TALLINN - Rail passengers in Tallinn can look forward to better, more comfortable and faster travel as the Minister of Economy put forward new plans for the purchase of new trains, raising the average speed of trains and maintaining existing levels of passenger train traffic. Costs for the new rolling stock and upgrading of track and infrastructure will be more than 200 million euros over the next five years. Estonia's electric railway operator Elektriraudteee will be the main beneficiary.
The Cabinet discussed the need to develop the railway infrastructure in the directions toward Rapla, Viljandi and Parnu in a way that would enable passenger train services on those tracks to continue at least at present volumes, but with new trains. Furthermore, by 2012 trains will have to be able to reach speeds of 110-120 kilometers an hour on those tracks.
The government would, for the purchase of new trains, conclude a contractual agreement regulated by public law with Elektriraudtee but would place operational management of the passenger train service in the hands of a company still to be found through an international tender.
The Ministry of Economy and the technical surveillance authority estimate that the rail infrastructure in the Rapla, Viljandi and Parnu directions will require investment of over 40 million euros.
Of the approximately 170 million euros needed for the purchase of rolling stock, 64 million euros are expected to be allocated by the government from the European Union cohesion fund support, with the final amounts to be established during the course of public procurement tenders.
Elektriraudtee operates electric trains in Tallinn and its surrounding districts.
