Recent deals and tenders in the passenger rolling stock market.
Switzerland — Siemens Mobility is to supply up to 200 Desiro DoSto double-deck EMUs. The contract with national operator SBB carries a firm order for 116 six-car trainsets, worth CHF 2 bln (almost €2.2 bln) including maintenance. Delivery is due by the end of 2031. Signing came six months after the tender outcome was announced, having been held up by a high-profile legal challenge from Swiss rival Stadler since withdrawn.
Egypt — National operator ENR has ordered 500 passenger coaches from local manufacturer NERIC. The deal is reported to be worth $700 mln. NERIC was set up with state backing to build up rolling stock capacity in the Port Said industrial zone, and typically works alongside an international partner on production. It had previously signed a cooperation agreement with Spain’s Talgo covering a similar volume of coaches. ENR and NERIC have also signed a separate agreement to set up a company to run the rolling stock repair works at Kom Abu Radi.
Visualisation of the Stadler hybrid train for Irish Rail and Northern Ireland Railways. Source: Stadler
Ireland, UK — Irish Rail and Northern Ireland Railways have signed a contract with Stadler for eight hybrid trains. The Swiss manufacturer was named preferred bidder in the joint Irish–Northern Irish tender last September, with Spain’s CAF later mounting an unsuccessful court challenge. The trains use partially distributed traction—a power car at one end paired with several powered bogies under the passenger vehicles—and will be able to run on two diesel engines, the overhead lines or batteries.
Poland — Stadler has handed the first nine FLIRT EMUs to Polish operator Koleje Mazowieckie. The trains are due to enter passenger service shortly on Warsaw’s suburban network. Of the 75 units ordered, 53 five-car trainsets are scheduled for delivery by year-end. The contract is valued at €750 mln, with the purchase funded under Poland’s national programme and from EU funds.
FLIRT trains from Stadler for Koleje Mazowieckie. Source: Stadler
Belarus — The tender for 30 EMUs for Belarusian Railway has been declared unsuccessful. The sole bidder, TMH plant in Demikhovo, came in at RUB 33.7 bln ($462 mln) including 20% VAT, or 35% above the starting price of RUB 24.9 bln (about 342 mln). No announcement of a re-tender has followed.
