ÖBB order 41 new KISS-type double-decker multiple units from Stadler

Credit: Stadler

Österreichische Bundesbahnen (Austrian Federal railways – ÖBB) have ordered 41 new KISS-type double-decker multiple units from Stadler. The order is being placed as part of the framework agreement signed in 2022 for up to 186 double-decker multiple units which recently has been cleared in the last instance by the higher administrative court in Vienna, thus ending legal proceedings. The order value in the first request amounts to around €600 million. The trains are intended for use in the eastern region from 2026.

The renewal of the ÖBB local and regional transport fleet continues. ÖBB is ordering 41 new KISS-type double-decker multiple units from Stadler for the eastern region, thus guaranteeing even greater passenger capacity and comfort in the future. The framework agreement with Stadler allows ordering of up to 186 trains, for a total value of up to €3 billion. In the current request, ÖBB is ordering 20 six-car and 21 four-car vehicles, with an order value of €600 million. The first vehicles are expected to enter passenger operation on routes in the eastern region at the start of 2026.

“With these 41 new Cityjet double-decker trains, we continue to modernise our local transport fleet in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland,” Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB, said. “From 2026 on, we offer even more capacity and comfort to our passengers, making the switch from individual transport by car to rail transport more attractive to commuters. This is good for our climate and both comfortable and practical for our ÖBB-travellers.”

“We are proud to deliver the next generation of double-decker multiple units to Austria. In many countries, our KISS is already successfully on the move,” Peter Spuhler, Administrative Board President and Group CEO at Stadler, said. “Thanks to its high level of innovation, the KISS is a key solution for the environmentally friendly rail transport of tomorrow. We thank ÖBB for this order and look forward to a long-term, successful collaboration.”

The new double-decker electric multiple unit is designed for a top speed of 160 km/h; it offers 610 seats in the six-car or 380 seats in the four-car configuration. With improved acceleration behaviour and consequently shorter journey times, it is ideally suited to busy routes.

The design of the new train particularly considers the wishes and requirements of passengers for everyday work and leisure trips. Every individual carriage has a low-floor entrance as well as an optimised multi-purpose area with more space and accessibility for passengers with bicycles, pushchairs, or luggage. This generously designed multi-purpose area is connected directly to the entrance/exit area and facilitates quick passenger changes.

In the new KISS, passengers will also find a modern interior design, comfortable seats, climate control and sockets in every row of seats. Moreover, the new trains are fitted with a modern passenger information system (monitors with real-time information) as well as video surveillance. For passengers with limited mobility, the middle carriage of the composition also has a number wheelchair spaces with new, height-adjustable side-wall tables.