The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and LTG Link have signed a financing agreement for the purchase of 15 electric and battery trains from Stadler.
The two banks will provide together EUR 200 million – EUR 100 million each – to finance 9 electric and 6 battery trains, which will replace about one-third of the LTG Link passenger train fleet.
The new trains will not only be more comfortable than diesel trains but will also reduce journey times. Low-floor cars will make boarding easier for older people, pregnant women, parents with small children and all passengers with reduced mobility.
The electrification of the train fleet will also be environmentally friendly, with the new trains set to reduce the CO2 emissions of passenger transport by an estimated 6,500 tonnes per year. In addition, the scaled back diesel use will result in an estimated 39 tonnes reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions per year. All electric trains will use electricity generated from renewable energy sources.
“This agreement not only paves the way for significant renewal of the train fleet in Lithuania, but also strengthens our railway integration with Europe. This is particularly important in order to further improve and popularise rail transport, expand sustainable travel options, and increase the number of passengers. This is a new stage in the Lithuanian railway sector, with the company giving up any ties, train parts or maintenance from eastern neighbors,” the Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis, said.
Testing of the Swiss-built electric trains in Lithuania is scheduled to begin next year, and the company’s customers will start travelling on the first of the new trains in mid-2026. By purchasing these trains, LTG Link will also procure the supply of train parts and technical support services until 2037.
The new trains will operate on the popular Vilnius – Klaipėda, Vilnius – Varėna and Kaunas – Šiauliai routes. As part of the electrification of the railways, battery-powered trains will run on non-electrified lines.
The value of the electric and battery trains, related services and spare parts to be purchased is EUR 226.5 million. In June 2023, LTG Link and Stadler signed a contract for the supply of 15 Flirt trains with an option for up to 13 Flirt Intercity multiple units, 15 battery-electric Flirt trains with 100 km range and 11 battery-electric Flirt multiple units with 70 km range.
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