The rolling stock fleet of “LTG Link,” the passenger transport company of the LTG Group, is changing rapidly. Twelve new “Stadler Flirt” trains – seven electric and five battery-powered – have already arrived in Lithuania. All of these trains are being tested and prepared for the start of passenger service, which is scheduled for this fall.

“We are rapidly approaching a historic moment when Lithuanian railways will undergo a fundamental transformation. As early as this fall, residents of both major cities and rural areas will be able to travel on modern Swiss electric trains. And most importantly, we are ensuring that rail transport meets the needs of all passengers and is convenient for everyone,” says Minister of Transport Juras Taminskas.

Testing of the new trains begins at the Stadler factory in Poland, where key rolling stock systems – such as ventilation and emergency systems – are inspected, and testing then continues in Lithuania. Here, static and dynamic tests are conducted to evaluate the trains’ performance at various speeds and under different operating conditions, including acceleration, braking, and steady-state operation.

Rolling stock tests conducted to date have been successful, and tests of double, triple, and mixed-power trains are scheduled to begin in the near future. Before regular service begins, all 15 “Stadler” trains being manufactured for Lithuania – 9 electric and 6 battery-powered – will be tested.

“Every train that arrives in Lithuania brings us closer to the moment when we will be able to offer passengers a new level of quality in rail travel. Currently, our primary focus is on ensuring that all rolling stock successfully completes the testing and certification processes and begins regular service safely and reliably,” says Kristina Meidė, head of LTG Link.

Once the static and dynamic tests of the new rolling stock are complete, certification procedures will be carried out, and authorization to operate the train for passenger service must be granted. After evaluating the test results, the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration (LTSA) will grant the operating permit.

The new electric “Stadler Flirt” trains will offer passengers more comfort and space. After a hiatus of several decades, they will feature a bistro area where passengers can purchase hot food and beverages, and there will also be more space for bicycles. The trains are equipped with 200 seats, allowing them to handle passenger traffic more efficiently; during peak hours, trains can be coupled in pairs or even triples. These trains will operate on the Vilnius–Klaipėda–Vilnius route.

Battery-powered trains, capable of running on both electrified and non-electrified railway sections, will operate in Lithuania on the Kaunas–Šiauliai–Kaunas and Vilnius–Varėna (Marcinkonys)–Vilnius routes. They are equipped with 128 seats, coffee and snack vending machines, and, for passenger convenience, the trains are also adapted for people with mobility impairments. When running on the overhead contact line, these trains will be able to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, and up to 120 km/h in battery mode.