Skoda Vagonka Wins Contract for Electric Trains in Latvia
Škoda Vagonka, a part of the Škoda Transportation Group, has won a 240 million (EUR) contract with Latvian State Railways (Pasažieru Vilciens) to supply 32 single-deck electric trains for suburban transport in the country.
Fulfilling All the Requirements
The 35-year contract, which includes servicing and maintenance, best fulfilled the requirements of the Latvian system on the grounds of energy consumption and cost of maintenance. It was also the only company able to offer dual system trains, advantageous given the ongoing track electrification process in Latvia.
Chairman of Škoda Vagonka, Martin Bednarz, said:
We are pleased that Škoda Vagonka was announced the winner of this important contract that is signed with Pasažieru Vilciens. It was demonstrated once more that our company has offered the economically and technically best solution for new modern trains.
Our units are already operating in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Ukraine and Slovakia, and now passengers in Latvia can also look forward to them.
Škoda Vagonka aims to work with local companies in the country to commission the trains and supply maintenance and servicing across the vehicles life cycle, which could be up to 40 years.
Reliable Suburban Transport in a Changing Climate
The new single-deck trains designed for suburban transport will operate on Latvia’s 1520mm gauge lines and supply a voltage of 3 kV, which can be converted in the future to 25 kV. As a low-floor vehicle, wheelchair access is also made easy.
Withstanding climatic conditions ranging from -40C to +40C the vehicles are well adapted to the Baltic States climate. Passenger capacity will be at least 400 seated and the maximum speed will be 160 km/h.
Past Experience
Škoda Vagonka has built up a reputation over the years of manufacturing quality with many of its trains operating every day across Europe. The wider Škoda Transportation group has supplied around 150 trains to its customers and develops and manufactures all key components including traction equipment, chassis and vehicle control systems.
The new trains are to be introduced to the Latvian rail system gradually between 2022 and 2023.
