Bombardier Wins the "Régio2N" Regional Double-deck Train Tender from SNCF for the French Regions

Bombardier Transportation won a tender for the new regional double-deck trains organized by the French Railways (SNCF) on behalf of the French Regions. The framework contract contemplates the design and manufacturing of 860 double-deck electrical multiple units (EMU) for a total amount of approximately 8 billion euros ($11 billion US), subject to exercising some technical options. With this framework contract, SNCF also signed a first firm order for 80 trains valued at approximately 800 million euros ($1.1 billion US), financed by the Regions.

So far, six Regions have placed orders, which they will finance: Aquitaine, Bretagne, Centre, Nord-Pas de Calais, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Rhône-Alpes. First deliveries of this firm order are scheduled to take place in June 2013 and will continue until December 2015.

The new regional double-deck train was created by Bombardier teams in Crespin, in Northern France. Bombardier will also design, build and test these vehicles at the site. As the largest industrial rail site in France and a partner of the Nord-Pas de Calais Rail Competitivity Cluster, the Crespin facility has a staff of 2,000, including 500 engineers and managers. It relies upon a wide network of local suppliers and sub-contractors. Several suppliers have decided to set up their operations next to Bombardier, in the Trans Avenir industrial park, reinforcing local employment opportunities and economy.