Electric trains - State wants to save money with its own train company
With the help of a new public law institution for the purchase and operation of 42 new electric trains, Schleswig-Holstein aims to save at least a two-digit million euro amount. The ZUG.SH could take out cheaper credits than private companies and sell the E-Trains after their depreciation, stated Transport State Secretary Tobias von der Heide (CDU) to the German Press Agency. With this construct, the land will save between 70 and 110 million Euros in the next 30 years. Previously, the "Kieler Nachrichten" reported this.
Originally, the land wanted to award the purchase of the trains to a private corporation. The 42 trains cost around 500 million Euros. The Alstom Trains of the type "Coradia Stream High Capacity" offer up to 390 seat places. Each car should have level access areas for the transport of prams, up to 24 bicycles, and large luggage.
The trains are expected to roll out at the end of 2027.
The establishment of the institution was necessary, according to the Secretary's statements, because no financial service provider had bid on the tender due to high interest rates. The already ordered trains will be leased to the future operators of the Kiel and Flensburg to Hamburg lines by the new institution at the end of 2027. The transport contracts with DB Regio for the Kiel and Flensburg to Hamburg routes and with the Nordbahn for the Itzehoe and Wrist lines to the Hanseatic City expire in December 2027.
The board of directors of the institution was appointed by the land, with the former managing director of the Nahverkehrsverbund NAH.SH, Bernhard Wewers. "The land is consistently continuing the successful competition path that I am happy to support," said Wewers.
State Secretary von der Heide calculates future competition: "Because in the future, less capital-rich railway companies can participate in tenders for railway networks, as they do not need their own train fleet and its financing."
- The new electric trains will be operated in the railroad between Kiel and Flensburg, eventually extending to Hamburg, replacing the contracts with DB Regio and Nordbahn that expire in 2027.
- Despite initial plans to award the train purchase to a private corporation, Schleswig-Holstein established a public institution to purchase and operate the 42 Alstom Trains, located in Hamburg.
- With the establishment of ZUG.SH, Schleswig-Holstein aims to lease the Electric trains to operators of the Kiel and Flensburg to Hamburg lines, such as Flensburg, saving millions in the next 30 years as stated in Kiel News.
- The German Press Agency reported that the newly created institution, ZUG.SH, will have a lower cost of borrowing than private companies, allowing for savings on the purchase of the Electric trains and potential resale after depreciation.
