Slovenian railway operator Slovenske Železnice has officially assumed the control of 5 new diesel Stadler trains, the company announced last week. Since their delivery in March 2020, the vehicles have already gone through the necessary procedures of testing, staff training, compatibility with existing infrastructure checks and obtaining their respective operating permits. This is all part of a major modernisation project of railway transport in Slovenia, aiming to offer a more convenient and faster service.
Strategic modernisation of Slovenian railway transport
The new trains will drive on the Kočevje, Dolenjska and Kamnik routes. They promise to be more comfortable: with more space, pull-out staircases for easier entry at each door, rooms for people with reduced mobility and special toilets, at least 10 places for bicycles and sockets for charging various mobile devices.
All new trains will be equipped with a modern information system, laptops, automatic air conditioning and other features and will also offer wi-fi access.
According to the transport operator, the new trains will reduce travel time by up to 10 per cent. This is possible due to the fact that the new electric trains have faster acceleration and travel speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour, and diesel trains up to 140 km / h. Furthermore, the new diesel and multi-voltage electric trains will also enable cross-border regional connections with Austria and Croatia without crossing.
According to plans, the transformation of railway transport includes the launch of 52 new trains that were already ordered before the end of 2022. The electric fleet will be made up of 21 single-decker and 10 double-deckers and while another will be 21 single-decker diesel trains. The railway operator ordered 26 trains in 2018 and another 26 in 2019 from Swiss producer Stadler for a total amount exceeding 320 million euros.
Finally, with more seats available, the new trains are expected to contribute to a healthier environment, once the coronavirus-related travel restrictions in Slovenia are lifted and public transport returns to normal schedules.
Source: TheMayor.EU
