The contract has been awarded by NS Group N.V which operates the Dutch Rail network and will see Siemens Mobility not only retrofit ETCS Level 2 technology but also provide maintenance for the system for seven years.

Once the ETCS Level 2 upgrade is complete, the fleet will operate with more efficiency for the rest of its serviceable life, whilst also fulfilling the very latest European standards for rail safety interoperability. It is expected that the retrofitted vehicles will be delivered between 2023 and 2027.

Andre Rodenbeck, CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility said:

“All over Europe, rail operators are looking for new solutions to increase capacity and reduce energy consumption as well as infrastructure costs. Our sophisticated ETCS onboard technology will help Dutch Railways to achieve their modernization and performance goals,”

“This important project is another significant step in transforming the more than 20 different national railway control and safety systems currently being used in Europe, towards a harmonized and interoperable system that safely paves the way for cross border rail transportation.”

The contract is the first of its kind for rolling stock ETCS upgrade for the Netherlands and is part of a huge and ongoing Dutch program which will see its current fleet upgraded with the technology. The project marks a long-term partnership between NS and Siemens Mobility which aims to create a straightforward transition from the current ETCS system. The new system will bring benefits such as easier future upgrades to the next generation of ETCS and in accordance with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) standards.

Europe’s choice to opt for ETCS will provide a positive way forward with futureproofing cross-border rail traffic and has been encouraged by political leaders and rail operators alongside leading providers like Siemens and will see a network of ETCS-equipped lines made in Europe and further afield.

Many rail operators are refitting their rail vehicles and fleets with ETCS onboard solutions and Siemens Mobility and as one of the ETCS pioneers has already carried out retrofit projects in many countries including Switzerland, Great Britain, Spain, and Belgium.