Stadler has secured an order from Arriva Nederland for five four-car FLIRT trains for service on the Vechtdallijnen in the Dutch provinces of Overijssel and Drenthe.
Arriva has been operating train services between Zwolle and Emmen, and Almelo and Hardenberg, since 2012.
Since then, improvements have been made to the timetable, and modern rolling stock has been introduced, resulting in growth in passenger numbers and customer satisfaction.
The new FLIRT (Fast Light Inter-city Rapid Transit) trains will enhance capacity between Zwolle and Emmen.
The new trains have a capacity of 457 passengers, with 248 seated and 12 in first class. They have dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and bicycles, and multifunctional areas are adaptable for extra bicycle storage or additional seating; there are also quiet areas for working or relaxation.
Internally, the colour schemes have been chosen to provide a bright and welcoming environment, and there are PRM-compliant restrooms, power sockets, and real-time passenger information displays and clear signage to aid navigation.
The units will be finished with the RRReis livery of purple, blue, and green.
As well as introducing the new trains, the Almelo–Mariënberg line will also be electrified, so that energy-efficient electric trains can replace the current diesel services.
The new trains will add to the 165 vehicles that Stadler already has in service in the Netherlands, with its partnership with Arriva starting in 2006, it delivered the first of 122 GTW units between then and 2012. Stadler supplied 18 WINK vehicles between 2021 and 2022, and between 2016 and 2024, it supplied 34 FLIRT trains to Arriva for service in the Limburg region.
In November, Stadler signed a framework agreement to supply 36 FLIRT trains to Dutch operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). The company is also supplying FLIRT trains to Transport for Wales.
“With this latest contract, Stadler and Arriva reaffirm their shared commitment to providing modern, accessible and environmentally friendly mobility solutions. The new FLIRT trains will support our customers’ sustainability goals and enhance the passenger experience across the Vechtdallijnen network. We are proud of the trust placed in us and honoured to contribute to the continued development of modern and reliable rail transport in the Netherlands.”
Pascal Kuenzler, Sales Director for Benelux at Stadler
