Bombardier wins “Regio2N” tender from SNCF

Bombardier Transportation has won a tender for new regional double-deck trains organized by the French Railways (SNCF) on behalf of the French Regions. The framework contract includes the design and manufacturing of 860 double-deck electrical multiple units (EMU) for approximately 8 billion euros ($11 billion US), subject to exercising some technical options. With this framework contract, SNCF also signed a first firm order for 80 trains valued at approximately 800 million euros ($1.1 billion US), financed by the Regions.

SNCF "Régio2N" regional double-deck train

So far, six Regions have placed orders, which they will finance: Aquitaine, Bretagne, Centre, Nord-Pas de Calais, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur and Rhone-Alpes. First deliveries of this firm order are scheduled to take place in June 2013 and will continue until December 2015.

Bombardier developed a new double-deck train platform especially for this tender. It includes the following characteristics:

– a modular concept to meet the Regions’ various needs in terms of suburban, regional and intercity services;

– wide-body cars to offer unmatched capacity and a high level of comfort;

– an articulated architecture and wide connectors which create transparency throughout the length of the train and an increased sense of security.

This train features technical innovations in terms of reliability, availabililty, and sustainability, while generating economic benefits, like reduced maintenance costs and energy consumption.

The new regional double-deck train was created by Bombardier teams in Crespin, in Northern France. Bombardier will also design, build and test these vehicles at the site. As the largest industrial rail site in France and a partner of the Nord-Pas de Calais Rail Competitivity Cluster, the Crespin facility has a staff of 2,000, including 500 engineers and managers. It relies upon a wide network of local suppliers and sub-contractors. Several suppliers have decided to set up their operations next to Bombardier, in the Trans Avenir industrial park, reinforcing local employment opportunities and economy.

“We thank the Regions and SNCF for their trust in this large-scale project for which Bombardier Crespin teams have demonstrated their creativity and engineering excellence. These teams are now on the starting blocks to implement this important project,” said Jean Berge, president of Bombardier Transportation France. “The solution created by our engineers is a train which stands out by its width, capacity, comfort and polyvalence. It will become a reference product, and will support the regional rail transport development in our country.”