Under the Microscope: Stadler Flirt Akku vs. Škoda RegioPanter 690

The new battery-powered Stadler Flirt Akku and Škoda RegioPanter showcase how modern technology is transforming regional rail transport. At this year’s InnoTrans in Berlin, we took a closer look at the Flirt Akku and compared it to the RegioPanter.

Stadler Flirt Akku: A Dual-Powered Unit

One of the latest railway units from Stadler presented at InnoTrans 2024 is the two-car Flirt Akku. As the name suggests, it’s a hybrid train powered by both overhead lines and batteries for non-electrified sections of track.

These trains are designed for regional transport, particularly around larger cities, where part of the journey often takes place on branch lines serving smaller towns. The biggest advantage for passengers is avoiding the need to transfer from diesel trains to electric units during their commute.

While running under overhead lines, the train recharges its batteries, with additional charging possible at the terminal station. The train has a maximum speed of 140 km/h and a battery range of 80 km. Seating capacity is 172 passengers, with room for an additional 153 standing passengers.

Two-Car Flirt Akku

The red, white, and gray two-car Flirt Akku unit displayed is intended for German railways. In the first car, which includes a section of first-class seats, there is a single pair of double-leaf doors with a 130 cm opening width. The low-floor area features wheelchair spaces, a restroom, and foldable seats. Moving toward the second car, the second-class seats are accessible via three steps up.

The second car is dedicated entirely to second-class seating. In its low-floor section, there are spaces for strollers and bicycles, while the front of the car (also accessed via steps) includes bench seating. Unlike the first car, the second car is equipped with two pairs of double-leaf doors.

Traveling in First Class

The first-class section is located in the first car, marked by a yellow stripe above the door and a "1." However, this can be slightly confusing, as the car also includes second-class seating. Next to the doors, a gray panel displays the wheelchair symbol, while the glass features a mix of symbols indicating no smoking, stroller access, no bicycles, and surveillance cameras.

The first-class section, reached via three steps, is the only section with doors. The seats are upholstered in faux leather, which feels pleasant to the touch. While comfortable for solo travelers, the seats are the same width as those in second class, and there are no armrests between them. Power outlets (230V) and USB ports are shared between the two seats, and the seats themselves are not adjustable.

Traveling with Strollers and Wheelchairs

In the first car, marked with a wheelchair symbol next to the doors, the low-floor section includes a space designated for strollers but not for bicycles. This section also features the only restroom in the entire unit.

Between the restroom cabin and the exit doors, there is a designated area for strollers and wheelchairs, marked with symbols on the floor. Most of the seats in this area are fold-down seats arranged along the windows. By the restroom wall and near the doors, there are six fold-down seats, each with backrests and headrests. Power outlets are located on the wall between the windows, and the wheelchair space has an assistance button and a power outlet at wheelchair height. Along the windows, the car features frosted glass shelves for storage.

The passage between the stroller and wheelchair area and the doors is slightly narrowed but doorless, making it easy for wheelchairs to navigate, though it can be less comfortable in winter. Travel information is displayed on a screen overhead.

Restroom with Changing Table

The restroom is spacious and white, designed for wheelchair users and parents with children. It includes a fold-down changing table. The sink is small, flat, and slanted, extending beneath the hot-air vent. Water is activated touch-free, while other functions are controlled by buttons. The restroom door opens toward the aisle by the window, which is not ideal for wheelchair access but ensures passengers don’t have to look directly into the restroom when the door is open.

Second-Class Seating

Most second-class seats are located in the part of the car leading to the neighboring Flirt Akku car. To improve safety during train movement, these seats feature white handrails on the aisle side. Ironically, some of these seats, which are accessible via stairs, are intended for passengers with mobility issues.

The seating is arranged either in face-to-face pairs or in airline-style rows. In airline-style seating, there is a fold-out plastic table attached to the back of the preceding seat. Along the windows are frosted glass shelves for storage, making it easy to see what’s placed there. Beneath the shelves are hooks for hanging coats. Power outlets for 230V and USB charging are shared between the seats.

Car for Strollers and Cyclists

The second car features two double-leaf doors. The glass is covered with a variety of symbols, including no smoking, bicycles, strollers, a camera icon, and even stickers indicating the area is reserved for pregnant women and elderly passengers. A large "2" next to the door denotes second class, while a bicycle symbol appears on the gray background. The same symbols are displayed on the second set of doors.

In the low-floor section, there are pairs of seats facing each other with a large shared table by the window. The seats are well-designed and very comfortable, making it hard to believe this is second class. Both the table and armrests combine plastic and wood, offering a pleasant tactile experience. Below the seats are 230V and USB outlets, but armrests are missing between the seats.

Across the aisle from the seats, there is a spacious area for cyclists. Along the wall is a long row of fold-down seats, and the floor is marked with bicycle symbols. However, there are no racks for securing bikes, meaning passengers must hold their bicycles during the journey. Power outlets for 230V and USB charging are located on the wall between the windows, along with a sign prohibiting the charging of e-bikes. Overhead shelves along the windows offer additional storage space.

At the transition between cars, second-class seating is provided, just as in the first car.

Benches

At the front of the car, behind the standard seats, there are two U-shaped benches, reminiscent of something you might find in a living room or kitchen. Each bench accommodates up to six passengers, most of whom sit with their backs to the window. The seats are placed closely together, with no armrests. 230V and USB outlets are located under the benches. The upholstery matches that of the standard seats. This seating arrangement seems well-suited for groups of schoolchildren commuting to school by train. For other passengers, I would have appreciated doors to block out the noise they might make during the ride.

Summary

From a passenger’s perspective, I must highlight the comfort and design of the second-class seats, including the foldable seats and the benches at the front of the car. These features are both attractive and functional. The first-class section, meanwhile, offers a space for passengers seeking more peace and quiet, as it is separated by doors.

I also appreciate that traveling with a stroller no longer requires standing or sitting by the doors—you can comfortably enter the dedicated section.

Comparison: Flirt Akku vs. RegioPanter 890–891

At the Rail Business Days exhibition in Ostrava this June, the battery-powered RegioPanter unit by Škoda Group was showcased. It features 140 seats, including 8 in first class, and a total capacity for 323 passengers, according to the manufacturer. The space for bicycles and strollers is comparable to the Flirt Akku, with 9 spots for bikes and 4 for strollers. Its battery range is also up to 80 km. The unit on display was painted in the colors of the Moravian-Silesian Region.

Having had the chance to thoroughly explore both the Stadler Flirt Akku and the Škoda RegioPanter, I’ll compare them from a passenger’s point of view.

Boarding the RegioPanter 690

The RegioPanter 690 unit consists of two cars. The first car includes a first-class section at the front, a low-floor area for wheelchairs, bicycles, or strollers, a restroom, and second-class seats located both in the low-floor section and up three steps.

The second car also has a pair of double-leaf doors, with space near them for strollers and bicycles. The majority of the floor area is occupied by second-class seating.

The double-leaf doors have a 150 cm wide opening and both panels open with the press of a single button. Large, clear symbols for bicycles, strollers, and wheelchairs are displayed on the doors. Unfortunately, in the first car, the passage near the wheelchair-accessible door is narrowed by a large folded ramp designed for boarding from low platforms. This gives the impression of additional partitions and walls throughout the train’s length.

In the second car, seating near the doors is also provided for cyclists and there is space for strollers.

Traveling in First Class

In the RegioPanter, the first-class seats are located at the front of the train, both in the low-floor section and up three steps. The key advantage of first-class seating is that the seats are arranged individually or in pairs with space between them. Armrests are provided between the seats. The foldable tables are wider, making it easier to work on a laptop. If the sun is too bright, the windows have shades.

In the low-floor section, there is space behind the table for storing luggage or large bags. The first-class section is separated from the rest of the train by doors, providing a quieter environment.

Second-Class Seats

Most of the second-class seats are located up the stairs. These seats also feature foldable armrests. Beneath the seats are power outlets for small electronic devices. The ceiling and walls are equipped with screens displaying real-time travel information. Passengers moving through the train can hold onto white handrails located on the side of the seats for added stability.

For passengers sitting in groups of four, there is a small table by the window. For those in airline-style rows, a fold-out plastic table is available on the back of the preceding seat.

In the second car, second-class seats are located both upstairs (accessible via stairs leading to the adjoining car) and in the low-floor section. The seats are arranged either in pairs, like in an airplane, or in groups of four with a shared table by the window. Overhead shelves above the windows provide storage space, while coat hooks are positioned next to the windows. These windows also come with shades.

The seating sections are partially divided by half-walls, giving a slight sense of separation.

Traveling with Bicycles and Strollers

The RegioPanter 690 provides space for bicycles and strollers in both cars, primarily in the low-floor sections. The first car has the most space, as it is also designed for wheelchair users and includes a restroom. Along the windows, there is a row of fold-down seats, and in front of them is a large area for bicycles. Several bikes can be secured using safety belts that pull out from behind the seats. This area is shared with wheelchair users. Above the windows, along the car, there is a shelf for belongings, as well as coat hooks. A screen on the wall displays travel information.

In the first car, additional space for bicycles and strollers is available near the second set of doors, behind the restroom. This section also features fold-down seats, along with two vertical bike racks, though such racks are becoming less common in regional trains.

In the second car, space for bicycles and strollers is limited to the area near the doors marked with a bicycle symbol. There are three fold-down seats opposite this space, with additional room for strollers on the other side of the door. While this arrangement makes boarding convenient, it can be problematic during frequent door openings, especially in winter.

Restroom

The restroom in the RegioPanter is also designed for wheelchair users and includes a changing table. However, it feels smaller than the one in the Flirt Akku, which could be due to the use of gray-blue colors and a wood-effect finish on the front wall, which make the space feel more enclosed.

Summary

The RegioPanter features four double-leaf doors with a width of 150 cm, while the Flirt Akku has only three double-leaf doors with a narrower width of 130 cm. The Flirt Akku offers more comfortable seats, especially for solo or slim passengers, and has a sleeker, more modern design, both in layout and color scheme. Its interior is also more open and organized.

In contrast, the RegioPanter has a clearer distinction between first and second class, with features like armrests, single seats, and wider tables in first class. It also provides more space for bicycles and strollers, making it a better option for passengers traveling with these.

Ultimately, the seat arrangement and interior layout largely depend on the specifications provided by the train operator. Train manufacturers design their vehicles with this flexibility in mind. A key consideration is the number and width of doors, which should match the anticipated passenger volume and the frequency of boarding and alighting.