European rail services expansion announced by FlixTrain - Purchase of 65 trains for new route connections across Europe. - Train service provider Flixtrain unveils plans for European rail operations following the purchase of 65 trains.
FlixTrain, a subsidiary of Flix SE, has announced a significant investment in the European rail market, ordering 65 new high-speed trains for operation across multiple European countries. André Schwämmlein, CEO of Flix, highlighted the company's intentions to expand beyond its home market of Germany, aiming to make the new offering available in other countries. The trains, manufactured by Spanish company Talgo, will comply with European regulations for cross-border usage and boast speeds of up to 230 km/h.
The desired high-speed rail connections will have a particular focus on Germany, with extensive domestic route expansion and upgrading planned. Cross-border routes to neighboring countries such as Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden will also be targeted to cultivate a network of seamless travel. The trainsets are designed to cater efficiently to these interoperable journeys.
Fixt Train aims to achieve its goal by financing the new fleets through a combination of equity and loans. The company seeks to distinguish itself as a technology platform, having previously partnered with other entities to operate buses and trains. Flix stated that the backing of financial investor EQT and Klaus-Michael Kühn's holding company, both of whom hold a 35% stake in the company, has played a crucial role in the investment.
The Siemens Vectron locomotives will power the new Talgo 230 carriages, provided under a leasing arrangement. A joint task force consisting of experts from both Talgo and FlixTrain has collaborated greatly on the project's specifications and rollout.
This expansion aims to make rail travel more affordable and efficient across Europe, with Germany serving as a central hub in the network. Further details regarding planned connections, rollout, and collaboration between FlixTrain and its partners are expected in the coming months.
- The community policy of FlixTrain, as a subsidiary of Flix SE, now includes an investment in the European rail market, aiming to make rail travel more affordable and efficient across Europe.
- In order to finance the investment in new fleets for the high-speed trains, FlixTrain is relying on a combination of equity and loans, with financial backing from EQT and Klaus-Michael Kühn's holding company.
- Vocational training and efficiency are key focuses in the design of the new Talgo 230 carriages, which will be powered by Siemens Vectron locomotives and comply with European regulations for cross-border usage.
- To ensure success in the this expansion, a joint task force of experts from Talgo and FlixTrain has collaborated greatly on the specifications and rollout of the new high-speed trains, targeting multiple European countries, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden.
