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Hungary in talks for Swiss train purchases
János Lázár, Hungary’s Minister of Construction and Transport, has announced that discussions are ongoing with Switzerland about the potential purchase of a substantial fleet of trains.
Lázár highlighted a notable difference in train punctuality between Hungary and Switzerland, stating that while about 75% of trains operate on time in Hungary, Switzerland boasts a punctuality rate of 90% to 100%. He pointed out the advancements in Swiss railway infrastructure, mentioning that they frequently replace their trains, usually within a decade, compared to Hungary's aging fleet, which includes trains that are 40 to 50 years old.
Swiss Train Options for Hungary
Following Lázár’s statements, publications began to outline the types of trains available for purchase from the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). The options include:
- Approximately 60 double-decker Bombardier trains, about 10 years old
- 113 Stadler KISS trains
- 60 Siemens Desiro trains
- 110 Stadler GTW trains
- Over 200 Stadler Flirt trains
Moreover, it is expected that the latest generation of Stadler Flirt trains will start arriving in Switzerland beginning in 2026, which may free up older models for sale to Hungary.
Future Plans for Hungary's Rail System
Earlier this month, Lázár revealed plans to replace every other electric locomotive by the summer of 2026 due to the age of the current fleet—150 of the 200 operational electric locomotives are between 40 and 60 years old. Additionally, he announced the purchase of 100 refurbished and 285 new InterCity (IC) cars.
For more details, visit Telex.