Cuba to modernize railway network

Cuba to modernize railway network
Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:28:11

Cuban rails await Iranian and Chinese railroad cars
Cuba plans to modernize its rundown railway system by investing 500
million dollars in Chinese locomotives and Iranian rolling stock.

Transport Minister Jorge Luis Sierra said Cuba will buy 100 locomotives
from China, and 550 freight cars and 200 passenger coaches from Iran, a
Cuban newspaper reported which was carried by Reuters.

"We are determined to change the image of delays and inefficiency that
the railway system has in our country," said the minister.

He added that the new rolling stock would arrive in 2009 and 2010.

Improving public transport is one of the top items on the agenda for
acting President Raul Castro, who took over the running of the Cuban
government from Cuban leader Fidel Castro 18 months ago.

Cuba has spent more than $1 billion over the last three years to
overhaul its transport system. Hundreds of imported Chinese buses have
improved services between Cuban cities.

MJ/PA

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=41087&sectionid=3510213