REGIONAL public transport authority go.Rheinland has launched an operating tender for RB20 local services, centred on Aachen in North Rhine Westphalia in northwest Germany.

The 15-year contract is due to start on December 14 2031 and operations will be phased as a comprehensive electrification programme for the local network, branded as the Euregiobahn, is undertaken in stages. The winning bidder is expected to provide new EMUs once electrification is complete and can opt to run new or second-hand trains in the interim.

The tender will be run as a negotiation in two stages: initial expression of interest and invitation to bid. A decision will be made based solely on price.

Operations on route RB20 are divided into two key services:

Key service 1: (Euskirchen -) Düren - Langerwehe - Eschweiler Talbahn - Stolberg - Aachen - Herzogenrath - Alsdorf Annapark - Stolberg.

Key service 2: Stolberg Breinig - Stolberg - Aachen - Herzogenrath - Alsdorf Annapark- Alsdorf Mariagrube (- Aldenhoven Siersdorf).

Operations will be divided into three phases as electrification proceeds; the first phase aligns with the start of the contract in 2031 and covers 1.7 million train-km per annum. The second phase is due to start in 2033 when key service 2 will be extended from Alsdorf Mariagrube to Aldenhoven Siersdorf. This will result in an increase of 100,000 train-km. Finally, in December 2035, the third phase aligns with the extension of key service 1 from Düren to Euskirchen. This will bring the total volume of annual train-km to 2.2 million.

Electrification

Electrification of the Euroregiobahn network started last August, with 90% of the €43m cost funded by the federal government. The works programme is phased as follows:

  • Ringbahn (circle line) Herzogenrath - Stolberg, including relaying the branch from Alsdorf Kellersberg to Alsdorf Mariagrube to be completed in December 2029
  • Stolberg - Langerwehe (Talbahn) to be completed in December 2031
  • Stolberg - Stolberg Altstadt to be completed in December 2033
  • Stolberg Altstadt - Stolberg Breinig - Belgian border to be completed in December 2033, and
  • Alsdorf Mariagrube - Aldernhoven Siersdorf, track relaying and electrification to be completed between December 2033 and December 2035.