SBB awarded Stadler a new contract for the supply of 7 additional Giruno trains to meet its transport service expansion to Germany that requires trains to run at a speed of 250 km/h on DB’s high-speed lines. CHF 250 million (EUR 247.2 million) is the value of the new trains which are expected to provide more direct connections via Basel to various destinations in Germany from 2026.
The new trains are part of the option right that SBB had published when the Giruno were put out to tender. The Eurocity compositions will continue to be used for national and other international connections.
“We are proud to be delivering seven more of our high-speed trains to SBB. The Giruno is a fine example of Stadler’s innovative strength. The train is a result of the long-standing and successful cooperation between SBB and Stadler,” Peter Spuhler, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Group CEO a.i. of Stadler said.
SBB currently operates its services to Germany with the Astoro (ETR610) and the Eurocity compositions procured in the late 1980s. The Eurocity trains do not meet the speed requirements for the envisaged service concept and cannot be used for this purpose. The existing Astoro trains that are suitable for the high-speed network are already in use on other high-speed lines and are therefore not available. That is why SBB is ordering another seven Giruno trains from Stadler for around 250 million Swiss francs. These seven vehicles are part of the option right that SBB had published when the Giruno were put out to tender. The Eurocity compositions will continue to be used for national and other international connections.
The Giruno is Stadler’s SMILE high-speed train. The SMILE is an 11-car electric multi-system multiple unit with a length of 202 metres that can travel at speeds of up to 250 km/h. In double traction, the Giruno offers passengers a total of 810 seats over a length of up to 400 metres. The trains are equipped with a low-floor entrance for the different platform heights in Switzerland, Austria and Italy (55 cm in all three countries) in relation to Germany (76 cm). The Giruno exceeds the requirements of the Law on Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities. It has around twice as many wheelchair-accessible places and toilets as legally stipulated. The trains can also provide a great deal of comfort: they offer good phone reception on the move, power outlets at all seats, large luggage racks, gender-separated toilets and a modern lighting concept with energy-saving LED lights.
Currently, 29 Giruno trains operate on the rail routes from Basel/Zurich to Lugano/Milan and on to Genoa, Bologna and Venice.
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