GERMAN Rail (DB) has confirmed to IRJ that it plans to place an order for additional class 412 ICE 4 high-speed trains using options available in the original 2011 contract, although the exact number of trains has yet to be finalised.

A joint initiative between rolling stock suppliers and major train operators was launched in Zürich on August 28 with the aim of simplifying rail vehicle development and procurement.

AUSTRIAN Federal Railways (ÖBB) has placed an initial €375m order for eight day trains and 13 night trains as part of a €1.5bn framework agreement it has signed with Siemens Mobility for a new fleet of long-distance trains, which includes the delivery of up to 700 passenger coaches over the next five years.

BULGARIAN State Railways (BDZ) subsidiary BDZ Passenger Transport has invited four rolling stock suppliers to bid for a contract to supply at least 42 EMUs following the approval of the operator’s fleet renewal programme by Bulgaria’s council of ministers on July 20.