The three Baltic carriers – Lithuania’s LTG Link, Latvia’s Vivi and Estonia’s Elron – today announced a tender in Tallinn for the purchase of new European-standard regional rolling stock. This historic step marks a new stage in regional transport, which will ensure fast, sustainable and high-quality journeys on the future Rail Baltica line.

The construction of Rail Baltica in Lithuania is moving forward confidently – the first European rails have already been laid in the country, the works cover a stretch of 114 km. In close cooperation with the neighboring Baltic countries, we are now preparing for the next important step – the acquisition of new trains. This is not just an investment in new rolling stock – we are investing in people, in their more comfortable and faster journeys, and at the same time in the safety of the entire region,” says Transport Minister Juras Taminskas.

The event, which was attended by the transport ministers of the three Baltic States and the heads of transport companies, highlighted that the joint purchase will not only allow for cost optimisation, but will also ensure technical compatibility of rolling stock throughout the region. Although the trains will be technically identical, each operator will manage its own separate fleet, and the exterior of the rolling stock will reflect the unique brands of the national carriers.

LTG Link CEO Kristina Meidė notes that this purchase is a continuation of the company’s commitment to reducing journey times and increasing their comfort and attractiveness.

“Our goal is to continue to purposefully create a new travel standard, where speed and comfort would become everyday life. These modern regional trains will allow us not only to ensure maximum efficiency on the Rail Baltica track, but also to offer passengers a sustainable and highly competitive alternative to cars,” says K. Meidė.

The new regional trains will be adapted to the 1435 mm standard Rail Baltica track and will meet both international and national infrastructure technical requirements. They are planned to be equipped with about 200 seats, first and second class carriages, special areas for bicycles, and the rolling stock will also be adapted for passengers with disabilities. The maximum speed of regional trains will reach up to 200 km/h.

According to K. Meidė, this tender and the trains to be purchased, together with the new Stadler trains already arriving in Lithuania, will significantly supplement the LTG Link rolling stock fleet.

LTG Link plans to purchase up to 8 regional trains for Rail Baltica trips. The carriers of all three Baltic states intend to purchase up to 20 regional trains. The purchase price will be known after the manufacturer is selected and the contract is signed.

Rail Baltica works in Lithuania are carried out on the main line, where European standard rails have already been laid in the most mature section. Last year, contracts for construction work were signed for more than 800 million euros (including VAT). Currently, tenders for the design of infrastructure maintenance depots and individual objects are being conducted and will be announced.