On December 31st, Mantena’s SNA contract with Vy for the maintenance of train types 69, 70, 72 and 73 in Eastern Norway ended. Mantena has maintained this train fleet since it was put into operation, and the current agreement with Vy has lasted for seven years. The maintenance has been carried out at Sundland in Drammen, Filipstad and Lodalen in Oslo, and in Skien. Stadler will now, on behalf of Vy, be responsible for the maintenance of the entire train fleet in Eastern Norway.
– This handover marks the end of a long-standing collaboration, and the contract is also Mantena’s last fleet service agreement from before the railway reform, says Mantena CEO Arne Roland.
Older rolling stock, smart solutions
The train fleet that Mantena has maintained for Vy in Eastern Norway is of considerable age. The oldest train will be 50 years old in 2025, and the newest is 19 years old.
– Many of the vehicles are far beyond their technical life span and, according to the plan, should no longer be in service. Maintenance of this aging train fleet is demanding, and we have learned much about life extension, replacement parts, and interdisciplinary problem solving, says Erik Nilssen, Division Director Fleet Service at Mantena.
Our skilled professionals have, through their efforts, kept as many of the vehicles as possible operational every day, around the clock for many years, under sometimes challenging conditions. We are extremely proud to have succeeded in keeping such an old and demanding fleet operational far beyond its technical life span.
– Despite an aging fleet with a number of life expectancy-related challenges, Mantena has done a remarkable job in keeping it running. We would like to thank you for the good cooperation and also thank each individual for the effort made in the workshops, as well as in administration, to deliver high quality services every day, says Hans Bendik Eriksen, Director of Rolling Stock and Quality at Vy Tog.
Professional handover to a new operator
The transition takes place after Stadler won the contract through a tender process. – Here at Mantena, we have done our utmost to ensure a smooth end to the contract, says Nilssen. As the transition was not solved through a business transfer, some Mantena personnel have changed employer to Stadler. This gives Stadler access to competent staff at the start of their contract period.
– To secure train operations in Eastern Norway, Mantena, at the request of Stadler, has chosen to assist as a subcontractor for the next few years. We are now looking forward to the collaboration with Stadler, and together Mantena, Stadler, and Vy will do their best to keep the older trains operational until new commuter trains can be introduced, says Erik Nilssen.
– Until the new commuter trains are delivered, the challenges will be many. We are therefore very pleased that Stadler and Mantena will collaborate to provide the best possible maintenance, so that all our train customers in Eastern Norway can experience safe and stable operations also in the time ahead, says Hans Bendik Eriksen at Vy.
At the same time, intensive work has been underway to ensure that the status of the vehicles at the end of the contract is in accordance with Vy’s requirements. We have made every effort to deliver sufficiently reliable trains in service over the past year.
Thank you to our employees and partners
– We would like to extend a big thank you to our employees, who with their expertise and efforts have contributed to a significant increase in train traffic, even as the trains and infrastructure have aged. At the same time, we would like to thank Vy for the cooperation throughout all these years and wish Stadler the best of luck in their continued work, says CEO Arne Roland.
Mantena continues as a leading operator
Although this contract has now ended, Mantena continues its work as one of the leading maintenance providers in the Nordic region.
Our commitment to quality, safety, and good maintenance remains firm, and we look forward to meeting future challenges in an evolving railway sector.