Austrian rail operator WESTbahn has announced the acquisition of 10 Stadler KISS EMU trains to supplement its existing fleet.
Westbahn acquires 10 additional Stadler trains
The order, worth €180 million, consists of 9 four double-deck wagons and 1 six double-wagon of the KISS EMU type and will be built by Swiss rail manufacturer Stadler. Westbahn has provided passenger transport connections between Vienna and Salzburg since December 2011 and is an operating subsidiary of Rail Holding AG.
An original order for 7 six-part trains was placed by WESTbahn in 2009 for delivery in 2011. The trains measured 150 metres in length, weighed 296 tonnes and could reach a maximum speed of 200 km/h. The trains were put in service between Vienna and Salzburg.
From 2017, the new trains will provide an intercity service between Vienna and Salzburg from Vienna Central Station in addition to existing hourly trains running from Westbahnhof.
On the first April 2015 WESTbahn’s share holdings changed. Haselsteiner Familien Privatstiftung now holds a 49.90 percent share, SNCF 17.40 percent and Augusta Holding 32.70 percent. The additional shareholder equity is €36.5 million.