ŽPCG and the Swiss company Stadler today signed a contract for the delivery of three modern four-car electric FLIRT trains.
The new vehicles will significantly contribute to the modernisation of passenger transport in Montenegro and will long-term enhance comfort, safety, and the attractiveness of public transport. The new FLIRT trains are based on the proven Stadler platform, which is already successfully in use in several European countries, including Serbia and Slovenia. The trains for Montenegro will largely be identical to those already operating in Serbia, thus enabling the use of modern electric multiple units in cross-border traffic between the two countries for the first time. With this procurement, Montenegro is making another important step towards modern, sustainable, and European mobility. The trains will be specially adapted to the requirements of the Montenegrin railway network and will feature a unique design that reflects the national identity and colours of Montenegro. The financing of this project is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Dragana Lukšić, Executive Director of Railway Transport of Montenegro, stated that the signing of this contract represents a historic moment for the future of railways in Montenegro, emphasising that the very fact that it involves a renowned global manufacturer whose trains are already successfully operating in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, and neighbouring Serbia guarantees immense experience, top quality, and significantly better maintenance in the future. According to her, the new Stadler trains will provide passengers with significantly greater comfort, safety, and reliability, while simultaneously increasing the attractiveness of rail transport for citizens and tourists, which represents an important step towards a modern European railway.
Dr. Ansgar Brockmeyer, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing Worldwide and Deputy Group CEO of Stadler, expressed great satisfaction in welcoming Montenegro as the 50th country in the world to join the Stadler family. He added that their vehicles are currently in operation on five continents and are synonymous with reliability, innovation, and sustainable mobility, and that this project represents another important milestone for Stadler and confirms the growing significance of modern railway solutions in Southeast Europe.
Željko Davidović, Director Sales Central and Eastern Europe at Stadler, emphasised that these new trains will not only modernise public transport but will also serve as a visible symbol of progress, European integration, and regional connectivity, expressing gratitude to ŽPCG, the Government of Montenegro, EBRD, and all project partners for their excellent cooperation and trust.
With over 12,000 vehicles sold and a presence in 50 countries worldwide, Stadler is among the leading manufacturers of railway vehicles in the global market. The company, headquartered in Bussnang, Switzerland, has been producing trains for over 80 years and is now one of the world's leading manufacturers of railway vehicles, signalling technology, and service solutions, with approximately 17,000 employees in production, engineering, and service centres around the globe.
This contract includes the procurement of three new electric multiple units of the Stadler FLIRT type (EMV), modern low-floor trains that represent one of the most widespread and technically reliable solutions in European regional and suburban rail transport.
The total value of the project amounts to 30 million euros, representing one of the most significant steps in the modernisation of the rolling stock of Railway Transport of Montenegro.
These trains are designed for a maximum speed of up to 160 km/h, which allows for a significant improvement in travel times and operational efficiency on the existing infrastructure, in accordance with the technical capabilities of our tracks.
Each train set will have a total of 244 seats, along with additional standing space for luggage and bicycles, ensuring high capacity and flexibility during peak travel periods. The trains are fully low-floor, equipped with modern air conditioning systems, video surveillance, contemporary passenger information systems, as well as enhanced safety and energy efficiency systems.
These trains belong to the FLIRT platform, which is already widely represented and proven in European rail transport. Identical or similar trains are in operation in numerous countries, including Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, as well as in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, and the Baltic states. This wide application confirms that it is a reliable and standardised European solution.
The delivery of the trains is planned within a period of up to 36 months, in accordance with the contract, with the expectation that it could be realised even earlier, considering that these rolling stock units have already been serially developed and technically verified through homologation processes in several European countries.
It is particularly important to highlight that both the maintenance and servicing of the trains will be significantly more accessible and efficient, thanks to the standardised FLIRT platform, the availability of spare parts, and the developed service network of the manufacturer in the region and Europe. This will contribute to lower operational costs, greater availability of trains, and more reliable system maintenance in the long term.
The new EMV FLIRT trains bring a high level of reliability, energy efficiency, and modern passenger comfort, with full accessibility for persons with reduced mobility.
This procurement represents an important step towards the modernisation of the railway system in Montenegro and its alignment with European standards of modern rail transport.