Summary sheet
The project consists of the acquisition of 25 electrical multiple units (EMUs) and 21 diesel multiple units (DMUs) for the replacement of obsolete rolling stock used currently in Slovakia, as well as the construction of a maintenance depot in Zvolen.
The project aims at the renewal of rail rolling stock to be used for regional services in Slovakia. The scope of the project may also include the modernisation of a railway depot in Zvolen. The final scope of the project will be confirmed during the appraisal. The new trainsets will be used to provide regional services around the cities of Žilina and Banská Bystrica and will replace existing, obsolete rolling stock. The project will increase the quality of rail services provided in Slovakia as well as promote travel by rail. It will contribute to reducing the use of private vehicles and the associated negative impacts on the local environment, road safety and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and will thereby contribute to the sustainable transport in line with EU objectives. The project is located in a convergence zone and by facilitating access promotes regional development.
The acquisition of the rolling stock does not fall under either Annex I or Annex II of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2011/92/EU as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU as manufacturing and use of rail rolling stock is not included in either list. The need of EIA and/or assessment according to the Habitats Directive for associated facilities (in particular the depot in Zvolen or any other maintenance workshops or depots) will be analysed during the appraisal. All else equal, the project is expected to have a positive environmental impact by helping the railways to maintain modal share in key sections of the passenger market that are most appropriately met by rail. In addition, the arrangements for the scrapping of the replaced stock will be checked during the appraisal.
The Bank will require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project have been tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation Directive 2014/24/EU, as well as Directive 92/13/EEC as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with the publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required. The tenders for the purchase of rolling stock have been published in the Official Journal under the following reference numbers: EMUs: 2017/S 073-139036 (contract notice) and 2018/S 047-102930 (contract award notice) DMUs: 2015/S 223-405971 (contract notice) and 2017/S 064-120204 (contract award notice).