Germany’s national railway, Deutsche Bahn AG, expects to take responsibility for leasing trains to Stockholm’s subway if it wins a bid to operate the capital’s underground system.
The announcement was made by Deutsche Bahn’s senior company official, Hermann von der Schulenburg, during an interview with Associated Press.
The move comes as Deutsche Bahn undergoes a massive restructuring, which includes plans to sell its 24.9 per cent stake in a passenger and freight rail subsidiary.
Deutsche Bahn has looked at leasing in the past, although its current foray into asset finance is expected to be gradual.
Deutsche Bahn is bidding to operate Stockholm’s subway service via its S-Bahn Berlin subsidiary, which operates commuter trains in the German capital, von der Schulenburg said. Its bid was submitted in Stockholm on Friday. If successful, Deutsche Bahn would start running the subway, or T-bana, at the end of 2009. Details of the successful bidder are due to be released early next year.
