Bombardier to provide 32 OMNEO double-deck trains to French railways

December 28, 2017: Montral-based rail technology major Bombardier Transportation recently received a repeat order for 32 OMNEO premium double-deck trains (256 cars) from the French National Railway Company, SNCF Mobilits, on behalf of the Centre-Val de Loire Region. 

The order is the result of an agreement reached between the state and the region on January 19 to take over the management of three intercity lines or Trains d'Equibilibre du Territoire (TET). 

The repeat order is part of the contract signed in 2010 with SNCF to provide up to 860 double deck trains to French regions and is valued at approximately $444 million.

The Centre-Val de Loire Region plans to roll out these new spacious, highly comfortable trains on the following very frequently used lines%u2014Paris-Orlans-Tours, Paris-Bourges et Paris-Montargis-Nevers. The first trains will be delivered in 2020, and gradually until 2022.

"This order of OMNEO premium trains from the Centre-Val de Loire Region confirms the demand for spacious, modern, comfortable trains for intercity journeys", said Laurent Bouyer, president of Bombardier Transport France. 

"Regular passengers will discover a new style of rail travel as well as tourists who come from all over the world to visit the attractions in Berry and the World heritage listed Loire Valley. These trains from the OMNEO double-deck platform are designed and produced by Bombardier teams in our Crespin site located in the Hauts-de-France Region. Such a high-tech project highly contributes to the French Rail industry at large," said Bouyer.

Specially designed for long intercity journeys, the OMNEO premium can travel at 200 km per hour and offers a high level of onboard comfort to meet the demands of long distance travellers. 

Bombardier's engineers developed a new interior design which optimises available space to the benefit of passengers and seating arrangements.

The train features newly developed wide seat with integrated lighting, power plug, and Wi-Fi, while its interior design, colour scheme and configuration will be fine-tuned in the coming months in cooperation with the client. It offers improved access via large, platform-level doors, wide corridors and gangways for easy movement throughout the length of the train.

The 110 meter-long train for the Centre-Val de Loire region will offer a seating capacity reaching 373 seats in first and second-class cars, with large baggage racks, dynamic passenger information screens, and dedicated area for two wheel-chairs and space for nine bicycles. It will operate in multiple units of two or three.

The OMNEO platform, which includes the Regio 2N and the OMNEO premium, is a family of extra-large double-deck trains which brings greater capacity, comfort and accessibility to urban, regional and intercity services.

Till date, 10 French regions have ordered 373 OMNEO/Regio 2N trains. The OMNEO double-deck platform caters to suburban, regional and intercity services.