Copenhagen, 2016-08-23 10:29 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DSB’s Board of Directors has approved a proposal for the acquisition of 26 new electric locomotives. The main task of the locomotives will be to pull the double-decker coaches and provide regional transport service on Zealand. They will replace the ME diesel locomotives for the benefit of the environment and operational reliability. The new locomotives are to be standard rolling stock and well-tested in operation.
“With the acquisition of electric locomotives, the first step is taken towards phasing out the ageing ME diesel locomotives and towards reducing the dependency on the IC2 and IC4 train sets in future. Along with the long-term plans to buy new electric train sets, it is now possible to plan a controlled phase-out of the IC2 and IC4 trains. Based on our operational experience, we can conclude that IC4 will not form the core of Danish train transport, but will be part of the solution until the electrification of the tracks is in place”, says Peter Schütze, Chairman of DSB’s Board of Directors.
“The Board of Directors has approved an important proposal. The acquisition of electric locomotives is the first step in a process which will provide DSB with modern electric rolling stock to meet the future transport challenges”, says Flemming Jensen, CEO of DSB.
With the satisfactory liquidity situation and based on the transport contract concluded with the government, DSB believes that the company will be able to finance the new electric locomotives without government funding. Moreover, DSB is well prepared for the acquisition of the future electric train sets.
Hans Christian Schmidt, Minister for Transport and Building, supports the planned investment:
“New electric locomotives will benefit the customers and improve railway operations and punctuality. At the same time, I would like to emphasise that it is nice to see that DSB is back on such a sound financial footing that the company is able to make such investments without any government funding”.
The tender process for the new electric locomotives is expected in the autumn of 2016, and the aim is for the first locomotives to be in service from the beginning of 2020.
In case of further questions, please contact DSB Communication + 45 24680000.