Slovenia unveils new Swiss-made FLIRT trains

Slovenian Railways has launched the first new Swiss-made Stadler FLIRT diesel trains into service in a significant milestone in their national network upgrade to replace their oldest and least comfortable trains. The new fleet is valued at €150 million.

The state-owned railway operator has now taken delivery of two of the 20 new diesel multiple units ordered, with the remaining 18 due to arrive by the end of the year in the final stage of a comprehensive, multi-year fleet renewal project, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

The delivery follows the successful integration of 52 previous Stadler trains, which included a mix of electric FLIRT, diesel FLIRT, and double-decker KISS models. FLIRT stands for the Fast Light Innovative and Regional Train.

"This concludes the third phase of our fleet renewal," Miha Butara, head of the passenger transport division, told the press before the inaugural trip from Ljubljana to Grosuplje.

The new trains are crucial for improving services on non-electrified, single-track routes such as Bohinj, Nova Gorica, Kamnik, and the Dolenjska region lines, which are currently served by the oldest and least comfortable carriages in the fleet.

As the new units are progressively introduced throughout the year, the oldest trains will be systematically retired. On completion, the most senior trains in the passenger fleet will be the Siemens Desiro units dating from 2001.

The new trains are designed to offer a vastly improved passenger experience. The low-floor carriages provide easy access for passengers with reduced mobility, and the interiors are fully air-conditioned, equipped with free Wi-Fi, and feature charging points for electronic devices. They have 171 seats, around 140 standing spaces, and dedicated areas for bicycles.

While capable of speeds up to 160 km/h, their full potential will initially be realised only on certain upgraded sections of the network due to existing infrastructure limitations. Crucially, the diesel units are designed for a future bimodal upgrade, meaning they can be converted to operate on both electrified and non-electrified lines, offering long-term operational flexibility.

The investment is valued at just under €150 million, excluding VAT. At the time of the contract signing in 2023, Slovenian Railways director general Dušan Mes said the total value of the entire fleet renewal project, including all 72 new Stadler trains, was close to half a billion euros.