“LTG Link” will purchase 15 new electric and electric-battery trains

"LTG Link", the passenger transport company of Lithuanian Railways (LTG) Group, will purchase new electric and electric-battery trains from Swiss train manufacturer "Stadler" Group. According to the order of "LTG Link", the trains will be manufactured by the company "Stadler Polska". The supplier that won the public procurement, with a contract worth 226.5 million Euros, undertook to manufacture 15 extremely comfortable trains, to provide technical support for their maintenance and the supply of spare parts until 2037.

It is planned that the tests of electric trains manufactured according to Swiss technology will start in Lithuania in 2025, and the company's customers will start traveling on the first new trains in mid-2026. By purchasing these trains, "LTG Link" also acquired train technical support services for an extremely long period of time – until 2037. Among the provided services are the supply of spare parts, technical assistance and consultations on the issues of operating trains and updating their maintenance depots, warranty for train batteries, etc. Moreover, the contract provides that, if necessary, "LTG Link" will be able to purchase additional trains.

"This biggest deal for the company will not only transform the train fleet, it will essentially be a new quality of trains that will mean a new quality of journeys for passengers, they will be fully accessible for people with disabilities and individual needs. At the same time, it marks a new era in the railway sector as the company turns decisively to the West and finally abandons any ties, train parts or service from its eastern neighbours", says Marius Skuodis, the Minister of Transport and Communications.

There will be two types of new trains powered by green electricity. It is expected that in the near future, electric trains will run on the Vilnius–Klaipėda railway section, and battery trains will run on non-electrified sections of the railway. These trains will be able to travel up to 70 km without additional charging.

Egidijus Lazauskas, the CEO of LTG, emphasizes the long-term commitment of the Group of companies to contribute to the sustainable development of the transport system in Lithuania: "This commitment requires complex solutions that include both infrastructure projects and services for passengers and businesses. The agreement with the Swiss capital company is another step forward in the development of green transportation by trains. As the electrification of the main Lithuanian railway artery Vilnius-Klaipėda moves forward, we are purchasing modern electric trains that will ensure a new travel culture and experience. In this way, we are taking another step towards a clean transport future".

Linas Baužys, the head of the passenger transport company "LTG Link", which signed the contract, emphasizes the company's goal, both now and in the future, to purchase only trains powered by green electricity that meet high quality and comfort requirements. Both these trains and those to be purchased in the future should be adapted and meet high service standards for passengers with individual needs, and the movement of these passengers should be unrestricted in the cabins.

"Every day, we strive for more and more people to switch to environmentally friendly railway transport. Today we can confidently say that the new trains will make a significant contribution to the realization of our sustainable mobility goals. They will bring a significant leap in the quality and experience of train travel for all passengers.

The design works of trains adapted specifically for Lithuania will soon begin. Suitable for operation in both hot summers and cold winters and suitable for wide gauge railways, the battery trains will be the first of their kind in the Northern European region. And together with the supplier that won the public procurement, we will ensure their efficient operation for many years", says L. Baužys.

The trains will be extremely quiet, designed for work or relaxation during the trip, fully adapted for people with limited mobility – there will be no steps that restrict movement, and all seating areas will be cozy and comfortable. A bistro will operate on electric trains.

The supplier also undertakes to consult "LTG Link" on the issues of  reconstruction of the electric train depot and to provide specific equipment for the maintenance or repair of these trains. It will also have to ensure the supply of replacement train components that will be used throughout the 30-year life cycle of the trains.

"Stadler has already sold over 2.500 FLIRT trains worldwide - it is a tried and tested, reliable and comfortable vehicle model based on a light-weight modular design, that can be adapted to different energy sources, meets the expectations of the most demanding customers and is environmental friendly. I'm happy that our vehicles will soon carry passengers in Lithuania too. I'm certain that they will love FLIRT trains and enjoy travelling on them", said Peter Spuhler, the executive Chairmain of the Stadler Group.

The results of the largest international public procurement of trains in the history of the country's railways were evaluated both according to criteria of economic utility (price of trains, warranty provided, maintenance costs) and qualitative technical parameters (level of comfort and noise, number of seats, level of completeness of battery train technology, reliability of trains, train delivery time, etc.).

The public procurement for the acquisition of new green electric trains was announced at the end of 2020.

About "LTG Link"

"LTG Link" is a part of Lithuanian Railways Group, which has been operating as a separate company since September 2019. The main activity of the company is the transportation of passengers by train in Lithuania and abroad. The company's goal is to create a new travel culture, to encourage people to choose sustainable rail transport more and more often, to create value for society by efficiently managing activities and providing high-level services.

About "Stadler"

"Stadler" has been manufacturing trains for over 80 years. The company provides mobility solutions for railway vehicle construction, services and signaling technologies. The headquarters of "Stadler" is located in Busnang, eastern Switzerland. About 13,500 employees work in the company's different production and engineering service divisions. In total, the company provides services from 70 locations in Europe and beyond.

Realizing the social responsibility arising from the sustainable development of mobility, the company offers quality, innovative, sustainable and durable products. The range of main railway and urban transport products includes high-speed trains, intercity trains, regional and suburban trains, metros and trams. "Stadler" also manufactures mainline and shunting locomotives and passenger wagons.