Siemens Mobility will supply the Westfalen-Lippe Local Transport Authority (NWL) with a set of 61 battery-electric Mireo Plus B trains, as well as a comprehensive, long-term full-service contract.
The company will work with both Rock Rail and the NWL to aid in the development of regional rail transport in the Network North Westphalia (NNW).
With a term of up to 30 years; the long-term service package will see Siemens Mobility take full responsibility for the fleet’s maintenance with an aim to ensure almost 100% availability.
The new battery-powered trains are set to enter service from December 2029, and are intended to be kept on track with a mixture of preventive, corrective and predictive maintenance, as well as digital analysis with solutions such as Siemens’ Railigent X, which will allow for condition-based maintenance before the trains enter the workshop and reduce overall downtime.
Elmar Zeiler, CEO of Customer Service at Siemens Mobility:Long-term service contracts are a key factor in ensuring reliable and sustainable rail transport.
This contract underscores precisely this importance: with our full-service approach, we are taking on complete maintenance of the Mireo Plus B fleet on the Network North Westphalia, thereby ensuring virtually uninterrupted availability over many years.
In doing so, we are laying the foundations for efficient, cost-effective operations whilst also making an important contribution to the decarbonisation of rail transport in Westphalia.
The new Mireo Plus B battery-powered multiple units (BEMUs) draw power from overhead lines and cover non-electrified sections of track with zero emissions, with energy management systems and energy recovery during braking ensure high efficiency and low operating costs.
All units are equipped with Wi-Fi, charging points, accessible boarding and multi-purpose areas.
