First new “Flirt” train of 18 in total starts operating

The first new-series “Flirt” train, of the total of the 18 of them that were bought for the needs of Srbijavoz, has started operating. This has been confirmed by Ivan Bulajic, the acting director of this rail company, on his Instagram profile.

As Bulajic pointed out in his brief post, all 18 will start operating by the end of the year on electrified railroads. By putting the first new train by the Swiss Stadler into operation, the previously set dynamics whereby the beginning of the operations of these trains on Serbian railroads is supposed to start in the spring, that is, in May, has been realized.

These “Flirts” will reinforce the ones which have been servicing the Serbian railroads since 2015 (of which there is a total of 21).

The new generation of trains differs from their roughly ten years older “cousins” primarily in color and design. Whereas the first “Flirts” have a predominantly red exterior, the younger ones will be white. The new “Flirts” are designed for speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour and they are the fourth generation, more modern and different in design from the trains which have been on the Serbian railroads for some ten years now – primarily when it comes to passenger comfort, because they have a beverage vending machine, two toilets, and the seats are more comfortable as well.

This type of train is characterized by a light aluminum structure and is designed so as to emphasize a low consumption of electrical energy. The new “Flirt” is made from environmentally friendly materials, including water-based paints. The vehicle is also characterized by an easy principle of entering and exiting the train, including people with disabilities, people in wheelchairs and cyclists. The train is air-conditioned, with exterior and interior video surveillance and a system for video and audio notifications. The new trains have four sections with a total of 244 seats, that is, a total of 473 passengers, including the part for passengers with limited movement ability, as well as plenty of space for luggage.

The procurement of these trains cost around EUR 112 million and is financed with the proceeds from an EBRD loan.

As the acting director general of Srbijavoz, Ivan Bulajic, pointed out in his interview with eKapija last autumn, regio lines (those on which the trains make stops at nearly every station) will be operated by Stadler Flirt trains, which have been in operation since 2015, whereas Stadler Kiss and the new Flirts will be used on the intercity lines (which connect the most populated centers in the country) and on regio express departures (which make stops on only several stations on the route).

D. A.

Srbijavoz a.d. Beograd

Stadler

Stadler Flirt