SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways has awarded Stadler a contract to supply a further 60 Kiss double-deck electric multiple-units to provide additional capacity and improve accessibility on its InterRegio long-distance services.
The SFr13bn order announced on April 21 has been placed as an option, following on from the 69 Class RABe 511 EMUs previously supplied for the Zürich S-Bahn and 24 similar trainsets ordered later for IR and RE services.
The latest batch of EMUs are scheduled to enter service from the 2024 timetable. The order covers 19 six-car units to increase capacity in both the Zürich region and western Switzerland, and 41 to replace older trains which do not meet the accessibility requirements for persons with reduced mobility required by the end of 2023 under the Disability Discrimination Act.
The units will be 150 m long with low floors to facilitate easy access. The interior will be designed for long distance travel, with 466 seats including a 2+1 arrangement in first class. Facilities will include power sockets, bicycle spaces, multifunctional compartments with space for pushchairs, toilets and a modern information system.
