Nederlandse Spoorwegen’s (NS) has announced that Spanish manufacturer CAF is the preferred bidder to supply 120 next-generation Sprinter trains (SNG).
The electric multiple units (EMU), which will be compatible with ERTMS signalling, will start to arrive from 2018.
Alstom and CAF were being considered for the order, which could include options for further units.
In the meantime, NS plans to bring back into service 18 double-deck DD-AR trains as cover until the new fleet is ready.
As well as the new Sprinter fleet, NS confirmed that it had begun the process of tendering for new intercity trains as part of the High Frequency Rail programme (PHS) – a major improvement scheme made up of several infrastructure projects designed to radically increase the Dutch rail network passenger and freight capacity.
A shortlist of pre-qualified suppliers is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with the first train of the new intercity fleet arriving in 2021.
