Norske Tog's Tender For New Class 77 EMUs

On 4 February 2020 Norske tog announced a tender for delivery of up to 200 new EMU for local services. They will replace the current Class 69 EMUs on line L2 Stabekk - Oslo - Ski. The main delivery will be for 30 trains with options for purchasing of additional 170 units.

The first Class 77 EMUs are scheduled to be delivered in 2023 and to be ready for start of regular service on the Stabekk - Oslo - Stabekk - Ski in 2024, providing more capacity for a growing number of passengers. The Class 69 EMUs have approx. 300 seats and space for around 270 standees. The new trains are expected to be up to 110 m long, this being 33 m more than the existing fleet, resulting in the possible total capacity of up to 700 - 800 passengers. 

Norske Tog's Original Tentative Schedule And Deadlines Were:

February 2020 - Publication of the Tender.

13 March 2020 at 12.00 - deadline for submission of application to participate.

28 April 2020 - notification of which of the qualified candidates are to be selected to submit bids.

3 August 2020 at 12.00 - deadline for bid submission.

August 2020 to September 2020 - 1st tender evaluation.

September 2020 to November 2020 - negotiation period.

November 2020 - final tender evaluation.

December 2020 - notification of award decision and mandatory standstill period.

December 2020 - contract signing.

On 28 April 2020 Norske Tog announced that six suppliers have been pre-qualified to proceed in the tender process (in alphabetical order): Alstom Transport, Bombardier Transportation, Construcciones Auxiliar De Ferrocarrilles (CAF), Hitachi Rail, Siemens Mobility and Stadler Rail.

Øystein Risan, CEO Norske tog AS, said: "We are very pleased with the interest from the supplier market. In the pre-qualification round, we have especially emphasized adequate experience from similar projects relevant to our acquisition, and sufficient financial strength for implementation. We are now proceeding with a relatively high number of suppliers, to get the best competition possible. The new generation commuter trains will provide better capacity, comfort and onboard mobile coverage. It is all about making it better and easier for the commuters. The new commuter trains will have a top speed of at least 160 km/h, and preferably up to 200 km/h. The price, ability of shorter station stops, high acceleration and deceleration rates will also be evaluated in the competition."

The suppliers are expected to present their tenders to Norske tog in October. Contract signing is scheduled to the beginning of 2021.