A contract to supply 20 vehicles was signed between Stadler and the Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH for the Maas-Wupper network.
The contract came following a commission which was sent to Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH also known as Start, by the Traffic Association Rhein-Ruhr AöR(VRR) and the Local Traffic Association Westfalen-Lippe (NWL). This order of vehicles marks the first in the delivery contract for the rail operator which was founded in 2016.
The brand new FLIRT vehicles will make travelling from Rhine-Ruhr to the Netherlands, faster and more convenient for passengers. The trains will run on a direct route between Hamm and Eindhoven and are set to come into operation during 2026.
No restrictions will be in place in either of the countries as the trains are fully equipped to cater for both German and Dutch traction supply systems and also come with the European train control system ETCS, the German PZB system as well as the Dutch ATB system.
The FLIRT vehicles for the Maas-Wupper-Express will feature extra-long cars with seven doors on both sides to allow for easy and safe entry and exits and allow passengers to change trains quickly. The vehicles will include 375 passenger spaces over the four-part trains, 235 of which are seats and 34 seats with more space will feature in 1st class. The FLIRT trains are also fully air-conditioned with WLAN light and airy compartments which include large multi-use areas which can accommodate 12 bikes, wheelchairs or prams. Step-free access is also a feature of the FLIRT vehicles alongside accessible toilets in the central cars. Up to date passenger information systems also provide real-time updates for customers to assist in making connections.
CEO Stadler Deutschland Jure Mikolčić said “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”
Managing director of Start, Alexander Falkenmeier said: “What tipped the balance for Stadler was the outstanding priceperformance 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”.
This is why Stadler could build trains in the UK to continue with the mass production of the Flirt and Metro rolling stocks. And for Stadler to build a new train manufacturing plant in England to continue the trend of new rolling stocks and rail vehicles.