Railway goods carriages pass the Bắc Giang northern province. — VNA/VNS Photo Danh Lam

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Transport (MoT) is collecting opinions on a draft decree on the expiry date of railway locomotives and carriages, in which it is proposed to use out-of-date railway vehicles until the end of 2030.

Decree No 65, issued in 2018, stated that locomotives and passenger wagons be used for at most 40 years, and freight wagons be used for a maximum of 45 years. The schedule started in 2020.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, railway transport activities were delayed and the Việt Nam Railway (VNR)’s work faced many delays and obstacles.

To remove difficulties for the company, the Government last year issued Decree No 01 to extend the expiry date of railway vehicles from December 31, 2020, to the end of this year.

On the other hand, the VNR’s report showed that the railway sector currently has about 140 locomotives that have been used for more than 40 years but still work well.

For example, there are 31 American D9E locomotives built in 1963; 16 Belgian D18E locomotives built in 1983; and 30 Chinese D10H locomotives made in 1978, 1979, 1983 and 1984.

Regarding wagons, the VNR has more than 1,400 freight ones and 168 passenger ones that have been used for more than 40 years and about 590 freight ones and 100 passenger ones have been used for 30-40 years.

If implementing regulations, the VNR believes that by December 31, 2025, the railway sector will have to stop using about 114 locomotives, 1,472 freight carriages and 168 passenger carriages.

The MoT directed the Việt Nam Railways Authority and concerned agencies to compile a draft decree amending and supplementing Decree 65 issued in 2018 and Decree No 01 issued in 2022.

The draft decree will extend the use period of railway vehicles to 2027 or 2030 to take advantage of out-of-date railway vehicles but still ensure quality and safety. — VNS

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