Kiel North America announced that Comfort Line, its newest train seat model for intercity and high-speed rail, is now available in North America. The completely newly engineered seat is already being integrated in several high-profile projects in Europe, most recently into the prestigious MTR Express line in Sweden.
As the intercity and high speed rail market is gaining traction, the German-based transit seating manufacturer with a North American presence and production facilities in Elkhart, Indiana, has decided to offer the newly developed Comfort Line model to customers in the Americas as well.
Over 1,400 Kiel intercity seat models have recently been integrated into a fleet of six Stadler FLIRTs (Fast Light Innovative Regional Train) that are owned and operated by MTR Express. Commencing commercial service in March 2015 on the route between Stockholm and Gothenburg, a busy 300 mile coast-to-coast stretch between Sweden’s two largest cities.
According to Thomas Schwank, general manager of Kiel North America, the relatively new niche market for train builders and suppliers distinguishes itself from more traditional local and regional transport in various ways. “As an increasingly attractive alternative to air travel and automobiles, high speed rail needs to cater to travelers who are used to a great degree of comfort and top-of-the-line amenities. Also, design is certainly an important aspect of fast long-distance rail travel and with Comfort Line Kiel is offering a market-proven, highest-quality solution.”
Given only a tight, one-year timeframe, Kiel collaborated closely with Stadler Rail and MTR Express to deliver a seating solution that integrates into the layout of the trains and offers passengers a clean, modern, and ergonomically correct design. Each train of the MTR Express fleet is equipped with 121 Kiel Comfort Line double seats which combine maximum comfort and remarkable amenities with the highest safety standards.
Johan Söör, the CEO of MTR Sweden comments that, “MTR Express offers a completely new customer experience in intercity travel. From technology and sustainability to design and service delivery, we want to make sure our customers can enjoy a modern and innovate way to enjoy long-distance rail travel. The Kiel Comfort Line reflects this vision to one hundred percent and we have already received a lot of positive feedback around our modern and ergonomic Kiel Comfort Line seats.”
“This first project with partners MTR Express and Stadler Rail sets entirely new standards for the customer experience in intercity travel,” comments Gerhard Hellweg, CEO of the global Kiel Group. “With a truly amazing concept and strong market experience, both companies know what it takes to redefine comfort and functionality in fast long-distance rail travel and Kiel is extremely pleased that the Comfort Line design was such an ideal fit.”
