65 new trains: FlixTrain expands enormously
The market for high-speed trains in Germany is expected to grow by 45 percent by 2030. Photo: FlixTrain
FlixTrain, the subsidiary of the travel tech company Flix SE, has ordered 65 new European high-speed trains and sees enormous market potential in Germany and Europe.
The new trains will be delivered and maintained by Talgo, while the locomotives will be provided by Siemens, it is said. The order volume amounts to up to 2.4 billion euros. With this strategic step, FlixTrain is responding to the growing demand for fast and affordable rail travel. With the new high-speed trains, the company aims to exploit the enormous market potential in Germany and Europe. The market for high-speed trains in Germany is expected to grow by 45 percent by 2030 compared to 2021. According to the OC&C Long-distance Travel Market Study 2023, the market potential across Europe is even greater, at around 27 billion euros in 2023, with expected annual growth of four to five percent. In 2024, FlixTrain expanded its offerings by 40 percent and recorded significant passenger growth, building on the strong results of 2023.
The German government's commitment to long-term investments in rail infrastructure and a reform of the rail access system could unlock more private investment in the German rail sector and promote innovation for a broader range of services, said André Schwämmlein, CEO and co-founder of Flix. At the same time, FlixTrain is working closely with the European Commission to promote European rail travel and provide passengers with a better overall experience.
The new European high-speed trainsThe new FlixTrains will operate as European high-speed trains, traveling at speeds of up to 230 km/h, and will feature features such as barrier-free boarding, passenger information systems, air conditioning, and state-of-the-art Wi-Fi solutions. Furthermore, they will be able to operate in many European countries, as they are based on a universal concept that allows for rapid expansion.
Currently, around 650 destinations can be booked via FlixTrain, and 50 cities are directly connected to the FlixTrain network. Together with the approximately 300 FlixBus stops in Germany, Flix offers an intermodal long-distance travel offering consisting of international bus services and high-speed train connections. The new trains are intended to drive expansion in Germany and other European countries. "We see FlixTrain as a European product. Starting with our home market, we want to make the service available in other countries as well," adds Schwämmlein.
sus
You might also be interested in: Railway ranking: Deutsche Bahn and Flixtrain perform so-so BCD Travel analysis: The train always remains an option
businesstraveller
