A line of trolleybuses acquired by the municipality of Rosario from Russia in 2017
stopped working due to the extreme heat
that has been recorded in recent weeks.
A defect in the
battery system
, which allows it to function in sections where it is not connected to the electrical power line, forced them to be removed from the route they provided.
In recent weeks, among other problems, and in order not to have to stop the car,
the drivers had to turn off the air conditioning
.
"As a consequence of the high temperatures registered in the city in recent days, which generate overheating of the batteries that allow the autonomous operation of the trolleybuses, temporarily and until the heat subsides,
the provision of the Q line will be replaced
for two other services with a similar route”, announced the municipality.
The situation presents a
major difficulty
: Trolza, the Russian firm that manufactured the cars, went bankrupt in 2020, so
maintenance service
and spare parts for repair cannot be performed for a long time.
The Russian trolleybuses that had to go out of circulation due to problems with their batteries.
Photo Juan Jose Garcia
It is estimated that more than one hundred thousand dollars
per car should be invested in new batteries alone
.
Each unit cost $350,000.
The batteries allowed the Q line to move like a traditional urban transport group in sections where there is no catenary.
By connecting to the system with power,
it recharged the batteries
.
From Siberia to Rosario
At the time, after evaluating Argentine factories, one from Brazil and the Russian one, one of the largest suppliers of trolleybuses in the world, the municipality of Rosario
opened a tender
in which Trolza's proposal was imposed.
As part of the purchase, the firm was asked to add
a cooling system for the batteries
to the cars , which is not used in Russia because the weather conditions of that country do not require it.
That forecast, however, did not allow the damage to be avoided.
“These are cars that
were not tested in Rosario
before putting them to work here.
Obviously they are made to work in other temperatures and not in those we have in Rosario”, stated Rogelio Biazzi, president of the Rosario Mobility Entity.
The Russians had to add a cooling system for the batteries because of the temperature difference.
Photo Juan Jose Garcia
The former Secretary of Transportation of Rosario, Mónica Alvarado, had assured after the acquisition of the Russian fleet that it was "a
clear commitment to more sustainable mobility
for the city."
The Q line linked the macrocentro and the southeast of the city.
His route covered a total, between round trips, of 25.6 kilometers.
A section of this route
does not have power lines
, so the autonomy provided by the batteries is necessary.
Given the damage, and to meet the demand of users, a reinforcement was arranged with two other lines that perform a similar service.
As the Russian cars work without problems while they remain connected to the electrical service, for the moment they have joined the fleet of the
K trolleybus line
, which covers a route in the city that is completely connected to the catenaries.
The problems with the Russian company arose
from the beginning
.
As it had failed to comply with the promised times for the delivery of the cars, it was agreed that, in addition to the 12 that the municipality acquired, another two would be sent as compensation, although
they never arrived
.
The first units were to arrive in February 2017, but they were finally presented in April of that year.
Through the agreement with Trolza
an investment of 4.2 million dollars
was made .
Rosary beads. Correspondent
ACE
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