Switzerland: The manufacturer won a €1.8 bln tender to deliver up to 510 FLIRT single-deck electric trains to the national passenger operator SBB and its two subsidiaries Thurbo and RegionAlps back in October 2021. However, the contract could not be concluded at that time due to Alstom’s complaint. Last week, the Swiss Federal Administrative Court dismissed the complaint and Stadler became able to sign the contract.
The largest tender in the history of SBB was launched in May 2020. In addition to Stadler, Alstom and Siemens Mobility also participated in the competition. The Swiss operator explains the choice of Stadler as the most economical option in terms of operating costs. If Alstom filed a complaint with the court about the results of the tender, Siemens Mobility limited itself to a commentary in which company representatives expressed regret at the loss, stressing that their bid was competitive and promising to conduct an internal analysis of the current situation. In turn, the order is very significant for Stadler: the declared amount of the contract is more than 10% of the total backlog of that the manufacturer had at the end of 2021.
The contract includes three lots. SBB itself ordered 155 four-car Stadler FLIRT trains to replace a fleet of Domino trains built by several Swiss manufacturers in the 1980s and 1990s. Also, SBB may use the option to supply other 174 trains. In turn, Thurbo will receive 88 three-car and 19 four-car EMUs, RegionAlps – 24 trains of the same composition. Like SBB, Thurbo and RegionAlps can re-order rolling stock under the contract by exercising the option for 40 and 10 trains, respectively. SBB says it has combined the three lots into one purchase to simplify the tender process.
Four-car trains with a length of 73.5 m will be able to carry up to 370 passengers and will include 146 seats, three-car trains with a length of 57.8 m will be able to carry up to 256 people, they will have 134 seats.
Interior render of Stadler FLIRT electric trains to be supplied by SBB, Thurbo and RegionAlps. Source: Stadler
It was initially assumed that the rolling stock would be delivered to the companies in 2025-2034. However, due to a protracted litigation, the start date for deliveries has shifted to 2026, while the end date for deliveries remains the same (2034). The vehicles will be produced at Stadler’s site in Bussnang, Switzerland. The new trains must be certified for operation by Switzerland, Germany and Austria.
The FLIRT platform has been part of the Stadler Rail range since 2004 and includes four train models: electric trains, diesel trains, diesel electric trains powered by both catenary and diesel generator set and battery trains. Also currently in development is a version that will run on hydrogen fuel cells. Stadler notes that taking into account the new contract, it has received orders in 21 countries for more than 2.5 thousand FLIRT trains.
