Cost-cutting solutions for CFR Călători. REVA Simeria – new solution on the railway market(… appeared from the lack of funds for railway passenger transport modernisation)03-09-2010 18:46  Adaptability of Romanian companies in times of crisis: “Turnkey contract” - a complete solution for overcoming the economic crisis
REVA Simeria plans to develop a wide range of compartmented salon coaches, which come from the redesign, refurbishment and modernisation of older passenger coaches, series 2047-2057 and 2147-2157, for a price of approximately RON 1,300,000. This price is approximately 30% lower than the prices stipulated in the frame agreements signed until now by CFR Călători.
Although it is mandatory to intensify the rolling stock renewal and modernisation policy, as a priority measures which derives from the Priority Measure Plan for European Integration, the funds allocated to that end have dropped over the years.
The limited state budget, the economic crisis, the constant need for cost-efficient measures have determined Romanian companies to seek, together with CFR Călători, innovative solutions to surpass this deadlock. One of the companies that have come up with a solution is REVA Simeria.
To date, the only solutions that appeared on the market involved new passenger coaches, imported second-hand coaches, coaches modernised by Romanian suppliers. These solutions only solved part of the problem or they were simply temporary solutions.
Therefore, there is a fourth option, which approaches integrally, through redesign, refurbishment and modernisation, all the subsystems of a passenger coach, thus improving its performances due to a final configuration that ensures high-performance at costs no higher than the ones of modernised or second-hand coaches.
Why is this proposal interesting?
Aside from the modernisation solutions found until now, REVA Simeria has taken into consideration the redesign and implementation of innovative technical solutions for improving the performances of the rolling stock, bogies and automated braking system, which significantly contribute to traffic safety improvement.
The product is given a chance to enter a new life cycle, as an integrally modernised product. This challenge also raises the following question: is this proposal an alternative solution at this time, a cost-cutting solution which can help provide a modern rolling stock fleet? Is this solution worth being considered?
In the context of the current economic crisis, seeing as we hear more and more about CFR’s lack of funds, we believe that the ratio between the cost/seat per type of coach and revenues/seat per type of coach is very important. Considering the components of the cost/seat ratio, more precisely the acquisition, maintenance and exploitation throughout a cycle of repairs, the integrally redesigned, refurbished and modernised coaches represent a low-cost alternative.
The interregional salon coach, with high-performances from the point of view of speed and comfort, with a reinforced body case and with various interior design options.
This type of salon passenger coach, first and second class, is compartmented and equipped with facilities for disabled people, special spaces for large luggage, skis and bicycles.
The refurbished regional or metropolitan salon coach. In this case, the braking mechanism is unified and is combined with the features of the interregional salon coach.
Innovations brought by REVA:
Life cycle increased by 18 years, through the technical solution of redesign and refurbishment; hence, the resistance structure of the passenger coach is improved, by testing and reinforcing the body case, and the coach enters a new life cycle; the body case is redesigned and reinforced through computerized techniques (finite element analysis, FEMAP or NASTRAN programmes); then, the body case is subjected to all types of static and dynamic tests, in accordance with the current regulations
Extension of warrantee to 3 years, depending on the type of coach, and 10 years for the body case, as well as their improvement
Due to the modern solutions – simple and reliable concepts – the maintenance and exploitation costs are significantly reduced (approx. 50% lower); the maintenance works take place at CFR Călători revision units, with the existing equipment
The unification of the technical solutions applied in case of both types of coaches – for instance: the unified central braking system, which facilitates operation and reduces the exploitation costs
Unified technical modernisation solutions; the maintenance and repair works take place at revision units in Romania, with the existing equipment. The redesign of the bogies and braking system, as well as the modernisation process, are based on the latest technical solutions (2009 - 2010), but they are applied based on a technique already known in Romania. Hence, the maintenance personnel is not required to undergo a specialized training programme (the technique operating in Romania has the same features in terms of traffic safety)
Increase of operational speed to 160 km/h; this is, in fact, the real target identified in the General Transport Master Plan
Reduced cost difference for various options, due to the modularity feature of the passenger coach
The new design has the following features:
• modularity
• versatility – easy accommodation for various options – by combining, at CFR Călători’s request, the various types of bogies, braking systems, maximum speed, constructive body case or interior design; - various options for the interior design – the passenger coach can be type salon, first class, second class, compartmented, with facilities for disabled people, special spaces for big luggage, skis and bicycles;
• easy maintenance
• high level of safety and comfort
• increased transport capacity
• easy evacuation / enhanced access capacity
• interoperability
• reduced stationing
The minimum technical standard level matches the current technical level on the market, without there being need for further upgrade or medium-term improvement – as it was the case with several types of passenger coaches from the national rolling stock fleet. Based on the solutions developed by REVA, together with leading partners from the Romanian industry, the new coaches have the following features:
- air conditioning system
- command and diagnosis panel for the large equipment and the braking system
- visual and audio passenger information system
- electrical access doors and interlocking
- eco toilets
- video surveillance
- wireless internet
- GPS system
The “turnkey contract” solution provided by REVA Simeria is a medium and long-term complete, fully-operational, real, applicable solution, which combines the cost-cutting aspects with those related to technology, quality, comfort and speed. The redesign and refurbishment solution is net superior to the modernisation option.
Therefore, the solution developed by REVA brings cost-efficiency: both for the acquisition component, as well as for the operational repair, maintenance and exploitation costs, throughout the product’s life cycle.
REVA Simeria plans to present the new solutions, as well as the new passenger coaches to the Romanian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and CFR Călători in April 2010.
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