GYSEV Confirms Final Assembly FLIRT InterCity EMUs in Poland

BUDAPEST, Hungary – Hungarian-Austrian rail operator GYSEV has confirmed that the first four of its 11 FLIRT InterCity electric trains are now in final assembly at Stadler’s Siedlce facility in Poland, following car body production at Stadler’s Szolnok plant in Hungary. The first complete trainset is scheduled to arrive in Hungary by the end of 2025 for internal testing and authorization procedures. Commercial service across the 11-unit fleet is projected to begin in the second half of 2027, with full availability expected by summer 2028.

What Does This Contract Cover?

The order comprises 11 five-car FLIRT InterCity electric multiple units designed for 160 km/h operation, representing Hungary’s first procurement of new InterCity rolling stock in 30 years. Each trainset includes first- and second-class compartments, a low-floor design for accessibility, air conditioning, a passenger information system, Wi-Fi connectivity, and USB-C charging ports. A dedicated catering area with vending machines supports long-distance service, and the interior accommodates up to 18 bicycles during summer months. Dual-voltage configuration enables cross-border operation into Austria on the Budapest–Győr–Sopron and Budapest–Győr–Szombathely corridors. Financing was secured through a European Investment Bank loan to GYSEV.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

Stadler’s FLIRT platform has surpassed 3,000 units sold globally since 2002, with the Szolnok plant producing nearly 4,000 car bodies—equivalent to approximately 1,000 four-car trainsets—out of approximately 6,000 car bodies manufactured by Stadler to date. Within Hungary, GYSEV already operates 20 FLIRT units and state operator MÁV runs 123, but the new order targets long-distance InterCity service rather than regional operations. The assembly location in Siedlce, Poland, aligns with broader industrial momentum in that country: private equity and venture capital funds invested EUR 994 million in Polish companies in 2025, reinforcing Poland’s position as Central and Eastern Europe’s leading manufacturing and innovation hub (Source: CEO.com.pl, 2025). Broader rail freight demand continues expanding alongside passenger investment, with North American intermodal volume reaching 14.06 million units in 2025, a 1.5% increase and the second-highest annual total on record (Source: Logistics Management / State of Logistics, 2025). Comparable InterCity fleet modernizations in the CEE region include České dráhy’s ongoing procurement of ComfortJet units and PKP Intercity’s expansion of its Pendolino and FLIRT fleets, though contract values for the GYSEV order remain unconfirmed against those benchmarks.

Editor’s Analysis

The three-country testing strategy—spanning Romania, the Czech Republic, and Hungary—indicates that GYSEV and Stadler are leveraging Romania’s established certification infrastructure, which previously supported Alstom IC5 testing for Denmark. This cross-border approach to authorization may compress the timeline between first delivery and revenue service compared to single-country testing regimes. The 30-year gap since Hungary’s last new InterCity procurement, combined with Minister Vitézy’s explicit criticism of MÁV’s absence of similar acquisitions, suggests that GYSEV’s fleet strategy is emerging as a de facto benchmark for Hungarian long-distance rail modernization. The dual-voltage specification for Austrian interoperability also positions these units as corridor assets on a route where cross-border labour mobility and freight demand continue to intensify.

FAQ

Q: When will the new GYSEV InterCity trains enter passenger service?
A: The first trains are scheduled to begin commercial operation in the second half of 2027, with all 11 units expected to be available by summer 2028.

Q: What routes will the new FLIRT InterCity trains serve?
A: The trains will operate on the Budapest–Győr–Sopron and Budapest–Győr–Szombathely corridors, with dual-voltage capability permitting cross-border service into Austria.

Q: What is the total contract value for the 11-train order?
A: The contract value has not been publicly disclosed by either GYSEV or Stadler. Financing is being provided through a European Investment Bank loan.