RUSSIA: Aeroexpress has selected Stadler Rail to supply double-deck electric multiple-units to increase passenger capacity on its Moscow airport shuttle services.
The €350m order announced on February 12 covers 16 four-car and eight six-car units based on Stadler's KISS family, with two options for a total of 60 cars formed as 13 units.
The EMUs are to be assembled at Stadler's new factory now under construction in Minsk, and enter service from 2015. This will enable a complete renewal of the operator's Moscow airport train fleet by the end of 2016.
The 160 km/h broad gauge EMUs will be taller and wider than Stadler's KISS units for standard gauge operators, and will be winterised for use in Russian conditions.
Aeroexpress carried 14·9 million passengers to Moscow's Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports last year, a 20·4% increase from 2011. The company now has 23·4% share of the airport passenger market.
'It is only possible to resolve the problem of freight capacity shortage connected with the constant growth of Aeroexpress trains' popularity and infrastructure-related limitations by implementing a non-standard increase in rolling stock spaciousness', said Aeroexpress CEO Alexey Krivoruchko. 'With the introduction of double-deck trains, Aeroexpress trains' carrying capacity will increase by 30%-40%'.
Alstom and Škoda were also shortlisted for the contact.
