Stadler has signed an agreement with the State of California for a further six additional hydrogen trains.
The new order, signed by San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) and Stadler will take the fleet of hydrogen trains ordered under the original contract signed in October 2023 to 10, after an initial four ordered in Autumn 2023. The contract includes an option to purchase up to 25 trains.
Martin Ritter, CEO Stadler US, commented, "We are very proud to be providing additional hydrogen trains to the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and Caltrans.
“With our multiple units, we are jointly driving the decarbonisation of rail transportation in the US. We thank CalSTA and Caltrans for their trust and look forward to deepening our partnership."
Ritter also said that the FLIRT H2 is a popular model in the U.S, given the country’s lack of electrified lines, and reaffirmed Stadler’s commitment to the U.S market.
“Hydrogen technology enables sustainable mobility as it is an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional drives.
“Stadler is thus actively pursuing the goal of modernising public transport in North America and making a contribution to environmental protection in the process," added Ansgar Brockmeyer, EVP of Marketing and Sales at Stadler.
Stadler has continued to invest in hydrogen trains and has signed contracts with the other states in the U.S, as well as Germany, Italy, Austria and Lithuania, with over 150 hydrogen units sold to date.
SBCTA and Stadler also confirmed that the current models ordered last year are now testing in the USA after a period of extensive testing in Switzerland at the company’s headquarters in Bussnang. The FLIRT H2 was the first hydrogen-powered train in North America when it was unveiled to the world in 2022 and forms part of California’s wider drive to hit a zero-emission rail programme across the state.
Photo: Stadler
