The 'privatization of any CP activity' scenario, which frame today's Público news, on the alleged disinvestment in long-distance trains by the Government, is "completely fanciful", guarantees the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure, in a note sent to the newsrooms.
According to Public article, "the Government should only authorize CP to buy 22 trains for the regional service, leaving out of the specifications the acquisition of trains identical to the commuting trains to reinforce the long distance".
However, Pedro Marques' office guarantees, in its clarification, that «CP and the Government are preparing the launch of an international tender for the acquisition of trains that will provide the company with the rolling stock that is adequate for the commitment it has to the Portuguese , as well as its development on the various fronts on which it operates: suburban, regional and long-haul services».
The Ministry adds that the launch of this tender "is provided for in the State Budget for 2018 and results from a proposal presented by the current CP Board of Directors, whose implementation has been developed in coordination with the Government."
"In view of the time period normally associated with this type of acquisition, CP and the Government decided to maintain the rolling stock rental program to Spain, in order to meet the short-term needs of the regional service".
At the same time, the note points out, «CP is investing heavily in the maintenance of rolling stock, through the restructuring of EMEF, for which the recruitment of 102 workers has just been authorized».
On your trip to the Algarve last week, Minister Pedro Marques had announced that CP would rent diesel cars to make up for the lack of rolling stock and, in the future, buy twin-mode locomotives, which can run on fossil fuels, but also on electricity from the catenaries. This was the solution proposed by the government official to face the constant delays and suppression of trains on the Algarve Line, but also in other parts of the country.
“We are going to rent more diesel rolling stock and we will, in the future, hold a tender for the acquisition of so-called bimode material, which can be used on electrified lines and on those that are not. A tender for the hiring of 50 railway maintenance technicians has already been approved by the Government». explained, at the time, Pedro Marques.
The suppression of trains on the Algarve Line, which will become more acute in August, has motivated protests from users and mayors.
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