23.01.09
New fleet of 30 FLIRTs brings quality change in the public service of several railway lines in Hunga
Stadler Rail Group (Stadler) has started the delivery of the second batch of FLIRT trains to MÁV Start Zrt. (MÁV). Thanks to Stadler’s flexibility, the new trains will arrive to Hungary on the average 2 months earlier than determined in the delivery agreement. The last trains of the new fleet will expectedly enter service in February 2010, which means that by 2010 altogether 60 FLIRT trains will be operating on the Hungarian railways.
The agreement for delivery of the 2nd batch of FLIRTs, for which MÁV had an option in the original delivery contract signed in 2006, was concluded by the State Railways and Stadler at the end of 2007. The order is financed by Raiffeisen Bank, which provided an EUR 141.6 million loan to MÁV for the procurement.
Since the delivery of the first units, the FLIRTs have been continuously set into operation by MÁV on the railway lines of Budapest-Győr, Budapest-Székesfehérvár and Budapest-Pusztaszabolcs. According to the passenger feedback arrived to MÁV, the FLIRTs acquired the acknowledgement and admiration of the travelling public. The procurement of the new trains is part of the modernisation programme that MÁV started for the development of the suburban railway transport in Hungary, the increase of quality of services, and the reduction of time of journeys.
With the arrival of the new trains, the quality conditions of public transportation will improve on several railway lines in the forthcoming period. The first trains of the new fleet will enter service on the Budapest-Székesfehérvár and Budapest-Pusztaszabolcs lines. From May 2009 the FLIRTs will start service on the Budapest-Gödöllő-Hatvan line as well. In proportion with the arrival of the FLIRTs, MÁV Start Zrt. will gradually replace its old suburban push-pull trains.
The operation of new trains will also start a new era in the imposing railway history of the Danube bend (on the line of Budapest-Vác-Szob) on the weekends. After the suburban lines of Western-Hungary, the inhabitants of the Danube bend region and the regularly visiting hikers can also get acquainted with the modern services of the FLIRT. During the summer, the trains will also enter service on the southern part of the Lake Balaton.
MÁV’s experiences with the FLIRT
The FLIRT ordered by MÁV is a 4-unit train with seating for 211 and standing space for 164 passengers. The rapid exchange of passengers is enabled by 6 doors equipped per side. A retracting platform beneath the floor makes boarding in railway stations with low level platforms easier.
The maximum speed of the FLIRT reaches 160 km/h, with an exceptional acceleration speed of 1.2 m/s2. According to the experiences of the Hungarian State Railways, this exceptional feature enables the FLIRT to easily compensate more than 10 minute leeways too. It also enabled the Hungarian railway company to put the FLIRTs in service with a 140 km/h top speed, which is historical development for MÁV, because even the top speed of intercity trains is only 120 km/h in Hungary.
The FLIRT has outstanding braking qualities as well, as the train is able to stop with its main brake without using the air pressured brake system. In addition, it recuperates electricity, which it retrieved from the accumulated kinetic energy, to the overhead line, resulting in HUF 100.000 cost saving for MÁV per train, per day. Moreover, in case of emergency, excellent braking power is provided by the train, which means that other trains, braking from the same speed, will still move with 90 km/h when the FLIRT has already stopped.
The spacious passenger compartment, equal level of passages between cars, passenger information system, air-conditioning, and video surveillance systems make the FLIRT be highly comfortable and passenger-friendly. The FLIRT will also have an effect on the reduction of environmental burdens, due to its uniquely low energy consumption and the low level of noise and pollution it produces.
MÁV ZRt. Communications
(released by: Imre Kavalecz, head of press office)
Further information:
Imre Kavalecz, MÁV Kommunikáció, + 36 511 4658
Csaba Kiss, Stadler Trains Magyarország Kft., + 36 1 266 5504
www.mav-start.hu
www.stadlerrail.com