VR-Group decided to award Škoda Transtech the contract for the supply of the new night train fleet. The procurement decision may be appealed within an appeal period of 14 days. The contract may be concluded at the earliest after the end of the appeal period.
The decision was announced on December 21,2022. The value of the procurement is approximately EUR 50 million.
The company will acquire 9 sleeper coaches, 8 car-carrier coaches and spare parts, special tools, training and documentation related to them as described in detail in the procurement’s final invitation to tender. In addition, the procurement includes options to purchase additional 30 sleeper coaches and 30 car-carrier coaches.
The new night train fleet would be introduced in VR’s night train configurations by the end of 2025.
At the beginning of July 2021, VR Group launched the procurement of new night trains which was estimated at EUR 35-40 million. Currently, both the newer double-decker and the older so-called blue night train rolling stock are in use. The operator is using a a total fleet of 80 sleeper cars 33 car-carrier wagons. The older blue cars are mainly in use in seasonal and holiday traffic, and their possible replacement has been taken into account in the procurement options.
VR operates night trains to the north from Helsinki and Turku to Rovaniemi, Kemi and Kolari all year round. The new cars will be introduced onto the current routes. Night train traffic is contract traffic completely purchased from VR by the Ministry of Transport. The procurement of the new rolling stock is part of the longer contract traffic agreement. The Finnish operator intends to develop the night train services and increase its popularity as it is the most sustainable transport mode. The company intends to increase its share to 10% of all traffic until 2030. The rolling stock procurement is part of its strategy to deliver mor comfortable and fast services and to attract more passengers to railway transport.
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