38 FLIRT Trains in Operation in Estonia

Image Courtesy of Stadler Rail

Stadler Rail Group has successfully delivered the last FLIRT train out of the fleet of 38 units to Estonian railway operator Elron. The two companies signed the delivery and leasing contracts in 2010, and managed to close the project successfully with an early delivery of altogether 240 train-days within the agreed deadlines. With this procurement Elron changed its whole passenger train fleet, and the improved service quality has already led to an average 45% increase in the number of passengers in Estonia.

Stadler Rail Electric and Diesel Train Range

Elron (at that time Elektriraudtee) issued the public procurement back in 2009 separately for the purchase of 18 electric (EMU) and 20 diesel (DMU) multiple units. The procurement ended successfully with the victory of Stadler, the contracts were signed in August 2010.

Elron ordered altogether 12 three-car and 6 four-car EMUs, as well as 6 two-car, 8 three-car and 6 four-car DMUs from Stadler, which is the largest passenger train fleet acquired in the history of independent Estonia.

Operational experiences Elron put the first electric unit in July 2013 and the first diesel train in January 2014 into operation. With this project the company changed its whole rolling stock, by which the average age of the fleet is close to zero. Since the launch of the service, the new trains have altogether run 1.200.000 kilometres on the Estonian railway network, and provided a service of approximately 5 million trips for passengers. The trains have proved to be reliable, as availability of the units is constantly around 99.5 percent. The outstanding service of Elron has been proven by the constantly growing number of passengers, which have increased by 60 percent on the electric lines, and 15 percent on the diesel lines, totalling to an average of 50 percent.