Thurbo has put the first two Stadler Flirt Evo regional trains into regular service on the S26 between Winterthur and Rüti ZH.
The vehicles are part of a 107-train order for Thurbo under the joint procurement by SBB, RegionAlps and Thurbo. The wider order covers 329 Flirt Evo regional trains with a procurement volume of about EUR 2.18bn (CHF 2bn).
Thurbo’s first Flirt Evo was assembled in July 2024, followed by testing for rail operation. The Federal Office of Transport granted operating approval in September 2025, after which the train was used on the S9 between Wil and Wattwil to gather experience in scheduled service.
The Flirt Evo fleet will replace Thurbo’s current GTW articulated multiple units in stages through 2034. During the transition, Thurbo will operate both GTW and Flirt Evo fleets, which cannot be coupled together, adding constraints for double traction and disruption management.
Thurbo has ordered both four-car 75-metre and three-car 60-metre Flirt Evo trains. The longer sets will mainly operate in the Winterthur area, while the three-car trains will be used primarily on rural routes in Thurbo’s operating area.
The trains are built by Stadler in Bussnang. Passenger features include power sockets at two-seat groups, larger multi-purpose areas for bicycles and strollers, luggage areas, improved mobile phone reception and full accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility.
Seven of Thurbo’s 18 lines serve stations in the ZVV network, with five lines converging at Winterthur. The operator also runs six night lines within the ZVV area.
Thurbo recorded a punctuality rate of 96.6% in 2025.
