FlixTrain, the rail subsidiary of global travel tech company Flix SE, has placed an order for 65 new high-speed trains, marking a significant step in its growth strategy across Germany and Europe. The trains will be supplied by Talgo, with Siemens providing the locomotives. The contract is valued at up to EUR 2.4 billion, with over EUR 1 billion already firmly committed.
The investment comes in response to growing demand for sustainable, fast and affordable rail travel. FlixTrain aims to significantly expand its services and capitalise on the projected growth of the high-speed rail market—expected to increase by 45% in Germany by 2030 compared to 2021, and to continue growing by 4–5% annually across Europe.
“We are pursuing a long-term strategy with FlixTrain and we will significantly expand our services in the coming years,” said André Schwämmlein, CEO and co-founder of Flix. “With the tremendous expansion of our train fleet, we will start a new era of train travel in Germany and Europe.”
FlixTrain’s ambition is not only to grow its market share but also to expand the overall rail market by encouraging more people to switch to environmentally friendly rail services.
Political backing for private investment
The move comes as the German government signals support for increased rail investment and reforms. Patrick Schnieder, Federal Minister of Transport, commented: “We expressly welcome FlixTrain’s investment. The fact that a German tech company is making an investment on this scale sends a strong signal to the rail market.”
Schwämmlein added: “The new German government recognises the importance of the framework for rail services, and rapid execution of the agreed priorities could lead to larger investments going into the German market.”
In parallel, FlixTrain is collaborating with the European Commission to enhance cross-border rail services and improve the travel experience for passengers across the continent.
Talgo trains for FlixTrain
The new trains, based on Talgo’s 230 platform, will travel at speeds of up to 230 km/h and include advanced features such as barrier-free boarding—currently unavailable on long-distance trains in Germany—as well as air conditioning, modern Wi-Fi systems, and passenger information displays. Siemens Vectron locomotives will provide traction, chosen for their proven reliability.
The design and technology will allow the new trains to operate across multiple European countries, supporting FlixTrain’s wider ambition of building a pan-European rail network.
Currently, FlixTrain connects 50 cities and offers access to around 650 destinations through partnerships with regional transport. Together with FlixBus, which operates approximately 300 stops in Germany, the company provides a unique intermodal network of long-distance travel options.
“We see FlixTrain as a European product,” said Schwämmlein. “Starting from our home market, we also want to make the service available in other countries.”
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