Recent deals and tenders in the passenger rolling stock market.
Italy — Trenitalia to purchase 74 high-speed trains from Hitachi Rail. The Italian operator is acquiring Frecciarossa 1000 EMUs as part of an investment programme costing around €2 bln. The 202 m-long, eight-car sets are designed for 457 passengers and regular operation at up to 360 km/h, with a capability of up to 400 km/h. Equipped for operation in several European countries, the trains will be produced by Hitachi Rail at its factories in Pistoia and Naples. The rolling stock is intended for both Italy’s domestic mainlines and international routes.
Visualisation of the hybrid train for RegioJet. Source: Škoda Group
Czech Republic — RegioJet to procure up to 200 trains if successful in transport tenders. The private Czech operator has announced one of the largest tenders on the national market. It is a framework procurement of up to 200 EMUs of various types, with a total value of CZK 36.6 bln (around €1.5 bln), including a 15-year service contract. Contracts will be activated only if RegioJet wins regional tenders for transport services. The firm part provides for the supply of 160 trains: up to 150 BEMUs of series 121-150 for regional routes in most Czech regions, up to 10 hybrid BEDMUs, up to 180 trains for the Liberec Region, as well as up to 30 EMUs of series 121-150 and up to 10 EMU 230 trains.
Kazakhstan — Kazakhstan Temir Zholy expects to receive 191 passenger coaches this year. This was announced by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Zhanibek Taizhanov. The national operator is acquiring passenger coaches of various models from Stadler, produced at a localised facility in Astana, under a contract for 557 units by 2030. Coaches are also being procured from Kazakh manufacturer RWS Wagon (formerly ZIKSTO, part of Railways Systems KZ).
Stadler passenger coach undergoing production at the Astana manufacturing facility. Source: Stadler Rail
Hungary — MAV may procure 82 EMUs and 88 coaches. The Hungarian government has confirmed plans to expand the national operator’s fleet by 50,000 passenger seats using EU funding. This equates to procuring up to 82 EMUs for suburban and regional lines, plus 88 coaches. However, one key project has already encountered issues: MAV’s tender for 54 EMUs for the Budapest HEV suburban network ended without manufacturer bids. Meanwhile, negotiations are underway for up to 70 EMUs to replace locomotive-hauled intercity trains with China’s CRRC.
Passenger coach from FPS for PKP Intercity. Source: Raport Kolejowy
Poland — FPS delays production of 300 coaches for PKP Intercity by one year. The Polish manufacturer has postponed delivery of 300 passenger coaches for the national operator. The first units, due in 2026 under the contract, are now expected no earlier than 2027. In September, FPS’s new couchette coach model was criticised for its interior design; FPS stated it would be revised.
555 Class trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro by Stadler. Source: Tyne and Wear Metro
UK — Stadler completes delivery of 46 555 Class trains. They were procured by the Nexus operator for the Tyne and Wear Metro network under a contract worth over €820 mln, including 35-year maintenance and depot construction. The five-car 555 Class BEMUs can accommodate 600 passengers, including 116 seats, and reach a top speed of 80 km/h. Earlier, the entry into regular service of the first trains was delayed by 1.5 years due to technical and certification issues.
