Bombardier To Supply 50 VIRM Intercity Trains Worth US$569 Million To Dutch National Railways
27 December 2006 17:19
Bombardier Transportation is to supply Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS - Netherlands Railways) with 50 double-deck electrical multiple units of the type VIRM. The order volume amounts to around US$569 million (€433 million). NS has ordered the new trains to stock up its VIRM double-deck fleet specially developed for the Netherlands. This fleet already boasts 378 cars. The first of the new trains with their smart blue, yellow livery will be transferred to NS as from June 2008.
The four-car multiple units offering 20.000 seats in total will be produced at the Bombardier sites in Görlitz and Aachen.
Stephane Rambaud-Measson, president, mainline & metros, Bombardier Transportation, commented: "Bombardier delivered the first VIRM train to NS in 2002. Since that date, the number of passengers using these state of the art double-deck trains has increased significantly. This is a good demonstration that modern and reliable trains make rail transportation more attractive."
Bert Meerstadt, chief commercial officer of NS: "The double deck Intercity trains built by Bombardier are highly appreciated by our customers. As the number of train passengers in the Netherlands is increasing rapidly we are happy to service them with 20,000 extra seats within only two years."
The IRM concept was developed for intercity service in the Netherlands and incorporates an energy-saving three-phase propulsion system. The double-deck principle increases the seating capacity. With greater carrying capacity and reduced energy consumption the VIRM is the ideal transport solution in metropolitan areas.
Passengers also benefit from the high level of comfort when travelling on the state of the art trains. The positive features include a low level of noise, full air-conditioning system, comfortable seats, transparent partition walls and storage space for luggage and bicycles. Wide doors enable rapid and safe boarding and alighting. The multiple units are provided with toilets designed to accommodate disabled persons.
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Bombardier Transportation - Commuter / Regional and Intercity / High-Speed Rail
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