- Flix places initial order for 30 sets of coaches with driving trailer worth €1.06 Billion;
- Locomotives will be supplied Siemens.
- The contract includes 15 years of fleet maintenance;
- Part of a potential €2.4 billion deal for up to 65 trains.
FlixTrain has taken the next big step in reaching its strategic goal to meet the growing demand for fast and affordable rail travel across Europe. For the first the company from Germany orders new trains following a competitive tender involving major global rail manufacturers and after several months of joint development work between technical teams from both companies to define the project specifications.
Each train will consist of a driving car, “several” intermediate cars and an end car that interfaces with the locomotive. The normal-gauge trains will interoperable across Europe, initially configured for operation in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden.
André Schwämmlein, CEO and co-founder of Flix: We are implementing a long-term strategy for FlixTrain and will significantly expand our services in the coming years. This large-scale fleet expansion marks the beginning of a new era for rail travel in Germany and across Europe. We aim not only to grow our market share but also to expand the market itself.
This strategic move make it possible to FlixTrain to better make use of rail lines that allow for higher speeds, as the trains can travel with speeds of up to 230 km/h. In 2024, FlixTrain increased its service offering by 40% and saw continued growth in passenger numbers, building on strong results from 2023.
Similar trains for Deutsche Bahn (ICE L) and the Danish railways (DSB) are currently in the authorisation process for the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Austria:
About Flix and Flixtrain
Thanks to its asset-light business model and innovative tech platform, Flix—founded in 2013—has rapidly become a market leader in long-distance bus travel in Europe, North America, and Turkey, and is expanding quickly into South America and India. Since 2018, FlixTrain is active in Germany’s long-distance rail sector with direct connections to around 50 cities making it largest private long-distance rail operator in the country.
Flixtrain is already deploying Siemens locomotives for its train services in Germany:
The German government
The newly formed German government has acknowledged the immense potential of long-distance rail by committing to long-term investments in rail infrastructure and a reform of the track access system in Germany. These plans could unlock more private investment in Germany’s rail sector, fostering innovation for a broader range of services. Ultimately, this would lead to more competition and a better offer for customers.
Patrick Schnieder, Federal Minister of Transport comments: “We expressly welcome FlixTrain’s investment. The fact that a German tech company is making an investment on this scale sends a strong signal to the rail market.”
About the Talgo 230 Platform
The Talgo 230 platform is already in use or under development in Spain, Germany, Denmark, and Egypt. It features the typical short car bodies with independently guided wheels with natural tilting and/or automatic gauge-changing technologies.
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