Bombardier Transportation, in consortium with Siemens, has been awarded a contract by the Netherlands Railways to deliver 32 four-car and 32 six-car electric multiple units (EMUs). The total amount of this order is valued at approximately $557 million.  

The companies noted that the order covers the first two options of the initial contract signed in 2005, which has a total of five options. It also includes the delivery of a set of strategic spare parts. As the rate of vehicle production has been accelerated, this additional order will be delivered in 13 instead of 32 months, between October 2009 and November 2010. Bombardier’s manufacturing facilities in Aachen and Hennigsdorf, Germany, will produce the four-car trains. 

Siemens will carry out the major part of its production at its site in Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany. The vehicles will extend the commuter service in the Western metropolitan area of the Netherlands and gradually replace NS’s older rolling stock. 

The new trains are based on a Bombardier-Siemens commuter train design, adjusted to the specific requirements of NS and the Dutch railway system. The trains have a maximum speed of 100 mph and improved accessibility for passengers with mobility issues.