Flixtrain Expands Fleet with Multi-Billion Euro Investment in New Trains

In a significant move that enhances competition in the railway sector, Flixtrain has announced a substantial investment to expand its fleet of trains. The company has placed an order for approximately 30 new high-speed trains from the Spanish manufacturer Talgo, with an option to acquire an additional 35 units. This investment, which includes maintenance services, is projected to reach up to EUR2.4 billion.

The new trains are designed to achieve speeds of up to 230 kilometers per hour and will feature accessible boarding options, catering to a wider range of passengers. The locomotives for these trains will be sourced from Siemens, although specific delivery timelines have not been disclosed. Typically, the manufacturing and delivery process for new trains can extend over several years.

This announcement is viewed positively within the transportation sector, as it suggests an increase in options for rail passengers in the coming years. Experts emphasize the potential benefits, particularly in cross-border rail travel, which remains largely untapped. Flixtrain's initiative indicates a recognition of this opportunity and could lead to significant improvements in service offerings for travelers.

Flixtrain, a subsidiary of the Munich-based travel platform Flix, which is primarily known for its green long-distance bus services, stands as one of the few competitors to the Deutsche Bahn in the long-distance rail market. Currently, Deutsche Bahn holds a dominant market share of around 95%, with limited competition from other state-owned rail services like the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and a handful of night train providers.

With the addition of these 65 new trains, Flixtrain's fleet could nearly quintuple, significantly bolstering its capacity. Until now, Flixtrain has partnered with other companies to offer its rail services, focusing on high-demand routes such as connections from Berlin to the Rhineland, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Baden-Württemberg. However, unlike Deutsche Bahn, Flixtrain does not operate on a fixed timetable.

Overall, this investment marks a pivotal development in the German rail industry, promising to enhance competition and improve options for travelers.