Gamuda Berhad, through its joint venture with Taiwanese partners MiTAC Information Technology Corp and Dong Pi, has entered into a framework agreement with Spanish rolling stock manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) for the procurement of up to 23 wireless trams for Taiwan’s New Taipei City. The contract, if fully exercised, could reach a total value of €200 million (approximately RM998 million).
The state-of-the-art Urbos trams, which will operate entirely catenary-free, are slated for deployment on New Taipei’s Xidong and Keelung lines. These modern vehicles are among a rare class of trams globally capable of operating without traditional overhead power lines, relying instead on fast-charging capacitors that recharge at each stop. This innovation eliminates visual clutter from overhead wiring and enhances the aesthetic integration of urban transit systems.
This marks Taiwan’s second catenary-free tram deployment, following the introduction of a similar system in Kaohsiung in 2015, also supplied by CAF. While other cities have explored wire-free tram operations—such as embedding power supplies underground or using slower-charging battery systems—the Urbos solution offers a more advanced, rapid-recharge alternative.
In a statement published on CAF’s website, the company confirmed the inclusion of spare parts, depot equipment and a driver training simulator as part of the Xidong line project. Operated by New Taipei’s Rapid Transit Systems Department, the Xidong line will span 5.6 kilometres from Xizhi to Donghu via an elevated track. Main works are scheduled for completion by 2032.
Gamuda leads the project delivery team with a 75% stake in the joint venture. In October 2024, the consortium was awarded a RM4.3 billion design-and-build contract for the Xidong line. The scope includes the construction of six stations and a dedicated tram depot.
CAF noted that the partnership with Gamuda demonstrates both firms’ capability to deliver highly demanding transport infrastructure, underpinned by a robust track record and technical proficiency. “This award highlights the technological and industrial capabilities of CAF and the Malaysian construction group, reinforcing the trust placed in them by the Taiwanese authorities,” the company said.
With a population nearing four million, New Taipei City is Taiwan’s largest municipality. The investment in wireless tram technology is part of a broader strategy to expand sustainable, rail-based public transport across the region. Each Urbos tram will accommodate up to 615 passengers and will feature barrier-free access for universal inclusivity.
Elsewhere, Gamuda has reported strong progress on its Australian rail infrastructure projects. Two tunnel boring machines involved in the Sydney Metro West development have successfully reached the Clyde Metro junction caverns. With this milestone, tunnelling progress for the 24km twin rail tunnels has surpassed 80% as of the first quarter of 2025.
-The Star
