Stadler Secures CHF 117M Order for 13 Swiss Flirt Trains

FRIBOURG, SWITZERLAND – The Fribourg Transport Authority (TPF) finalized a CHF 117 million (EUR 125 million) agreement with Stadler Rail to supply 13 four-car Flirt Evo electric multiple-units. Deliveries will facilitate the full retirement of TPF’s aging Domino rolling stock, with commercial revenue service scheduled to commence in December 2028. TPF secured the units by exercising procurement options established under Swiss Federal Railways’ (SBB) 2021 framework tender.

What Does This Contract Cover?

The supply agreement covers 13 four-car Flirt Evo standard-gauge trainsets designed to replace legacy Domino rolling stock across the canton of Fribourg. Each 73.5-metre trainset delivers a top speed of 160 km/h, containing 164 seated positions and total passenger capacity for 369 commuters. The configuration incorporates wide entrance doors, dedicated multi-purpose areas for bicycles and mobility aids, level-boarding accessibility, and low-energy traction packages. While TPF announced commercial deployment beginning in December 2028 with subsequent deliveries spaced two months apart, secondary production monitoring reports that Stadler was scheduled to build the first nine trainsets within a 22-month manufacturing window. Specific depot tooling allocations, spare parts packages, and long-term maintenance cost distributions were not disclosed in the official contract award.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

TPF’s unit procurement price averages approximately EUR 9.61 million per four-car regional trainset, reflecting standard pricing efficiencies gained through SBB’s bulk framework agreement. By comparison, capital expenditure for rolling stock varies sharply when integrated civil and signalling scopes are included: Alstom secured a EUR 1.0 billion contract in Australia to deliver 13 automated Metropolis metro trainsets for Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop East, an arrangement averaging over EUR 76 million per trainset due to accompanying automated signalling, fleet maintenance, and systems integration (Source: Railway Supply, 2025). Within the regional commuter segment, Stadler’s Flirt platform maintains wide European adoption, though regional operators often face contrasting lead times; Polish regional operators have taken initial deliveries on framework options within 24 months, whereas TPF has structured an extended testing-to-deployment window running to December 2028 (Source: Railway Gazette International, 2026).

Editor’s Analysis

TPF’s order exemplifies the financial efficiency small-to-midsize regional operators achieve by piggybacking on national framework agreements established by state incumbents like SBB. Fleet standardisation on the Flirt architecture reduces spare parts inventories and training burdens across western Switzerland as passenger volumes surge, evidenced by Swiss national rail travel achieving a record 23.7 billion passenger-kilometres (Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, 2025). Furthermore, cross-border interoperability requirements linked to the EU-Swiss Land Transport negotiations will require secondary operators to run standardized, high-acceleration rolling stock capable of integrating into denser timetable paths.

FAQ

Q: Why did TPF purchase Stadler Flirt Evo trains through SBB’s framework?
A: TPF exercised options from SBB’s 2021 tender to access volume pricing and standardized maintenance specifications. This structure saved administrative procurement costs and established unit pricing of roughly CHF 9 million per trainset.

Q: What will happen to TPF’s existing Domino train fleet?
A: The Domino railcars will be progressively phased out as Flirt Evo trainsets enter commercial revenue service starting in December 2028. After fleet transition, TPF’s standard-gauge operation will rely on eight older Flirt units and 13 new Flirt Evo trains.

Q: What passenger capacity do the new TPF Flirt Evo trainsets provide?
A: Each four-car vehicle measures 73.5 metres in length and provides seating for 164 passengers. Total design capacity reaches 369 passengers when including standing space in multi-purpose areas.