Production of GYSEV’s new InterCity EMUs progressing at full speed
posted on 2nd Jul 2026 16:15
The procurement of 11 FLIRT InterCity EMUs by GYSEV has entered a new phase: the bodyshells manufactured at Stadler’s Szolnok plant have already been transported to Siedlce, Poland, where final assembly of the vehicles is currently underway. The train are scheduled to arrive in Hungary at the end of 2026 for type testing, and - following the acquisition of the necessary regulatory approvals - they will gradually enter passenger service from 2027 until summer 2028.
The new GYSEV FLIRTs represent the first InterCity procurement in Hungary in 30 years, marking a significant milestone and a major step forward in the modernization of domestic rail transport. The modern fleet will feature both first- and second-class seating, air-conditioned, low-floor passenger areas, and a modern passenger information system.
For long-distance comfort, an onboard dining area will be available, equipped with food and beverage vending machines. The flexible interior design allows adaptation to seasonal demand: in summer, the trains can accommodate up to 18 bicycles. Passenger comfort is further enhanced by USB-C charging ports, Wi-Fi connectivity, and practical holders for tablets and smartphones.
Testing of the vehicles will begin in August 2026 at three locations - Romania, the Czech Republic, and Hungary - running in parallel. The first FLIRTs are expected to arrive in Hungary by the end of 2026, where domestic test runs will commence. These five-car, dual-voltge trains with at maximum speed of 160 km/h, will in the future strengthen GYSEV’s InterCity services on the Sopron – Budapest and Szombathely – Budapest routes, and will also be capable of operating in Austria.
GYSEV currently operates 20 FLIRTs, while MÁV operates 123 ones. Hungarian manufacturing has played a major role in this success as well: of the approximately 6,000 bodyshells produced so far, nearly 4,000 have been built for FLIRTs at the Szolnok plant, equivalent to around 1,000 four-car units. Stadler employs around 1,000 people in Hungary. This number is set to rise further in the coming years.
