OREANDA-NEWS. On 20 January 2009, Russian Railways (RZD) will hold Open Tender No.567 for a contract to design and supply up to 54 electric trains for suburban passenger lines in southern Russia. They will also serve the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.

The tender is open to both Russian and foreign equipment manufacturers. The closing date for bids is 19 January 2009, and the trains are to be delivered in 2011-2013.

The electric trains must be designed to travel at speeds of up to 160 km/hour and operate on both AC and DC power supply. They must have a service life of 40 years or 7 million km from date of delivery.

It is planned that each train will have a capacity of up to 1000 passengers and they will be designed for a high standard of passenger comfort.

Particular attention will be given to the needs of disabled passengers, for whom the carriages will be fitted with special doors, seats and toilets.