Rail manufacturer Stadler is celebrating 20 years of operations in Hungary, marking two decades that have seen the company become one of the country's most influential rail industry players through major investment, manufacturing growth, job creation and fleet modernisation.
Since securing its first Hungarian contract in 2005, Stadler has transformed from a newcomer in the market into a cornerstone of passenger rail transport. Today, every second rail passenger in Hungary travels on a Stadler-built vehicle, while the company employs more than 1,000 people across the country.
The milestone reflects not only the success of Stadler's rolling stock programmes but also the company’s long-term commitment to developing Hungary's rail industry through local manufacturing, maintenance expertise and skills development.
From First FLIRT Order to Market Leadership
Stadler’s Hungarian journey began in 2005 when national operator MÁV ordered 30 FLIRT electric multiple units, with an option for an additional 30 vehicles. Following the establishment of Stadler’s Hungarian subsidiary in 2006, the partnership evolved into one of the country's most successful rail modernisation programmes.
To date, Stadler has delivered 195 vehicles for Hungarian operators, supporting daily passenger services across both the MÁV and GYSEV networks.
A Fleet at the Heart of Hungary's Railway Network
Stadler trains now play a critical role in Hungary’s passenger rail operations.
The current fleet consists of:
- 143 FLIRT electric multiple units
- 40 KISS double-deck trains
- 12 CITYLINK tram-trains
Collectively, Stadler vehicles operate approximately 35 million kilometres annually on the MÁV network, representing nearly one-third of the operator’s total mileage.
The fleet's performance has also been notable, maintaining an availability rate consistently above 90 per cent for many years.
Hungary has also played a significant role in the global success of Stadler's FLIRT platform. With around 3,000 FLIRT units sold worldwide, the train has become one of the best-selling vehicles in its class.
Szolnok Plant Becomes a Strategic Manufacturing Hub
A major factor behind Stadler's success in Hungary has been the growth of its industrial footprint.
The company has invested more than €200 million in the country over the past two decades, creating more than 1,000 jobs in the process.
In 2007, Stadler opened its maintenance centre in Pusztaszabolcs, the first service facility within the wider Stadler Group. The site helped establish the foundations for a global maintenance business that now spans around 100 service locations across 25 countries.
Two years later, the company launched its manufacturing facility in Szolnok, which has since become Stadler’s largest aluminium welding plant worldwide.
The site has produced approximately 6,000 vehicle car bodies across various train types, including nearly 4,000 car bodies for FLIRT trains, equivalent to around 1,000 four-car trainsets.
The company's bogie revision facility in Szolnok has also grown into one of Stadler’s most important service locations, overhauling close to 1,000 bogies each year.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the anniversary, Dr. Róbert Homolya, Chairman of Stadler Trains Hungary, said:
"The story of Stadler and Hungarian railways has become closely intertwined over the past twenty years. We are proud to have become a defining part of the everyday operation of Hungarian rail transport, and equally proud that we have achieved this shared success together with our customers, partners, and employees. The past two decades represent an important milestone, but also the beginning of a new chapter in which we can continue shaping the future of Hungarian railways together,"
From a team of just three employees in 2006, Stadler has built a substantial manufacturing, maintenance and engineering presence in Hungary. As the company enters its third decade in the country, it says it remains committed to further investment in facilities, workforce development and the continued advancement of sustainable rail transport.
Image credits: Stadler
