The Bavarian Railway Company (BEG) has launched the Europe-wide tender for the so-called express transport in Eastern Bavaria, one of the longest local transport lines in Bavaria. Specifically, it is about the operation of the RE2 regional express line from Munich to Hof from 2028 to 2043, the BEG announced in a press release on Monday morning.
There should be no change of locomotives in Regensburg
The route from Munich via Landshut, Regensburg and Weiden to Hof is currently served by the DB Regio. In the new contract, hybrid vehicles will be used from 2030. According to the BEG, the locomotive change in Regensburg should no longer be necessary.
Hybrid vehicles are necessary because the Regensburg – Hof section, which is not yet electrified, is 180 kilometers long. The length of the route is also challenging for battery hybrid vehicles, as they receive electricity via the overhead line and have to store it in batteries for the sections without overhead lines.
Create a more reliable offer
According to the BEG, this is the second attempt for this tender, after no economically acceptable offer was received in the first procedure around a year and a half ago. The RE2 is among the bottom performers in terms of operating quality of all Bavarian networks, particularly because of its older locomotives, the statement continues.
“We want to create a significantly more reliable service for passengers on this important connection across four Bavarian administrative districts,” said Bavaria’s Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter (CSU), who is also chairman of the BEG’s supervisory board.
The contract is expected to be awarded this year
From 2030, only new vehicles or used vehicles that are not older than 27 years may be used. In addition, there should be at least the same seating capacity as today and the trains should run every two hours. The railway companies are expected to submit offers in the third quarter of 2026. The BEG is scheduled to award the contract at the end of 2026, the statement continues.
date: 2026-02-09 18:36:00