Flirt train. Credit: Stadler Rail AG.

Switzerland-based railway company BLS has signed a contract to purchase 52 latest-generation Flirt trains from Stadler.

The new fleet is intended to replace three older models and facilitate the planned expansion of regional transport in the canton of Bern.

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It is also expected to allow BLS to operate rail services at 15-minute intervals.

BLS CEO Bernard Guillelmon said: “We are pleased to be developing the new trains with Stadler, and look forward to offering our passengers an even more comfortable and reliable means of transport to their destinations in the future.”

BLS plans to deploy 28 trains across different commuter rail routes in Bern, while allocating the remaining 24 locomotives for regional express traffic.

“We are pleased to be developing the new trains with Stadler, and look forward to offering our passengers an even more comfortable and reliable means of transport.”

The trains for commuter rail service and regional express transportation will be technically identical, featuring a low-floor design and spacious boarding areas.

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The 105m-long, one-storey-high trains will also comprise designated storage spaces and large windows, as well as plug sockets in 1st and 2nd class and improved mobile phone reception.

In addition, the regional express vehicles will feature a separate catering area.

The company is also taking out an option to order additional vehicles of the same type to ensure the long-term uniformity of the fleet and equip itself for future developments.

A full-scale model of the trains is slated to be built at Stadler’s Bussnang factory from the middle of this year.

Both parties are expected to confirm the design of the new locomotives on the basis of this model.

Furthemore, BLS plans to consult with multiple customer representatives in the process to ensure that passenger requirements are taken into account.

Stadler is anticipated to begin construction of the first railcar bodies early next year and the first trains are set to be ready for testing on track by mid-2019.

BLS is slated to commence operations with the new locomotives from 2021 to 2025.