The 14-year contract begins in June 2016 and covers the operation of around 5.8 million train-km on three routes:

  • Dresden – Chemnitz – Plauen – Hof (future Line E3)
  • Dresden – Chemnitz – Zwickau (future Line R30), and
  • Chemnitz – Elsterwerda (future Line R45).

Transdev will operate Dresden – Hof services using a new fleet of 29 Alstom Coradia Continental EMUs, which was ordered by VMS last year. The new E3 Regional Express service will operate hourly between 0500 and 2230 and most other services will be hourly, with additional trains on selected lines.

The contract is valid until 2030, although there is an option to take Dresden – Hof services out of the concession from December 2025. This is because electrification of the Hof – Nuremberg line could enable the reintroduction of through services between Dresden, Chemnitz and Nuremberg, which would be tendered separately.

VMS managed procurement on behalf of its partners in the tender, Upper Elbe Transport Authority (VVO), Vogtland Transport Authority (VVV) and Berlin Brandenburg Transport Authority (VBB). The contract will be signed after a 10-day appeal period.