CRRC and seven other international giants compete on the same stage! The procurement plan for 70 new

According to Uzbek media reports on October 9, the Tashkent People's Congress approved the metro vehicle procurement project plan on October 8, planning to purchase 14 five-car electric trains, totaling 70 cars. The project intends to utilize loans and financing provided by foreign governments and financial institutions, with completion planned by the end of 2027.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

According to the project plan, the main purpose of Tashkent Metro's procurement of new trains is to gradually replace aging vehicles nearing their service life, while increasing line capacity, improving operational safety, and reducing vehicle maintenance and electricity costs.

During the planning stage, relevant departments considered purchasing six-car trains, but due to platform length limitations in existing subway stations, five-car formations were ultimately chosen.

According to reports, the platforms on some existing Tashkent Metro lines are about 100 meters long, capable of accommodating five standard-length metro cars, but it is impossible to safely accommodate six-car trains without renovating the station.

Considering that extending platforms and renovating stations requires high investment, procuring five-car trainsets was considered a reasonable solution that balances transport capacity with existing infrastructure.

According to procurement plans disclosed by local media, Tashkent Metro compared the technical conditions, vehicle prices, and financing options of seven international rail transit vehicle manufacturers.

It should be noted that not all of the seven companies mentioned above have submitted formal commercial offers. According to the project plan, only CRRC and Russia's GTR provided formal commercial quotes, while the other companies' vehicle prices were mainly estimated based on public market information and existing transaction data.

Siemens Germany was also included in the technical communications, but the company stated it could not provide vehicles that meet the technical requirements of the Tashkent Metro, so it did not submit a quote.

According to preliminary estimates in the project plan, after comprehensively considering costs related to vehicle procurement, transportation, depot and maintenance facility construction, financing, and other related factors, there are significant differences in the total project costs of the seven manufacturers' corresponding schemes.

Among them, CRRC's project has the lowest total project cost, about $169 million, with loan financing planned by the Export-Import Bank of China.

South Korea's Hyundai Rotem solution costs about $184 million; Japan's Kawasaki Vehicles offers the highest cost, about $356 million to $357 million.

In terms of technical and infrastructure adaptability, Russia's GTR scheme has certain advantages. Using this company's vehicles allows the use of existing depots and maintenance facilities, reducing investment in additional infrastructure.

In contrast, purchasing vehicles from other manufacturers may require the construction of supporting depots and maintenance facilities. However, the financing interest costs of the GTR scheme are relatively high, significantly increasing the total project cost.

Considering vehicle technology, procurement costs, infrastructure adaptability, and financing conditions, the project plan lists CRRC Corporation, Russia's GTR, and South Korea's Hyundai Rotem as the top three options with superior overall conditions.

According to the project plan, the investment implementation cycle for the Tashkent Metro new train procurement project is from 2026 to 2027, with plans to raise funds through foreign governments, export credit institutions, and international financial institutions.

The new train procurement aims to gradually update existing vehicles, improve metro transport capacity and operational reliability, and reduce maintenance and energy costs associated with aging vehicles.

According to the technical plan, the new vehicle plans to use a 170 kW asynchronous traction motor, which is an upgraded traction system compared to the 110 kW DC traction motors used in some existing 81-717/714 models.

Currently, the Tashkent People's Congress has only approved the project procurement plan; suppliers have not yet been finalized through the procurement process, nor has the final vehicle procurement contract been signed.

Subsequent procurement prices, financing terms, delivery plans, and related infrastructure investments will be further determined based on procurement procedures, business negotiations between suppliers and financial institutions, as well as exchange rates, logistics, and equipment prices.

Industry focus: This Tashkent Metro vehicle procurement project involves rail transit equipment manufacturers from seven countries. Besides the vehicle's own procurement price, financing costs, vehicle adaptability, and subsequent maintenance conditions are also important factors in plan comparison. As the project enters the subsequent procurement stage, the selection of final suppliers and financing arrangements warrant ongoing attention.