German City of Karlsruhe to Get Additional 20 Bombardier FLEXITY trams
The Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (AVG), which operates rail services in Karlsruhe, has ordered an additional 20 Bombardier FLEXITY trams for the city. This order increases AVG’s tram fleet to 62.
This order is the third AVG has placed with Bombardier following a framework agreement signed in 2009 for 75 vehicles. The order is worth around 87 million euros for Bombardier. Delivery of the trams will then take place between May 2020 and March 2021.
Alexander Pischon, CEO of Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft mbH, said:
“Striving to provide attractive local transport services, we have decided to order 20 additional dual-system vehicles from Bombardier Transportation. This will allow us to purposefully enlarge our vehicle fleet offering high-quality standards to our passengers.”
Ascan Egerer, Technical Director of AVG, said:
“Considering the urgent need fro expand our capacity, ordering the 20 additional vehicles is of vital importance for us, as we are continuing to modernise our vehicle fleet. For our passengers, the FLEXITY trams also offer a modern, high level of passenger comfort.”
Bombardier FLEXITY Trams
One of the key features of these trams is that they are dual-system vehicles. This means they are able to operate on both tram lines and on the regional rail network. The benefit, of course, for passengers is the added convenience. They are able to travel into and out of the city without having to change trains.
Bombardier has adapted its FLEXITY tram platform to work for Karlsruhe. For example, it has tailored the floor height of the trams to suit the existing infrastructure. As a result, passengers can board and exit the trams quickly, while passengers with reduced mobility are also able to use the service. The flush floors are more convenient for passengers with a lot of luggage or push chairs as well.
Other features enhancing the passenger experience include the modern passenger information system, wifi and large multifunctional areas where bicycles, wheelchairs and push chairs will find plenty of space.
Each tram is 37 metres long and comes with 93 seats. In total, one FLEXITY tram has a capacity of 244. Furthermore, up to four FLEXITY trams can be connected to service increased passenger numbers during peak hours. These trams also come with bogies fitted with air springs, which improve the suspension, reduce the tram’s noise output and, importantly, reduce wear on both the wheel and the rail.
Alexander Ketterl, Bombardier’s Head of Light Rail Vehicles, said:
“We are very pleased about this renewed vote of confidence and look forward to continuing to work successfully with our customer AVG. We are product that AVG will continue to rely on our dependable and easy-to-maintain FLEXITY trams in order to extend their transport service.”
