Slovak national railway operator ZSSK has signed a contract with a consortium of Škoda Group and ŽOS Trnava for eight new electric multiple units for long-distance services.
The contract, signed at InnoTrans 2026, will take effect once financing for the project has been secured. The first trains are expected to be delivered no earlier than 2032–2033.
The seven-car trains will be designed for operation in Slovakia and will subsequently receive approval for use in Austria within 12 months of delivery of the first unit. ZSSK will also have an option to order a further seven trains, with the additional units intended to receive approval for operation in the Czech Republic and Hungary.
The contract includes ten years of servicing, spare parts and diagnostic equipment, selected repairs, employee training and technical documentation.
The new EMU550 trains will be seven-car units measuring around 190 metres in length. They will operate under three electrification systems: 3 kV DC, 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC and 25 kV 50 Hz AC.
The trains will have an installed power output of 3,760 kW and a maximum operating speed of 200 km/h. Their pressure-tight design and compliance with Category B tunnel requirements under the European TSI SRT specification will allow them to operate on high-speed routes and through long tunnels.
The units will be capable of operating independently or coupled together. Two trains can be operated as a multiple unit by a single driver.
Tomáš Ignačák, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Škoda Group, said:The new EMU550 units are a solution designed for modern long-distance rail transport. They combine speeds of up to 200 km/h, high capacity, comfort for passengers on long-distance routes and the ability to operate in several European countries and under several power supply systems.
We greatly appreciate ZSSK’s trust and are pleased that our vehicles will contribute to further improvements in rail transport in Slovakia,” says Tomáš Ignačák, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Škoda Group, and adds: “This is the first tri-system variant of the new generation of Škoda electric multiple units designed for international long-distance services at speeds of up to 200 km/h.
Each train will provide 566 seats, including 75 first-class seats and 464 second-class seats, with a further 27 folding seats. First class will include 18 seats in a quiet zone, while a dining area adjoining the first-class section will provide 32 seats.
Passenger facilities will include adjustable seats, individual reading lights, Wi-Fi and a passenger information system. First-class seats will have individual power sockets and USB-A and USB-C charging connections, while second-class passengers will have these facilities at each pair of seats.
One carriage will be adapted for passengers with reduced mobility and will include a compartment for passengers travelling with children. The space will feature a children’s cinema and play area, as well as dedicated storage for prams.
The trains will also have continuously adjustable interior lighting based on ambient light levels and an information point with a workstation for the train manager.
The low-floor design will provide level boarding from platforms 550 mm above the top of rail. A multifunctional area will accommodate two wheelchair users, seven prams and up to 16 bicycles.
The accessible area will include a universal toilet and two lifting platforms designed to meet TSI PRM requirements. These will enable boarding from platforms as low as 200 mm above the top of rail.
The passenger information system will also incorporate accessibility features for passengers with reduced mobility and orientation needs.
Furthermore, the trains will be equipped with control and diagnostic systems designed to support energy management, timetable adherence and maintenance planning. The diagnostic system will monitor the condition of the trains and, together with a ground-based monitoring system, is intended to reduce routine maintenance requirements and increase vehicle availability.
