San Diego Trolley equipment finds new life in Argentina

[peppertree]

Metropolitan Transit System is donating up to 39 second-generation light rail vehicles to Mendoza, Argentina, as it makes way for a new order of trolleys.

The Siemens SD100 vehicles, which began entering service in 1995, will become part of the Metrotranvía Mendoza light rail fleet.

“As MTS modernizes its Trolley fleet, we are very glad to see our older models continue to be put to use, serving the people of Mendoza to carry residents to work, school and other activities, just like they’ve been doing in San Diego for almost 30 years,” MTS CEO Sharon Cooney said in a press release.

It is the second time MTS has sent older equipment to Mendoza; 24 first-generation light rail vehicles were sold to the Argentine city in 2012.

At: https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/san-diego-trolley-equipment-finds-new-life-in-argentina/

A former San Diego Trolley in operation in Mendoza, Argentina. San Diego’s MTS has donated 39 second-generation light rail vehicles to the Argentine city.

[EarnestPutz]

1. This is nice to see, recycling (good) of public transportation (also good). The city bus system....

.....here in Spokane often sends retired city buses to Mexico. If the model of bus is no longer in service here, they fill the bus up with spare parts too. But here's an interesting factoid. The Shaker Rapid transit system outside of Cleveland, years ago sold a bunch of older train cars to Toronto. Toronto used them until they were replaced as obsolete. But then Shaker got these 1930 design, "PCC" cars back and used them again.

[peppertree]

2. Absolutely.

Mendoza, as it happens, bought its first set of trolleys from San Diego as well.

But that was in 2012, when Argentina was still somewhat prosperous.

Well, after a vulture fund scam lawsuit and a debt crisis brought on by Trump's pal Macri, the country can barely afford big-ticket imports anymore.

Which makes San Diego's generosity all that much more meaningful and commendable.

Some good karma there.

[enid602]

3. Argentina

The vulture (or Buitre) lenders were Americans. Argentina’s debts are in the 10’s of billion; ours are in the 10’s of trillions. Because of the Ukraine war, global agriculture prices will skyrocket. Argentina should be doing just fine. Maybe they’ll send us some old cars from the Subterráneo. God help us with our debts. And with Trump’s tax legislation which largely defunded our Treasiry, we’re fucked.

[peppertree]

4. Like all things Argentine (so it seems), it's complicated

True, they did earn a $15 billion trade surplus last year - but most of that had to be set aside to pay for the public foreign debt (which doubled in just 3 years under Macri).

This year, fortunately, might be somewhat better on the current account front - for the reasons you mentioned.

Biden, moreover, recently approved the re-finance of that massive, $45 billion bailout loan Trump forced the IMF to fork over to Macri in hopes of salvaging his re-election chances.

Biden was both gracious and pragmatic to approve this re-finance (wouldn't have gone through w/o his ok), as it prevented what would have a messy default for both the IMF and Argentina.

Indeed, Argentine right-wingers were busy flying back and forth to Washington trying sabotaging the deal (!). "The worse, the better," as Macri was said to have mused at the time (he was among those who lobbied against it - in hopes of triggering a crisis).

It's no secret that GOP poop-throwers are in frequent contact with Argentina's right-wingers. And as all of us on DU know, having followed GOP antics for so long, childish malice like this was the inevitable result.

Thanks for reading and replying, Enid. Have a great weekend!