Recent deals and tenders in the passenger rolling stock markets.
Saudi Arabia — Eight global players are bidding for high-speed train supply contracts: Alstom, CAF, CRRC, Hitachi Rail, Hyundai Rotem, Siemens Mobility, Stadler, and Talgo. A shortlist has been published by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. The line, with a top speed of 250 km/h, will link King Khalid International Airport, central Riyadh, and the future Qiddiya City under a public-private partnership model. Saudi Arabia has previously ordered high-speed and faster trains from CAF, Talgo, and Stadler.
Germany — Deutsche Bahn (DB), in partnership with Siemens Mobility, will lease 25 high-speed ICE 3neo trains. The national operator has signed a €1 bln framework agreement with a consortium of three German firms: BayernLB bank, leasing company DAL, and Siemens Financial Services. This allows DB to enter individual 10-year leases per trainset. Overall, DB has ordered 90 ICE 3neo (Siemens Velaro MS) units, with deliveries planned through to 2030.
Render of battery-electric train by Skoda Group for ZSSK. Source: Škoda Group
Slovakia — Škoda Group will export battery-electric multiple units for the first time. Following a tender, national operator ZSSK has awarded a contract to a consortium of the Czech manufacturer and local ZOS Trnava for 36 two-car sets. The framework deal is worth €332 mln, with a firm order for 16 units due next year. Some trains will be assembled at the Trnava plant. Specs will match the 15Ev3 model for the domestic market.
Russia — Moscow authorities have announced the procurement of 15 electric multiple units for the Central Transport Hub. According to the city government press service, deliveries will comprise five 11-car sets in 2026, three in 2027, two in 2028, three in 2029, and two in 2030. The Russian federal government has previously approved funding via an infrastructure loan.
Compartment coaches, model 61-4517, from Gomel Coach Works. Source: wikimapia
Russia — Grand Service Express (GSE) plans to acquire 60 to 80 passenger coaches annually, GSE CEO Alexander Ganov told RIA Novosti. Next year, the operator hopes to order T-gauge coaches from the TMH plant in Tver. Belarusian-built coaches are also under consideration. GSE has previously bought compartment coaches, model 61-4517, from Gomel Coach Works, assembled from kits of the TMH plant in Tver.
Germany — UK firm Rock Rail will purchase 35 Siemens Mobility Mireo electric multiple units for lease to DB Regio. The order includes 16 three-car and 19 four-car sets for the Magdeburg network. Rock Rail has previously financed DB Regio deals including 120 Mireo EMUs (61 battery hybrids), 19 Stadler FLIRT Akku, and 17 Alstom Coradia Max.
Regiolis (Coradia Polyvalent) in France. Source: Alstom
France — The Grand Est region has ordered 16 hybrid six-car Regiolis (Coradia Polyvalent) trains from CAF at a cost of €235 mln. The new fleet will replace 1980s–1990s push-pull RRR sets on the Saverne–Strasbourg–Sélestat line and bolster regional routes. Production is slated for 2028–2030 at CAF’s Reichshoffen plant in France. Alstom sold the site, including Coradia Polyvalent IP rights, to CAF in 2022.
Slovakia — ZSSK has ordered 20 sleeping cars from local firms. ZOS Vrutky secured a contract for 10 compartment sleeper coaches plus 10-year maintenance, worth €90.3 mln excluding VAT with options for 14 more. ZOS Trnava won a €18 mln deal excluding VAT to convert 10 seating coaches to sleepers, with options for 10 additional. Both contracts followed tenders where each firm was the sole bidder.
