The first train for the Shenzhen Metro system arrived in Shenzhen City Monday.

The train, with six carriages, can accommodate more than 2,900 passengers at a maximum speed of 80 km/h.

According to an agreement signed in 2001 by Shenzhen Metro and a joint venture between Canada-based Bombardier Transportation and China's Changchun Car Company for the supply of 114 metro cars (19 six-car trains), the first train was manufactured in Hennigsdorf, Germany.

The high capacity train is based on the latest modular technology to respond to local content requirements. It incorporates advanced Bombardier Transportation designs, such as the modular aluminum car body, state-of-the-art propulsion and high performance bogeys.

The agreement also said the remaining 18 trains would be built in Changchun, Jilin Province in northeast China, with the last train to be delivered by December 2005.

The order is valued at US$131 million.

Bombardier Transportation has two rolling stock joint ventures in Changchun and Qingdao in Shandong Province.

Bombardier Transportation has already delivered trains to Shanghai Line 1 and 2, Guangzhou Line 1 and the Hong Kong Airport Express Line.

Bombardier Transportation is a global leader in rail equipment, manufacturing and service industry. Its products include passenger rail cars and complete rail transportation systems. It also manufactures locomotives, freight cars, propulsion and controls and provides signal systems and equipment.

The 21.8-km Phase I of the Shenzhen Metro runs between Shenzhen Railway Station and Window of the World.

(Shenzhen Daily April 27, 2004)