HUNGARIAN operator MÁV Passenger has published a conditional call for tenders for a framework contract for 54 1.5kV dc low-floor 110m-long EMUs for the HÉV suburban network around Budapest.
The total value of the framework contract is estimated at Forints 326.5bn ($US 983m) and the 54 EMUs would have to be delivered within 96 months of signing the contract.
However, MÁV Passenger has not guaranteed to place an order, although it will need to purchase at least 18 EMUs for Line H5 to Szentendre.
MÁV says that unused European Union (EU) money and funding from the Hungarian government are expected to finance the first 18 trains. These would all need to be in service by December 31 2029 because the EU funds need to be allocated by then.
The 54 EMUs would be sufficient to replace most of the current fleet (with several trains now over 50 years old) on the rest of the HÉV network covering lines H6, H7, H8 and H9.
The successful bidder will not only have to deliver the trains but also supply train drivers, maintenance staff, and a train driving simulator.
A similar tender for 54 HÉV trains (but with a maximum length of 120m) was issued in September 2020 but revoked in April 2021 due to lack of funds.
