Elron board member Märt Ehrenpreis said it was one of the year's most serious accidents. The involvement of a truck made the situation dangerous. The accident could have been worse.
The repair of the train will take at least a year. Elron does not have a replacement train. All trains are either in service or under maintenance. There are no reserves.
Elron has 20 diesel trains: 6 four-carriage, 8 three-carriage and 6 two-carriage. The absence of one train makes passenger service more challenging.
So far, Elron has changed schedules due to roadworks. Now, the absence of a train must also be considered. The introduction of new Škoda trains may help.
Replacing the train with a bus is the last resort. Buses are slower and narrower. Buses stop at all train stations, but the journey takes longer.
The damaged train cannot be replaced with new Škoda electric trains. These only run on electrified lines. The accident damaged a diesel train.
Electric trains currently run on Tallinn–Keila, Tallinn–Kloogaranna, Tallinn–Paldiski, Tallinn–Turba and Tallinn–Aegviidu lines. From January 5th, the plan is to increase the use of electric trains towards Tapa.
Estonia has received 14 new Škoda electric trains. When the railway is ready, they can start operating on the Tallinn–Tartu line. The accident also complicated the launch of the Tartu–Riga line.