Bombardier, CAF Pesa, and Vossloh, also submitted bids for the contract, which is worth more than SKr 2bn ($US 240m).

Delivery of the 100km/h X15P trains is due to start in 2020 and the EMUs will enter service from 2021, supplementing the existing train fleet, which was supplied by ABB in 1988-95.

Each 60m-long three-car train will accommodate up to 300 passengers, 150 of them seated. The trains will offer easier access for passengers with reduced mobility and there will be more space for pushchairs and bicycles.

The contract includes an option for 45 additional three-car trains.

The order for additional trains is part of a SKr 8bn project to increase capacity on the Roslagsbanan, which is due to be completed by 2023, enabling services to operate at 10-minute intervals on the busiest sections of the line.

“The investment in new trains is absolutely neccessary for us to be able to run more frequent trains,” says CEO of Stlockholm Transport (SL) Mrs Caroline Ottosson. “Competition in the procurement was good and we are satisfied with the result. Stadler submitted the best bid in terms of price and quality.”