STADLER KISS ENTERS NEW MARKET: FIRST CONTRACT AWARDED IN BULGARIA

In order to implement the sustainable mobility goals and modernise rail transport in Bulgaria, the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria and Stadler have signed a contract for the delivery of seven zero-emission KISS double-decker vehicles. The contract signed in Sofia also includes an option for three additional vehicles, 15 years of fleet maintenance and training for the operator's staff.

The contract includes the basic order of seven vehicles and an option for a further three units. The four-car trains will reach a speed of 160 km/h and have a capacity of at least 300 seats. The first vehicle is to be delivered to the operator within 26 months of the contract being signed.

The modern double-decker trains are designed for operation with a track gauge of 1435 mm and are equipped with a 25 kV/50 Hz power supply system. At least 10 % of the seats in each unit and in each class will be prioritised for use by people with reduced mobility. The zero-emission electric vehicles will comply with the TSI requirements for conventional trains, the European standards and the regulations and standards for the movement and operation of railway vehicles on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and the regulations of the International Union of Railways (UIC).



Photo credit: Ministry of Transport and Communications, Bulgaria

The KISS vehicles for Bulgaria are produced at the Stadler Polska plant in Siedlce, which belongs to the Central Europe division within the Stadler Group. The plant in Siedlce has been in operation since 2006 and employs over 1,000 people. To date, around 950 vehicles have been produced for operators from 17 European countries. These include, in particular, the Balkan countries such as Slovenia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stadler Polska has already successfully introduced KISS trains in Slovenia and Slovakia.