High-speed train company, Flixtrain, intends to acquire approximately 65 new rapid trains.
German travel providers Flix aimed to considerably enlarge their long-distance rail services with plans to purchase up to 65 new high-speed trains from Spanish manufacturer Talgo. The agreement, valued at up to €2.4 billion, includes the provision of locomotives from Siemens.
Thirty of these trains have been firmly ordered, with the option for an additional 35. The new vehicles, capable of speeds up to 230 km/h, will have barrier-free access and are expected to significantly improve travel comfort with advanced features such as air conditioning, passenger information systems, and state-of-the-art Wi-Fi.
Headquartered in Munich, the company currently competes with Deutsche Bahn in the long-distance rail market, operating a fleet of just 13 trains, primarily run by partner companies. With the acquisition of these new vehicles, FlixTrain will substantially increase its transport capacity and solidify its presence in the industry.
André Schwämmlein, CEO and co-founder of Flix, stated that the company is committed to a lasting strategy with FlixTrain and aims to expand its offerings significantly in the coming years, not only increasing market share but also stimulating market growth. New Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) expressed his support for the initiative, commenting that a significant investment such as this is a powerful endorsement of the rail market.
Data from various sources indicate that FlixTrain sees the high-speed rail market as having significant potential, particularly in the German market, which is forecast to grow by 45% from 2021 volumes by 2030. The broader European market is projected to expand by 4-5% annually, presenting an opportunity for FlixTrain to extend its reach beyond Germany.
FlixTrain aims to provide fast, affordable, and sustainable rail travel, with the goal of enticing more passengers to switch from road and air to rail. The company is also building on its strong intermodal network, offering a seamless combination of bus and rail services and connecting around 650 destinations via train and approximately 300 FlixBus stops in Germany alone.
The company has secured strategic partnerships with Talgo and Siemens to ensure operational reliability, and has received positive signals from the German government in regards to rail investment and reforms. FlixTrain is also collaborating with the European Commission to enhance cross-border rail services and improve the passenger experience across the continent.
With these plans in motion, FlixTrain gears up to play a transformative role in European rail travel, not just through its own service expansion but by stimulating overall growth in the long-distance and high-speed rail market.
The following are the main categories of train: high-speed trains and locomotives. The technology used in these trains will include advanced passenger information systems, state-of-the-art Wi-Fi, and air conditioning systems.
