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12.05.2010 19:14- Future drawing of SBB double deck EMU
© SBB photo
- Interior view of future SBB Double deck EMU
© SBB photo
The SBB Management Board, after consultation with the Board of Directors, has decided to award the contract for 59 new double-deck long distance trains to Bombardier Transportation Switzerland AG.
Three rolling stock manufacturers were competing for this major order: Bombardier Transportation Switzerland AG, Siemens Switzerland Ltd and Stadler Bussnang AG. The winning project scored highest in all four main criteria and was particularly noted for the impressive levels of passenger comfort and for its high innovation potential in general. The winning project came in well ahead of the two other competitors.
The four main advantages of the Bombardier bid were as follows:
- Bombardier's vehicles will have the widest interiors and deliver the largest number of seats, with distances between seats equal to that in IC 2000 coaches.
- The new trains will have energy-efficient power units, enabling energy savings of around 10%.
- Thanks to an optimised vehicle layout, the doors are equally spaced, enabling passengers to join or leave the train in the shortest time possible.
- Bombardier quoted the lowest overall price in terms of procurement and life-cycle costs.
The new trains will also offer other benefits:
- InterCity trains will include a large restaurant and a spacious family coach.
- Standard toilets on board will be roomier and will feature at least one baby changing table per train.
- Power sockets and wireless internet will be available at all seats in both 1st and 2nd class.
- A business compartment will also be available on all trains to allow meetings to take place in an undisturbed environment.
- All trains will be equipped with a modern customer information system.
- All vehicles will also have electronic seat reservation displays.
- To improve passenger security, all the new rolling stock will be fitted with video surveillance equipment and an emergency alarm system.
- The new vehicles will also be "pressure-resistant": passengers will benefit from noticeably reduced pressure waves and less pressure on their ears in long tunnels and when trains pass one another.
"Objectively, Bombardier's was the bid that best matched our specifications and offered us a very customer-friendly train," SBB CEO Andreas Meyer told the media. Mr Meyer also stressed the cost-effectiveness of Bombardier's bid: "Modern trains and a further improved offering will provide our customers with numerous tangible benefits. What is more the passive tilt capability of these trains will give us additional journey-time leeway throughout the network. This increases punctuality and leads to fewer missed connections. It is an important step in the continued improvement of our offering," he said.
The total investment volume, including SBB's own contributions and development costs, is CHF 1.86 billion. The competition in the tender process and the large procurement volume have driven this figure well below the credit volume of CHF 2.1 billion originally projected.
Bombardier has indicated that it will produce the new vehicles at two sites – in Villeneuve (CH) and Görlitz (D).
As well as the additional 59 trains now ordered, SBB has secured contractual options for over 100 more.
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