Stadler unhappy as Swiss Federal Railways selects Siemens Mobility to supply up to 200 trainsets
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SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways has selected Siemens Mobility for a landmark contract to supply up to 200 double-deck electric multiple-units. The decision has angered local supplier Stadler, which said its offer was only slightly more expensive but offered domestic production.
The order worth approximately SFr2bn which was announced on November 7 covers 95 EMUs for use on Zürich S-Bahn services and 21 EMUs for the RER Vaud network and on the RE33 Martigny – Annemasse route in western Switzerland. The new trains are to enter service in the early 2030s, and there are options for 84 more to enable future service expansion.
Designed for commuters and leisure travellers
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The 160 km/h EMUs will replace DPZ loco-hauled push-pull stock manufactured by SLM, ABB, SIG and Schindler Waggon Pratteln in 1989-97, enabling SBB to increase passenger capacity within the same train length.
Each EMU will be approximately 150 m long and have approximately 540 seats with power outlets. Around 20% of the seats will be in first class and will be adjustable with folding tables and greater legroom. Eight multipurpose areas will provide space luggage, pushchairs and a total of 16 bicycles, with electric bike charging points.
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There will be low-floor entrances at all doors, large information screens, emergency help call points and a light strip above the doors to indicates the exit side. One of the two toilets per train will be wheelchair accessible.
SBB said ‘the new double-decker trains are specifically designed to meet the needs of commuters, but also offer a high level of comfort for leisure travellers. Thanks to spacious multipurpose zones, passengers can quickly board and alight on the often very short routes within urban areas. At the same time, leisure travellers with luggage or those travelling with children are offered more space.’
Procurement process
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SBB called tenders for the contract in June 2024. It said the bids were assessed on capital, energy and maintenance costs, compliance with the specification, quality and sustainability, with Siemens Mobility submitting the most advantageous offer.
Siemens Mobility told Railway Gazette International it was very pleased about winning the order, and would provide further details about the trains once the contract award is legally binding.
Stadler said it noted SBB’s decision ‘with great regret’, and would ‘carefully analyse SBB’s reasoning’. It said that based on SBB’s scoring system, the effective price difference was 0·6 percentage points if calculated on the basis of a firm order for 116 trains plus options for 60. The company insisted that it was the only supplier to manufacture trains entirely in Switzerland, supporting more than 200 domestic SMEs.
Stadler CEO Markus Bernsteiner said ‘despite our vehicles being tried and tested and popular in daily use by SBB, we were not chosen to supply SBB with the latest technology. This is a great disappointment for Stadler and our approximately 6 000 employees in Switzerland.’
SBB said unsuccessful bidders have the option of filing a legal complaint, but noted that with previous awards which had been appealed its decisions had been upheld.
