University train of La Plata
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![]() A NOHAB railcar stopped at a station (2014). | |||||
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 | Tren Universitario | ||||
Route | |||||
Start | La Plata | ||||
Stops | 7 | ||||
End | Policlínico San Martín | ||||
Distance travelled | 4.6 km (2.9 mi) | ||||
Average journey time | 20' | ||||
Service frequency | 60' [1] | ||||
Line(s) used | Roca Line | ||||
On-board services | |||||
Seating arrangements | Yes | ||||
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 Trenes Argentinos. Trains run within La Plata city of Buenos Aires Province in Argentina.
History[]
The service was officially opened on 26 April 2013.[2] The units are railbuses powered by a 1.7-litre diesel engines manufactured by FIAT and were manufactured and assembled by TecnoTren, a local company which developed a train that runs 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 at the "General San Martín" polyclinic.[4][5][6]
The service was interrupted in February 2014 when the units were sent to workshops for maintenance and inspection works,[7] being reestablished one month later.[8] In December 2014, the TecnoTren units were replaced by NOHAB railcars built in 1948 and imported in the 2000s from Portugal.[9]
State-owned company Trenes Argentinos took over Roca line (operated by Argentren) after the Government of Argentina rescinded the contracts signed with the company on 2 March 2015. The contract terms specified that the concession could be cancelled with no right to claim compensation.[10] The agreements had been signed in February 2014, committing Argentren and Corredores Ferroviarios to operate the lines.[11][12][13]
In March 2020, it was signed an agreement between the National University of La Plata and the Ministry of Transport to build an extension of 6.8 kilometres (4.2 mi) length from Policlínico to the city of Los Hornos, also building new six stops in that path. The tebder was launched in April 2021, with an estimated end of works in April 2022.[14]
Historic operators[]
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Companies that have operated the University train have been:
Company | Period |
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Argentren | 2013–2015 |
Trenes Argentinos | 2015–present |
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 Gazette 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
- ^ "El Tren Universitario volvió a funcionar con un coche motor sueco de 1948", InfoBlancosobreNegro, 5 Dec 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 Gazette, 3 Mar 2015
- ^ Resolution N° 171/2015 - Official Bulletin of Argentina
- ^ El Tren Universitario extenderá su recorrido y llegará hasta Los Hornos at UNLP
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tren Universitario de La Plata. |
- Railway lines in Argentina
- Railway services introduced in 2013
- Greater Buenos Aires
- 5 ft 6 in gauge railways in Argentina
- Rail transport in Buenos Aires Province