Spanish Renfe tenders up to 40 high-speed trains

The base contract is valued at EUR 1.362bn, with the total investment reaching EUR 1.777bn if all options are exercised. Renfe has approved a tender for 30 high-speed trains with an option for 10 additional units, in what the operator describes as its largest rolling stock procurement to date. The trains will be designed for a maximum speed of 350 km/h, subject to infrastructure upgrades allowing higher commercial speeds. They will operate on standard UIC gauge (1,435 mm) and be equipped with ERTMS/ETCS Levels 0, 1 and 2, as well as ASFA. According to the tender documents approved by Renfe’s board, the first five trains must be delivered within 40 months. The full fleet is to be operational within 78 months, with a production rate of one train every six weeks. Each train will offer a minimum of 450 seats in two classes. The interior layout must include universal accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility, bicycle spaces and on-board catering facilities, including a cafeteria. The procurement is intended to replace the oldest high-speed trains in Renfe’s fleet and to accommodate projected traffic growth linked to network expansion. Award criteria combine technical, economic and maintenance factors, including delivery timelines, availability, capacity and operational reliability.