Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) has awarded Swiss firm Stadler (www.stadlerrail.com) a contract worth 8.5 million euros to supply an additional three-car diesel multiple-unit train (DMU) for its 950mm-gauge network, along with two intermediate cars to extend two existing trains from two to three cars (an order for a third intermediate car is expected to follow within three months).

The additional vehicles are scheduled to enter service on the Bari-Matera route by April of next year.

FAL currently operates a fleet of 11 two-car and six three-car Stadler DMUs on its 183km network.

The operator said the latest order is the first that it has been able to fund just from its own revenues.

Stadler has also been selected for a framework contract to supply high-capacity electric multiple-unit trains (EMUs) to Hungarian national passenger operator MAV-Start; further negotiations will now take place before a firm order is signed.

MAV-Start called for tenders in December for the supply of up to 40 EMUs over eight years.

These are to be used to increase capacity on suburban routes around Budapest; the specifications require at least 600 seats per train, making the use of a double-deck design likely. The order is being financed from EU sources.