14,000 new seats: Stadler gives Thurbo trains a new lease of life for operation in Hungary
Stadler will comprehensively modernize 93 GTW trains of the Swiss railway company Thurbo and sell them to the Hungarian State Railways (MAV), where they will enjoy a second life. This creates an ecological and financially sustainable solution that delivers added value to all parties involved. Thanks to the project, Hungarian passengers will receive additional 14,000 new seats in the quality they got use to with the existing FLIRT fleet operating in the country.
The Hungarian State Railways (MAV) will require significant rolling stock development in the coming years and in addition to the procurement of new vehicles, it expressed strong interest in purchasing second-hand trains too. After an extensive assessment process of conversion requirements and criteria for re-approval in Hungary, Stadler identified the Thurbo GTW fleet as a potential candidate to meet the communicated demand in Hungary. Therefore, Stadler submitted an offer to Thurbo for the purchase of 93 articulated railcars, and in parallel to MAV for the refit and re-sale of the fleet. Following a very thorough negotiation process, MAV and Stadler agreed in the terms and conditions of the sale agreement and signed the contract.
More seating and comfort in a fast way
The Hungarian State Railways will receive high-quality Stadler trains, enabling it to provide additional seating for Hungarian passengers faster than with the procurement of new rolling stock. Stadler will take over the Thurbo-vehicles in annual batches between 2027 and 2034 and adapt them to the needs of the Hungarian State Railways. After the refurbishment works, the trains will reach a high quality and thus significantly enhance passenger comfort as they replace older MAV vehicles.
The trains will be equipped with new Passenger Information System, video surveillance, and sliding steps optimized for Hungarian platform heights, vehicle onboard computer for drivers, combined Mirel and ETCS BL4 train protection system. The propulsion system of the vehicles will be converted to 25 KV, used in the Hungarian network. Finally, the trains will be refoiled in MAV corporate identity colors and fitted with new seat covers. The modernisation takes twelve weeks per train. The prototypes are being built in Switzerland. Stadler is setting up a service facility in Hungary for subsequent series production.
A Sustainable Solution and new business model
Stadler’s purchase, modernization, and resale of Thurbo’s GTW fleet to MAV offers benefits for all involved. It ensures a second life for the trains, enabling continued ecological and financially sustainable use. The refurbishment and extension of life of such modern multiple units is a competitive alternative both technically and financially of buying new trains. The GTW fleet is the first of the larger series that Stadler delivered in the past 20 years and could pave the way and serve as a role model for further similar projects, creating a new business model for Stadler.
Thurbo’s GTW fleet consists of a total of 110 vehicles. In 2021, Thurbo decided to replace the GTW vehicles with 107 regional trains of the FLIRT Evo type from Stadler, and in line with the arrival of new trains, they will gradually phase out the existing fleet until 2034.