More FLIRTs For VR

On 29 November 2022, VR Group and Stadler signed in  Helsinki a contract for the delivery of 20 160 km/h four-car FLIRT EMUs. In addition to the supply of spare parts, the contract also includes options for 50 additional units and the expansion of services to Stadler’s full-service model.

The new trains will offer space for 796 passengers, with seats for 356 of them, and are intended for regional transport e. g., around the capital Helsinki and in Tampere region, however they can also be used as intercity trains if required in the future. Delivery of the first vehicle is scheduled for spring 2026.

81 FLIRTs are already in service in Finland. Like the previous batches, the new FLIRT trains are being specially adapted for the climate in Finland, including large snow ploughs, efficient air-conditioning technology featuring underfloor heating in the entrance vestibules, as well as special heat insulation and well-sealed traction compartments to protect the drive technology.

Finland is one of the most important hotspots in Europe for outstanding design. For this reason, Stadler has worked with a local agency to ensure that the new trains reflect the Finnish design. The interior is elegant and stylish, yet modular so that it can easily be reconfigured or replaced during the lifetime of the trains.

The new FLIRTs will support VR Group’s commitment to sustainable mobility. The lightweight aluminium bodyshell construction, combined with the latest converter technology, will significantly reduce the energy consumption of the trains. The choice of propane as a coolant, the use of oil-free air compressors and the possibility to recycle a large part of the materials at the end of their service life are just a few examples.