The National Government, within the framework of the investment plan established by the Railway Emergency, formalized this morning through the Official Gazette the tender to acquire 43 brand-new trains, technically known as Diesel Multiple Units (DMU). The operation, to be carried out through a direct hiring by abbreviated public bid led by Trenes Argentinos Operaciones, represents a strategic investment of around 300 million dollars, as confirmed by the Argentine News Agency. This acquisition is critically important, as the passenger system of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA)—which moves 1.3 million people daily—had not received new rolling stock since 2015. Additionally, $119 million was allocated for the acquisition of vital railway spare parts, destined for the heavy maintenance of the electric trains on the Mitre, Sarmiento, and Roca lines, a material that had not been purchased in nine years. The incorporation of these 43 'zero-kilometer' units will generate a direct and positive impact on the user experience. It also includes the execution of infrastructure works to boost operational safety, optimize expenses, a 75% increase in railway personnel training, and the simplification of technical standards, seeking an exponential improvement in the system's overall safety and efficiency. The recent purchase of 3 diesel-electric locomotives (for $7 million) for the San Martín Line is highlighted, with their arrival estimated for January 2026. The operational benefits translate to: Improved Frequencies: due to the increase in circulation speed. Reduced Times: a direct impact on end-to-end travel times. Comfort and Design: optimization of boarding and alighting conditions and an increase in the overall comfort of the travel experience. Furthermore, the replacement will enable a notable resource saving, as these new units will reduce fuel consumption by almost 50% compared to the diesel locomotives currently circulating in the AMBA, which implies a financial and environmental improvement. The action plan defined in DNU 525/24, designed by the Transportation Secretariat of the Ministry of Economy to address the Railway Emergency, goes beyond the acquisition of rolling stock.
