Deutsche Bahn subsidiary DB Regio is to order two new electric multiple unit (EMU) fleets from Siemens to start running regional services on the Rhine Valley rail line from 2020.
The new order follows the contract received by DB Regio won from Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Transport to operate regional services on Rhine Valley line stretching between Karlsruhe and Basle in Switzerland.
The offer made by DB Regio for the Network IV contract has been divided into two operational areas, with one covering regional express services on the Karlsruhe-Offenburg-Basel route, while the other is for regional services on the Offenburg-Freiburg-Basel / Neuchatel line.
Under the contract, DB Regio will provide regional services for 12.5 years from June 2020, reported International Railway Journal.
Initially for each route, the current contract specifies approximately 1.1 million train kilometres every year and 1.9 million train kilometres per annum respectively, reported Global Rail News.
As reported by Railway Gazette, the Karlsruhe-Offenburg-Basel regional express route will be operated via Siemens’s new Desiro HC partly double-deck EMUs. The Offenburg-Freiburg-Basel / Neuchatel route will be served by the company’s new Mireo single-deck EMUs.
It is reported that the new Baden-Württemberg white and yellow colours will be used on all the new trains.
The contract award is subject to a standstill period of ten days.
