Stadler to supply 20 extra-long FLIRT vehicles to Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland for use in the Maas-Wupper network

(PRESS RELEASE) BERLIN, 16-Feb-2022 — /EuropaWire/ — Stadler, a Swiss train maker with over 75 years of experience, has announced it will deliver 20 FLIRT vehicles to Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH, a German railway company and part of DB Regio AG, for use in the Maas-Wupper network as part of a new contract signed today. The order is based on a commission sent to the Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH by the Traffic Association Rhein-Ruhr AöR (VRR) and the Local Traffic Association Westfalen-Lippe (NWL). Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland, founded in 2016, ordered new vehicles for the first time in this delivery contract.

Modern trains for cross-border traffic between Germany and The Netherlands: The new FLIRT vehicles make travelling from the Rhine-Ruhr region to The Netherlands faster and more convenient. The passengers trains will go into operation in 2026 on a direct route between Hamm and Eindhoven. The vehicles can be used without restriction in both countries because they are equipped for both the German and also the Dutch traction supply systems, and are also equipped with the European train control system ETCS, the German PZB system and the Dutch ATB system.

The extra-long cars of the FLIRT vehicles for the Maas-Wupper-Express have seven doors on each side to ensure easy and safe entry and exit, as well as fast passenger change times.

There is space for 375 passengers in the four-part trains, 235 of which on seats. There are 34 seats spaced further apart in the 1st class. The fully air-conditioned FLIRT has passenger WLAN, light and airy passenger compartments and large multi-purpose areas that can accommodate up to 12 bicycles, wheelchairs or prams. The vehicles offer step-free access and also have a handicapped-accessible WC and another WC in the middle cars. The modern passenger information system provides passengers a real-time update about further connections.

«Railway traffic must be reliable, cross-border and comfortable for successful implementation of the German and European-wide traffic revolution. We are pleased that Stadler can, once again, bring its many years of experience in the design of multi-system-capable vehicles to the table to enable direct cross-border connections.», says Jure Mikolčić, CEO Stadler Deutschland.

Stadler and its vehicles won a European public tender issued by the Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH for the Maas-Wupper-Express. «What tipped the balance for Stadler was the outstanding price-performance ratio in combination with the excellent energy values of the vehicles. We are really looking forward to running the RE13 from 2026 with new trains in the start design», says Alexander Falkenmeier, managing director of start.

The VRR vehicle financing model was applied for the procurement of the vehicles. With this, start will purchase vehicles that meet the customer’s quality requirements, and will sell these to the VRR and NWL. These will become the owners of the vehicles, assume the financing and lease them to start for the entire duration of the traffic contract.

About Stadler
Stadler has been building trains for the past 80 years. The headquarters of the supplier of mobility solutions to the railway vehicle sector are located in the town of Bussnang in eastern Switzerland. Around 13,000 employees work at several production and engineering sites, and more than 60 service sites. The company is aware of its social responsibility for sustainable mobility and therefore stands for innovative, sustainable and durable quality products. The product range in the field of mainline railroads and urban transport includes highspeed trains, intercity trains, regional and suburban railroads, metros, tramways and streetcars. Stadler produces main-line locomotives, shunting locomotives and passenger coaches. Stadler is the world’s leading manufacturer of rack railways.

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Media contact:

Stadler Germany
Silja Kollner
Head of Communication and Marketing
Telephone: +49 30 91 91 15 35
E-mail: silja.kollner@stadlerrail.com
www.stadlerrail.com

SOURCE: Stadler