This follows an internal dispute between the shareholders on the renewal of the existing Westbahn Stadler EMU fleet and the possible supply of new vehicles by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC). Westbahn awarded Stadler a €300m contract last month to supply and maintain 15 Kiss double-deck EMUs, in direct competition with CRRC.
Following the increase in shares, SNCF will have a blocking minority, although the deal still needs to be agreed by the competition authority.
Westbahn reported a loss of €19.3m for 2018, which is being covered by a letter of support from the owners.
Westbahn is about to apply for an extension of its passenger license to cover freight transport as well. This will then be used by the newly-formed sister company Frachtbahn Traktion to allow the freight operator to launch its business without having to wait for its own license, which may take some time.
