On 30 April 2025, Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) ordered up to four KISS double-deck trains from Stadler. The first vehicle is scheduled to enter service at the end of 2026, while the second will be introduced in 2027. The train will run on the railway line between Bratislava and Žilina. The contract includes an option to purchase two additional trains.

“Stadler trains have been running successfully in Slovakia for more than a year. I am pleased that we will once again deliver state-of-the-art KISS units to Slovak Railways. Thanks to their innovative design, these vehicles will offer the highest level of comfort and significantly increase capacity in regional and intercity passenger transport. The lightweight aluminum construction means lower operating and maintenance costs throughout their entire life cycle, ensuring cost-effective operations for the client,” said Dr. Ansgar Brockmeyer, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing at Stadler.

"Fleet renewal is a pillar of our vision for modern and sustainable transport. Thanks to today’s signing, we will bring innovative units to Slovak railways that will not only increase passenger comfort and satisfaction but also reduce energy consumption to 12 kWh per train kilometer and save dozens of tons of emissions annually. They have become a symbol of ecological solutions that improve quality of life and elevate rail transport to a new level. Our ambition is to keep Slovakia moving — ecologically, efficiently, and with pride on a European level," said Peter Helexa, CEO of ZSSK.

“Slovakia is yet another country in Central Europe that has been steadily increasing the number of Stadler trains operating on its rail network. I am delighted that we are continuing to strengthen Stadler’s market share in the region, which we believe has potential for further growth,” said Zdeněk Majer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Stadler Prague, at the signing ceremony.

As with the units previously delivered to ZSSK, the new vehicles will be designed by Stadler Prague — Stadler’s engineering office, which currently employs over 250 engineers and designers. Manufacturing will take place at the Stadler Polska plant in Siedlce.

The new KISS trains are 155.9 metres long, with a total of 611 seats, including 30 first-class seats in the Comfort section. The units combine high power with rapid acceleration and reach a maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour. They are fully accessible to wheelchair users and are fitted with four toilets, including one for passengers with reduced mobility. Multifunctional areas provide dedicated seating for wheelchair users and ample space for bicycles, push-chairs, and luggage. Both the passenger compartments and driver’s cabs are fully air-conditioned.

Passengers will benefit from a modern passenger information system and on-board Wi-Fi — essential features of contemporary railway travel. Advanced technology includes internal and external surveillance cameras, as well as roof-mounted cameras to monitor the pantograph for safe operation. The trains are also fitted with certified energy monitoring systems.

Stadler delivered four KISS trains to Slovak Railways in 2023 for regional lines in western Slovakia, operating between Bratislava and Nové Zámky and Bratislava and Trenčín or Púchov. This latest order will see the number of Stadler KISS trains double in Slovakia. In years 2001, 2003 and 2021, the manufacturer also supplied to Slovakia multifunctional electric units for the narrow-gauge lines in the High Tatras.

Technical parameters of the vehicle:

• Power supply system: 25kV, 50 Hz AC

• Maximum speed: 160 km/h

• Maximum traction power: 6,000 kW

• Axle configuration: Bo’Bo’+2’2’+2’2’+2’2’+2’2’+Bo’Bo’

• Vehicle length: 155.9 m

• Total number of seats: 611 (including 30 in first class)

• Maximum standing capacity: 770 passengers

• Number of toilets: 4 (including 1 for passengers with disabilities)

• Multifunctional compartments: Space for 2 wheelchairs, 15 bicycles, and 2 push-chairs

• Vehicle entry height: 580 mm above top of rail

• Train control systems: Mirel VZ1 and ETCS Level 2

• Features: Wi-Fi and full air conditioning

Caption to Picture Signing 1 (from left to right):
Karol Henzély, Member of the Board of Directors and Director of the ZSSK Operations Section; Peter Helexa, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the ZSSK; Ansgar Brockmeyer, Executive Vice President for Marketing and Sales and Deputy CEO of the Stadler Group; Philipp Brunner, Executive vice president for the Central and Eastern Europe division; Zdeněk Majer, President of the supervisory board of Stadler Prague; Ondřej Vaško, Director of Stadler Prague.

Caption to Picture Signing 2 (from left to right):
Štefan Kuruc, Director of the ZSSK Operations Preparation Section; Martin Bahurinský, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of the Legal Services Department of the ZSSK; Karol Henzély, Member of the Board of Directors and Director of the ZSSK Operations Section; Peter Helexa, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the ZSSK; Denisa Žiláková, State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport of the SR; Ansgar Brockmeyer, Executive Vice President for Marketing and Sales and Deputy CEO of the Stadler Group; Philipp Brunner, Executive vice president for the Central and Eastern Europe division; Zdeněk Majer, President of the supervisory board of Stadler Prague; Ondřej Vaško, Director of Stadler Prague; Martin Halmo, Sales director of CZ-SK Stadler.