Stadler has secured a contract to manufacture and deliver of four double-decker multiple-units KISS trains with electric drive for Slovakian rail operator ZSSK.

The contract with Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) is the first time that Stadler has supplied the electric drive double-decker vehicle to Slovakia. The delivery of the KISS vehicles should be complete by the end of 2023.

The six-car units are to be used on regional routes in western and central Slovakia and will join ZSSK’s fleet of 21 single-decker articulated railcars (GTW) which were produced by Stadler, 15 of which are narrow-gauge GTW and feature electric drive, 6 are standard-gauge GTW and have diesel-electric drives.

The vehicles are 155m long and provide over 600 seats in both First and Second class and have a maximum speed of approximately 160km per hour. Facilities on the vehicles include step-free entrance, four toilets with one for those with reduced mobility, multifunctional compartments suitable for wheelchair users and plenty of storage for bicycles, prams and luggage.

During Autumn 2018, ZSSK ordered five GTW rack-and-pinion adhesion multiple units and a multifunctional rack-and-pinion adhesion locomotive from Stadler. These vehicles were for use on the rack-and-pinion and adhesion network of the metre-gauge electric TEŽ mountain railways in the High Tatras which are fondly known as the “smallest high mountain range in the world”.

Executive Vice President Marketing & Sales and Deputy CEO of Stadler, Dr. Ansgar Brockmeyer, said: “We are very pleased that we have succeeded in winning this tender and that we will be able to supply our reliable, safe and comfortable double-decker multiple-unit KISS train to Slovakia for the first time. The rail operator and passengers will benefit from the modern vehicles to the same extent. We are particularly proud that we can continue our common history with ZSSK thanks to this order. We would like to thank ŽSSK for their trust and look forward to continuing our successful partnership,”