Stadler and the Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland conclude a delivery contract for 20 FLIRT trains

Stadler and the Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH signed a delivery contract for 20 vehicles of the type FLIRT for use in the Maas–Wupper network. This was based on a commission sent to the Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH – aka start – by the Traffic Association Rhein–Ruhr AöR (VRR) and the Local Traffic Association Westfalen–Lippe (NWL). This railway traffic company, which was founded in 2016, ordered new vehicles for the first time in this delivery contract.

Modern trains for cross–border traffic between Germany and The Netherlands: The new FLIRT vehicles make travelling from the Rhine–Ruhr region to The Netherlands faster and more convenient. The passengers trains will go into operation in 2026 on a direct route between Hamm and Eindhoven. The vehicles can be used without restriction in both countries because they are equipped for both the German and also the Dutch traction supply systems, and are also equipped with the European train control system ETCS, the German PZB system and the Dutch ATB system.

The extra–long cars of the FLIRT vehicles for the Maas–Wupper–Express have seven doors on each side to ensure easy and safe entry and exit, as well as fast passenger change times.

There is space for 375 passengers in the four–part trains, 235 of which on seats. There are 34 seats spaced further apart in the 1st class. The fully air–conditioned FLIRT has passenger WLAN, light and airy passenger compartments and large multi–purpose areas that can accommodate up to 12 bicycles, wheelchairs or prams. The vehicles offer step–free access and also have a handicapped–accessible WC and another WC in the middle cars. The modern passenger information system provides passengers a real–time update about further connections.

“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.” says Jure Mikolčić, CEO Stadler Deutschland

Stadler and its vehicles won a European public tender issued by the Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH for the Maas-Wupper-Express.

“What tipped the balance for Stadler was the outstanding price-performance 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“, says Alexander Falkenmeier, managing director of start.

The VRR vehicle financing model was applied for the procurement of the vehicles. With this, start will purchase vehicles that meet the customer’s quality requirements, and will sell these to the VRR and NWL. These will become the owners of the vehicles, assume the financing and lease them to start for the entire duration of the traffic contract.