Arriva Nederland ordered five FLIRTs
posted on 5th Jan 2026 12:21
On 5 January 2026, Stadler and Arriva Nederland have signed a contract for the delivery of five four-car FLIRT EMUs. They will be deployed on the Vechtdallijnen in the Dutch provinces of Overijssel and Drenthe from December 2028.
Annemarie Hoogeveen, regional director at Arriva Nederland, said: “Since 2012, Arriva has been operating rail services between Zwolle and Emmen, as well as Almelo and Hardenberg. During this time, passenger numbers and customer satisfaction have grown steadily thanks to timetable improvements and the introduction of modern rolling stock. The five new FLIRTs will support these capacity increases between Zwolle and Emmen and further strengthen regional rail connectivity.”
The five 1.5 kV DC FLIRTs with a maximum speed of 140 km/h are a four-car version of the FLIRT 3 trains for Arriva Limburg and will expand Arriva’s existing Stadler fleet, which already includes 165 units in service across the Netherlands. In parallel, the Almelo – Mariënberg line will be electrified, enabling the replacement of current diesel operations with EMUs. Each unit will provide 248 seats, including 12 in first class, and accommodates a total of 457 passengers. Passengers will enjoy spacious interiors and multifunctional areas adaptable to seasonal needs, offering flexibility between bicycle storage and additional seating.
The trains will also feature modern PRM-compliant restrooms, power sockets, real-time passenger information displays and clear signage to aid navigation. The new FLIRTs will carry the RRReis livery, combining shades of purple, blue and green. Inside, refreshed seat upholstery and updated colour schemes will create a bright, welcoming environment designed for both comfort and functionality. The new batch will be built at the Siedlce factory and will be maintained by Stadler. It is a second order for the Netherlands in two months after that awarded by NS.
Stadler and Arriva share a partnership spanning almost two decades. Their cooperation began in 2006 with the first delivery of GTWs to the Netherlands. Between 2006 and 2012, Stadler supplied 122 GTW units, followed by 18 WINKs delivered between 2021 and 2022. From 2016 to 2024, Stadler produced 34 FLIRTs for Arriva’s operations in the Limburg region.