Stadler’s manufacturing base in Szolnok has reached a significant milestone with the completion of the first fully painted car body for GYSEV’s new FLIRT InterCity fleet. The unveiling, attended by Hungary’s Minister of Construction and Transport János Lázár and Stadler Group chairman Peter Spuhler, marks the start of visible progress on the eleven dual-current trains ordered for cross-border services.

The car bodies are being built in Hungary by local specialists, a moment the company described as symbolic for the Szolnok site — the first time in many years that rolling-stock components are being produced domestically for a Hungarian operator. Once complete, the new trains will be introduced on the Sopron–Budapest and Szombathely–Budapest routes from late 2027, with the full fleet expected to enter service by early 2028. Their dual-system capability will also allow seamless operation into Austria.

Dr. Róbert Homolya, Chairman of Stadler Trains Hungary Zrt, said:

“It is a great honor for the Szolnok plant to be able to manufacture car bodies for the Hungarian market after such a long time, opening a new chapter in rail transport. With the delivery of the new GYSEV train fleet, the number of Stadler-manufactured vehicles in Hungary will exceed 200. We can already say that every second passenger travels on our trains, which have an average availability of 96%.”

The Szolnok plant celebrated its 15th anniversary in January 2025, and Stadler notes that ongoing investment has transformed the facility into the largest car body production centre in Central and Eastern Europe. Since opening, more than 6,000 car bodies have been manufactured for operators across 14 countries.

The new FLIRT InterCity fleet is being designed with long-distance comfort in mind. The trains will run at speeds up to 160 km/h and include both 1st and 2nd class, air-conditioning, modern passenger information displays, Wi-Fi, and USB-C charging ports. A flexible interior configuration will increase seating capacity during the winter timetable and accommodate up to 18 bicycles in summer. The final livery, developed jointly by GYSEV, Stadler and the Innova Design Team, blends the operator’s traditional green-and-yellow palette with contemporary silver and streamlined detailing.

Szilárd Kövesdi, CEO of GYSEV Zrt, said:

"The newly unveiled car body is the first result of a development that will form the cornerstone of future InterCity transport. GYSEV passengers can travel between Budapest and towns in western Hungary in elegant, comfortable, and environmentally friendly vehicles."

The FLIRT platform continues to be one of Stadler’s biggest global successes, with more than 3,000 units sold since 2002 to customers in 21 countries. Hungary is a major user of the type, with 20 units operating for GYSEV and 123 for MÁV. Szolnok has played a central role in this international production effort, contributing to almost 1,000 FLIRT sets and manufacturing 3,883 car bodies for the model to date.

Image: Stadler