Electric trains enter service in support of Lithuania’s ambition to nearly double ridership

LITHUANIA: Passenger operator LTG Link put the first of 15 Stadler Flirt electric and battery-electric multiple-units into passenger service on October 22, marking the start of the largest fleet renewal programme since the country’s independence. This is intended to support LTG Link’s ambition to increase annual ridership from 5.5 million passengers in 2025 to 10 million by 2030.

The €226.5m rolling stock contract signed with Stadler Polska on June 21 2023 covers the supply of nine 25 kV 50 Hz EMUs for inter-city services and six BEMUs ordered as a way to replace diesel trains without the cost of electrifying regional routes. The deal includes the supply of spare parts throughout the trains’ 30-year life, with an initial 10-year technical support and spares agreement running to 2037.

There are options for LTG Link to order a further 13 EMUs and 26 BEMUs.

The 1 520 mm gauge wide-profile trains are intended to improve passenger comfort and reduce emissions. The five-car EMUs are 93 m long with 200 seats and a bistro area, while the BEMUs have three passenger cars and a traction module and are 65 m long with 128 seats. The BEMUs offer a range of 70 km using battery power.

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