Stadler has today unveiled the new KISS Railjet double-deck train to the public on the opening day of InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin.
The KISS Railjet double-deck train was unveiled at the Stadler stand in the presence of company and ÖBB leadership, alongside Austria’s federal minister for innovation, mobility and infrastructure.
Roughly 160 metres long, the vehicle is capable of 200 km/h, entering long-distance service in Austria by the end of 2026.
With 486 seats, the KISS Railjet double-deck train offers around a 20 percent increase in passenger capacity compared with the rolling stock it replaces.
Equipped with spacious boarding areas and wide doors intended to speed up passenger flow, this train aims to make travelling across ÖBB’s long-distance network a comforting experience.
A Platform With a Long Track Record
Speaking at the presentation, Stadler Chairman Peter Spuhler traced the KISS double-deck platform back to its first order in 2008.
Since then, he explained, 153 double-deck units have entered service, running principally on Swiss railway routes around Geneva, with further orders from 14 different countries across Europe.
Peter Spuhler, Chairman at Stadler, said:We are extremely proud that we can now have them running in Austria.
He also highlighted the platform’s ties to the region, stating that around 40 percent of the workforce at Stadler’s Rhine Valley factories comes from Austria, alongside a number of Austrian sub-suppliers.
Austria’s Investment in Rail
Peter Hanke, Austria’s federal minister for innovation, mobility and infrastructure, pointed to the significant sums Austria has already committed to rail transport in recent years, with a further €6 billion set aside for rolling stock investment in the years ahead.
Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure at the Austrian Government, said:From 2027 we can write history, where we offer new comfort and sustainability.
Hanke offered his thanks to Stadler and its workforce for the chance to build the fleet on Austria’s doorstep, and drew a line between this summer’s extreme heat and the urgency of the task ahead.
Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure at the Austrian Government, said:We really need to invest in the future for our children, and that is why it is so important we are fit for the future.
ÖBB Chief Praises Design of New Double-Deck Train
Asked to sum up his impression of the new long-distance train, ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä singled out its design:
Andreas Matthä, CEO at ÖBB, said:I like the front of the train — it's so beautiful. Aesthetics play a big role.
