Skip to main content

EIB provides loan for Rhine-Ruhr Express project

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a US$370 million long-term loan to finance the upgrading of the local public transport system in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The funds will be used to purchase 82 new double-deck electric trains offering better energy efficiency, greater capacity and special barrier-free passenger comfort for the Rhine-Ruhr Express (RRX) project. RRX is North Rhine-Westphalia’s most important rail project. Promoted by the four neighbouring transport associations VRR,
July 17, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The 4270 European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a US$370 million long-term loan to finance the upgrading of the local public transport system in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The funds will be used to purchase 82 new double-deck electric trains offering better energy efficiency, greater capacity and special barrier-free passenger comfort for the Rhine-Ruhr Express (RRX) project.
 
RRX is North Rhine-Westphalia’s most important rail project. Promoted by the four neighbouring transport associations VRR, NWL, NVR and SPNV Nord, it consists of interconnecting the Rhine-Ruhr region with a network of six lines, whose backbone will be the Cologne-Düsseldorf- Duisburg-Essen-Dortmund-Hamm corridor. Alongside the EIB, KfW IPEX-Bank and Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen (Helaba) will also be financing the project.
 
When signing the framework agreements, EIB President Werner Hoyer said that “with the close cooperation of the four transport associations, the RRX project is a first for North Rhine-Westphalia’s local transport system. The Rhine-Ruhr Express represents a key sustainable and customer-focused transport solution for NRW that will be appreciated in the region and beyond”. President Hoyer also expressed his confidence that the EIB would do further business with the participating transport associations in future years.
 
The EIB has long supported sustainable and environmentally responsible transport solutions, financing the upgrading of both infrastructure and rolling stock. By providing modern, energy-saving light trains, the RRX project will help to tangibly improve the quality of local passenger transport in North Rhine-Westphalia. The contract to build and maintain the new double-deck trains was won by 189 Siemens earlier this year following a Europe-wide procurement process.

Related Content

  • September 7, 2015
    EBRD connects Kosovo to European Railway network
    The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a senior loan of US$44.5 million to finance the modernisation of Kosovo’s railway infrastructure, deepening regional integration and strengthening the country’s economic development. The loan to Infrastruktura e Hekurudhave të Kosovës (Infrakos), the national railway infrastructure company, will provide funding to upgrade Kosovo’s only international rail link, Rail Route 10. The 148 kilometre-long line is divided into three section
  • January 8, 2014
    EIB funds rehabilitation of Hungary’s railway infrastructure
    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending US$340 million to finance the implementation of Hungary’s railway infrastructure rehabilitation and upgrading investment programme for the period 2013-2016. The objective is to improve the safety, capacity and performance of the existing conventional railway infrastructure with positive impacts on commuters and long-distance travellers as well as on freight traffic. The EIB loan will help the Hungarian railways to become more competitive and attractive in co
  • September 15, 2015
    EIB backing for London transport
    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide US$1.5 billion for investment in the London transport network. The 35 year loan from Europe’s long-term lending institution will support major projects, including significant upgrades by Transport for London (TfL) at Victoria and Bank Tube stations, which will transform passenger access at two of the busiest stations in the capital. The new support was announced by Jonathan Taylor, vice president of the European Investment Bank and Steve Allen, ma
  • February 25, 2014
    EIB agrees backing to upgrade Scotland’s core motorway network
    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide a funding contribution of US$292 million towards the completion of the motorway link between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The project includes the completion of the M8 motorway between Scotland’s two largest cities and major improvements to the M73 and M74 to reduce congestion and safety and improve travel times on one of Scotland’s busiest road networks. “The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting crucial investment in essential infrast