RUSSIA: State railway RZD announced on December 8 that it had selected the TMH-Alstom joint venture of Alstom and Transmash Holding as its strategic partner for the supply of double-deck passenger carriages.

Tenders had been called in March for the supply of 1 210 double-deck 'hotel train' vehicles, which RZD plans to operate between St Petersburg, Moscow and Sochi. Bids were received from Alstom Transport, Bombardier Transportation and Transtek.

Alstom subsequently formed a joint venture with Transmash, in which the Russian firm has a 51% stake.

RZD and TMH-Alstom will now begin negotiating the terms of the contract to supply the cars, which will be produced within Russia under a phased localisation programme.