Netinera, a major player in Germany's railway sector, is preparing to make an ambitious entry into the intercity market. The company aims to end the long-standing dominance of Deutsche Bahn 50 high speed trains announced a competitive tender for the . The move could mark the beginning of a new era in Germany's long-distance passenger transport.
Purchase of 14 Single-Decker Trains in the First Phase
According to Netinera's plans, in the first phase 14 single-decker high-speed trains Delivery is planned for December 2027. These modern trains will Up to 300 kilometers speed and the widespread electrical system in Germany 15 kV AC Another noteworthy point in the tender specifications is that the new fleet will be used not only within Germany but also in neighboring countries. Austria and Switzerland with Scandinavian countries Norway and SwedenIt is stated that it must have the technical features to operate smoothly in . Each train set will be available in four different service classes (e.g. first class, second class, bistro/cafeteria, etc.) 450 to 520 passengers It is expected to have a seating capacity of between.
Netinera's Transition from Regional Focus to National Market
This strategic move represents a major transformation for Netinera, which is currently focused primarily on regional rail and bus transport. Italy’s giant railway company With strong support from FS Group With the wind at its back, Netinera now aims to establish an ambitious presence in Germany's high-speed rail segment.
Option for Additional 36 Trains in Tender
The tender announced by Netinera includes the first 14 trains as well as Option for 36 additional train sets The technical specifications of these optional units have been determined to allow wider European operation compared to the first batch. These trains 15 kV AC, 25 kV AC and 3 kV DC It is envisaged to support different European electricity systems, such as the . This increases Netinera’s potential to operate high-speed trains in different parts of Europe in the future.
Competition Target with Deutsche Bahn
Netinera’s main goal with this large-scale train purchase is to challenge the long-standing dominance of Deutsche Bahn in Germany’s high-speed rail market and make the market more competitive. This strategy is also in line with the cross-border rail transport ambitions of Netinera’s main shareholder, the FS Group, across Europe.
Although the exact length of the trains and the carriage configurations have not yet been specified in the technical details of the tender, it is emphasized that Netinera attaches particular importance to on-board comfort and high service quality for passengers. Therefore, leading and experienced train manufacturers from around the world are expected to bid for this competitive tender.
A New Era in Germany's High-Speed Rail Sector
Netinera’s ambitious move could be seen as a potential turning point for Germany’s high-speed rail sector. Increased competition is expected to lead to better service offerings, more innovation and potentially more affordable prices for long-distance travellers. This development could also set a precedent for other European high-speed rail markets and could be seen as an important sign for the future of cross-border rail transport.
