The leasing company Alpha Trains has become one of the first private companies in Germany to invest in equipping existing regional rolling stock with the European Train Control System (ETCS). The project involves 35 Stadler FLIRT3 electric trainsets operated under the BRB (Bayerische Regiobahn) brand; these will serve the Rosenheimer Kreuz (ROX) network following the tender victory of the operator Bayerische Oberlandbahn, organized by the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft. The new network service contract will run from December 2029 to December 2043.
As part of the project, Alpha Trains will carry out a comprehensive modernization of seven three-car and 28 six-car trains, including ETCS installation, a major overhaul, and a complete interior refurbishment. Talbot Services will execute the work, InterEngineer Systems will provide engineering support and re-certification, and Siemens Mobility will supply the ETCS Level 2 onboard equipment. This approach allows for the integration of maintenance and modernization, thereby reducing train downtime and increasing operational availability.
The Rosenheimer Kreuz network is considered a key regional transport artery in Bavaria, carrying approximately 17 million passengers annually and covering nearly 4.9 million train-kilometers. It comprises the Munich–Rosenheim–Salzburg, Munich–Rosenheim–Kufstein, and Munich–Holzkirchen–Rosenheim routes. Alpha Trains emphasizes that the implementation of ETCS represents a strategic investment in the digitalization of rail transport, enhanced safety, and improved international interoperability, particularly on cross-border routes to Austria.