Siemens Mobility has created an innovative regional train leasing service. Smart Train Lease GmbH was created with the promise of making the use of rolling stock more flexible with both electric and hydrogen or battery-powered trains.
Smart Train Lease GmbH’s leasing model enables train operators to quickly adapt their rolling stock capacity to changing market needs. To this end, it provides operators with trains from the Mireo Smart platform, which can be leased on a short-term basis.
Albrecht Neumann, CEO Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility, emphasises that “The transition to mobility has resulted in an extremely dynamic market for regional trains. Today, rail operators are looking for more flexible and quickly available offers. We have created an innovative rental model for highly standardised regional trains. Its cost-effectiveness, reliability and speed of delivery make it a new and particularly attractive offer for our customers”.
Benjamin Dobernecker, CEO of Smart Train Lease GmbH, says: “We want to make renting trains as easy and simple as renting a car and thus contribute to accelerating modal shift. This service will further increase the attractiveness of rail transport for travellers and enable our customers to react quickly to fluctuating demand”.
Smart Train Lease starts in Germany but will be rolled out to the rest of Europe
Smart Train Lease GmbH initially offers this leasing model in Germany, but plans to expand throughout Europe in the future. This expansion will allow more train operators to test this service, as well as the quality of the trains manufactured by Siemens.
The Mireo Smart trains available for rental are energy efficient and feature advanced technology. They are available in three variants: electric, battery or hydrogen. All trains are equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) and the point-based train control system (PZB). They are air-conditioned and have seating for 214 people, space to carry up to 21 bicycles, accessible toilets and space for two wheelchairs.
