Bombardier Transportation has handed over the first two of twenty dual-system FLEXITY trams to Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (AVG).
AVG will receive the remaining 18 trams over the coming months – all by mid-2021. Bombardier is manufacturing the 20 trams for Karlsruhe at its Competence Center for Light Rail Vehicles in Vienna. Having a desire to modernise its fleet, AVG ordered the FLEXITY trams in 2018.
Once all 20 units have been delivered, AVG will have a total of 62 FLEXITY trams. The total value of the 2018 call-off order was in the region of 87 million euros (98 million USD).
“With the new vehicles, we are continuing to modernise our fleet while increasing passenger capacity. In addition, the new light rail vehicles will enable us to offer our passengers the best possible comfort and high-quality standards, making public transit a more attractive option for people in the region.”
Being dual-system, these FLEXITY trams can run on both the city’s tram network and on railway lines. Each tram is 37m long with a total capacity of 244 passengers, of which 93 can be seated. Up to three units can run together to increase capacity at peak times.
“We’re pleased that the trams have arrived in Karlsruhe, via sustainable rail transportation. In the coming weeks, the vehicles will be prepared for operation, tested and finally authorized for passenger service on site. Since the new vehicles differ only slightly in technical terms from the proven trains already in service, I expect the authorization process to be completed quickly.”
The trams are made of recyclable materials and are painted with water-soluble paint.
AVG is the second-largest railway company in Baden-Württemberg after Deutsche Bahn.
Also read:
