Siemens eco-friendly trains for Austria
Posted: 20 April 2010 | | No comments yet
Siemens has reached an agreement with Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) on the supply of up to 200 regional passenger trains over the next five years.
Siemens has reached an agreement with Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) on the supply of up to 200 regional passenger trains over the next five years. During that period, ÖBB will be able to call for delivery of Desiro ML type multiple-units that are specially equipped to meet the needs of the operator.
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The relevant master agreement includes the option that assigns responsibility for the maintenance of the ordered trains to Siemens. If all the services in the agreement are ordered, they will amount to a total order volume of approximately €1 billion. These electric multiple units are expected to be built in the Siemens plants in Vienna, Austria or in Krefeld, Germany. This agreement can also be extended by ÖBB even beyond 2015.
“We are pleased to have come out on top in one of Europe’s largest invitations to tender for electric multiple-units for regional rail service. It shows how successful our new designs are on the market and underscores our innovative strength,” said Hans-Jörg Grundmann, CEO of Siemens Mobility Division.
The Desiro trains for ÖBB are designed for a top speed of 160km/h and are to be used in cross-border regional rail service between Germany and Austria. Recently, the National Railway of Belgium (SNCB/NMBS) ordered more than 300 of this type of train from Siemens.
Based on a self-contained train design ensuring reliability and flexibility, Desiro ML multiple units can be adapted individually and easily to changing passenger numbers. An enhanced propulsion system, which has once again cut power consumption compared to previous models, makes these trains especially eco-friendly. The train design also specifies the use of environmentally compatible materials, such as for the paintwork and interior furnishings.
ÖBB has decided in favour of a basic Desiro ML vehicle, which consists of a three-car standard unit and has 217 seats satisfying 2nd Class comfort requirements. Its interior design integrates a high number of predefined furnishing variations and is therefore capable of meeting the most diverse requirements for commuter and regional rail service.
Werner Kovarik, Director of the Management Board of ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG: “As the result of our objective contract award procedure, Siemens has been named as the best bidder with its Desiro ML. This train sets itself apart on the strength of its excellent price-performance ratio and its ability to fully satisfy the requirements of our bid to operate in the Werdenfels rail system in Germany. Our customers can look forward to the Desiro ML train more than fulfilling all of their expectations in terms of comfort and speed.”