Westbahn, Stadler and Austrian Train Finance signed the EUR 300 million contract for the delivery of 15 six-car double-decker Kiss trains, including the provision of preventive and corrective maintenance as well as general inspections and revisions.
The new intercity trains for the Vienna–Salzburg line will replace the existing Westbahn fleet, which will be sold to Deutsche Bahn, as previously announced.
Since the first-generation Westbahn trains are not yet approved for Germany and the second-generation vehicles are yet to receive an upgrade from 160 to 200 km/h, Stadler is also responsible for the conversion and approval for Germany of the 17 trains being sold to DB.
The first batch of Westbahn’s existing fleet of trains will be delivered to DB in December 2019, followed by the remaining trains once the new vehicles have been supplied, which is expected to take place in 2021 according to the delivery contract.
The 150-meter trains have all 526 seats at first class comfort. A modern self-service café is available to passengers in each of the four intermediate cars. The high standard of equipment also includes air conditioning, unobstructed access as well as a disabled toilet and a powerful wireless network.
In 2011, Westbahn ordered from Stadler 7 double-decker Kiss trains for Vienna–Salzburg route and in December 2014, the operator ordered 10 additional Kiss trains to introduce half-hourly services on the Vienna–Salzburg intercity route.
CRRC has also participated at the tender, but Stadler submitted a successful bid thanks to its overall package comprising rail vehicles, a maintenance solution and financing.
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