Global ‘mobility solution provider’ Bombardier Transportation has received a firm order for 11 more Bombardier Omneo Premium double-deck electric-multiple-unit (EMU) trains (comprising 110 carriages) from SNCF (France’s national railway company) on behalf of the Normandy Region, which is financing 100% of the purchase.

This order — worth 162 million euros (about $182 million) — is part of the framework contract signed with SNCF in 2010 to provide up to 860 trains for France’s Regions. Previously (on 16 May), Bombardier received a separate firm order for 16 trains (160 carriages) worth 245 million euros for Normandy.

The Normandy Region plans to ‘roll out’ these trains on the busy lines that link Paris to Vernon-Rouen and to Evreux-Serquigny.

The first trains of this order will be delivered at the end of 2023; the Region will then have a fleet of 67 Omneo Premium trains, which will be maintained mainly in the new SNCF technical centre in Sotteville-lès-Rouen, as well as in Caen and Le Havre.

The Region’s strategy, based on a fleet from the same train family, will allow an increase in operational flexibility and optimise maintenance costs.

The Omneo platform, which includes the Regio 2N and the Omneo Premium, is a family of extra-large double-deck trains that can be adapted to urban, regional and intercity services.

To date, 10 French regions have ordered a total of 455 Omneo/Regio 2N trains. About 2,000 people work at Bombardier’s facility in Crespin (Nord), including 500 engineers and managers.

The company designs, builds and commissions a wide range of rolling stock for the French regions, SNCF and RATP.