National operator EFE has awarded CRRC Sifang a contract to supply six four-car electro-diesel multiple-units for use from mid-2023 on the partially electrified Santiago – Chillán line.

The US$70m contract finalised in December includes maintenance. It has been awarded as part of a US$115m programme of investment in modernisation of the 398 km route, which includes station enmhancements and work to increase capacity.

It is the second rolling stock tender which CRRC Sifang has won in Chile, follwing a US$77m contract awarded in 2018 which covers the supply of 13 trainsets to EFE; in 2019 a further two trainsets were added to take the order to a total of 12 three-car electric multiple-units and three two-car diesel multiple-units.

The EMUs are intended for use by EFE subsidiary Fesu on Biotrén and Corto Laja passenger services, and the DMUs on the Victoria – Temuco line.

The three DMUs and the first three EMUs were dispatched from the port of Dagang in Qingdao during December, and are expected to enter service this year.