The LTG LINK contract includes 15 FLIRT multiple units as a fixed order quantity. The Lithuanian rail operator also plans to exercise the contract options for up to 13 electric FLIRT intercity multiple units, 15 battery-electric FLIRT multiple units with a range of 100km and 11 battery-electric FLIRT multiple units with a range of 70km.
In a first call-off, Stadler will supply nine electric FLIRTs for intercity operation and six battery-electric FLIRTs for operation on non-electrified railway lines. Stadler will also provide technical support and spare parts for ten years from the delivery of the last vehicle of the first call-off.
“Stadler has already sold over 2,500 FLIRTs worldwide,” said Peter Spuhler, executive chairman of the board of directors at Stadler. “The FLIRT is a proven, reliable, and comfortable vehicle based on a lightweight modular design that meets demanding customer expectations. The various drive variants enable environmentally friendly rail operation. I am pleased that our vehicles will soon be transporting passengers in Lithuania as well.”
Linas Baužys, head of the LTG Link passenger transport company, added, “Every day, we strive to ensure that more and more people switch to environmentally friendly rail transport. Today, we can say with conviction that the new trains will make a significant contribution to achieving our sustainable mobility goals. They will significantly improve the quality and experience of train travel for all passengers.
“Design work on the trains, which have been specially adapted to Lithuania, will begin soon. For the first time in Europe, battery-powered trains are produced that are suitable for harsh climates and broad-gauge railways. And together with the supplier who won the public tender, we will ensure its efficient operation for many years to come,” Baužys added.
The six battery-electric FLIRT multiple units with a length of over 65 meters consist of three passenger cars and a special power pack car in which the traction batteries are housed. The vehicles will replace the diesel trains currently in use on non-electrified lines. They are designed to be able to run on the most demanding routes of Lithuania’s railway infrastructure without power supply from the catenary network, so they will run emission-free on non-electrified lines.