Switzerland: On its social media accounts, the manufacturer has published a video of a single-deck four-car train departing from the production site in Bussnang to the Erlen commissioning centre.
Operational tests on public networks are due to start in February.
Last summer, Stadler signed a contract to supply EMUs to the national passenger operator SBB and its subsidiaries Thurbo and RegionAlps. The firm part comprises 286 single-deck three- and four-car FLIRTs worth €1.8 bln, with an option for a further 224 trains. The rolling stock is expected to enter service in 2026. Alstom, another bidder in this tender, tried to challenge the results, but the decision was made in favour of the Swiss manufacturer.
First Stadler FLIRT released for the largest contract in Switzerland. Source: Stadler
The three- and four-car trains delivered under the contract differ in length and maximum passenger capacity: 57.8 m vs 73.5 m, and 256 passengers, including 134 seated, vs 370 passengers, including 146 seated.
