TM Cash Crunch Imperiling Subway Repairs, Operations

Over a third of wagons in Tehran’s subway system needs to be overhauled, otherwise their technical faults might disrupt operations sooner or later, an official with Tehran Municipality said.
According to Manaf Hashemi, TM’s deputy for transportation, around 400 out of 1,500 operating subway wagons should be repaired as soon as possible, ISNA reported.
He stressed that the repairs require sufficient funds, parts, a large team of technicians and a wagon body production unit.
“Tehran Metro spans across 250 kilometers around the metropolis which, according to project estimations, should have been expanded to 500 kilometers,” Hashemi said.
“The subway network does not have enough wagons for offering decent services. As Tehran Municipality is facing a cash crunch, there is a lack of funds for repairs and expansion projects.”
To curb pressure on the subway network, the official said, “Efforts are being made to streamline Tehran Metro by overhauling the dilapidated wagons using the limited resources available. However, this is more of a sedative for the ailing network. We need workable solutions.”