Stadler Rail and SKF signed a long-term agreement to equip and service the Berlin U-Bahn trains which will help to improve the reliability and uptime of the trains on the metro network.
The contract, which worth “several million Euros”, will last for a 32-year period minimum under which SKF will deliver several solutions ranging from wheel set bearings and axle boxes to lubrication systems.
The contract is covered by a performance agreement, which is measured against a set of KPIs to ensure high customer confidence.
Under the agreement, SKF will service more than 606 rail carriages, to be built between 2022 and 2026 and this may extend to a total of 1,500 carriages.
Overall, the SKF contract will involve the supply and servicing of more than 12,000 wheelset bearings, among other services. The wheelset bearings are insocoated, so have a plasma coating to prevent electrical damage.
“This contract will provide reliability and safety of spare parts over the entire period. This aims to reduce logistics efforts and raise reliability for both the train operator and Stadler Rail,” Thomas White, Key Account Manager for Railways at SKF said.
In 2020, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) and Stadler Rail signed a EUR 3 billion framework agreement for the delivery of 1,500 metro cars, including the supply of spare parts for a period of 32 years. The firm order covers the delivery of minimum 606 railcars. 376 cars will form two- to four-car vehicle units. The public transport operator has also ordered on a firm basis a further 230 cars with an optional call-off order for 894 additional metro cars.
Berlin U-Bahn trains will provide improved access to allow faster passenger flow and they have been optimised in various ways and are energy-efficient and with a low level of noise.
In March 2021, Knorr-Bremse won the contract to equip the first 606 railcars braking, entrance and HVAC systems.
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