MODAL SHIFT AND INNOVATIVE ROLLING STOCK SUPPORT

The Lending Envelope comprises the acquisition of new railway rolling stock and associated maintenance infrastructure and equipment to operate regional rail passenger services in several areas in Germany and the Czech Republic under public service contracts, and using project finance structures.

The Lending Envelope comprises three German Rolling Stock operations. Where successful, these operations will finance new rolling stock for regional railway services ("Schienenpersonennahverkehr" or SPNV) under competitively tendered Public Sector Contracts (PSCs) in Germany and partly the Czech Republic. Their shared characteristics include, amongst others: use of locally emission free trainsets, public guarantees to support the debt required to finance the new trains, providing a level playing field for all bidders for the subsequent PSC periods and cooperation with public transport authorities with significant experience and expertise in this field.

The acquisition of rolling stock does not fall within the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive. The need of EIA and/or assessment according to the Habitats Directive for maintenance facilities will be analysed at the appraisal of suboperations

The public service contracts requiring the new vehicles will be tendered competitively by the relevant public transport authorities. The choice of train manufacturer will be made by the successful bidder, typically they act as commercial entities. These will be subject to the Bank's appraisal procedures.