BLS RABe 528

The BLS RABe 528, also known as MIKA, is a passenger articulated trainset manufactured by Stadler Rail for BLS AG. It is a derivative of the Stadler FLIRT and began entering service in 2021.

History
BLS AG ordered 58 trainsets from Stadler Rail in 2017 at a cost of CHF650 million. BLS planned to use the trains on Bern S-Bahn services and on longer RegioExpress services. The RABe 528 will replace locomotive-hauled Einheitswagen III coaches and the BLS RBDe 4/4 and EBT RBDe 4/4 II multiple units. The first trains entered service on 10 May 2021 on the InterRegio 66 between Bern and Neuchâtel.

Design
Each formation is composed of six cars, with a maximum seating capacity of 275. They can accommodate another 200 standees. Altogether the formation is 104900 mm long. Cars are 2880 mm wide and 4260 mm tall. The design speed is 160 kph. There are different internal layouts for longer-distance trains compared to S-Bahn trains but they are mechanically identical.