GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn signed a €110m contract for Škoda Transportation to supply six double-deck push-pull trainsets on August 5.
The trainsets are to be used on regional services linking Nürnberg, Ingolstadt and München which DB Regio is to operate on behalf of the Land of Bayern for 12 years from December 2016. This includes operation at up to 190 km/h on the Nürnberg - Ingolstadt high speed line.
Each trainset will comprise five double-deck intermediate coaches and a double-deck driving car, with a Type 109E locomotive. The trainsets will have 705 seats in two classes, with power sockets, wi-fi and pressure-tight bodies for passenger comfort when passing trains running at up to 300 km/h on the high speed line.
The contract 'confirms that Škoda Transportation can be ranked among the biggest world producers of rolling stock', said Tomáš Krsek, Chairman of the Škoda Transportation board. 'The conclusion of this contract is proof of the high quality and competitive ability of our rolling stock. We will supply a modern train with top technical equipment to Germany. The reference from the giant Deutsche Bahn opens the door to the entire world.'
DB Chief Executive Rüdiger Grube said Škoda Transportation's entry to the German market would help to increase competition, and the supplier's long history in the rail sector meant DB was confident that it would fulfil expectations.
