THE board of Belgian National Railways (SNCB) issued a statement on July 23 confirming the selection of CAF as preferred bidder for a 12-year framework contract to supply up to 600 EMUs, estimated to be worth €3.4bn.

The framework includes an initial order for 180 trains providing 54,000 seats, which is worth €1.7bn, according to CAF.

CAF was initially selected as preferred bidder by the board on February 28, but this was later suspended by the Council of State following objections from unsuccessful bidders Alstom and Siemens.

According to local media reports, Alstom complained that the method used by SNCB to evaluate the technical component of bids was unclear, although it is also reported that the scores of the three final bids were similar.

The choice of Spanish manufacturer CAF, so far without an established presence in Belgium, was also highly controversial in political terms. Alstom employs over 2000 staff at its two plants in Belgium.

In its statement, the SNCB board says that it has taken into account the Council of State’s ruling, noting that all three bidders mentioned making use of local suppliers in their bids. It now invites CAF to provide further details.

The board has also directed the management of SNCB, in its discussions with the preferred bidder with a view to awarding the contract, to require confirmation from CAF that “its activities respect international law and human rights.”

The board notes that SNCB’s 2023-2032 public service contract with the Belgian government stipulates that 50% of the national operator’s fleet must be renewed within this period. As well as accommodating expected growth in passenger traffic, the new trains would also improve passenger comfort, replacing ageing rolling stock liable to failure with more flexible trains that consume less energy.

The new fleet would be fully accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. Under the framework, SNCB will also order a BEMU variant to replace its fleet of class AR41 DMUs.

Designated as class AM30 by SNCB, the new EMUs would be deployed on inter-city, regional and suburban services, replacing four-car AM75, three-car AM80, and three-car AM96 EMUs. CAF has offered its Civity Duo design, combining single-deck end cars and double-deck intermediate cars.

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