Funding has been committed to the first phase of the Rhine-Ruhr Express (RXX) project.
North Rhine-Westphalia regional rail transport authorities have set out plans to launch a tender in October for around 80 double-deck EMUs, which are expected to cost in the region of 900 million euros, in a bid to improve rail services in the region.
The announcement included proposals to upgrade infrastructure on the Cologne-Mülheim and Langenfeld-Bergshausen lines and carry out improvement works at Dortmund station.
The tender will also include the maintenance of the trains, with the operating contracts to be let separately.
Transport Minister Michael Groschek said: “When RRX has promised much in the past and too little firm agreement.
“These are important steps on the way to more quality and stability of passenger rail transport.”
