From Switzerland to the wider world
The success story of the FLIRT began with a pioneering order from Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) in 2002. Stadler won a tender to deliver twelve FLIRTs to Stadtbahn Zug and a further 30 FLIRTs to Basel S-Bahn. These initial compositions were put into service about two years later and proved very popular with passengers.
The FLIRT not only conquered the Swiss market, but was also very well received internationally. Norway in particular has become one of the most important sales markets for the FLIRT. The Norwegian state railway NSB has ordered a total of 150 FLIRTs for use on the Oslo suburban train network or as intercity trains. Routes that operate with FLIRT trains have witnessed an increase in passenger numbers of up to 20 percent without any other timetable measures being taken. Every second rail passenger in Norway now travels on a Stadler train. In March of this year, the state-owned company Norske tog signed another contract with Stadler for the manufacture and delivery of up to 100 additional FLIRTs. The largest FLIRT fleet outside Switzerland is currently in service in Germany, where almost 500 vehicles are used by various operators for regional and regional express transport.
Recipe for success: the FLIRT’s modular structure
The FLIRT combines an intelligent, innovative design with tried-and-tested technology. It is also extremely versatile thanks to Stadler’s proven module concept. The FLIRT is a cost-effective response to urbanisation and the growing pressure in the transport market on account of its high-performance drive system, excellent acceleration and braking characteristics, ergonomic driving properties, comfortable interior design and functional modular set-up.
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Wide variety of drive options
In 2015, the Valle d’Aosta region ordered the first FLIRT trains with bimodal drive. Today, Stadler’s FLIRT model offers a variety of drive solutions that meet customers’ needs whilst being environmentally friendly and efficient at the same time.
Alongside models with fully electric, diesel or mixed drive, Stadler also produces FLIRTs with alternative drives such as battery and hydrogen. Stadler is supplying 55 battery-powered FLIRT Akku trains to Nahverkehrsverbund Schleswig-Holstein (NAH.SH) and 58 battery-powered FLIRT Akku trains to DB Regio in Germany, for example. It is also developing the first hydrogen-powered FLIRT for the American San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). Moreover, Stadler holds the world record for the longest journey in a battery-powered train in battery-only mode with its FLIRT Akku model.
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