Hungarian MÁV-START signs contract for 21 FLIRT EMUs

In a contract worth approximately €125 million, Stadler will supply 21 FLIRT EMUs to MÁV-START Zrt for operation on the suburban lines of Budapest. The call for tender, announced in March this year, was available in two parts; applicants could bid for the supply of 6 or 15 units. The first 6 units are to be funded by the outgoing Transport Operational Programme of the European Union, due to end this year, while the purchase of 15 trains will be financed by the Integrated Transport Development Operational Programme. As a result Stadler will supply the first 6 EMUs by the end of October with the remaining due for delivery in December 2016.

Mr. György Zaránd, CEO of MÁV-START, proclaimed: “This day will be written in bold letters into the history book of the Hungarian railways, as our vehicle fleet is now enriching with additional 21 modern electric multiple units.”

Zoltán Dunai, Country Manager of Stadler Rail Group in Hungary, added: “During the 10 years of its presence in Hungary, Stadler has sold altogether 133 trains with high domestic added value, out of which 123 were sold for MÁV. We are very proud of the fact that during the years we could become one of the most significant suppliers of the Hungarian State Railways.”

FLIRT EMUs provide a seating capacity of 211, are equipped with passenger information systems, air conditioning, multifunctional areas for the storage of bicycles, disabled accessible toilets, as well as free wifi connection and power sockets for the charging of mobile phones and laptops. The trains are also equipped with the European Train Control System 2 (ETCS 2), which assures that they are able to operate at speeds of 160km/h on the recently renewed lines funded by the EU.