National Express Germany
 | |
| Industry | Rail transport |
|---|---|
| Founded | 13 December 2015 |
| Headquarters | , Germany |
| Owner | National Express |
| Website | www.nationalexpress.de |
National Express Germany is a railway operator in Germany. A subsidiary of National Express, it commenced trading in December 2015.
History
In February 2013 National Express was awarded two regional rail contracts in Germany by the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr, Zweckverband Nahverkehr Rheinland and Zweckverband Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe authorities that commenced on 13 December 2015.[1][2][3]
In January 2015 the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft awarded National Express a contract to operate the Nuremberg S-Bahn system from December 2018.[4][5] It was to have been the first Deutsche Bahn S-Bahn network to be taken over by a private operator.[6] However, in October 2016, National Express withdrew its bid after an appeal to the award was launched by Deutsche Bahn, National Express stating an inability to order new rolling stock while the challenge was heard would make its bid unviable.[7]
In June 2015 National Express was awarded parts 2 and 3 of the Rhein-Ruhr-Express which will commence in stages between June 2019 and December 2020.[8][9]
Services
| Line | Network | Route | Contract commences | Contract finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RB 48 | Rhein-Wupper-Bahn | Bonn-Mehlem - Bonn - Köln - Solingen - Wuppertal[10] | December 2015 | December 2030 |
| RE 7 | Rhein-Münsterland-Express | Krefeld - Neuss - Köln - Solingen - Wuppertal - Hagen - Hamm - Münster - Rheine[11] | December 2015 | December 2030 |
| RE 5 | Rhein-Ruhr-Express | Koblenz - Köln - Düsseldorf - Wesel | June 2019 | December 2033 |
| RE 6 | Rhein-Ruhr-Express | Köln/Bonn Flughafen - Köln - Düsseldorf - Essen - Hamm - Minden | December 2019 | December 2033 |
| RE 4 | Rhein-Ruhr-Express | Aachen - Mönchengladbach - Hagen - Dortmund | December 2020 | December 2033 |
Rolling stock
To commence operations, National Express purchased 35 Bombardier Talent 2s in 2014. These were sold back to the Rhine-Ruhr Transport Association and Westphalia-Lippe Local Transport and leased back to National Express for the duration of the contract.[12][13][14] The Rhein-Ruhr-Express services will be operated by Siemens Desiro HCs.[15]
References
- ^ National Express celebrates German rail success National Express 7 February 2013
- ^ National Express plans German invasion The Daily Telegraph 7 February 2013
- ^ National Express starts two contracts on RME in Germany Railway Technology 15 December 2015
- ^ National Express selected for Nuerenburg S-Bahn operating contract Railway Gazette International 3 February 2015
- ^ BEG confirms National Express as Nuernberg S-Bahn operator Railway Gazette International 16 December 2015
- ^ National Express clears Nuremberg S-Bahn legal hurdle International Railway Journal 16 December 2015
- ^ National Express pulls out of Nuernburg S-Bahn bidding Railway Gazette International 25 October 2016
- ^ National Express steams further into Germany The Daily Telegraph 16 June 2015
- ^ National Express and Abellio win Rhein-Ruhr Express contracts Railway Gazette International 16 June 2015
- ^ RB 48 National Express (German)
- ^ RE 7 National Express (German)
- ^ National Express orders Talent 2 emus for Germany International Railway Journal 4 June 2013
- ^ National Express Talent 2 EMU rolled out Railway Gazette International 28 November 2014
- ^ National Express launches first Bombardier Talent 2 train Railway Technology 3 December 2014
- ^ Rhein-Ruhr-Express depot construction launched Railway Gazette International 7 March 2017