The coaches were built at the Bombardier plant in Bautzen, Germany, in the early 1990s.
Regiojet says the Bratislava - Komárno line has witnessed a surge in ridership since it took over operations from state-owned passenger operator ZSSK.
Passenger numbers on the route reached 3.6 million in 2018, an increase of 1 million compared with 2017, and increased 87% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2019 to reach a record 1.27 million. Growth drivers include residential developments, integration of Regiojet services into the Bratislava integrated fares system, and major reconstruction works on main roads into the Slovakian capital.
Regiojet currently operates these services using three-car Bombardier Talent DMUs, but these have been unable to cope with passenger volumes.
The double-deck coaches will be formed into two sets of five vehicles, each offering more than 100 additional seats compared with the Talent sets.
A joint feasibility study by Regiojet and the Slovakian Ministry of Transport for improving operations between Bratislava and Dunájska Streda, which includes fast services, concluded that at least 600 additional seats would be required each day.
To provide traction for the push-pull double-deck trains RegioJet is leasing two Siemens ER20 Hercules diesel locomotives from Beacon Rail.
The trains are expected to enter service in Slovakia in September 2019.
