SBB, Thurbo and RegionAlps today presented the first three new Flirt Evo trains from train manufacturer Stadler to the public. The new single-deck multiple units will be put into service as planned in the course of 2026. They will bring numerous improvements to passengers and some will operate across borders.
In 2022, SBB, together with Thurbo and RegionAlps, ordered 286 single-deck multiple units for regional transport from train manufacturer Stadler. The investment volume amounts to CHF 2 billion (USD 2.2 billion). A first train has now been completed for each of the three railway companies. The three new trains were presented to the media and representatives of the cantons today in the Weinfelden maintenance facility.
The new single-deck trains offer customers improvements over the vehicles they replace. These include newly designed and spacious multifunctional zones, more storage space for bicycles, strollers and luggage, as well as good mobile phone and data reception when on the move and power sockets in all compartments. They take into account the requirements for passengers with reduced mobility and have two spaces for wheelchair users per train, now also in 1st class, as well as a wheelchair-accessible toilet. Thanks to better motorization, the new trains help to improve punctuality. In addition, the air conditioning units use the environmentally friendly refrigerant propane (R290).
The new Flirt Evo will operate across borders
The new multiple units will be approved for use in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and France and will replace various types of trains in regional transport (Domino, 1st generation Flirt, GTW, Nina), which will probably have to be scrapped by the end of 2034 due to their service life. The three railway companies are thus standardising their regional transport fleet and making use of synergies, for example in maintenance and operation.
In addition to the 286 trains ordered, SBB, Thurbo and RegionAlps have the option of 224 additional vehicles for the expansion of rail connections. Of the options, 10 vehicles have already been purchased for the Hochrhein-Bodensee-Express and 33 vehicles for the trinational S-Bahn Basel.
Use and schedule of the new Flirt Evo
The new multiple units will be gradually put into operation in the following years:
- From 2026: Winterthur area & Eastern Switzerland (Thurbo) – 107 trains
- From 2026: Valais (RegionAlps) – 24 trains
- From 2028: Hochrhein-Bodensee-Express (SBB GmbH) – 10 trains
- From 2028: Central Switzerland – 24 trains (SBB)
- From 2029: Arc Jurassien – 37 trains (SBB)
- From 2030: Vaud – 45 trains (SBB)
- From 2031: trinational S-Bahn Basel (EuroBasilea) – 33 trains
- From 2032: Fribourg – 10 trains (SBB)
- From 2033: Mittelland – 35 trains (SBB)
- From 2035: Switzerland-wide – 4 trains (SBB)
A total of 329 Flirt Evo will be gradually deployed from 2026, 43 of which are options. With the options, the order quantity increases to 198 multiple units for SBB (including SBB GmbH and EuroBasilea), 107 for Thurbo and 24 for RegionAlps. After delivery of the trains by the manufacturer Stadler, all vehicles will be tested in the Weinfelden service facility and made ready for scheduled operation.
SBB CEO Vincent Ducrot emphasized the importance of the new trains for the SBB saying that “the Flirt Evo will be the newest flagship of the SBB fleet in regional transport. The SBB has already ordered 198 trains, which will be used in almost all regions of Switzerland.”
“With the 88 three-car and 19 four-car vehicles specially designed for Thurbo, we can make optimal use of the existing platform lengths in our area. We are looking forward to the trains from Eastern Switzerland – for Eastern Switzerland,” Claudia Bossert, Thurbo company manager, added:.
“The arrival of the Flirt Evo is awaited with great excitement in Valais. The trains will offer more capacity during peak hours and for leisure activities,” said Yves Marclay, Director of RegionAlps.
“Stadler is very proud to be able to continue the success story of our Flirt train together with SBB. To date, Stadler has been able to sell over 2,700 Flirts worldwide on schedule. With the Flirt Evo, Stadler is building state-of-the-art trains in Thurgau, which will provide a new rail experience in regional transport, first in Thurgau and then throughout Switzerland,” Peter Spuhler, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Stadler, said.
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