Rail Baltica train tender ends without a compliant bid

Baltics · Transport & Infrastructure · 9 September 2026

A joint Baltic tender for regional trains to operate on Rail Baltica has ended without a single compliant bid.

Passenger operators Elron, Vivi and LTG Link are seeking up to 20 standard-gauge trains capable of speeds of up to 200 km/h. Six manufacturers registered interest in the procurement, while two continued raising questions about technical requirements and contract terms until the final days.

The operators now plan to revise the tender documents and launch a new procurement. Elron says the second process could be shorter because much of the preparatory work has already been completed.

The failed tender does not by itself mean a delay to Rail Baltica passenger services. But rolling stock has its own manufacturing, testing and certification timetable. The next procurement will therefore be an important test of whether the operational side of the project can keep pace with construction of the railway itself.

Source: ERR, 9 September 2026.