Ricardo to provide key support for new Latvia fleet

Ricardo to support speed, capacity and comfort boost for Latvian rail passengers with introduction of new fleet with Pasažieru vilciens

The fleet of 32 new dual electric trains are due for delivery in 2022 and 2023 from Škoda Vagonka as part of a €242 million boost to Latvian rail transport.

The new 1520mm gauge vehicles replace the current Pasažieru vilciens electric fleet with significantly better, faster and quieter rolling stock.

The award of the multi-year contract sees vehicle fleet procurement support by Ricardo rolling stock teams to ensure smooth delivery, commissioning and integration of the new vehicles into service.

Ricardo's procurement and commissioning support will include:

Quality Assurance reviews during production at Škoda Vagonka
Vehicle acceptance support
Verification of efficiency and maintenance parameters
Warranty support
Knowledge transfer

The €1.8m contract signed on November 4th will continue until the end of 2023 when all 32 vehicles are scheduled to have been delivered.

Ricardo's teams from its Utrecht office, together with support from local representatives, will deliver the programme of work. The scope covers both acceptance of the vehicles from the manufacturer as well as enabling the introduction of the vehicles into service to deliver service benefits for passengers and allow capacity increase of sustainable transport in the region for Pasažieru vilciens.

Each new 109m electric train seats over 400 passengers and is capable of 160km/h. The vehicles contain climate control and video/audio announcement systems for increased passenger comfort.

The striking vehicle livery in yellow and anthracite grey was developed with Pasažieru vilciens, the Design Studio TEIKA, and Škoda Vagonka to create both a high visibility, iconic yet also practical design. The new electric multiple unit rolling stock will be able to run on both existing 3kV DC and future 25kV – as an option, AC overhead electrification.

Ricardo will complete a variety of inspection, assurance, and advisory roles for Pasažieru vilciens to facilitate the smooth entry of the vehicles into service for Latvian passengers. Our roles include inspection of the manufacturing process and technical documentation during vehicle production by Škoda Vagonka, supervision of the acceptance testing for handover, support with performance verification and warranty issues amongst others.

Ricardo brings a wealth of experience in supporting clients with rollingstock purchases from initial specification through to final delivery into service and are looking forward to helping to bring a new generation of rail travel to the passengers of Latvia.

“These trains are long awaited state-of-the-art for our rail passengers” says Mr. Rodžers Jānis Grigulis, Chair of the Board at JSC “Pasažieru vilciens”.

"Designed and built for Latvia's commuters, the new fleet will provide a safer, more comfortable and better-connected passenger experience."

"We are pleased to work with globally renowned industry professionals, Ricardo, to ensure rapid and efficient vehicle deployment, to provide service benefits to passengers and to increase the capacity of environmentally friendly transport in the region."

"We are sure that in-depth rail industry knowledge and strong field expertise drawn from diverse and profound previous projects by dedicated team of professionals working within Ricardo will enhance both railroads and our company’s reputation as a safe, reliable and sustainable mode of transport. Our company is very pleased with this mutually beneficial cooperation and looking forward to most effective collaboration results.”

www.rail.ricardo.com

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