The tram units rented out to Sydney, Australia, in July 2013 for a period of two years have arrived back in Vélez-Málaga after just seventeen months.
After the closure of the ill-advised Vélez-Málaga, the units were rented out for €200,000 per year as a means of offsetting some of the losses incurred with the system. However, the first of the two units has already arrived back in the town and is being reassembled so it can be moved to the depot.
According to the Mayor, Francisco Delgado Bonilla, the vehicle has arrived back in perfect condition, although it will be thoroughly tested in the next few days.
The Mayor is reported as saying that he has secured the early return of the vehicles as a sign of the willingness of the Council to see the tram system running again, although he added that the Junta de Andalucia would have to fund 75% of the operating deficit, something it has thus far shown no inclination to do.
The Mayor is also considering selling the existing large units, which are heavy on energy consumption, and replacing them with shorter, more technologically advanced units.
The tram system, covering a 4.7 kilometre stretch between Véle4z-Málaga and Torre del Mar, has already cost over €40 million. The tram system is still awaiting an assessment by the Court of Auditors due to the fact that, from a viability perspective, its implementation was a ‘mistake’.