CZECH Railways (ČD) has launched tenders
for the supply of up to 120 BEMUs for regional services, split across two
framework agreements.
The first will be for up to 40 trains
seating up to 121 passengers each, known as BEMU130. The other will be for up
to 80 trains seating up to 140 passengers, known as BEMU135.
ČD says it will place firm orders for seven
BEMU130 and six BEMU135 trains, with further BEMUs to be purchased according to
the requirements of individual regions. The first Czech region to order BEMUs
was Moravia-Silesia, which purchased 15 trains from Škoda Group in June 2024.
The contracts currently being tendered will
include supply of spare parts and maintenance. Technical specifications include
a maximum speed of 160km/h when running under catenary, at either 3kV dc or
25kV ac, and 120km/h in battery mode.
The timescale for contract award has yet to
be announced, but ČD says it will involve several rounds of negotiation with
bidders.
“A number of regions have already declared
their interest in this type of train and others are considering it,” says ČD
CEO, Michal Krapinec.
