Bombardier has signed a $1.9bn framework contract with national railway operator Austrian Federal Railways (OBB) for delivery of up to 300 Talent 3 trains in the country. 

Under the new framework agreement, OBB will have an opportunity to make several call-offs for trainsets used for both regional and suburban rail transport.

Signed on 27 December 2016, the first call-off order under the framework contract is 21 Bombardier Talent 3 electric multiple units (EMUs) valued at a list price of nearly $156m.

Scheduled to be delivered in 2019, the new regional trains are intended to increase local passenger transport capacity for both daily and leisure users.

The enhanced capacity will help boost the link between rural and urban areas in both Austria's Vorarlberg region and also neighbouring countries.

Bombardier Transportation Austria managing director Christian Diewald said: "This framework agreement represents a huge success for Bombardier. OBB is one of Europe's most renowned and punctual railways.

"With the Talent 3 train, they have chosen a product with high-acceleration power and an exceptional reliability, which will help them maintaining their ambitious train schedules in geographically demanding regions."

The modern Talent 3 EMUs facilitate low-energy consumption, operational flexibility and reduced lifecycle costs.

The Talent 3 trains feature the widest carbody in class and provide an increased seating capacity by up to 50% compared with older models.

The vehicles also allow fastest passenger exchange along with providing optimum travelling comfort.

In Europe and Canada, a total of nearly 1,400 trains of the Talent fleet are currently in-service, with 187 operated by OBB in Austria.

In addition, Bombardier has launched the advanced Innovia Metro 300 train service in Kuala Lumpur in collaboration with Malaysian company Hartasuma.

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Image: Bombardier Talent 3 train for OBB in Austria. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.