Bombardier to provide 32 OMNEO double-deck trainsets for French intercity lines

Bombardier Transportation has received a repeat order for 32 OMNEO Premium double-deck trainsets from the French National Railway Company, SNCF Mobilités, on behalf of the Centre-Val de Loire Region. The order of 256 cars is the result of an agreement reached between the State and the Region to take over the management of three intercity lines: Trains d’Equibilibre du Territoire (TET).

The repeat order is part of the contract signed in 2010 with SNCF to provide up to 860 double-deck trains to French regions and is valued at approximately €375 million. The Centre-Val de Loire Region plans to implement these new spacious, highly comfortable trains on the very frequently used lines of Paris-Orléans-Tours, Paris-Bourges and Paris-Montargis-Nevers. The first trains will be delivered in 2020.

“This order from the Centre-Val de Loire Region confirms the demand for spacious, modern, comfortable trains for intercity journeys,” said Laurent Bouyer, President of Bombardier Transport France. “Regular passengers will discover a new style of rail travel as well as tourists from all over the world. Such a high-tech project highly contributes to the French Rail industry.”

The OMNEO platform, which includes the Regio 2N and the OMNEO Premium, is a family of extra-large double-deck trains which brings greater capacity, comfort and accessibility to urban, regional and intercity services.

Specially designed for long intercity journeys, the OMNEO Premium can travel at 200km/h and offers a high level of onboard comfort to meet the demands of long distance travellers. A new interior design has been developed, optimising available space featuring a newly advanced wide seat with integrated lighting, power plug and Wi-Fi. It offers improved access via large, platform-level doors, wide corridors and gangways for easy movement throughout the length of the train for all passengers.

The 110m long train for the Centre-Val de Loire Region will offer a seating capacity reaching 373 seats in first and second class cars, with large baggage racks, dynamic passenger information screens, a dedicated area for two wheel-chairs and space for nine bicycles. It will operate in multiple units of two or three.