Paris - France > The framework contract for the new regional double-deck trains organized by the French Railways (SNCF) on behalf of the French Regions has been won by Bombardier Transportation. 860 double-deck electrical multiple units (EMU) for a total amount of approximately 8 billion euros ($11 billion US) will be designed and manufactured. So far, Aquitaine, Bretagne, Centre, Nord-Pas de Calais, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Rhône-Alpes have place orders. First deliveries are scheduled to take place in June 2013 and will continue until December 2015. Bombardier developed especially for this tender a new double-deck train platform. It includes the following characteristics: a modular concept to meet the Regions’ various needs in terms of suburban, regional and intercity services; wide-body cars to offer unmatched capacity and a high level of comfort; an articulated architecture and wide connectors which create transparency throughout the length of the train and an increased sense of security. This train features technical innovations in terms of reliability, availabililty, and sustainability, while generating economic benefits, like reduced maintenance costs and energy consumption.