GERMANY: Following a European tender, Transdev’s NordWestBahn has been awarded a contract to continue operating Weser-Ems-Netz passenger services RE18 Osnabrück – Wilhelmshaven, RB58 Osnabrück – Bremen and RB59 Wilhelmshaven – Esens.
The contract awarded by Niedersachsen transport authority LNVG, Westfalen-Lippe’s NWL and Bremen overs the operation of 4·33 million train-km/year for nine years from December 2026, with the possibility of a two-year extension.
The 43 Alstom Lint 41 diesel multiple-units used on the routes are to be gradually replaced by newer vehicles owned by LNVG from 2029, which will enable the use of HVO fuel.
The contract award ‘confirms our experience in operating the Weser-Ems network, which has been an essential part of our company since 2000’, said Ulrich Ehrhardt, Chairman of the Management Board of NordWestBahn, on June 26. ‘Our tendering team has worked intensively to secure this contract.’
No significant service changes are planned, with the contract period covering a transitional phase of infrastructure renewals, resignalling, the doubling of single-track sections and electrification of the Oldenburg – Osnabrück line.
This will enable a future operating contract starting in the mid-2030s to incorporate significant service improvements. Future ambitions include a half-hourly electric service between Oldenburg and Osnabrück, and the use of battery-electric multiple-units on the RB58 and RB59 services.
