Only two companies have passed the pre-qualification stage of the tender launched by Comboios de Portugal (CP) to acquire 12 high-speed trains. The French company Alstom and Spain’s Talgo are the two shortlisted bidders. They now have 90 days to submit their offers, with the contract award scheduled for the end of 2026.
The contract has a starting value of €504 million and could rise to €850 million if CP exercises the option to purchase eight additional trainsets. The successful manufacturer will be required to supply spare parts and take responsibility for maintaining the trains during their first two years in service.
The vehicles must reach 300 km/h, offer at least 500 seats and initially operate on Iberian gauge (1,668 mm), with the possibility of future conversion to standard gauge (1,435 mm). The tender documents specify a 2+2 seating layout in Tourist Class and 1+2 in Comfort Class, but do not provide for a café area: only vending machines will be installed.
Alstom could bid with its double-deck Avelia Horizon or single-deck Avelia Stream platforms, although the Horizon is better suited to the high capacity required by CP. Talgo has the Avril, whose high-capacity configuration is achieved through 3+2 seating in Tourist Class and 2+2 in Comfort Class. An evolution providing more space for passengers could make it possible to carry 500 travellers without resorting to the controversial seating arrangement.