SWISS Federal Railways (SBB) says it is examining the possible procurement of up to 40 multi-voltage high-speed trains to operate services from Switzerland to Italy and France, as well as possible destinations such as Barcelona and London in the 2030s.
SBB published a request for information (RFI) from prospective manufacturers and leasing companies on the Simap procurement platform on March 12. SBB says the exercise will help to clarify how it might procure and maintain the new trains, with two options under consideration:
- outright purchase, which will include a 15-year maintenance agreement, and
- a 15-year operating lease agreement.
Discussions with prospective partners are set to take place in April and May, which SBB says will inform the potential tender, expected in 2026.
As well as expanding its fleet, SBB says the new trains will also replace older trains such as first series of Astoro trains, which are due to be replaced in the second half of the 2030s. It says the potential new train order is driven by increasing demand for cross-border rail travel from Switzerland. SBB began refurbishing the 19-strong Astoro fleet in 2023 with a view to extending their service life by 15 years.
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