A dozen new Elron trains are standing at Tapa station. These trains should have been in service long ago, but they are not being used.
Trains are needed, but many are under repair. There are about 3000 seats in diesel trains, but 375 of them are being repaired.
The new trains were ordered to start operating in December 2024. But they cannot be used because the Tartu railway renovation is not ready.
Repair works are delayed because there is only one track between Tartu and Tapa. The railway cannot simply be shut down.
Initially, it was thought that the new trains would start running in July. Now this is being postponed again. Problems have arisen with the new traffic control system.
The renovation is expected to be completed by December. But obtaining permits takes time. Therefore, trains will only start running to Tartu next year.
Elron ordered the trains at the last moment. Purchasing trains is a lengthy process. Currently, 82 million euros have been paid for the trains. 60 million are still unpaid.