Buenos Aires replaces oldest subway carriages

Buenos Aires metro

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The Buenos Aires Underground (Sbase) closes down Line A for a two month period in order to replace the city's oldest subway carriages. 

The metro line due to close has been active since 1913 and runs from the Plaza de Mayo to the Carabobo Station. This is the first time the original carriages are being replaced, making these over a 100 years old and therefore no longer up to the standard of quality required by Sbase. 

Given their historic element, there are plans to restore at least 15 of these carriages and to put them in active use above-ground to circulate through various historic neighbourhoods in the city. 

According to the president of Sbase Juan Pablo Piccardo, the carriages will be replaced with 45 new China-made units, purchased in 2012 for $100 million. Another 25 coaches previously used for Line B will be added as well. 

The 150,000 passengers that use Line A daily are not being provided with an alternative travel plan. According to the calculations of Sbase, it is thought that half the passengers will switch to lines B and E, whilst the rest will resort to above-ground means of transport.