Contracts and deals in the passenger rolling stock markets.
Argentina — CRRC is to supply 43 DMUs for commuter services in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. Argentina’s state operator SOFSE signed the $324 mln contract following a tender in which a consortium of CRRC and investment firm CRIIC was the sole bidder. The order comprises 36 three-car DMUs for 1,676 mm gauge and seven six-car DMUs for 1,000 mm gauge, with delivery required within 18 months. The Chinese manufacturer had already won a tender for 50 DMUs in 2023, but that contract was cancelled. During the 2010s CRRC supplied the Argentine capital with 27 three-car DMUs and 107 EMUs in formations of six to nine cars.
Portugal — National operator CP has launched a tender for up to 20 high-speed trains for the future Porto – Lisbon high-speed line. The government-approved base order covers 12 trains worth €584 mln, including depot equipment and two years of maintenance. Bidders must demonstrate experience operating high-speed rolling stock in Europe, with preference given to an articulated formation running on two-axle intermediate bogies. Each train must reach at least 300 km/h and seat no fewer than 500 passengers. Operation is planned on 1,668 mm gauge, but the design must allow for conversion to 1,435 mm. The first train is due for delivery in 2031.
Vande Metro suburban EMU. Source: Moneycontrol
India — ICF is to build 51 three-car trains for the future Bengaluru suburban railway. K-RIDE, the joint venture between the Ministry of Railways and the state of Karnataka that is building the system, placed the order directly for INR 15 bln ($160 mln), with deliveries due to begin in three years. The procurement had previously been planned on credit under a public-private partnership; Spain’s CAF and India’s BEML and BHEL took part in the request for qualifications, but the companies declined to invest in the project without state guarantees. It is worth noting that ICF, which sits within national operator Indian Railways, builds the intercity Vande Bharat high-speed EMUs and their suburban Vande Metro variant.
Czechia — Leo Express has been unable to find a supplier of battery-electric trains. The private Czech operator planned to acquire up to 41 trains (11 firm and 30 as an option) for CZK 8 bln (€330 mln) to serve regional routes in the country, but the tender drew no bids and lapsed. It is worth noting that local manufacturer Škoda Group builds battery-electric trains (the 15Ev3) with characteristics suited to the tender conditions.
Render of the Stadler FLIRT EMU for Montenegro. Source: Stadler
Montenegro — Stadler is to supply FLIRT EMUs to the country for the first time. The Swiss manufacturer signed the €30 mln contract for three four-car trainsets with national operator ŽPCG. The procurement is financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The rolling stock is to be delivered within three years, with production planned at the works in Siedlce, Poland. ŽPCG’s fleet currently consists of six ER31 EMUs built by RVR in the 1980s, together with three low-floor CAF Civity trainsets built in 2013.
