La Plata university train on Railway Gazzette website
- ^ "Recorrido del tren universitario", La Plata Terminal website
- ^ "Estalló la polémica por el Tren Universitario", Diario Hoy, 8 March 2014
- ^ "El Tren Universitario volverá este lunes a las vías", 13 March 2014
- ^ "Ya está lista la ley que prevé más control estatal sobre los trenes", Clarín, 5 Mar 2015
- ^ "Estado rescindió contrato de trenes a privados y avisó que no pagará indemnizaciones", Ambito Financiero, 2 Mar 2015
- ^ "Buenos Aires commuter routes renationalised", Railway Gazzette, 3 Mar 2015
- ^ Resolution N° 171/2015 - Official Bulletin of Argentina
External links
- Operadora Ferroviaria, operator
- Argentren (former operator)