KfW IPEX-Bank contributes EUR 190M for Scottish railway network as part of syndicated financing together with SMBC Leasing and Finance Inc. and RBS/Lombard

• Syndicate financing together with SMBC und RBS/Lombard
• 70 new electric multiple units for key route between Glasgow and Edinburgh
• Promoting environmentally friendly rail transport
• Contributing to expansion of European transport infrastructure

FRANKFURT, 2-4-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — KfW IPEX-Bank has provided structured financing for the Scottish railway network together with SMBC Leasing and Finance Inc. and RBS/Lombard. KfW IPEX-Bank’s contribution amounts to GBP 140 million (around EUR 190 million).

The project comprises 70 electric multiple units produced by Hitachi Rail Europe and also includes a 10-year maintenance deal. The order has been placed by leasing company SMBC Leasing (UK) Ltd, which leases the units to the Dutch operator Abellio ScotRail Ltd. The latter won the bidding process for the franchise to operate the entire Scottish network “ScotRail” comprising 347 train stations, almost 800 trains and 4,850 employees. This includes the electrification of the Glasgow – Edinburgh line and the roll out of the new trains during 2017 and 2018.

“We are supporting the heart of the Scottish railway network expansion by financing the rolling stock for the Glasgow – Edinburgh line,” said Christian K. Murach, member of the Management Board of KfW IPEX-Bank. The expansion of the line will ease private transport congestion between the two large cities and enable a general improvement in mobility for the people in Scotland’s densely populated central belt with faster journey times, higher capacities and better service quality.

The multiple units are 46 three-car and 24 four-car trains of the type AT200 EMU. The light and modern trains can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h.

The first seven trains are being produced at Hitachi in Japan; once the new Hitachi Rail Vehicle Manufacturing Facility in Newton Aycliffe/UK opens later on this year as planned, train production will be relocated to the UK. The roll out of the new trains is to be completed by the end of 2018.

About KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH
Within the KfW Group, KfW IPEX-Bank is responsible for international project and export finance. Its function of providing financing to boost the German and European economy is derived from the legal mandate as-signed to KfW. It offers medium- and long-term financing to support key export industries, to develop economic and social infrastructure and to fund environmental and climate protection projects. KfW IPEX-Bank operates as a legally independent group subsidiary and plays a major role in fulfilling KfW’s promotional mission. It is represented in the most important economic and financial centres across the globe.

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