Private long-distance train operator Flixtrain is accelerating its growth strategy in the German rail market and plans a significant expansion of its capacity. As André Schwämmlein, CEO of the parent company Flix, announced, the size of the service is expected to double within the next two years.
This expansion is taking place even before the scheduled delivery of the new vehicles ordered last year from the Spanish manufacturer Talgo. This goal is to be achieved primarily through significantly increased service frequency on existing core routes and the use of longer train sets to meet the growing demand for long-distance services.
The focus of the service expansion is on high-frequency connections between Germany's major cities. On the prestigious Berlin-Hamburg route, the number of daily departures will be increased to up to ten, representing a roughly one-third increase in weekly frequencies. The expansion is even more dramatic on the routes between Hamburg and Cologne, as well as between Berlin and Leipzig, where Flixtrain aims to double the number of weekly departures. This increased service frequency positions the company more strongly as a direct competitor to Deutsche Bahn, seeking to gain market share in the price-conscious travel segment.
A further strategic milestone is the planned connection of Munich to the green rail network from 2028 onwards. The Bavarian capital, which is also Flix's headquarters, will be served by Talgo's new high-speed trains. The order comprises a total of 65 of these modern trainsets, optimized for use on the German rail network. The corresponding locomotives for operation will be supplied by Siemens. To underscore the connection to Munich, a Siemens locomotive was recently christened "Bayern" in the presence of Bavarian Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter.
The expansion plans reflect the company's confidence in the liberalization of long-distance rail passenger transport. Despite the challenges posed by DB InfraGO's infrastructure, which is in need of renovation, Flixtrain is pursuing an aggressive fleet expansion. The decision to expand significantly even before the delivery of the Talgo trains indicates that the company is either securing readily available carriage capacity on the market or utilizing existing quotas more efficiently. This reinforces Flix's ambition to be perceived not only as a mobility platform for buses, but as a fully-fledged player in European rail transport.