The Railway Reform Authority (ARF) has published in the public procurement platform (SEAP) market consultation announcements for the preparation of regional and interregional hydrogen power frame (H-EMU) purchases financed by European non-reimbursable funds.
According to a release of the institution, ARF intends to organize procedures for the acquisition of short and long-term hydrogen electric frames, the maintenance service necessary for their operation for a period of 15 years, with the possibility of extending the maintenance of frames to 30 years, as well as their hydrogen supply services.
Regarding interregional H-EMU, it is desired to obtain unitary estimated values for the purchase of frames in three variants – with a transport capacity of approximately 160/180/200 of fixed seats for passengers, respectively 16 seats for bicycles.
With regard to regional H-EMUs, it is desired to obtain unit estimated values for the purchase of frames in two variants – with a transport capacity of approximately 120/160 fixed and folding seats for passengers, respectively 16 seats for bicycles. These electric hydrogen frames are intended for regional rail passenger transport with high traffic density.
The SEAP announcement refers to the purchase of 10 locomotives each (seven full-capacity hydrogen locomotives, three hydrogen locomotives to ensure the doubling of transport capacity during peak hours) to which are added two spare locomotives that can be used by rotation on the period of maintenance or the increase of the transport capacity for short distance and, respectively, long journey.
The time allotted for hydrogen loading is about 90 minutes and will be done in Bucharest, and the hydrogen filling station will be a dual one, located so that it can supply both hydrogen-powered trains and other road vehicles (especially buses).
ARF also intends to organize a procedure for the purchase of 20 electric frames with batteries and the maintenance service necessary for their operation for a period of 15 years, with the possibility of extending the maintenance of the frames to 30 years, an announcement market consultation also being published in SEAP.