In Bucharest in 2023, whatmans in most cases change the pickaxe to the rake, although in all civilized European capitals this happens automatically. Last week, the quilter thought that the jack was in the right position, and the two trams were between them new Imperio – they collided. According to data obtained by HotNews.ro, out of 204 tram lines in the capital, only 153 are automated, and of these only 32 are working automatically, the rest are faulty. Even those that work are technologically outdated, installed more than 10 years ago. This is one of dozens of debts accumulated by the municipality over the past 20 years, when the money went to vouchers, shows, gold watches and other pearly trinkets.

Two trams collided on the capital’s Şoseaua Ştefan cel Mare street on Christmas Eve, as a result of which two trams and one of the passengers were slightly injured.

Reason? Human error.

• “According to the on-site assessment of the STB technical commission, the track had appropriate technical parameters, the bridge at the Lizeanu intersection was in good condition, and the wagons had no technical defects that would have caused the derailment.
• The preliminary conclusion was that a left turn was activated (direction Ștefan cel Mare on Obor, in the area of ​​the Lizeanu intersection) and tram car 5 continued its route forward without turning off the left turn. The probable cause of the accident: human error,” STB reported after the accident.

HotNews.ro asked if this was automated or had to be changed manually.

• “Makazul at the intersection between Sos. Ștefan cel Mare and Str. Lizeanu (installed in 2009) was equipped with an automation system, but it is currently not working, it is operated manually.
• Whatmans are trained to move into areas equipped with a directional switch in the sense that they must ensure that this system operates/activates in a specific direction. Turn left with Sos. Ștefan cel Mare towards Str. Lizeanu is occasionally used by trams of line 16 for access to the route, as well as for the access of service cars to URAC,” STB spokesperson Alex Ichim explained to HotNews.ro.

How many macasuri are flavored in Bucharest

According to the STB representative, out of 204 machines, 153 are automated.

“Of these, given their age, combined with the fact that manufacturers have adopted new, significantly improved technology, and that parts and assemblies are no longer made for the old ones, only 32 are still in automatic operation. “Automation involves activating the crane by the tram driver while driving without the need to stop the tram and get out of the manipulator,” Ichim explained.

He says that the STB does not have statistics on misalignment accidents because they would be very rare:

“One approximately similar incident was recorded more than 10 years ago in the Victoria area.

STB will need about 200 million lei to automate all stores in Bucharest to current standards. Next year, the company plans to automate 95 trams on the lines where the new Imperio trams operate.

• “The investment required for full automation of a single crane system (automatic activation, from the cab and a special traffic light system indicating the direction of crane movement) is estimated at more than 1 million lei.
• The transportation authority has planned for 2024 the purchase of 95 automatic tram control systems to replace the old lines on the routes on which the new Imperio trams operate.
• The new management of STB puts the improvement of transport infrastructure in the first place. We consider such safety elements as: roadway modernization, traffic light system and lane change, creation of single lanes for public transport. This is the first time in 30 years that the capital city hall is a truly supporting institution for public transport,” explained Alex Ihim.

Public transport in Bucharest has been severely underfunded since Mayor Adrian Videanu’s tenure: 87% of the electric trolleybus network and 35% of the tram lines have not been modernized and are in a deep state of degradation.

Only in 2021, the capital’s mayor’s office started procedures for the modernization of 50 km of non-modernized tram tracks, contracts for the modernization of 25 km were recently signed, the rest are still under tender. Work would begin in the spring.

As for the network of trolleybus lines, there is no news yet.

In terms of public transport procurement, nothing was procured from 2009 to 2018-2020, although the trams operating in Bucharest were from the communist era.

The old Mercedes buses and trolleybuses currently in use are those bought by former mayor Adrian Videanu in 2005-2007. In the period 2018-2020, during the mandate of Gabriela Firea, the city hall purchased 500 new Otokar buses and 130 Mercedes hybrids.

More details here.

In 2023, more than 70 new Imperio trams and 100 BMC electric buses arrived in Bucharest, 20 of which are already in service.

By spring, all 100 new electric trams and buses will be put into circulation.

READ ALSO:

• In 2024, there will be Bucharest 100 new trolleybuses Solaris trademark. The first 15 will arrive in January, Mayor Nikushor Dan announced.