REGIONAL transport authority VVO has begun tendering for a 10-year contract to operate the Dresden S-Bahn network in eastern Germany.
The contract is due to start on December 12 2027 after the current 17-year agreement with German Rail (DB) subsidiary DB Regio.
The new contract will include options to extend the agreement for up to five years, on the basis of an initial three-year extension option and a second running for two years.
The preferred bidder will operate at least 3.98 million train-km a year, which could rise to a maximum of 4.28 million if VVO exercises all options for additional services in the contract.
Budget permitting, VVO has ambitious targets for increasing the number of trains operated on the Dresden S-Bahn network, requiring the preferred bidder to achieve ridership growth of 11% on lines S1, S2 and S3.
Bids must also include options for creating a new line S5 from Dresden to Riesa via Cossebaude and Coswig. Train frequency should be doubled compared with the line’s existing service.
Under the new contract, all trains must have a conductor onboard. The preferred bidder will also be required to take on all current Dresden S-Bahn staff.
Bidders will be allowed to use refurbished rolling stock, which would enable DB to continue to operate the existing fleet of double-deck push-pull trains. If new rolling stock is offered, the contract term will be fixed at 15 years.
VVO will retain all ticket revenue under the gross cost contract. Price will be the main criterion for assessing bids.
Under the open competition, bids must be submitted by April 30. VVO will then conduct negotiations with bidders with the aim of awarding the new operating contract before the end of this year.
