ÖBB orders 16 FLIRT AKKU trains

On 9 September 2023 ÖBB ordered 16 FLIRT BEMUs from Stadler. The order worth around 194 million EUR is part of the framework agreement signed in July 2023 for up to 120 vehicles with a total volume of up to 1.3 billion EUR. The battery-operated FLIRTs are intended to replace the existing diesel fleet and are expected to be in service in Lower Austria on the Kamptalbahn from 2028. 

The new Cityjet BEMUs, which will be built at the Bussnang works, are three-car units, around 63 m long and with a top speed of 160 km/h. With expected 160 seats, they will offer more capacity, which is particularly needed for the heavily frequented trains at peak times. With this order, Stadler has already been able to sell more than 150 vehicles with alternative drives in seven countries.

The Austrian FLIRT AKKUs will have a maximum speed of 160 km/h and that in a battery mode around of 140 km/h. On average, the trains will have a working range of up to 150 km in battery mode (the steeper the track, the shorter the range). They will be maintained in the St.Pölten works and will also serve the feeder services to the Kamptal., as they will be able to run also under the 15 kV 16.7 Hz overhead line.

The approximately 44 km long Kamptalbahn between Hadersdorf am Kamp and Sigmundsherberg will be made fit for the future step by step in the coming years. The stations and stops will be given a modern appearance and up-to-date platform equipment. The requirements for accessibility are to be fulfilled as best as possible. Furthermore, the stations will be equipped with modern electronic signal boxes.

ÖBB is thus creating the basis for an attractive and customer-oriented mobility offer with better connections towards Wien and St. Pölten. The planned modernisation measures and an optimisation of the current alignment will allow the maximum line speed to be increased from the current 80 km/h to 100 km/h. The improvement in attractiveness enables better timetable planning and a reduced waiting time for the departure of the connecting train in Hadersdorf am Kamp. This will significantly reduce the overall travel time for many passengers: the journey time Horn - Hadersdorf will be reduced by seven minutes, Horn - St. Pölten will be at least 13 minutes faster. 

A new crossing point in Stiefern allows for a half-hourly interval. In order to increase safety for all traffic participants, the railway crossings will be modernised or abandoned in coordination with the respective road owners.