Bombardier Transportation has won a contract to modernise the 430 423-series fleets operating on Stuttgart’s S-Bahn network. The client is DB Regio AG, which holds the operating contract until 2032.
Bombardier will provide engineering services to redesign the trains and modernise and deliver three converted prototype vehicles per series as long as the materials for the modernisation works for the remaining vehicles. However, these vehicles will be modernised in-house by S-Bahn Stuttgart.
The contract is worth around 103 million euros for Bombardier. It will undertake the development work at its Mannheim and Hennigsdorf sites, while the modernisation works for the prototypes will be performed at Hennigsdorf.
As part of the modernisation works, the trains will receive a new interior design, passenger information and entertainment system and at-seat power. The trains will get wifi, too. They currently have multi-purpose areas at the end of the car. These will be supplemented by two further multi-purpose sections in the middle, which are ideal for bicycles. They will have folding seats as well as elements for standing passengers to lean on.
There will be modifications to the seating arrangements to allow wheelchair users and passengers with strollers to access the multi-purpose areas at the front and back more easily. Lastly, the trains will be equipped with an automatic passenger counting system to provide utilisation data.
Once modernised, the trains will be equipped similarly to the vehicles ordered in 2018. The prototypes for this order are currently being manufactured in Hennigsdorf.
“With the interior elements of our redesign, we are meeting the latest requirements for urban mobility. For passengers in the Stuttgart region, this means better passenger service and more space for wheelchairs, strollers as well as bicycles through additional multi-purpose areas.”
The current S-Bahn Stuttgart fleet consists of 157 trains. It is to be extended to 215 trains.
