The tender, announced by SBB on 12 June 2024, invites rolling stock manufacturers to submit bids for 116 trains by early 2025, with the selected supplier expected to be decided by the end of 2025.
The new trains are intended to replace the aging fleet of Zurich S-Bahn's first-generation double-decker trains, including the Doppelstockpendelzüge (DPZ) and HVZ-D trains, which have been in service since the 1990s. With this upgrade, SBB aims to enhance capacity and service quality on its busiest commuter lines.
Out of the 116 trains, 95 are designated for various lines of the Zurich S-Bahn network, while the remaining 21 will operate in Western Switzerland, specifically on the RER Vaud and the RE33 Martigny–Annemasse line. The trains will feature distinct interior and exterior designs tailored to their regional deployment.
The new 160 km/h double-decker trains will be 150 meters long, significantly longer than the current 100-meter DPZ units. This extension allows for more than 500 seats per train, and when operating in pairs during peak hours, they can provide over 1,000 seats.
SBB's procurement plan includes an option for an additional 84 trains, aligning with the federal expansion program planned for 2035. This could further support the anticipated growth in passenger demand and service requirements.
The new trains are expected to enter service in the 2030s, coinciding with the end-of-life phase for the current DPZ and HVZ-D fleets. SBB’s comprehensive procurement strategy ensures that the new rolling stock will integrate seamlessly with the existing infrastructure and operational needs.
Overview of the Zurich S-Bahn Fleet
- DPZ: Introduced in 1990, these double-decker trains have served the Zurich S-Bahn for over 40 years and will be phased out in the 2030s.
- HVZ-D: Formed from surplus double-decker cars from the DPZ modernization, these trains operate primarily during peak hours and will also be replaced in the 2030s.
- DTZ: The second-generation double-decker EMUs (RABe 514) delivered by Siemens between 2000 and 2009.
