NS ordered FLIRT Flex EMUs
posted on 19th Nov 2025 11:03
On 19 November 2025, Nederlandse Spoorwegen and Stadler have signed a 400 million EUR framework agreement for the delivery of 36 FLIRTs for commuter transport. NS is increasing capacity with the new fleet of 18 four-car and 18 six-car Sprinters called FLIRT Flex, aiming to meet the needs of growing ridership in the Netherlands in the coming years. The latest agreement strengthens the long-standing partnership between NS and Stadler, since the national operator already uses 134 FLIRTs.
The new 1.5 kV DC trains with a maximum speed of 160 km/h are expected to start on the NS network in 2030. Stadler is engineering the trains at its Praha office, and they will be built in Siedlce. Unlike the current Sprinters, the FLIRT Flex units will once again be in the classic yellow and blue NS livery. In the coming period, Stadler and NS will jointly develop the final design, followed by an extensive period of production, testing and approval.
With this new order, NS will have a total of 205 new EMUs within a few years, including 60 new double-decker units (DDNG) from CAF and 109 ICNG units from Alstom. NS also has an option for further FLIRTs, including the versions suitable for operation in Belgium and Germany.
