en.Wedoany.com Reported - Stadler has signed a contract with the BeNEX Group to modernize seven Flirt electric multiple units. Work will begin in summer 2026 at facilities in Hamburg and Berlin-Reinickendorf, with the entire refurbishment plan scheduled for completion in summer 2029. The upgraded trains will enter service on the RE34 Dortmund-Siegen-Express line, operated by WestfalenBahn GmbH and NBE Nordbahn Eisenbahngesellschaft, starting with the timetable change in December 2026.
The contract covers a comprehensive interior and technical upgrade of these seven Flirt electric multiple units, delivered in 2014. Interior work includes replacing tables and handrails, reconfiguring seats to increase luggage and bicycle storage space, and updating the exterior design. Technical upgrades include installing Wi-Fi networks, USB charging ports, and adding more power sockets across the entire fleet. Installation of the Wi-Fi system on the first train will begin in summer 2026, and the entire refurbishment will conclude in summer 2029 after completing necessary approval procedures. The total contract value has not been disclosed.
For comparison, Wabtec's agreement with Brazil's Vale for installing train active control systems on the Carajás and Vitória-Minas railways is valued at 1 billion Brazilian reais, covering hundreds of kilometers of mixed-traffic heavy-haul infrastructure, and will be implemented in phases through 2031. In the infrastructure sector, the Hudson Tunnel Project recently approved an $88 million change order, with an overall completion target of 2028. Industry benchmarks indicate that mid-life modernization contracts for regional fleets of this scale typically range between €10 million and €30 million. BeNEX's project also aligns with a broader trend of regional fleet upgrades in Germany, such as Schleswig-Holstein's investment in 29 new Stadler Flirt Akku battery trains for Nordbahn operations.
The BeNEX Group chose to refurbish these seven trains rather than replace them to meet RE34 operating contract requirements and control costs. This upgrade extends asset lifespan and avoids delivery delays associated with purchasing new vehicles. New amenities such as Wi-Fi and USB ports respond to passenger expectations. The contract also reflects a shift toward more passenger-centric regional rail services on Germany's secondary corridors.
