The new multisystem trains will have a license to operate not only in Hungary, but also in Austria. The aluminium bodyshells of the five-car trainsets will be made by Hungarian specialists in Stadler's centre of competence for car bodies in Szolnok. The signing of the contract also has railway historical significance, as a new intercity motor trains were procured last time for Hungary exactly 30 years ago.
9+4 new intercity EMUs
The contract consists of a base order of 9 vehicles and an option for up to 4 units. GYSEV has 3 months to decide how many optional trains it will order from Stadler starting from the date the contract enters into force. According to the delivery schedule, Stadler has time to hand over the first vehicle to GYSEV within 36 months, while the last unit of the base order will enter passenger traffic on the Sopron-Budapest and Szombathely-Budapest routes within 44 months.
After that, Stadler has another two years to obtain the authorisation to operate in Austria. The supplier contract will enter into force after the conclusion of the financing contract. The purchase is financed by GYSEV with loan provided by European Investment Bank EIB.
Energy efficient cutting edge technology
GYSEV's passengers are already familiar with FLIRT trains, as the railway company ordered a total of 20 FLIRT units from Stadler in three different procurements between 2013 and 2018. The new intercity vehicles, on the other hand, will differ in many respects from the previously purchased fleet, the exterior and interior appearance of the vehicle follows and reflects the higher level of service. In addition to the maintenance-friendly design, the manufacturer also equips the vehicles with modern electric traction motors, thanks to which the intercity trains can be operated with lower energy consumption values, which also reduces the overall life cycle costs of the vehicle.
The length of the five-part vehicles, capable of a speed of 160 kmph, is 106.2 meters, and the number of seats can be flexibly changed depending on the summer and winter seating arrangements. In the case of winter configuration, the number of seats is 280, of which 32 are first class. When the demand for the transport of bicycles is higher, especially during the summer season, the transport of up to 18 bicycles becomes possible by reducing the number of second-class seats.
The new vehicles are manufactured according to the latest international standards that came into force at the end of last year. The new trains are characterised by a modern passenger information system, security cameras that improve the safety of passengers, sockets for charging phones, tablets and laptops, spacious, bright, air-conditioned, low-floor passenger spaces, 2 standard and 1 PRM toilet. Due to the usually longer journey times on intercity routes, the vehicles are also equipped with food and drink vending machines, and a dining area designed for this purpose is also created for the consumption of the purchased meals.