CRI听力:China-made Train to Serve Olympic Games in Brazil

Currently 64 trains made by China's CNR are operating in Rio de Janeiro, transporting some 680 thousand people per day.

Last year, the Chinese EMU trains were proved reliable after safely transporting 11 million people during the 32-day Brazil World Cup.

EMU trains or electric multiple units are a new type of intercity high-speed train.

Zhao Yao is the project manager in charge of CNR's EMU export contracts to Brazil.

She recalled that the first step was very difficult, and that requirements in the first contract almost drove her team members crazy.

"At first we were unsure, because we had never produced trains like that before. The weight of a typical train made for the domestic market is only 120 tons. But the Brazilian contract requires a train weighing 363 tons. It also requires air-conditioning units with large capacity due to high temperatures in the South America. "

Starting from the end of 2009, Zhao Yao and her team spent more than one year producing a subway train that meets all of the requirements of the Brazilian side.
The train is equipped with China's first single air-conditioning unit that has a refrigerating capacity of 50 kilowatts, which allows the train to operate in temperatures as high as 56 degrees Celsius.

Zhao Yao said their effort proved to be worthwhile.

"We invested a lot in the first contract. And then the second one became much easier. As for the third contract adding 10 more trains, they abandoned international bid procedure and directly placed an order to us. "

So far, China's CNR has signed export contracts with Brazil to produce 34 subway trains as well as 100 EMU trains for its capital city.

The total number of trains will account for over 80 percent of the overall rail transit capacity in Rio.

Pedro Augustro is in charge of subway line four in the city, which links the Olympic village to the Copacabana game center.

Pedro said he is satisfied with the performance of the Chinese trains.

"We are satisfied with the cooperation with China. These are excellent trains. They have enhanced the transportation capacity in Rio. We are very satisfied with them in terms of either economy or comfort. "