Thursday, February 14, 2019

Basque operator EUSKOTREN, a synonym of technological innovation

Basque Rail Operator EUSKOTREN will be replicating the Vitoria Tram in its new driving simulators developed alongside LANDER.

Practically 20 years into the 21st century, talk of companies that use simulation for their training activities is increasingly common, occasionally shedding the marked novelty value it had until not so long ago.

Some things, however, just cannot be ignored ... How has an operator, which is definitely on the small side with some 400 train and tram drivers, been able to lead the technology drive down through the years?

EUSKOTREN now operates 4 training centres in the 3 Basque provinces, which boast a total of 9 simulators adapted to Bilbao's suburban train and tram routes. It is also a pioneer in the use of new training rools for drivers, such as gamification.

This is definitely not the result of momentary trends or mere whimsy. Euskotren's focus on technology for training is possibly because the essence of innovation has been at the forefront of its corporate culture since day one. Euskotren is a reflection of a solid railway culture in the Basque Country which, with a population of some 2 million, employs 7,200 people in state-of-the-art companies in the sector, now accounting for 40% of the state's rail industry, with an annual total of 1,700 million euros in exports.

Incorporated in 1928 to manage metric-gauge rail services, it has become one of the leading territorial players in the sector, now operating different means of passenger and goods transport beyond the scope of traditional railway systems.

Operation of road transport routes goes back to the 80s, when the company was set up. Subsequently, Euskotren Tranvía commenced operations in the city of Bilbao in 2002, although actual consolidation came about in 2007. A year later, on a cold rainy day, 23 December 2008, Vitoria's first tram left the Ibaiondo depot to provide a service for the city, which now carries more than 8 million people a year in a location which won the “European Green Capital” award in 2012, and still continues with its worldwide “Smart City” pioneer strategy.

Today EUSKOTREN continues to work closely alongside Basque companies such as CAF or LANDER to ensure that together they can create trains with the latest technology, or simulators with the best possible training services to guarantee a service that is increasingly more efficient, safe and comfortable for the Basque people.