Bombardier will supply its Interflo 250 system for the project, including Ebi Lock 950 R4 computer-based interlocking, Ebi Screen control centre, and Ebi Track train detection systems. The contract also includes onboard equipment and five years' maintenance.
The installation of ERTMS together with other infrastructure enhancements will allow the introduction of high-frequency MetroTren suburban services between Santiago and Nós, with trains running at four-minute interval at peak times. This will be supplemented by an enhanced Rancagua Xpress, which will operate at 15-minute intervals in peak periods, running non-stop from Santiago to Nós, and calling at all remaining stations to Rancagua.
In addition to resignalling, the $US 260m MetroTren modernisation project includes the acquisition of a fleet of emus from Alstom.
EFE expects the improvements to suburban rail services in Santiago to increase MetroTren ridership from around 7.5 million passengers to 18 million passengers.
Bombardier is currently installing ETCS Level 1 on the 225km SuperVia commuter network in Rio de Janeiro, which will allow headways to be reduced to three minutes. The project is due to be completed in 2015.
