The Swiss Federal Railways will purchase 29 new trains from Stadler Rail in a deal worth about CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion). They will be used on north-south routes to meet heightened demand expected after the new Gotthard tunnel through the Alps opens.

Swiss-based Stadler won the train deal over competitors Alstom and Talgo. The Federal Railways said the company is known for the value of its trains and their innovative qualities.

The new trains, which are expected to be rolled out from the end of 2019, will be able to travel at a maximum speed of 249 kilometres per hour. They will offer more than 800 seats, 40% more capacity than the EuroCity trains currently serving the same route between Basel or Zurich and Milan.

The new trains will also offer access for the handicapped, family and quiet wagons, as well as more electrical outlets and improved mobile phone service.

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative