Slovak Railways (ZSSK) has exercised an option under its April 2025 contract and ordered two additional KISS double-deck electric trains from Stadler. The new units are expected to enter service during the 2026/2027 timetable on the Bratislava – Žilina main line. Financing will come primarily from European funds through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).
This means that in 2027, ZSSK will have eight Stadler KISS EMUs:
- 2021: 4x Stadler KISS EMUs ordered – class 561 – delivered in 2023-2024;
- April 2025: 2x Stadler KISS EMU ordered, delivery 2026-2027 – 2 more as option;
- September 2025: 2x option become fixed order, delivery 2026-2027.
The new double-deck trains will provide at least 611 seats (582 fixed seats in first and second class plus 29 folding seats) and a maximum operating speed of 160 km/h. They will feature a low-floor design for easier access, including for passengers with reduced mobility. The trains will be designed by Stadler Praha and produced at Stadler’s plant in Siedlce, Poland.
Backgrounds
Stadler Rail was announced the winner of the tender for the supply of four “high-capacity EMUs” in April, which ZSSK announced at the beginning of 2025. The contract was signed on April 30, 2025. The units will be equipped with VZ Mirel and ETCS L1+L2 signalling. Air conditioning, passenger information system, toilets and space for disabled passengers, bicycles and carriages will be standard.
