IC FLIRTs for GYSEV

On 19 March 2024, Stadler and GYSEV signed a contract for the supply of FLIRTs for long distance for the Sopron - Budapest and Szombathely - Budapest routes. The contract consists of a basic order for nine five-car dual-voltage units (15 + 25 kV) and an option for up to four more. The operator has been given six months to decide on the number of option trains; the deadline expired on 19 September and two FLIRTs from the option will be ordered.

This purchase was also subject to clarification of funding issues. In September a government decision was taken to provide a 100 % state guarantee for GYSEV's payment obligations under a loan agreement with the EIB for 160 million EUR. It is worth noting that this acquisition of the units referred to as GYSEV IC is currently the only major project currently underway in Hungary for the purchase of new rail passenger vehicles.

The FLIRTs are expected to enter service in 2027, and will also run to Austria. The bodyshells will be manufactured at the Stadler Szolnok plant, with final assembly taking place at the Siedlce works. The arrival of eleven new FLIRTs will significantly expand the operator's EMU fleet.

The Hungarian part of GYSEV operates at present two FLIRT batches: the first, Class 415, was put into service in December 2013 and comprises ten units (415 500 - 509), the second batch, also ten-strong, is designated Class 435 and is a type of FLIRT3, which entered service in 2018 (435 501 - 510). All twenty are four-car units, designed for operation on the 25 kV 50 Hz, have a top speed of 160 km/h and a power output of 2,600 kW. The first five were equipped with EVM and Indusi ATPs, while the remaining fifteen also have an on-board ETCS.

The Austrian part of GYSEV (Raaberbahn) currently uses 12 Desiro ML EMUs, named Ventus. There are five units of the Class 4744 from 2016 (4744 300 - 304) and seven Class 4746 units from 2021 - 22 (4746 308 - 310 and 312 - 315). The units 4746 301 to 307 are used by ODEG. These GYSEV Ventuses are three-car dual-voltage units (not using Jakobs bogies) with a top speed of 160 km/h and a power of 2,600 kW, equipped with PZB and ETCS ATPs.

Missing from the above list is 4746 311, as it was destroyed in a derailment on 9 May 2022 near Münchendorf (south of Wien). However, a replacement Desiro ML was ordered in March 2023. In addition, two more 4746s were ordered, one in May 2023 and the other in November 2024.