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TOP NEWS FROM THE SCI RAILDATA
Hanover-based public transport operator Üstra has invited bids for the supply of 42 new light rail vehicles (LRV) of the type TW 4000. The contract is to be awarded in 2022, and the vehicles are to be procured in the period from 2022 to 2027 (((11/2020-77894))). There is also an option for a further 233 LRVs. The procurement is partially funded by the state of Lower Saxony ((((05/2021-90277)). To a large extent, the new LRVs are to meet the requirements of people with limited mobility. In a four-stage procedure, up to three applicants will be selected and then invited to submit a bid.
Source: Lok-Report 05.05.2021
Freight wagon monitoring company PJ Messetechnik (PJM) has equipped 500 freight wagons of Swiss freight wagon leasing company Transwaggon with sensors for automatic load weight monitoring. The wagons are rented by Mercer Holz for timber transport. PJM\'s Load Monitor System analyses the load weight and distribution during loading.
Source: PJM press release 04.05.2021
French leasing company Akiem has joined a financial and industry partnership to develop a Taxirail project for an autonomous Railpod ultra-light rail shuttle vehicle. The project was developed by Brittany-based EXID Concept & Développement (((46/2018-64973))) and is designed to ensure the long-term viability of local branch lines as a low-carbon alternative to road transport. In five years, 200 of the vehicles are expected to be in use. The proposed Railpods weigh less than 8 t and can transport up to 40 passengers. They are hybrid-electric vehicles that combine batteries with biogas or hydrogen-powered range extenders. Door opening, lighting, heating, air conditioning and entertainment are powered by solar cells.
Source: Akiem press release 29.04.2021
Rolling stock manufacturer Stadler, which was contracted byGo-Ahead, a private operator of passenger rail transport, to deliver 22 Flirt electric multiple units (EMU), is refusing to deliver maintenance documents to TMH International (TMHI). TMHI, a subsidiary of the Russian rolling stock manufacturer TMH, was contracted by Go-Ahead to maintain 78 EMUs in December 2020 (((49/2020-87923))). Stadler is concerned that TMH could gain access to proprietary and trade secret technology through the maintenance. According to Stadler, the contract states that Go-Ahead may not subcontract the maintenance to a competitor of Stadler. As a result of the refusal, the 22 Flirt EMUs cannot be put into operation by Go-Ahead on the E-Netz Allgäu network from December 2021, although the approval has already been granted and Stadler has fulfilled the supply contract. Go-Ahead is now preparing further steps and is considering ordering replacement services on the network.
Source: Stadler press release 06.05.2021, Go-Ahead press release 06.05.2021
Electric bus manufacturer Aptis, a subsidiary of Alstom, will stop producing electric buses by the first quarter of 2022. Aptis was unable to secure enough orders after it was bought by Alstom from NewTransLohr three years ago. A total of 87 buses were sold, 25 of which were delivered to Spain and France. Another 50 will be delivered to Paris transport operator RATP and 12 to Toulon. Alstom plans to keep 20 employees in the company to maintain the buses, the other 141 will receive jobs at other sites within the group. The French trade union CGT has accused Alstom of bad management, saying that the buses are too expensive and that an announced new generation was never released.
Source: Les Echos 05.05.2021, Railbusiness 06.05.2021