LITHUANIA: The first of six 1 520 mm gauge, three-car battery-electric multiple-units that Stadler is supplying for national passenger operator LTG Link was unveiled at Kaunas station on February 14.
Under a June 2023, €226·5m contract, Stadler Polska is supplying to LTG Link with nine Flirt electric multiple-units for inter-city services and six BEMUs with a range of 70 km to replace diesel trains on non-electrified lines. The deal includes the supply of spare parts throughout the trains’ 30-year life, with an initial 10-year technical support and spares agreement running to 2037.
Stop for a charge at Varėna
The vehicle is currently undergoing testing, with entry into service planned in the second half of this year.
The BEMUs are to be used on the Vilnius – Varėna (– Marcinkonys) and Kaunas – Šiauliai routes, both partially electrified.
Trains on the Vilnius – Marcinkonys line will stop for a battery charge at a facility to be installed at Varėna.
Bicycles and snack vending machines
The 65 m long trainset is capable of operating at up to 160 km/h under catenary and at up to 120 km/h in battery mode. It has three doors per side, 128 seats and space for six to 30 bicycles according to demand.
It features coffee and snack vending machines as well as ramps and accessible toilets for people with reduced mobility.
‘Battery trains in Lithuania mark a very clear step towards more modern and sustainable travel’, said Kristina Meidė, Managing Director of LTG Link, at the unveiling. ‘It is important to us that comfortable and modern travel is available not only in major cities, but also in the regions. The train being introduced today shows what quality and experience passengers can expect in the near future.’
- Subscribers can read more about rail investment in the Baltic States in the October 2025 issue of Railway Gazette International.
