Stadler (www.stadlerrail.com) — the Swiss manufacturer of railway rolling stock, with an emphasis on regional train multiple units and trams — is designing and building 26 single- and double-decker multiple units for the Slovenian state rail operator Slovenske Zeleznice (with an option for 26 more vehicles).

This is Stadler’s first contract from Slovenia. Back in the late 1990s, the company submitted a bid for a contract for 30 multiple units to Slovenia, but it lost out to the competition after a ‘hotly contested’ tender.

Peter Spuhler, owner and CEO of Stadler, said: “It delights us even more that 20 years later, our second attempt has been successful, and we have managed to break into the Slovenian market.”

Dusan Mes, general manager of Slovenske Zeleznice, said: “The signing of this contract with Stadler is the first step towards modernising rail passenger transport in Slovenia.

“With new modern trains, we are taking a step forward in the renewal of our fleet for the benefit of our customers.”

The contract consists of 11 four-car FLIRT EMU trains, five three-car FLIRT DMU trains and 10 three-car double-decker KISS EMU trains (plus an option for 26 more vehicles).

The contract is worth about 170 million euros. A notable feature is that the Slovenian state rail operator will be able to operate routes with mixed trains composed of single-decker and double-decker cars as well as using the single-decker vehicles in double traction.