Dutch Railways retrofits 176 double-decker trains for ERTMS
To make its existing equipment suitable for running on tracks with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), the Dutch railway operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) has launched a procurement procedure for the conversion of its first 176 trains. These are the double-decker trains of the VIRM type.
These trains date from the mid-1990s and are now equipped with the existing ATB system. The assignment consists of installing ERTMS On-Board Equipment (OBE), equipping with ERTMS/ETCS Level 2 Baseline 3 R2 and ATB-EG functionality (by means of an STM).
Timely arranged
According to NS, the future supplier will be fully responsible for the retrofit of the VIRM equipment, in such a way that it meets the requirements set, tested, approved and time suitable for commercial deployment under ATB-EG and ERTMS, for both existing and future (ERTMS-Only) infrastructure. The scope of the tender also takes into account future developments, such as ERTMS hybrid Level 3 (specification and extent of the works, deliveries or services, or specification of needs and requirements).
A total of 176 VIRM units must be equipped with ERTMS within a term of 18 years. The assignment can then be extended. Interested parties can claim their bids up to 27 February inclusive.
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