NETHERLANDS: Infrastructure manager ProRail has selected Thales as preferred bidder for a contract to develop, install and maintain an ERTMS Central Safety System on the 7 000 track-km network.
The contract is potentially worth €420m over its maximum duration of 37 years. Siemens had also been shortlisted, but ProRail said Thales offered the best value for money when it announced the preferred bidder on March 10. Formal award of the contract is subject to a standstill period.
The scope includes radio block centres, interlockings, object controllers, LEUs and Eurobalises for the roll-out of ERTMS Level 2 Baseline 3 CSS.
Thales said a ‘significant’ part of the contract value would be dedicated to innovation, with the CSS required to support continuous improvements to meet changing requirements and take advantage of future developments.
‘We are very happy and proud to become ProRail’s long term trusted partner by supporting them in the execution of their clear vision to build an efficient and more sustainable railway network’, said Dr Yves Joannic, Managing Director of Thales Main Line Signalling. ‘All of that will be boosted by our advanced digital technology portfolio and highly experienced people.’
