Last week the roll-in of the first two of ten FLIRTs (Fast Light Innovative Regional Trains) in Minsk took place, for Belarus State Railways BŽD. Delivery was possible in less than one year from signature of the contract, due to simultaneous production of a nearidentical FLIRT for Helsinki at Stadler’s Bussnang site. In the margin of the celebration Peter Spuhler, owner and CEO of Stadler Rail Group, and Anatoly Alexandrovich Sivak, Chief Executive of BŽD, signed a declaration of intent for the procurement of further vehicles and cooperation in the service sector.

Stadler’s first order from a CIS state Peter Spuhler was jubilant in Minsk at the roll-in ceremony: “I am so proud that our FLIRT will now serve Belarus too. This is the first time that Stadler has supplied vehicles to a country of the

former Soviet Union. We discern great potential in the Commonwealth of Independent States, as we have our Helsinki-type FLIRT to offer. This modern broad-gauge train1 is suitable for temperatures as low as –40 degrees Celsius.” Stadler is currently working on a broad-gauge order from Estonia for 38 FLIRTs. 656 FLIRTs have already been sold, in 13 different countries.

Technically, the trains for BŽD are largely based on the FLIRT for Helsinki. They are being built in two versions: six FLIRTs will serve the conventional commuter railway system of the capital of Belarus, Minsk. These high-capacity trains seat 232. The other four FLIRTs are destined for inter-regional transport between major cities. Given the longer journey times, these offer more comfortable and elaborate interior fittings. Hence seating capacity is only 188.