Germany’s Siemens Mobility has been awarded a contract to build 116 new regional trains for Switzerland’s national railway company, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). The deal is worth approximately 2.1 billion Swiss francs ($2.6 billion) and the new trains are expected to enter service in the 2030s. The trains will primarily operate on the Zurich regional railways, replacing outdated double-decker trains that have been in use since 1990.
The new trains will offer more spacious seating and amenities, including charging points for e-bikes. Each train will be approximately 150 meters long, with around 540 seats and eight multi-purpose areas for standing, bicycles, and luggage. During peak hours, two trains can be coupled together to form a single train, 300 meters long, with a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour.
The majority of the new trains, 95, will operate around Zurich, while 21 will run on regional routes in western Switzerland. Siemens Mobility won the contract after competing with two other bidders, and the company expressed its pleasure at being awarded the contract.
The Swiss are among the most frequent users of rail transport in Europe, with a dense network and regular services. The SBB transports 1.39 million passengers daily, in a country with a population of nearly 9.1 million people. The introduction of these new trains will help to modernize Switzerland’s rail network and provide improved services to its passengers. The contract is a significant win for Siemens Mobility, and the company is expected to begin delivering the new trains in the coming years. Overall, the new trains will help to enhance the efficiency and comfort of Switzerland’s rail network, and provide a better travel experience for its passengers.