KAZAKHSTAN Railways (KTZ) and Stadler have signed three long-term contracts worth a total of €2.3bn for the supply of 537 sleeping and couchette cars, including a 20-year full service maintenance contract.
These contracts follow a strategic partnership agreement signed at the end of 2021. They cover the manufacture and maintenance of the sleeping and couchette cars, along with the transfer of technology from Switzerland to Kazakhstan and the acquisition of a local production facility in Astana with around 100 employees.
Stadler will build 234 sleeping cars with 40 berths each; 233 couchette cars with 58 berths each; 35 coaches, each with 18 berths, for staff and for persons with reduced mobility; and 35 generator cars.
The new rolling stock is designed to operate domestic and international services in Kazakhstan and CIS states.
Each 1520mm-gauge train will have at least 15 cars, and will have a top speed of 160km/h. The new rolling stock will be able to operate in a temperature range of -50 to 45°C.
The rolling stock and the maintenance regime have been designed to keep environmental impact to a minimum throughout the life of the new fleet.
The sleeping and couchette cars will be delivered by 2030 and the contract includes an option for additional orders to continue the modernisation of the KTZ fleet.
“This project will see Stadler enter a new market and expand our geographical presence in the CIS states,” says Mr Peter Spuhler, Stadler executive chairman of the board of directors. “Thanks to our innovative products and expertise, we believe that we can help take public transport in Kazakhstan to the next level.”
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