Stadler has won the contract to supply eight four-car FLIRT3 XL vehicles for use on the Rheingau Express (RE) lines in Germany.
The agreement also includes an option for a further vehicle.
Alpha Trains will lease the FLIRTs to VIAS Rail on a long-term basis for use on the new RE 19 regional express line between Koblenz and Frankfurt, as well as the RB 10 line from Neuwied to Frankfurt.
This network was recently awarded to VIAS by the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund.
“We're looking forward to the long-term partnership with our new customer, VIAS Rail.
“The cooperation up to the signing of the contract was extremely professional and committed and has shown that our companies are on the same wavelength.
“These are the best prerequisites for challenging project - between the legally binding award of the transport contract and the signing of the leasing and the signing of the leasing contract - on schedule and successfully.”
The FLIRT multiple units can carry up to 512 passengers, with seating for 230, while three multipurpose areas can transport up to 12 bicycles, baby carriages or wheelchairs.
Six boarding areas and an elevating lift ensure fast and barrier-free entry and exit regardless of the platform height.
The trains will also be equipped with the latest version of Stadler’s Guardia ETCS solution.
Earlier this week Stadler signed an agreement with Deutsche Bahn (DB) Netz to retrofit up to 80 maintenance and track service vehicles with this train control system.
The electric trains will begin operating in 2025 and will increase the number of FLIRT vehicles in the VIAS fleet to 27.
